Frequently asked questions - Travel insurance (2024)

The coverage offered by the RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) when you travel outside Quebec is far from complete. In addition, the RAMQ doesn’t provide 24/7 assistance services if something goes wrong.

Travelling outside Canada: The RAMQ will reimburse only a very small part of medical expenses incurred abroad: $50 for a doctor’s visit and $100 per day of hospitalization. Many other things aren’t covered at all, like prescription drugs, ambulance transport or repatriation, so you can quickly run up a very large bill.

Travelling in Canada: The RAMQ will reimburse professional services only up to the going rate in Quebec, even if the insured person paid more. If the service costs more than in Quebec, you will have to pay the difference. What’s more, in the rest of Canada, like abroad, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, ambulance transport and repatriation costs aren’t covered.

For more information > RAMQ website

The insurer usually pays the expenses directly. However, certain hospitals may require immediate payment.

We recommend that you contact travel medical assistance services as soon as you can. They will be able to recommend a physician, clinic or hospital, confirm your coverage and avoid you having to make a deposit.

Although the addition of a deductible is optional, it is a good way to reduce your insurance premium. You can choose from among different deductible amounts. The chosen amount is the maximum you will have to pay for your medical expenses in the event you experience a problem abroad. The insurer will pay the remaining amount, if any.

Whether or not you opt for coverage with a deductible, you should always contact the insurer’s assistance service to have treatments approved.

A pre-existing condition is a health condition already existing at the time the contract is purchased or at the time of departure. Examples might include a case of the flu that you saw a doctor about, a change to the dosage of one of your existing medications, high blood pressure, surgery or a condition for which you are awaiting medical results.

Your policy may cover a pre-existing condition, but it depends on the nature of the condition, its severity and its stability. We will consider your pre-existing condition as low- or high-risk based on your age. As a result, your premium may be slightly higher than for a person in perfect health.

The information that you give your advisor about your health is important. It must be clear and accurate, so that the advisor can serve you properly.

Yes, but be aware that insurance companies and carriers may not have the same rules.

While Canadian authorities allow pregnant women to fly until 36 weeks of gestation, the conditions are different for most travel insurance.

CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance covers pregnancy and related complications if the pregnancy has not been declared high-risk and if the pregnant woman is travelling before the final nine weeks preceding her due date.

However, children born while traveling are not covered, regardless of when they were born.

Airlines may ask pregnant women for a written confirmation of how many weeks pregnant they are, so it’s important that they see their doctor and make sure they get all the information they need before travelling.

Yes! The Annual Plan package option from CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance is perfect for people who plan to make several trips a year. You choose the maximum duration of your coverage based on the total length of your trips. Several trip-length options are available to you.

Choosing this option saves you time, since you'll be covered for all your trips during the year under a single policy. Plus, you won’t need to notify your insurer before each trip, unless an extension is required or there is a change in your health.

It also saves you money: the insurance generally pays for itself after just two trips.

Travel insurance premiums are calculated by taking into account several criteria, including the length of the trip, the person’s age, the coverage chosen, and the state of their health (above a certain age).

We've developed a unique and effective calculation tool, so our counsellors can always offer the best option for you, along with a personalized premium at the lowest possible rate.

And that's not all! A number of discounts are available to you, and you can combine them. CAA-Quebec members are automatically awarded a discount of 10% on their premium. Members who purchase an explore travel product, and groups of 10 or more insured persons earn an additional discount of 10%. Our family premium is another way for you to save.

There are various reasons why you might need to extend your trip: you might be having too much fun to come home just yet, or an unforeseen event beyond your control might prevent you from coming back when you planned. In the first case, all you need to do is notify us before the return date specified in your contract. If no claims have been filed, we will extend your contract and charge the extra amount to your credit card, so you can enjoy your vacation for longer!

In the case of an unforeseen event, such as a delay of up to 24 hours due to the carrier, or hospitalization that goes beyond the planned return date, your coverage can automatically be extended free of charge. Refer to your policy for more details.

Contact the insurer's assistance services. See full details on the Claims and assistance page.

Whether or not they are at fault, Quebecers injured in a road accident while they are outside Quebec are entitled to the same compensation under the public plan.

For more information > see this link from SAAQ

A pre-existing medical condition is a health condition that already exists at the time insurance is purchased or at the time of departure. It’s also known as a “pre-existing condition.”

It may include, for example, a case of the flu that you’ve seen a doctor about, a change in the dosage of one of your existing medications, high blood pressure, surgery, a condition for which you’re awaiting medical results, etc.

You must inform your insurer of your health status, e.g., on the medical questionnaire if one is required. A false statement or incorrect information may result in your policy being cancelled and rendered null and void.

Travel insurance distributed by CAA-Quebec allows you to add an option to your policy to cover a pre-existing medical condition. No additional questions about your health will be asked. Your condition simply needs to be stable for seven days prior to departure in order to be covered.

Yes, the travel insurance distributed by CAA-Quebec covers COVID-19.

However, exclusions and limitations apply when a Canadian government travel advisory for COVID-19 is in effect.

If you purchase only emergency medical or trip interruption coverage, exclusions and limitations apply if the advisory is in effect prior to your departure. For example, the maximum benefit payable for medical care related to COVID-19 could be reduced if your COVID-19 vaccination is not up to date.

If you purchase insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage, the exclusions and limitations apply if the advisory is in effect before you purchase your insurance. For example, if you book a trip despite a government advisory, you will not get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Check the latest advisories on the Canadian government website before you travel.

The insurer reserves up to 12 weeks to analyze and process travel claims for insurance distributed by CAA-Quebec. You can check the status of your claim online at any time.

Claims may be limited or denied if you did not contact the insurer before obtaining a consultation or treatment. Claims related to pre-existing conditions may be ineligible, whether or not a condition was disclosed at the time the insurance was purchased.

You may terminate your policy within 10 days of purchase if you haven’t started your trip and no claim is pending. Your premium will then be refunded. However, insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage purchased within 11 days of the trip cannot be terminated or refunded.

Other refund options are available. Please see the Refunds section of your policy for full details.

If you return from your trip early, you can get a refund for any unused days. You must provide proof that you have returned to your home province. It must indicate the place and date of your return.

Taking medication doesn’t necessarily mean your insurance coverage will be limited. As a general rule, if the medical conditions for which you’re taking the medications are stable during the three or six months prior to your departure, you shouldn’t have any problems. You should be able to buy travel insurance and even get coverage for the conditions. The stability period required in order for a condition to be covered varies between products.

The most important thing is that you know what medications you’re taking and why. You must be able to provide your insurer with accurate information when purchasing travel insurance. False statements or incorrect information can render your insurance policy null and void.

If you’re unsure about the functions of your medications, talk to your pharmacist. Ask for a specific list of your medications and the medical conditions they’re related to.

No. Significant limitations and even exclusions apply if the insurer finds there has been abuse of alcohol, drugs, or medication. For example, if you have an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may not get any compensation.

You can purchase CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance at any time prior to your trip. However, the sooner you insure, the more risks and unforeseen events you cover that could arise between now and your departure.

In fact, you may even pay a lower premium if you take out your insurance in advance, since the premium increases with age. Therefore, it is a smart choice to purchase your insurance before your birthday.

Furthermore, some coverages cannot be purchased at any given time, such as “all-risk” cancellation insurance. It must be taken out within 48 hours of purchase or first payment. This insurance covers cancellation of your trip for any reason whatsoever. Reasons for cancellation are not limited to the risks listed in the policy.