How to Have a Safe Holiday Trip

December 15, 2022

The holidays are a popular time for a trip to see friends or family or you may choose to skip the holiday season and head somewhere warm.

Before you leave, make sure you have the right travel insurance so you and your family can have peace of mind and a safe holiday trip. It will cover a medical emergency while you are traveling and can cover lost luggage or last-minute trip cancellations or changes.

Get A Travel Insurance Quote

Talk to your Western insurance expert about purchasing travel insurance for holiday trips. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through this process.

Provincial health insurance plans will only cover some medical expenses. You should consider protecting yourself by purchasing medical insurance when travelling within Canada.

Travel insurance tips for safe holiday trips

Top concerns for travelers purchasing insurance for holiday trips in 2022 include problems related to COVID-19, cancellation for any reason, emergency medical insurance, and medical evacuation. It is important to know what your policy covers, so understand the fine print before you purchase one.

Shop around

Get the best deal you can on travel insurance.

• Compare travel insurance policies from more than one insurer.
• Consider an annual plan if you travel a few times a year. It might cost less than getting separate insurance policies for each trip.
• Find out if you can bundle your travel insurance with your holiday package or plane tickets.

Figure out what kind of travel insurance you need

Before you purchase your travel insurance, figure out which of three types of insurance policies you will need.

Basic travel insurance

You may be able to get away with minimal coverage, just be aware that basic travel insurance does not cover lost or stolen luggage or pre-existing medical conditions. If you need to change your travel plans, you will only be reimbursed for what you have already spent.

Standard travel insurance

Standard travel insurance covers your luggage and pre-existing medical conditions but will not cover high-risk activities like skiing or bungee jumping.

Comprehensive travel insurance

While comprehensive travel insurance costs the most, it provides the best coverage. You will be covered for most of the risks you might encounter on your trip, like pre-existing medical conditions, lost luggage, and high-risk activities. Some policies cover cancellations for any reason, such as changing your mind or rainy weather, which is not covered by more basic trip cancellation insurance.

Your Western travel insurance expert will answer any questions you may have about what type of travel insurance is needed for safe holiday trips.

Know how to make a claim

Make sure you know how to make a claim if there is an emergency on your trip.

• Read your policy and understand what it covers.
• Keep important documents like flight tickets, medical records, and receipts in case you need to make a claim.
• Find out what the process is for making a claim and follow your insurer’s instructions. Do everything quickly and accurately so your claim can be paid out as soon as possible.

Western has travel insurance experts across Canada. Fill out our form in one minute. One of our insurance brokers will contact you shortly. Our experts are also available now in branch or on the phone to help you navigate the holiday travel insurance journey that will give you the right policy for your situation.