Pack your bags! Now that Canadian travel is a go, you’re (finally) going on that cross-Canada road trip you’ve been talking about for years. Or maybe you’re going to try your hand at surfing on Vancouver Island’s rugged coast. Or perhaps you’re a city person and the fast-pace of Toronto or the historic elegance of Montreal are calling your name.

Whatever your vacation vibe, we have a little secret (that shouldn’t be secret) to share — you really should look into travel insurance for Canadian travel. “But I thought that I only needed travel insurance when I cross the border?” Yeah, you’re not the only one thinking that. We find it’s a pretty common misconception that many Albertans have.

No sweat if you’re now feeling a little less prepared for your long-anticipated getaway — we’re here to help. Let’s walk through what options you have for travel insurance for travel within Canada before you hit the road or take off.

Emergency medical travel insurance for Canadian travel

If you thought that your provincial healthcare would cover you Canada-wide, you’re in the majority. The thing is, while you do get some coverage, your provincial care doesn’t cover everything. Here are some handy lists to help you evaluate whether you should get emergency medical insurance for Canadian travel.

Your provincial health plan won’t cover:

• Ambulance (ground, mountain and sea rescue)
• Family member to bedside (covering the expenses for transporting a family member to the injured or ill insured during a medical emergency)
• Medical equipment rental
• Prescription drugs
• Dental services
• Accommodation costs and meals if your traveling companion is hospitalized
• Escort of insured children home if you’re hospitalized
• Return of vehicle

Your provincial health plan partially covers:

• Emergency room fees
• Hospital fees
• Doctor visits
• X-rays and lab work

Even extra coverage that you could get through your work, like Alberta Blue Cross, may not cover everything. Our biggest piece of advice? Look into all of the coverage you have in detail before you head out on your next adventure, so you don’t end up with a hefty (and unexpected) medical bill.

COVID-19 travel insurance

We’d be shocked if your follow-up question isn’t “But what about coverage for COVID-19?” Great question, and luckily insurance companies have adapted to create COVID-19 travel insurance options to cover you for pandemic-related incidents.

There are insurance providers, like our partners at TuGo, that provide COVID-19 travel insurance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated Canadians traveling within Canada. If you’re vaccinated, new medical coverage benefits for COVID-19 medical and related expenses are added to their ATB Travel Protection Emergency Medical Insurance plan, up to the policy limit.

Not vaccinated? There are options for unvaccinated Canadians as well.

Trip cancellation & trip interruption insurance within Canada

As we’ve learned over the past few years, some things just don’t go as planned. Play it safe with trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This covers your non-refundable, unused, prepaid travel expenses if the unexpected hits. This could include an unexpected illness or injury, cancelled tours and more. While this kind of insurance is typically associated with trips involving crossing the border, it can definitely apply to Canadian travel.

Coverage for sports & activities

Maybe you’re the adrenaline junkie type, and you’re itching to go BASE jumping. Or maybe this could be your first attempt at mountain biking, or taking the family on a white water rafting tour. No matter your comfort level with risk, it’s worth looking into option coverage for sports and activities so you can adventure without worries.

Rental car insurance

Looking to rent a car in your Canadian destination? Rental Car Insurance is worth looking into. Another common misconception is that the coverage provided through your credit card will cover everything you need for your rental car. Again, not exactly. Always read the fine print on what’s covered (and more importantly, what isn’t) so you can make an informed decision about rental car insurance.

We recommend looking into comprehensive coverage that will reimburse you in case of any loss due to physical damage or loss of a rented car, like towing, salvage, and fire department charges. Better safe than sorry!


No matter where your next trip takes you, you’ve got options to protect
yourself and your loved ones.