Medipac Plan

Travel Insurance tips

• While some travel insurance policies may provide coverage for COVID-19, benefits are often limited to between $100,000 and $1 million. In today’s world, these limits are simply not sufficient. In many cases, you will actually have to pay a surcharge to include COVID-19.

  Medipac is simple – we cover COVID-19. $2 million USD is standard – double the recommended amount – OR you can upgrade to $5 million with MedipacMAX.

• Always read your travel insurance policy, before making your purchase decision, and ensure you understand the coverages being offered as well as the policy limitations and exclusions.

  At Medipac, we’re proud of our travel insurance policy and always include it in our Guide so clients have the opportunity to review it before buying. Do not buy any plan without reading, and understanding, its policy first.

• Before you purchase a travel insurance plan, ask about the assistance services – most assistance companies are disinterested third parties that route medical emergency calls to call-center clerks, rather than to real doctors and nurses.

  At Medipac Assist, medical professionals will answer your calls – much more expensive, of course, but we take our responsibilities seriously! Minutes can save lives.

• Every travel insurance policy has limitations and conditions. Ensure you understand the Pre-existing Condition Clause of your policy, and note that these conditions usually apply before your departure date, NOT when you purchased the policy. If you purchase an annual plan, these conditions apply to the departure date of each and every trip.

  Medipac’s 90-day stability period and clause wording combine to be one of the fairest and most liberal Pre-existing Condition clauses in the industry.

• Be aware of the maximum benefit under your policy and the currency. Many travel insurance companies offer limited coverage in Canadian dollars, whereas most travel claims are settled in U.S. dollars. The Canadian Snowbird Association recommends a minimum coverage of $1 million USD.

  Medipac's maximum benefit is $2 million USD - double the CSA suggested amount! With MedipacPLUS the maximum benefit is $5 million USD!

• If you plan to take more than one trip during the upcoming year, consider purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, rather than applying for travel insurance before each trip. You can save time and money.

  Medipac’s 23-day or 33-day Annual Add-on is perfect for seasoned and regular travellers who plan to travel more than once during the year - the savings can be significant!

• If your upcoming birthday places you in the next higher age band, your premium can increase by 20-60%.

  You can save money by departing earlier than planned, prior to your birthday. Even if you purchase a longer trip, your travel insurance premium may be lower, because you can now use a less costly age band.

• A dangerous practice is to refuse treatment or not change a drug despite your doctor’s recommendation, because you think it may affect the cost of your travel insurance.

  This does not work. If a doctor recommends a change in drugs, and you do not accept that change, the insurance company will treat this as an unstable pre-existing condition. A claim will not be paid for that condition. Please, just do what your doctor recommends and do not sacrifice your health for insurance reasons. Medipac can often provide full coverage if you contact us and explain your situation.

• Some travellers leave a few days earlier or return home a few days later than originally planned, without advising their travel insurance company. What they do not realize is that, statistically, the two highest incidences of claims are at the beginning and at the end of trips.

  This means no insurance protection when it is needed the most. Many insurance plans will void your insurance if such information is withheld. Call your insurance company if you have a change of plans.

• Many travel insurance policies require proof of departure and return. Purchases at “Duty Free” and using credit cards or cash debit cards on your last day at home and first day away are convenient ways of establishing a record that can be retrieved later.

  Medipac recommends using a passport for all your travels, and asking that it be stamped upon entering and leaving any country. That’s indisputable proof!