FAQs about getting COVID while travelling

A: If you should have an emergency at your destination, make sure to call the phone number for the assistance centre on your wallet card. The assistance centre specializes in assisting people in a medical emergency.

A: If it is deemed medically necessary by your treating medical doctor, then the insurance company would pay for that.

A: It depends if your policy offers this type of coverage. You should check the Benefits Section of your policy under Companion Benefits.

A: Not usually. Most policies will guarantee payment to the facility on your behalf. The problem comes when you go to a facility that does not accept your insurance company’s guarantee (maybe you forgot to call in advance). Sometimes for small claims, the insurance company will ask you to pay the bill and submit it for reimbursement for some or all expenses.

A: Most Canadian policies do not have restrictions on the types of hospitals you can use, as long as you call for pre-authorization in advance of going.

A: You would need to get authorization in advance from the insurance company.

A: The answer to that depends on how long you were in the ICU, what services you need during your stay (Ventilators, etc.), so it is hard to say, but it can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A: Most policies will continue to cover you past your policy expiry date if you are hospitalized on your policy expiry date, and then for 72 additional hours upon discharge to get home. We have one company that offers a quarantine benefit for when you need to stay quarantined past the end of your policy. They will provide a free automatic extension of coverage for a maximum of 14 days plus three days to get home.

A: It is hard to know the answer to this, as things can change quickly. A hospital can be full and not accept any more patients. If it isn’t at capacity, they would admit you. Many hospitals have used temporary field hospitals to expand capacity when needed.

A: In the US, a paying client is a paying client no matter what nationality you are. That said, there are no guarantees in life during COVID.

A: For emergency medical policies, return airfare is only paid for when it is included as a benefit of your insurance policy and the insurance company determines it is best for you to come home to Canada to be followed by a Canadian doctor. Trip interruption insurance covers the cost of unexpected events that require you to return home.