Having traveled to 44 countries, I consider myself an expert on travel insurance. I have been covered in all 44 countries I have visited. Whether I am leaving Canada for one week or one year, I never go without travel medical insurance. In this blog, I will review the pros and cons of travel insurance (who am I kidding, there are only pros), with a particular focus on Visitors Coverage travel medical insurance. Is travel insurance a must-have or a waste of money? I’m going to share my personal travel journey and why I believe it’s essential.
For Canadians, I will highlight the Visitors Coverage insurance plans available to help you find the right one. I will also share the plan I choose for my long-term travel adventures. If you aren’t Canadian, don’t worry – the information in this blog is relevant to you too.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Why Travel Medical Insurance is Essential for Every Trip
The moment we leave our home countries, in my case, Canada, we lose our medical coverage. It’s straightforward: a medical emergency abroad can set us back thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. To have peace of mind, I make sure I have proper travel insurance. Even if I make only a small claim, I know I’ll likely come out ahead. I enjoy hiking, adventures, and living life to the fullest when I travel. I don’t want to think, “what if I fall,” every time I go on a hike, because I might end up in the poorhouse due to lack of travel medical coverage.
But I have Travel Insurance on My Credit Card
You might have travel insurance coverage through your credit card, so you’re covered, right? Remember, having proper coverage for your trip is essential. Regardless of how long you plan to travel, I recommend contacting your credit card provider to confirm your coverage and find out how to access the benefits of the plan. Most credit cards don’t offer coverage for more than thirty days, so if you’re travelling longer than that, you’ll need additional protection. Even if your trip is shorter than 30 days, you might still require a top-up, depending on your coverage. Do your due diligence and make sure you’re protected in case of a travel emergency.
My Personal Travel Medical Insurance Journey
There have been three separate times when I needed to access travel insurance. Two of these were due to intestinal infections, which required hospital visits — I guess you could say I’m an adventurous street food eater. The third case is more interesting, as I suddenly experienced pain in my jaw while in Thailand. I tried to ignore it, but it was too intense. Eventually, I went to a dentist, and it turned out I needed a root canal and a new tooth. I wasn’t in the country long enough for the root canal to be completed, but they provided temporary pain relief so I could enjoy the rest of my stay. The costs of the appointments and medications were all covered by my travel medical insurance. This allowed me to enjoy my trip until I returned home to complete the root canal.
Real-Life Situations Where Travel Insurance Can Save Your Trip and Your Wallet
I have friends who have experienced medical emergencies more severe than mine, where travel medical insurance has been crucial. In some cases, life-saving treatments have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. From heart attacks to broken legs, a friend was stabbed in Colombia and even a snake bite. I could go on. If these people hadn’t had travel insurance, they would have been left with medical bills they couldn’t afford.
Why I Always Protect Myself with Visitors Coverage Travel Medical Insurance
Unmatched Customer Service
For me, when it comes to travel insurance providers, customer service is key. This is an area where Visitors Coverage stands out. They offer 24/7 customer support through their chatbot, which works well. Questions about your policy, coverage, and other issues can be answered through the chatbot. If you prefer to speak with a live agent, that option is also available. They respond quickly via email during their regular business hours, which are Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm PT.
If you need to speak with someone, you can also do so through their toll-free number. The most important thing for me is that the Visitors Coverage customer service is easily accessible and responsive. I have had insurance policies with other providers that were very confusing, with no idea where to go for service. The main difference is that many companies require you to go through the insurer directly, whereas Visitors Coverage handles the customer service for their customers.
Not All Travel Insurance Companies Are Created Equal
I explained how the customer service at Visitors Coverage sets them apart from competitors. But that’s not all. Below is a list of points that further distinguish Visitors Coverage Insurance from other travel insurers. I call this the Globe Digger Visitors Coverage value proposition.
- You can compare multiple plans side by side. Visitors Coverage offers a range of plans to meet every traveler’s needs.
- Clear visibility of coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and benefits.
- The entire process can be completed online from anywhere, from the quote to purchase, all the way to your policy arriving in your inbox.
- Travel insurance documents are sent via email immediately.
- Many Visitors Coverage insurance partners provide digital ID cards, so you don’t have to dig through wallets and bags to find your policy information.
- Visitors’ Coverage only partners with reliable insurers.
- And once again, the customer service is second to none!
Visitors Coverage Travel Insurance Plans for International Travelers
The International Travel Medical Insurance Plan That I Choose
Being Canadian, the best option for international travel medical insurance for me is the Safe Travels International Cost Saver. If you are from another country, there may be a different plan that better fits your travel needs. I suggest reviewing the plans on the website. This plan covers me for most medical emergencies as well as less urgent healthcare, such as dental and prescriptions.
What I like about this plan is its flexibility. You choose your deductible and the coverage amount you think you will need. The higher the deductible, combined with the coverage amount, the lower the plan’s cost. The insurer pays 80% of the first $ 5,000 of a claim, then 100% thereafter. However, don’t forget that you still need to pay the deductible you selected. Because of this, the plan costs less, but provides the coverage you need, especially for medical emergencies. In summary, this coverage will give you peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your vacation.
Some highlights of the Safe Travels International Cost Saver Plan
Below are a few of the highlights of this plan for me:
- Emergency medical evacuation. This can save your life and your pocketbook.
- Urgent care visits.
- Emergency dental coverage.
- Prescriptions/medications.
Other Visitors Coverage Plan Options for Canadians
The Patriot Platinum International and Patriot International Life Plans
If the Safe Travels International cost saver doesn’t offer enough coverage, these plans are for you. They both provide 100% coverage for most services after the deductible. These plans also include optional add-ons, such as trip cancellation and the adventure sports rider. If you’re a thrill seeker or need peace of mind in case your trip is postponed or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, this plan is ideal.
Device Protection Insurance
Having had a $2000 iPhone stolen in Peru, I know how important this insurance is, especially when travelling in Central and South America. The next time I visit this part of the world, I will ensure I get this insurance. This alone is worth buying one of these two plans when traveling to areas where iPhone theft is a serious risk.
Multi-Trip Insurance for Frequent Travelers
If you take frequent trips over a 365-day period, you’ll love Patriot Multi-Trip insurance. These are the quick trips lasting one to two weeks, which many Canadians often take. They offer policies ranging from thirty to ninety days, depending on how often you travel. If you regularly take shorter trips, this travel insurance plan is perfect for you.
These are the most popular Visitor’s Coverage travel insurance policies for Canadian travelers. If you are from another country, they may work for you, but there may be better plans to suit your needs. I recommend checking out the plans by clicking on the image below.
The only potential downside to purchasing travel medical insurance is that you will be out of pocket if you don’t need to file a claim. Of course, when we travel, needing medical insurance is the last thing on our minds. However, in the unfortunate event that something does happen, ensure you are covered.
This image contains an affiliate link. By clicking this link, I may receive a commission if you make a purchase. I only promote brands I trust and use myself.
Sign up for the Globe Digger Newsletter
How do I plan for long-term solo travel? Check out my blog, My Long-Term Solo Travel Planning Methodology
You can read more of my travel reviews here
Check out my other Travel Tips Blogs
You can find my most recent travel blogs here
Follow me on Instagram
Watch my travel shorts on TikTok
Follow me on YouTube
Check out my solo travel podcast on Spotify
Leave a Reply