Free Travel Tools
Helpful travel resources, destination guides, transportation information and planning tools to make preparing for your next trip a little easier.
Tools
Tips
Travelling in Troublesome Times: A 12-Point Guide – CITC Consumers’ Corner article
Fly Smart brochure by the Canadian Transportation Agency
Planning to travel? : Transport Canada
Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) Consumers’ Corner – Information on the Canadian travel industry for consumers
Transport Canada – Information on permissable carry-on baggage
Resources
Click here to learn about the Travel Medicine Program which provides vital health information for persons travelling outside Canada.
Travel Vaccine Information (www.travelvacs.ca)
Risks Associated with Importing Certain Plants, Animals and Their Products into Canada
New oral vaccine helps protect against Travellers’ Diarrhea
Travel Updates : Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
CANPASS – Air Program : Joint initiative of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Revised Air Travellers Security Charge – Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Notice
Fly Smart : Informational Brochure from Canadian Transportation Agency
Visit this Passport Canada site to download passport applications for your clients.
To read New Procedures for Ordering Canadian Passport Application Forms, click here.
To print Passport Application Order Form, click here.
US Goverment Visa Regulations: Public Announcement Concerning Visa Requirements for Permanent Resident Aliens of the Commonwealth and Ireland (Landed Immigrants) Residing in Canada
** The application form DS-156 can be downloaded from http://www.state.gov/travel
Air Travel Complaints Commissioner
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Embassies of the World to Canada
For a pamphlet that provides valuable information on permissable carry-on baggage, click here. You can download it and provide it to your clients.
Canadian Transportation Agency website : For the Code of Practices for travellers with disabilities, the Reservation Check-List and Air Travel.
Travel Insurance FAQ’s
Q:1 Why do I need travel insurance? If I get sick when I’m travelling, won’t our government health plan pay for my medical expenses?
A: Provincial health insurance plans provide only limited coverage for medical treatment and hospital costs outside of Canada. If you are injured or become ill while out of the country, the government plans pay only a portion of your medical bills. You might have to pay substantial medical bills out of your own pocket that could amount to thousands of dollars. That is why it’s highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance.
Q:2 Will travel insurance pay my expenses if I am away on a trip and am called home by an emergency?
A: Some travel insurance products protect you for these situations. If you purchase “Cancellation and Interruption” insurance, it will help pay your expenses to return home. There are a number of circumstances that qualify as an emergency (for example the death or serious illness of a family member). The cost of cancelling a trip prior to departure can be very expensive, as most trips are non-refundable, especially if you have to cancel just before leaving on your trip. Having to return early from a trip can also be very expensive. Either way, Cancellation & Interruption is very important to protect the financial investment you make in a trip.
Q:3 I’m only going to the United States for a few days. Do I really need travel insurance?
A: Yes, you do need travel insurance to protect you against the unexpected, even if you are going to the United States for a few days. An illness or accident can happen at any time, whether you’re on the road for a few days, or a few months. And remember the cost of health care is very expensive in the United States and very little of this cost would be covered by your government health insurance plan. For a short trip, the cost of travel insurance is minimal, and it gives you peace of mind.
Q:4 I am over age 65 and I have a few health problems. Is it still possible for me to purchase travel insurance?
A: Unless your health problems are severe, you should be able to purchase travel insurance. You may pay a slightly higher premium for travel insurance, depending on your age and health problems. Your premiums and coverage will be determined according to your answers to medical questions. You may not be covered for pre-existing health conditions you have prior to your departure on your trip.
Q:5 When should I purchase my travel insurance?
A: You must purchase your Cancellation & Interruption travel insurance when you book your trip. You can purchase any other coverage before you leave on your trip. Remember to purchase insurance for your entire trip, which includes the day you leave and the day you return.
Q:6 My child is travelling with me. Do I need to buy separate coverage for her?
A: If your child is under two years old and you are purchasing our Package Tour coverage, your child receives emergency medical coverage at no extra cost. If your child is aged two or older, you’ll need to purchase emergency medical coverage for your child. Also, if you have purchased a ticket for your child, keep in mind that you may need to buy extra coverage to protect you in the event of cancellation or interruption of your trip.
Q:7 Do you offer special family prices for your coverage?
A: Yes. You can purchase emergency medical family coverage. This means your children are insured when they travel with you, or join you during your trip. Your natural and adopted children and stepchildren can all be included in family coverage, as long as they are unmarried and under age 21.The policy also covers dependent children over 20 years of age, if they have a mental or physical handicap.
Q:8 Do I really need to read my travel insurance booklet?
A: Your travel insurance booklet includes the terms of your insurance policy. As with any insurance, some of those terms may limit the benefits payable to you, so it’s in your best interest to be familiar with the policy. Also, please remember to take the booklet with you on your trip so you can refer to it if necessary.
Q:9 Why do I need medical travel insurance when I travel abroad?
A: Health insurance plans provided by the governments of the Canadian provinces and territories pay only a fraction of the emergency medical expenses that its residents incur while they are travelling abroad. Travel insurance will protect you in case of a medical emergency, so you’ll be able to travel with peace of mind.
Q:10 Do I need medical travel insurance when I travel within Canada?
A: Yes. There are several reasons why it’s important to get medical travel insurance when you’re travelling within Canada. One reason is that unfortunately, accidents can happen anywhere. Another is that Government health plans do have limits on the reimbursement of the emergency medical expenses incurred while you are in another province. For example, the ambulance, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs might not be covered by some government health insurance plans.
Q:11 Why would I need Cancellation & Interruption insurance?
A: Emergencies happen when you least expect it. You could become sick, lose your job or a family member could have a medical emergency. Cancellation and Interruption insurance covers you for those circumstances and protects the financial investment you’ve made in your trip. It also protects you if you need to go back home because of an emergency such as a family member becoming seriously ill at home, while you are away.
This is due to their excellent service, competitive pricing and customer support. It’s throughly refresing to get such a personal touch.
Christine Eve
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