The hospital in Rome or the medical clinic in Casablanca are certainly not at the top of your bucket list destinations for your next trip. No one wants to get sick on vacation; beyond the health issues, medical expenses abroad can quickly escalate and become a major financial burden. One of the advantages of participating in a group insurance plan is that, in most cases, coverage includes travel insurance at no additional cost.

In this article, we cover in five steps what’s typically included in travel insurance, the criteria for determining whether the coverage meets your needs, and a few reminders for a hassle-free trip. We also present a benefit unique to AGA plan members: discounted access to Flight Claim’s travel assistant for help if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Just like travelling... follow the guide!

1. Make sure you’re insured

Most health plans include out-of-province and out-of-country travel insurance for insured persons. The first step is to check whether your plan provides such coverage. If so, you don’t have to do anything to take advantage of it.

2. Read the clauses carefully

Even if it’s included, travel insurance, like all insurance, is subject to rules governing coverage. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Travel insurance contracts usually include a stability clause, which refers to what are known as pre-existing conditions. In short, if you’re hospitalized while on vacation for an illness or condition that was recently diagnosed by a healthcare professional, you may not be eligible for compensation. The reason is that it was a known risk. If you’re not sure about your health, don’t hesitate to contact your travel insurance provider to see what’s covered.
• Coverage may be invalid in certain countries due to the political situation or other issues. If you’re going to a place known to pose some risk for travellers, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer before you go.
• Coverage also often has a limit on the length of stay, or the total amount reimbursable (maximum per insured or per event).
• Your group travel insurance is often limited to health and emergency travel coverage, but may include other things such as cancellation insurance, lost or stolen luggage, etc. Take a close look at your brochures and contracts.

Depending on your situation, your group travel insurance may be sufficient, or you may want to consider an alternative.

3. Evaluate other options

You can, of course, purchase individual or family travel insurance through a market supplier. Be aware that insurance may need to be taken out when you make your travel plans (purchase airline tickets or book accommodation) or shortly afterwards.

Some credit card issuers also offer such insurance at no extra charge, if the main travel-related expenses have been made using their card.

Check with the suppliers to find out what is and isn’t covered.

4. Enjoy a little extra with AGA

When travelling, you could experience problems such as flight delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, and issues with your baggage. Flight Claim’s Peace of Mind travel assistant enables you to obtain fair compensation from airlines in the event of eligible disruptions. Designed by legal experts, this service provides you with real-time flight notifications, and information on travellers’ rights and airline obligations.

AGA plan members benefit from a 20% discount on the Peace of Mind package, for a hassle-free trip. To purchase coverage before departure and benefit from the AGA discount, members must visit their Members portal, then click on the image that takes them to our Exclusive Benefits for Members discount program, which includes Flight Claim.

5. Leave well prepared!

When something goes wrong, you don’t want to be looking all over the place. Keep your travel insurance card with you, as it usually includes the phone numbers to call for help. In the event of a medical emergency, you should contact the insurer before undertaking any treatment to check your eligibility and get instructions, especially regarding the information to be provided.

Your policy and member numbers, as well as a print or electronic copy of the detailed brochure, can also come in handy.

Don’t hesitate to contact your employer, your insurer or your AGA advisor to better understand your group travel insurance and make the most of it. Bon voyage!