Unpacking Travel Insurance: What Your Credit Card and Group Plan Might Not Cover
When planning travel, one question often goes unasked: “Am I truly covered?” While credit card and group benefits plans may offer some travel insurance, they also come with limitations that could leave you underprotected at critical moments.
Key Coverage Gaps You Should Know
While convenient, credit card and group benefits travel insurance plans often leave out essential protections. Here are some of the common limitations to be aware of:
- Trip Durations: Many credit card policies cap the length of covered trips, often at 15-30 days. If you’re planning an extended stay, you may not be covered for the entire duration. Group plans also impose duration limits, which can be restrictive for longer vacations or trips abroad.
- Pre-existing Conditions and Medication Changes: If you have any pre-existing health conditions or recent changes in your medication, your policy may not cover related medical expenses. Even minor adjustments to your prescriptions could affect your coverage, a common exclusion that can catch travellers off guard.
- Age Restrictions: Most credit card and group travel insurance policies impose age limits, making it harder for older travellers to qualify. These age caps can leave seniors uncovered or force them to seek alternate insurance options—an added cost and hassle if not addressed before travel.
- Activity Exclusions: Thrill-seekers and adventure lovers, beware. Many policies exclude high-risk activities such as skiing, scuba diving, or mountain trekking, which means injuries sustained in these activities may not be covered. This gap could lead to hefty out-of-pocket expenses if you engage in sports or other adventurous activities on your trip.
How to Ensure You’re Fully Covered
To avoid the unexpected costs and stress of insufficient travel insurance, it’s essential to take proactive steps:
- Review Coverage Details: Start by carefully examining your credit card and group benefits plan for exclusions, limitations, and any vague language that could impact your claim. Look closely at trip duration caps, activity restrictions, and other coverage boundaries.
- Assess Personal Needs: Every trip is unique. From the length of stay to the types of activities planned and any specific health needs, your travel insurance should reflect these factors. Make a checklist of what’s important to your travel plans so you can identify any gaps quickly.
- Address Coverage Gaps: After reviewing your current policies, consider purchasing additional insurance to fill in any gaps. For example, supplementary travel insurance can extend trip duration coverage, protect you in case of high-risk activities, and ensure pre-existing health conditions are included.
Protect Your Travel Plans with Confidence
Travel should be an exciting experience, free from the worry of inadequate insurance. With Leyland & Matters Private Client Insurance Advisors by your side, you can embark on your next adventure knowing you’re prepared for every possibility. Let us guide you in securing a policy that protects you from start to finish.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and ensure your travel coverage truly meets your needs.
1 (905) 331-2885
1 (888) LEYLAND