Visas

According to recent regulations, Australian travellers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization, also known as eTA, whenever they travel by to Canada. This requirement also applies to travellers that didn’t previously need visas, and you need to have the eTA before you arrive in Canada.

When to Go

The best time to visit Canada, according to the locals, is between the months of May and June. This is when the summer season starts and all the popular tourist attractions start to open. Basically, it is during this time that Canada starts to come alive again after a long and harsh winter.

Health

As preparation for your trip to Canada, the WHO and the CDC recommend getting a vaccination for hepatitis A and B, as well as influenza and rabies, which are all mandatory vaccinations.

Packing List

The Great White North is known for its chilly weather, so make sure to pack a warm jacket, gloves, a hat and a scarf combo.

Travel Insurance for Canada

Regardless of whether you’re planning a short itinerary or an extended vacation in Canada, comprehensive insurance is a travel essential that you should not leave home without. It’ll sure come in handy for unexpected incidents like losing your luggage, getting your plans derailed due to an injury, or getting stuck in an emergency. Professional and recreational skiers travel to Canada each year to experience its remarkable glaciers, alpine bowls and marked runs, which are peppered across different provinces throughout the country. However, skiing does come with its own risks, like a carving gone wrong or going through a piste closure. Travel insurance is a great safety net to have during these occasions. Thankfully, most travel insurance companies now offer specialized ski insurance policy, which includes customized cover that can save you a lot of money.

How Much is Travel Insurance to Canada?

When travelling to Canada, it’s always a good idea to get a comprehensive travel insurance package, so that you can get cover for a wide range of circumstances, from medical emergencies to trip delays and cancellations. Your policy cost will depend on a variety of factors, such as your reasons for travelling, your health condition and the age group you belong to. As a result, most insurers offer different travel insurance packages to cater for different budgets and needs. To give you an idea of the type of policies you’ll come across, check out a few examples below:

• Basic Policies ($28 to $44) - A basic policy is the most affordable travel insurance option there is, and the Joey Cover from Kango is a perfect example. At just $28, it gives you $1.5 million personal liability cover and $5 million for medical cover for an excess of only $250.
• Standard Policies ($45 to $53) - Costing just $47, Fast Cover’s standard policy features benefits like $5 million for personal liability, a $2,500 hospital cash allowance, $15,000 for loss or theft of luggage and personal effects, and $30,000 for unforeseen travel costs. All of this in addition to unlimited medical and liability cover, and an excess payment of only $200.
• Premium Policies ($53 to $256) - An example of a really great premium policy is the all-inclusive policy from 1Cover, which comes with unlimited medical expenses and cancellation cover, $5,000 hospital cash allowance and $15,000 for accidental theft or loss of your luggage or personal effects. The best part is that all of this is available at a premium of only $59.

What’s Included?

Comprehensive travel insurance cover is a must-have when you travel to Canada, or any destination for that matter. As shown above, the cost of travel insurance depends on the features included in the policy, wherein a lower premium usually means less coverage and vice versa. However, there are certain standard features that should be included in a policy of any level.

• Cover for unforeseen cancellations and lost deposits.
• Delayed luggage allowance that will enable you to acquire some temporary grooming items and a change of clothes while you wait for your luggage to arrive.
• Cover for lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal effects.
• Overseas medical costs, including cover for hospital stays, surgical procedures, emergency dental treatment and nursing.
• Accidental death cover just in case you unfortunately pass away because of an injury that you go through during your trip.
• 24/7 international emergency assistance, which is made available to you no matter where you are in the world.
• Personal liability cover for unexpected legal expenses and legal liability cases
• Travel delay cover for delayed flights and stopovers

What’s Not Included?

There’s nothing worse than being told that your claim has been rejected due to not meeting the required criteria. That’s why it’s important to check the fine print on your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), so that you’re clear on what’s included and excluded from the policy. Here are some general exclusions that will cause your insurance claim to be rejected:

• Ignoring DO NOT TRAVEL warnings that were issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• Acting out of alcohol intoxication.
• Being under the influence of drugs that have not been prescribed by a medical doctor.
• Leaving your luggage unattended.
• Claiming for a previously undisclosed pre-existing medical condition.
• Any circumstances that result from terrorism, rebellion or acts of war.
• Purposefully acting unlawfully or illegally.
• Situations that are caused by self-inflicted harm. This goes for suicide as well.
• Injuries or accidents incurred as a result of participating in high-risk activities and sports.