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What CAA Members need to know about COVID-19.

Last Updated: October 5, 2022

Travel insurance.

As we navigate through the continually changing travel restrictions, it is important for travellers to understand how the border requirements and regulations can impact their travel insurance policy. As a reminder, travel advisories are issued for many reasons and coverage restrictions apply based on the travel advisory. It is important for travellers to always monitor Global Affairs Canada as a trusted source of travel advice by visiting travel.gc.ca.

Protecting the safety of CAA travellers.

Travellers need to be mindful of the risks of travelling internationally. It is important to research the destination’s COVID-19 situation before booking to understand the type, timing and costs of COVID-19 tests that may be required. Confirm your ticket’s change, cancellation, or refund policies in case of a disruption on your trip.

CAA Travel Insurance emergency medical plans include coverage for COVID-19 when a Level 3 advisory related to COVID is issued. CAA Travel Insurance emergency medical plans will continue to include coverage up to $2.5 million CAD if partially vaccinated, or up to $5 million CAD if fully vaccinated, for COVID-19 related illnesses that may occur when travelling. You will have to meet certain COVID-19 vaccination conditions to be eligible. Please click here to read the policy endorsement to make sure you meet the requirements before you travel.

Due to the continuously changing circumstances, it’s also recommended to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance when travelling. Having this coverage in case you do run into a problem can provide you more peace of mind.

CAA has identified key considerations that potential travellers may not be aware of.

Anyone who is considering travel should make sure they have looked into the following and remember that travel requirements and regulations are continually changing.

  1. Confirm the COVID-19 situation at destination prior to booking. Understand the risk level associated with travel to a particular destination by checking the Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories website. It is important that Canadians understand the ongoing uncertainty associated with international travel, whether that be related to the continued community transmission of COVID-19, or state of health care systems at destinations hit hard by the pandemic.
  2. Understand the type, timing, cost and accessibility of required COVID testing. Every country has different requirements when it comes to the COVID tests that are needed prior to travel, and every country has different testing capacities once you are there. There are also requirements in order to return to Canada. Make sure you understand the difference between molecular PCR and rapid antigen tests, in what time period tests must be taken, the associated costs and locations where these tests are available.
  3. Confirm change and cancellation flexibility with your travel service provider. Many airlines and hotels are providing more flexibility when it comes to refunds and changes to bookings. Make sure you understand any key dates related to cancellation and changes and whether you are entitled to a refund or a future travel voucher or credit at the time of booking. 
  4. Buy travel insurance and understand what is covered. Make sure you have adequate coverage for emergency medical situations and that illness related to COVID-19 is included. Understand your entitlements for things like denied border entry in the event of a positive test and coverage related to isolation expenses, if you were to test positive while travelling and need to quarantine. 
  5. Prepare required travel documentation and the format it must be presented in, for both Canada and your destination. Each destination has varying requirements. Make sure you fully understand what information you need to have ready and in what format.
  6. Take note of local public health rules prior to departure. Many destinations have measures in place such as curfews and quarantine requirements. You should also understand what the regulations are if you happen to test positive for COVID-19 in the country you are visiting.
  7. Be aware of changes between booking and departure. Make sure you reconfirm all the details that were researched prior to booking, to ensure they are still accurate prior to departure. What was true when a trip was booked may not be the case by the time you are ready to travel.
  8. Double check all research with the appropriate embassy or consulate. Travel at this time is complex and many factors can change quickly, so ensuring you have the most up to date and accurate information is essential.
  9. Plan for extra time. From disembarkment and customs to retrieving luggage and exiting the airport, most things on the travel journey are taking longer than expected during pre-COVID travel times. Also note the check-in and baggage drop off deadline for your flight as it may require you to arrive earlier than anticipated.
  10. Stay connected. Fully unplugging while travelling is likely a thing of the past. It is important to have access to trusted, up-to-date information while travelling so you can monitor changing conditions and requirements and adapt accordingly. Bookmark the Global Affairs Canada website prior to departure and check it regularly while abroad. It is also a good idea to sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad.

Important information to consider:

  • If a destination experiences a significant increase in COVID cases, local governments can prioritize citizens over tourists, should health services become strained, leaving Canadian travellers without the necessary support in a time of need regardless of one’s insurance coverage.
  • Concerns around the availability of care at a destination applies to any ailment, including but not limited to COVID-19.
  • Many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines.
  • The Canadian government advises that if you choose to travel, you should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departing. Be aware that although you are better protected against serious illness if you are vaccinated, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. If you’re unvaccinated, you remain at increased risk of being infected with and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 when travelling internationally.

FAQ.

It is always best to ensure that when you're planning a trip to first check if there are any travel advisories issued by Global Affairs Canada for the destination you want to visit. There are four Government of Canada travel advisory levels: 
  • Exercise normal security precautions (Level 1)
  • Exercise a high degree of caution (Level 2)
  • Avoid non-essential travel (Level 3)
  • Avoid all travel (Level 4)
  • The Cancel For Any Reason benefit allows you to book a trip, which can include flights, hotels, tours and if on the day of departure, you feel unsettled about going, you can cancel your trip and receive a refund of up to 50% of what you spent. Better yet, if you have this travel insurance and booked your trip with CAA Travel, you would get back up to 75%. However, the Cancel For Any Reason benefit is only appliable if you purchased your policy within 72 hours of booking your travel arrangements and there is no government travel advisory Level 3 or 4 in place. Refer to page 31 in our policy guide.
  • The Interruption For Any Reason benefit provides you the ability to return home due to any unforeseen interruption once you’ve been at your destination for 48 hours. Again, check to see if, upon booking your trip and purchasing the Trip Cancellation and Interruption plan, there is no government travel advisory at a Level 3 or 4 for the destination you plan to visit.
  • The Denied Boarding/Entry benefit helps with the unplanned expenses of failing mandated tests at screening checkpoints, which is a fact of travel for the foreseeable future. If you’re denied entry at customs or security checkpoints due to health regulations set by government authorities, this coverage can help protect your travel investment and extra costs associated with delayed travel.
Yes, if there is no Level 3 or 4 government issued travel advisory for COVID. Unfortunately, if the government issues a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory related to COVID, you will not be covered. To be eligible for COVID coverage, you must adhere to the COVID-19 vaccination protocols and schedules outlined by the Ministry of Health for Ontario and receive at least one Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination 14 days or more prior to your departure date.
  • If there is no Level 3 or 4 travel advisory issued for COVID at time of booking your trip, then yes everyone in your family will be covered for any COVID-19 related illnesses.
  • If the Government re-issues a Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel for COVID-19), and both you and your spouse have received at least one Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination 14 days or more prior to your departure and your children do not meet Health Canada's minimum age requirement for a COVID-19 vaccination, everyone is eligible and covered for any COVID-19 related illnesses.
Yes, COVID coverage will be included in all new CAA Home Insurance policies issued as of May 1, 2021, and for renewals effective July 1, 2021.

Yes, you can continue to purchase travel insurance for family members visiting Canada.

Yes, you can purchase an extension/top-up to the original policy while at the destination, as long as no claims have been made. You will be eligible for COVID coverage if you have been fully vaccinated or have received your first vaccine dose before your departure. Click here to read the COVID-19 coverage conditions.
Exclusive to the CAA Multi-Trip and Vacation Package Plans, Virtual Emergency Medical Assistance*, an in-province benefit that provides you with easier access to emergency medical assistance with a licensed Canadian doctor via phone or video conference is included. The service will help you avoid long wait times and reduce exposure to other medical facilities or hospitals while keeping you safe in Ontario, even at home. To access this benefit, contact CAA Assistance at 1-888-493-0161.1-888-493-0161.
Taking a PCR test as an entry requirement for a travel destination doesn’t affect your travel medical insurance. You would still be covered according to the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policy.
It might. When you get sick, injured, or have a medical condition, it’s considered a pre-existing medical condition. This may be covered by travel medical insurance if it meets the stability period, which is a specific length of time, dependent upon your age, prior to your departure date. Being stable, means having no changes in medical condition, like new symptoms or further investigative procedures. Any other illness, injury or medical condition unrelated to your pre-existing medical condition may be covered according to the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
No, you don’t. You just need to answer the medical questionnaire and complete the application accordingly. If you were treated by a doctor for COVID-19, you will want to make sure you meet the stability requirements in your travel insurance policy.
It’s recommended. Having travel medical insurance may provide coverage for these expenses not covered by your provincial health insurance. Depending upon your accommodation and transportation arrangements, having trip cancellation & interruption insurance covers non-refundable, pre-paid travel arrangements for many reasons including sickness and weather.
If you’re subject to random PCR testing or required to take a test prior to boarding an aircraft and your results are positive, you may use your trip cancellation & interruption insurance for reimbursement of a portion of pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements if you have to return home after your scheduled returned date.
You can use your trip cancellation & interruption insurance for reimbursement of the portion of pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements. Note that if you are given a 100 per cent cash refund by your travel suppliers, you wouldn’t be able to use your travel insurance to make an additional claim as you would already have been reimbursed by your travel suppliers. Note that you may be eligible for a full premium refund if there are no claims made.

CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply.