Report: most Canadians head abroad without travel insurance

New figures have revealed that the majority of Canadians travel overseas without taking out travel insurance.

Travel Insurance News - 24/12/2012

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New figures have revealed that the majority of Canadians travel overseas without taking out travel insurance.

The news comes via a new report from the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIAC), which showed that around 52 per cent of the country’s residents have plans to head abroad but are unaware that they are not covered by provincial health services outside of the country.

Experts warn that becoming ill or injured outside of Canada can quickly become overwhelmingly expensive; a broken arm or leg in the United States can easily cost $15,000 (£10,000) whilst an air ambulance back to Canada will typically cost $20,000 (£12,000).

Similarly, a separate report has said that only about 41 per cent of Canadians that travel on a regular basis commonly take out travel cover. This is despite the fact that nearly a quarter claim that they or someone in their party has had to seek medical attention at one point during a trip abroad.

Former THIAC president Martha Turnbull told reporters that having proper coverage is essential for international travel and even inter-provincial travel. She said that even though citizens are sometimes covered under workplace insurance policies that they need to make sure the benefits will apply for each trip.

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