As travel continues to recover, Canadians are more inclined to purchase non-medical insurance options than ever before. To prepare, here are 4 of the most common Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance questions we’ve received from travellers.
4 Tips to a Smoother Trip Cancellation/Interruption Claim
“What if I need to cancel or interrupt my trip due to sickness or injury?”
You need to see a doctor before you decide to cancel or interrupt their trip. You'll need dated, written documentation recommending that their cancellation or interruption was medically necessary.
“Does a doctor need to be consulted before I cancel or interrupt my trip because of a COVID-19 diagnosis?”
While we normally require a doctor to confirm the medical necessity for cancelling or interrupting a trip, in the case of a COVID-19 diagnosis, we will accept proof of a positive COVID-19 test in lieu of a medical certificate or letter from a doctor as follows:
For trip cancellation - written confirmation from a doctor is not required when someone tests positive within 14 days before the scheduled departure date.
For trip interruption - written confirmation from a doctor is not required for expenses incurred within 14 days from the date a positive COVID-19 test result is received.
The positive COVID-19 test result must include a name and date, as well as the laboratory or medical clinic name. A COVID-19 rapid test can’t be used to substantiate a claim because it doesn’t specify the date the result was received or who took it. Keep in mind that if the traveller can’t book an official antigen or PCR test to support the claim, the traveller may need to pay for a private test or get written confirmation from a doctor advising that the traveller can't travel.
To support a trip cancellation or interruption claim for COVID-19 that was diagnosed outside these 14-day periods, written confirmation from a doctor is needed to confirm the patient is still medically unfit to travel on the scheduled travel date.
“What if I want to cancel due to a wave of COVID-19 in the country I’m travelling to?”
While Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance doesn’t provide coverage if the traveller has to cancel due to COVID-19 travel advisories, border closures, or because they don’t want to travel due to high case levels, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage may be a good consideration for this situation.
CFAR can be added to Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance in the 5 days of making an initial payment, whether it’s a full payment, partial payment or deposit, or any time before any cancellation penalties apply. Travellers can cancel for any reason other than a covered risk listed in the policy, and receive 50% reimbursement on their non-refundable travel costs. The traveller must cancel their trip more than 5 days before their departure date.
“Will I be reimbursed if I paid for my trip with points?”
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance can be purchased to cover the administration costs associated with reinstating points.
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance will not insure or reimburse the cash value of any travel costs that have been booked and paid for with points, airmiles, or any other type of travel rewards programs. It’s important that your customers check with their flight, accommodation or tour provider to see what reimbursement options are available to them.