Protect the trip — and the people on it

For nearly every trip abroad, emergency medical coverage is strongly recommended — a single medical event out of country can cost more than the whole vacation, and provincial plans like RAMQ cover only a small fraction. Cancellation and other coverages are optional but valuable; Lisa helps you decide what fits your trip.

Only minimally. RAMQ and other provincial plans reimburse a small, capped portion of out-of-country emergency care — often far less than the actual bill. That gap is exactly why emergency medical travel insurance matters for Canadians. Lisa explains how this works for your destination.

Sometimes it helps, but card coverage often has low medical limits, trip-length caps, age limits and strict conditions like charging the full trip to that card. Lisa helps you check what your card actually provides and recommends topping up only where there's a gap, so you're neither underinsured nor paying twice.

Most policies cover a pre-existing condition only if it's been stable — no changes to medication, treatment or symptoms — for a set period before departure, often 90 to 180 days. Lisa raises this early and points you to plans and wording suited to your situation, while the policy and insurer remain the final authority on eligibility.

Cancellation coverage should be purchased when you book, since it protects deposits you've already paid; emergency medical can usually be added any time before departure. Some benefits, like 'cancel for any reason' or waived stability requirements, require buying within days of your first deposit — Lisa flags those deadlines.