COVID-19 Travel FAQ

How is my coverage affected if a travel advisory of avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel due to COVID-19 is issued before I leave?

Coverage is not available for COVID-19 medical emergencies at a destination or for a cruise, if a travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel due to COVID-19 is in effect for that destination or cruise.

No trip cancellation benefits are available for a trip cancelled due to COVID-19.

For the latest information on Canadian government travel advisories, go to travel.gc.ca.

How is my coverage affected if a travel advisory of avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel due to COVID-19 is issued while I’m away?

If a travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel is issued for your destination or cruise during your trip, you will have coverage for medical emergencies related to COVID-19 for up to 10 days or the time necessary to safely return home, after which you will only have coverage for medical emergencies unrelated to COVID-19 in the area or on the cruise with the travel advisory.

No trip cancellation or interruption benefits are available for a trip cancelled, interrupted or delayed due to COVID-19.

For the latest information on Canadian government travel advisories, go to travel.gc.ca.

Does my travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Coverage is available for COVID-19 medical emergencies, provided a travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel due to COVID-19 is not in effect for your destination or cruise. However, if a travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel is issued for your destination or cruise during your trip, you will have coverage for medical emergencies related to COVID-19 for up to 10 days or the time necessary to safely return home, after which you will only have coverage for medical emergencies unrelated to COVID-19 in the area or on cruise with the travel advisory.

No trip cancellation or interruption benefits are available for a trip cancelled, interrupted or delayed due to COVID-19.

For the latest information on Canadian government travel advisories, go to travel.gc.ca.

Do I need a certain vaccination status to access coverage for COVID-19 medical emergencies?

Regardless of your vaccination status, coverage is available for COVID-19 medical emergencies, provided a travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel due to COVID-19 is not in effect for your destination or cruise.

Does my travel insurance cover the cost of a COVID-19 test required for travel?

No, this type of expense is not covered by your travel insurance certificate as it would not be considered an expense related to a medical emergency.

Each province or public health authority has posted information online for residents to be informed on how & where tests for COVID-19 are conducted. Additionally, be sure that your test results will meet the timeframe for the entrance requirements of your destination.

Will my travel insurance cover the additional expenses if I must quarantine at destination, or if I am refused boarding on a common carrier or refused entry to my destination or re-entry into my province or territory of residence due to a positive or late COVID-19 test result?

Your trip cancellation and interruption benefits will not cover these expenses. Please note that meals, accommodations and return transportation under emergency medical benefits are only available when required as a result of a medical emergency.

If you are refused boarding on a common carrier or entry to your destination or re-entry into your province or territory of residence, you may incur additional expenses for lodging and meals at your destination. You may also bear the cost of your flight and have to pay for a new flight at a later date. Check with the airline for their policy on refusal of boarding and what options are available.

It is also important to be sure that you still have travel medical coverage for a longer than intended trip. Contact your insurance provider to see what options may be available if your coverage ends before you can get home.

Will my travel insurance cover a trip cancellation or interruption if my vaccination, or proof of vaccination, does not meet entry requirements of my destination?

If you are refused boarding on a common carrier as you are leaving your province of residence or entry at your destination, cancellation or interruption of your trip will not be covered by your travel insurance, as well as any additional expenses for lodging and meals you may incur.

If I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 prior to my departure, will I be covered for a medical emergency?

Your insurance certificate may not provide coverage for medical conditions and/or symptoms that existed before your trip. Read your insurance certificate to see how your coverage may be impacted.

If I have complications due to the COVID-19 vaccine during my trip, will expenses related to the complications be covered?

If you receive the vaccine before your departure date, coverage is available if you don’t have symptoms or complications of an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine before you leave your province or territory of residence. If you do show symptoms or complications prior to the departure date, your insurance certificate may not provide coverage for medical conditions and/or symptoms that existed before your trip. Read your insurance certificate to see how your coverage may be impacted.

If you receive the vaccine at destination, benefits are not available for complications related to vaccines or other non-emergency treatment received abroad.

Will my insurance certificate cover me if I am out of the country longer than planned?

If you have decided to stay longer than planned at your destination you may be able to purchase an extension by calling 1-866-587-1029 before the date that your coverage would normally expire.

It’s important to remember that your coverage will end at midnight on the last day of your insured trip. Travel insurance does not cover expenses incurred after your coverage has ended unless your return home was delayed by a previous and covered medical emergency or any automatic extension provision in your insurance certificate. If you are having a medical emergency, please call Global Excel Management Inc.

If I’m using a travel credit or voucher for my trip, do I still have the emergency medical coverage that is included on my Amex Card?

You are not required to pay for your trip using your Amex Card in order for emergency medical coverage to be in effect. However, your Card account must be active and in good standing for coverage to be valid.

Can I claim if I have been issued a credit or voucher due to COVID-19?

Contact your travel supplier to see if you are entitled to a refund if you are unable to use a voucher or credit before its expiry, or if you have other disputes regarding refunds and credits. If the credit or voucher expires or a situation arises where you are unable to use it, please contact Global Excel Management Inc. to understand what solutions are available.

For more information on obtaining vouchers and credits from airlines, the Canadian Transportation Agency offers suggestions in a statement on vouchers and credits.

Where can I go to find information on Canadian government issued travel advisories?

For Canadian government travel advisories, go to travel.gc.ca.

There are four levels of travel advisory. The top two levels are mentioned in your travel insurance certificate and can impact your coverage.

• Level 3 means the government recommends against any non-essential travel to that country, area or region.
• Level 4 is the highest level and it states that Canadians should avoid all travel to a country, area or region and should come home if already there.

These advisories can also apply to specific types of travel such as the Level 4 advisory to avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada that was put in place in March of 2020.

When I return to Canada what will I need to do?

Information is regularly updated on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19: Travel, quarantine and borders information page. Costs incurred due to entry requirements are at the travellers’ expense and are not covered by your travel insurance certificate.

Check for the most current information and details at travel.gc.ca before you leave and prior to your return. These rules and guidelines are subject to frequent change.

Where can I go to find out about travel restrictions within Canada?

Travel within Canada may be limited by provincial restrictions. States of emergency, quarantine requirements, entry restrictions, curfews and other measures may be in place or may be introduced by a province or region and that will mean restricted mobility. Check provincial/territorial websites for the most up-to-date information by province/territory.

If you are planning to travel within Canada, note that COVID-19 can also impact your plans and it is important to have travel insurance coverage to cover gaps in GHIP (Government Health Insurance Plans). Contracting COVID-19 while travelling in another province can result in the same challenges you would face abroad.