Planning Summer Travel? Here’s Why Travel Insurance Still Matters—Even Within Canada

With summer break on the horizon and the school year wrapping up, your clients may be getting ready to plan solo adventures or family vacations. While some will travel internationally, many are looking to stay closer to home and explore the Great White North.

Before they pack their bags, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: travel insurance isn’t just for trips abroad—it’s a smart choice even for travel within Canada.

Provincial Health Plans Don’t Cover Everything

Most Canadians assume their Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) covers them wherever they go in the country. However, every province has its own health plan, and what’s covered in one province may not be covered in another.

This is especially true for emergency medical expenses like ambulance rides, wheelchairs, or crutches, which may not be fully reimbursed by GHIP when incurred outside the home province.

What Travel Insurance Covers Within Canada

Travel insurance acts as a safety net, offering financial protection against unexpected medical emergencies that aren’t fully covered by provincial plans.

Here are a few examples of common gaps:

  • Ambulance transportation fees

  • Medical equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs

  • Physician’s fees, which refer to the doctor’s time—these are often excluded from GHIP coverage but are reimbursable under a travel insurance policy

Even though some treatments are standardized and covered nationwide, these additional costs can add up quickly without insurance.

Senior Guard: Flexible Coverage Options for Domestic Travel

Depending on your clients’ needs, our Senior Guard emergency medical insurance offers flexible options:

  • Single Trip Plan – Covers one trip for its full duration

  • Annual Plan – Offers unlimited travel within Canada for a full year

The annual plan is a great fit for frequent travelers, snowbirds, or anyone who enjoys regular domestic getaways, whether they venture outside the country or not.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Canadian Travel

As clients begin making their summer travel plans, make sure to remind them that travel insurance isn’t just for international trips. Whether they’re heading across the border or across the country, having proper protection ensures peace of mind.

Think travel insurance—even for travel within Canada.