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Travel Insurance Coverage Update
Updated: February 3, 2021
(For RSA Travel Insurance Coverage)


COVID-19 continues to impact travel; and now, more than ever before, travelers have a greater responsibility to understand the many aspects of their trip and their travel insurance coverage before they travel. Rules and guidelines are changing rapidly. Be sure to monitor this website regularly and stay in touch for the most current information.

We recommend that all students respect and follow government travel advisories and avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. We know that travel is a personal decision for everyone. If you do choose to travel, it’s important that you research, ask questions, be knowledgeable and make sure that all the elements of your trip come together for a safe experience. Obtaining medical assistance outside of Canada can be challenging at this time.

Please see Common Questions below for more information, including how travel advisories may impact your coverage. While the below addresses the majority of cases, each person’s travel arrangements and coverage may differ. You should read your current Benefit Booklet carefully to understand your coverage. Please refer to your Benefit Booklet along with any important Notice of Change.

Common Questions - EMERGENCY MEDICAL COVERAGE


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERS
IS MY MEDICAL COVERAGE VALID:
If, prior to my departure, I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?   Coverage may not be available if you have experienced symptoms of any medical condition, including COVID-19, before your departure date, if medical evidence suggests a reasonable expectation that treatment or hospitalization could be required while travelling. 
If I depart on a trip after the COVID-19 travel advisory has been lifted? 
 Emergency medical coverage is available, as per the terms and conditions of your benefit booklet.
If the COVID-19 travel advisory is lifted and then reinstated before my departure date? 
 Effective January 15, 2021 we have revised the travel advisory exclusion. Coverage will now be available for medical conditions or losses which are unrelated to the reason for which the travel advisory was issued. 

However, for emergency medical travel insurance benefits, this exclusion does not apply to medical conditions or losses which are related to COVID-19, even while a travel advisory related to COVID-19 is in effect.
If the COVID-19 travel advisory is lifted, I depart on my trip, then during my trip the advisory is reinstated?
 Effective January 15, 2021 we have revised the travel advisory exclusion. Emergency medical coverage will be limited to a period of 10 days from the date the travel advisory was issued, or to a period that is reasonably necessary for you to safely evacuate the country, region or area. 

If you choose to stay, coverage will be available for medical conditions or losses which are unrelated to the reason for which the travel advisory was issued, while the travel advisory remains in effect.

However, for emergency medical travel insurance benefits, this exclusion does not apply to medical conditions or losses which are related to COVID-19, even while a travel advisory related to COVID-19 is in effect.
If I choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at my trip destination, will the costs of the  vaccination and/or any complications arising from it be covered? Coverage is not available for expenses related to a vaccination as it’s not being provided as a result of a medical emergency. However, emergency medical coverage is available for an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination received abroad.
If I receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to departure, but incur complications due to the vaccination during my trip, will expenses related to the complications be covered?
 Coverage may be available if you don’t show symptoms or complications following the immunization prior to the departure date.

If you do show symptoms or complications prior to the departure date and medical evidence suggests a reasonable expectation that treatment or hospitalization could be required while travelling, coverage may not be available.
The Canadian government is requiring that all Canadians re-entering the country must provide a COVID-19 negative test result 72 hours prior. Am I covered for any expenses related to the test? 
 No, coverage is not available for expenses related to a COVID-19 test as it’s not being taken as a result of a medical emergency.
Does my policy provide coverage for the costs related to the new requirements to quarantine due to COVID-19 when I return to Canada? 
 No, coverage is not available for expenses related to COVID-19 quarantine requirements upon returning to Canada. While our travel insurance policies now include emergency medical coverage for COVID-19, our policies do not cover a trip interruption or delay (such as requirements to quarantine, etc.) if it’s related to COVID-19, because the travel advisory for COVID-19 was in effect before you departed and/or all Trip Cancellations, Trip Interruptions and Delays related directly or indirectly to COVID-19 are excluded.


Common Questions - TRIP CANCELLATION, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRIP DELAY


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERS
Am I covered for Trip Cancellation and Interruption if I booked a trip and/or travel to a destination after a Government of Canada travel advisory of “avoid non- essential travel” or “avoid all travel” was issued? 
 		 Coverage for Trip Cancellation and Interruption caused by COVID-19 is not available for travel bookings made to a destination which is under a Government of Canada travel advisory of avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel that was issued before you booked your trip.

Trip Cancellation coverage may be available for claims related to COVID-19, if your trip was booked prior to the travel advisory issued on March 13, 2020 and your policy includes an eligible insured risk related to travel advisories. 

Effective September 1, 2021, a new exclusion has been added. Coverage for claims directly or indirectly related to COVID-19 will NOT be available, even if your trip was booked prior to that date or if there is no travel advisory in effect. 

Note: Students who have not made a trip cancellation claim for bookings made prior to the pandemic should refer to their Benefit Booklet to understand timelines to submit a claim, as travel advisory changes by the Government of Canada may impact claim eligibility.
If I book a trip, will I be covered if the advisory is lifted before my departure date, but I need to cancel because I contracted COVID-19 and must quarantine? 
 If there is no travel advisory in effect before your departure date, Trip Cancellation coverage is available if an insured person is quarantined and all other terms and conditions of the benefit booklet are met. 

Effective September 1, 2021 a new exclusion has been added. Trip Cancellation coverage for claims directly or indirectly related to COVID-19 will NOT be available even if there is no travel advisory in effect.
If I purchase a trip while the COVID-19 advisory is in effect, but only depart after the advisory is lifted, will I be covered for Trip Interruption benefits in my benefit booklet?
 If there is no travel advisory in effect when you depart on your trip, Trip interruption coverage may be available if your benefit booklet contains a valid insured risk and all other terms and conditions of your benefit booklet are met. 

Effective September 1, 2021 a new exclusion has been added. Trip Interruption coverage may be available if your benefit booklet contains a valid insured risk, with the exception of claims directly or indirectly related to COVID-19, even if there is no travel advisory in effect.
When the travel advisory is lifted, if I book a trip using a travel credit I was offered, will I still be covered for Trip Cancellation and Interruption? 
 Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage is available, including COVID-19 related events, as long as there is a valid insured risk. 

Effective September 1, 2021 a new exclusion has been added. Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage will be available as long as there is a valid insured risk, with the exception of claims directly or indirectly related to COVID-19 even if there is no travel advisory in effect.
I received a credit or voucher from my travel provider. Can I claim the full amount through my insurance? 
 Travel insurance policies with trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage are designed to cover costs for cancelled trips that are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Students should contact their travel supplier if they are unable to use a voucher or credit before its expiry, or if they have other disputes regarding refunds and credits. If your credit or voucher expires or a situation arises where you are unable to use it, please contact Global Excel


How to make a Claim

· You can contact our claims partner, Global Excel Management (Global Excel) using the phone number included in your insurance policy or on your wallet card.
· You can make a claim online via Global Excel's claim portal. Click on “Notify us of a Claim” on the top right of the page. The website will guide you through the submission process. Customers can also call 1-866-870-1898.

Important References

Health Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) regularly post important information and advice to stay safe. Please visit:
· Health Canada's Coronavirus page
· WHO: Advice for the public and safety measures page

We also encourage our customers to regularly visit the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories page for the most up to date information when making travel plans.

Disclaimer: The material provided in this update is for information only. Where the content refers to regulations or agreements, this is intended to aid in understanding and should not be interpreted to speak for any regulation or agreement. The actual regulation or agreement should be referred to in order to determine how it applies to your situation. Where this information speaks to insurance coverage it only applies to individuals enrolled under the insurance contract it may be referencing. All information provided here is in effect at the time of this notice, any changes to regulations or agreements after this time could affect the accuracy of this information. Coverage differs from plan to plan. We urge everyone to consult the policy or certificate of insurance to determine what coverages you have and how those coverages are affected.

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