travel insurance in quebec

Client login

Trusted Travel Insurance. Nearly 30 Years of Expertise.

Medical, Trip Cancellation and Interruption, and Baggage Protection Insurance: Tour+Med covers travelling Canadians of all ages.

Get 24/7 support anywhere around the world, plus access to our network of medical experts.

Latest News

The Early Bird Discount is Here!

Only 30 DAYS of stability for pre-existing conditions!

We're hiring!

Get the best travel insurance for your trip, get a quote.

More information

Make a claim

Read about our travel insurance products, contact emergency assistance, traveling with peace of mind..

Tour+Med has been providing travel insurance to Canadians of all ages for almost 30 years.

We are a trusted name among Snowbirds, but our competitive premiums, comprehensive coverage, and personalized approach meet the needs of all types of Canadian travellers.

Take advantage of our global network of medical experts.

Travel confidently!

Why choose Tour + Med

Travel insurance specialists.

Our experts take the time it takes to provide advice and answer your questions.

Personalized coverage

We customize your coverage so it suits your needs.

We are here for you, every step of the way

We are by your side at all times; from your purchase to your claim, including assistance.

Simple and clear

We simplify processes and documents to help you understand the insurance you are buying.

Testimonials

We have had Tour-Med for the last 7-8 years.

And …yes… we did had an expensive claim:

• service was EXCEPTIONAL
• response and attention to detail was IMPECCABLE
• claims payments were PROMPTLY made…NO HASSLES…they paid and delivered EXACTLY what they promised.
• have NOT had a premium increase due to the 2 claims as far as we can tell.
• after discharge from hospital, they followed up with us to find out if anything was still standing and how we were doing.

They are NOT the cheapest nor most expensive but WE fully endorse their policies.

We sent our documents for cancellation of our trip and received the refund in less than 10 days. Extraordinary service. I will deal with Tourmed again.

I unfortunately had a motor bike accident in Utah in July, 2023.  I was severely injured and spent a week in the hospital. I received EXCELLENT care and was 'medevact' to my home in BC on a private jet with two medical attendants..I can only imagine the cost for all this as all the bills were paid for by Tour+Med. Any bills I did receive I simply forwarded to them for payment. No questions asked!  I UNEQUIVOCALLY  recommend Tour+Med!!  Choosing Tour+Med as my insurer saved my life and my retirement pension!!  With gratitude, R.R.

We received a letter last week informing us that my husband's invoice from the hospital in Florida had been paid. This email is to say THANK YOU for the excellent service. We received professional service from the beginning. Every time we had a call, the first thing that was asked is how we were doing, and it feels good to see that human service still exists. We won't go away for long periods anymore due to (our age and) what happened this year, but rest assured, we will recommend you to our friends and family.

I received your letter dated July 4, advising me that TourMed had paid my hospital bill after my incident in Arizona in April. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know that was covered! I thank you so much!

To give you a little background of the incident… there were 12 of us exploring the desert beauty in the area South of Florence, when we were all attacked by a huge swarm of Africanized honey bees (more commonly known as ‘killer bees’). We were all stung, but I seemed to be the worst. In my hospital stay, they told me they had removed over 500 stingers from my body, primarily my back, chest, face and scalp. The bees were in my nose, ears, and mouth. I was intubated and airlifted to the trauma centre where I was treated for 5 days. I am still not 100%, but a little better everyday. We have all been wary of scorpions and rattlesnakes in the desert, but not these bees!

I am very lucky to have survived this incident, and I truly believe the quick response from the medical team that treated me played a huge part in my survival. I am so very grateful to all involved in my ongoing recovery from this horrific ordeal.

Read our blog article about this medical emergency.

Thank you for your prompt handling of my request. It's very nice to see something go through so smoothly!

I had a medical problem arise while on holidays in Texas and required an emergency hospital visit. The LS-Travel Company far exceeded my expectations. Everyone that my husband or I spoke with at LS-Travel was amazing and I deeply appreciate how efficient my claim was handled. I would highly recommend this company for your travel insurance needs and am truly grateful to all the helpful kindness that your team provided. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My wife was hospitalized and needed to be repatriated to Canada in an air-ambulance. You were there at all times during this ordeal and showed great sollicitude.

You show empathy and do exceptional work. We greatly appreciate your professionalism.

I want to thank you for dealing with my medical claim so quickly and efficiently. The online claims process was simple and easy to understand. It took very little time. Impressive! I will recommend your company to my friends.

Already a client?

Visit the client portal to view your policy documents, print your tax receipts, change your dates, inform us of your new address, and much more!

Travel Advice & Blog

Things to do in maine: complete guide for a successful trip, 6 must-see places for rvers in canada, high blood pressure and travel insurance: everything you need to know to travel well-covered with hypertension, head office and customer service.

247, boulevard Thibeau Trois-Rivières (Québec) G8T 6X9

Telephone, toll free:

1 877-344-8398

819-377-3587

Emergency medical assistance

A bilingual team available 24 / 7 anywhere around the world!

E.U. and Canada:

1 844 820-6588

1 888 820-6588

1 819 377-2241

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be one of the first to know when something is up! Subscribe now.

Tour+Med is insured by

© 2024 Tour+Med. All rights reserved.

Assistance médicale d'urgence en voyage

Une équipe bilingue disponible 24 / 7 de partout dans le monde!

E.U. et Canada :

001 888 820-6588

Frais virés :

001 819 377-2241

A bilingual team available 24 / 7, anywhere around the world!

Holiday September 2 nd

Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 nd for Labour Day .

For a last-minute purchase, check out our online quoting tool .

To extend your policy, connect to the Client Portal .

If you are on a trip and require Emergency Medical Assistance , click the link below. This service remains available 24/7.

Offices closed at noon on Wednesday, June 5 th .

Our offices will exceptionally close at noon on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for an internal team activity.

Special Long Weekend Schedule :

Please note that our offices will be closed from Friday March 29 th to Sunday 31 st .

We will be open on Monday April 1 st .

Statutory Holiday May 20th:

Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday, May 20 th for Victoria Day .

• Comprehensive travel insurance plans
• Emergency medical travel insurance plans
• Trip Cancellation Insurance and Non-Medical Plans
• Annual comprehensive travel insurance plans
• Annual emergency medical travel insurance plans
• Visitor to Canada and International Student
• Seeking medical treatment
• How to file a claim
• Access Claims Portal
• Complaint resolution process
• Understanding travel insurance
• How to choose a travel insurance plan
• Before your trip
• On your trip
• Travel Tips
• Get a quote online

Get a travel insurance quote

• Canadian Resident
• Visitor to Canada / Student

With a presence in 44 countries, Allianz Global Assistance has been helping Canadians safely explore the world for over 30 years.

Our goal is to make your travel insurance experience simple from end to end, so you can focus on enjoying your next adventure.

Our Promise to You : All travel insurance plans offered by Allianz Global Assistance include a 10-day "Free Look" period.

Are you a Canadian resident travelling more than once a year? Our annual plan options might be a better fit for you. Select two or more trips to view our plan options.

Each traveller aged 65 and older is required to complete a medical screening to purchase a policy. To obtain a quote, please call us at 1-844-310-1578.

Please enter all required fields.

With a presence in 44 countries, Allianz Global Assistance helps millions of travellers annually to travel safely and explore the world.

Minimum age for travellers is 15 days old. Maximum age is 49 years old.

Minimum age for travellers is 15 days old. Maximum age is 89 years old.

Why buy travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance?

When unexpected problems arise, travel insurance may help make things right. A travel protection plan from Allianz Global Assistance may safeguard your trip investment, reimburse covered emergency medical costs, and give you 24-7 access to Assistance services, among other benefits.  

• If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason , travel insurance may reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Without insurance, you may lose your vacation investment.
• If you experience a covered medical emergency abroad , travel insurance can help ensure you get the care you need and may reimburse you for covered medical costs. Without insurance, any medical expenses outside of Canada will be your responsibility.
• If you have a covered travel delay , travel insurance may reimburse you for necessary, eligible expenses like hotels and meals. Without insurance, delays may be expensive.
• If you face an unexpected crisis , travel insurance gives you access to 24/7 Assistance Worldwide. Without insurance, you’re on your own.

Available plan options

Travel insurance for canadians.

• Coverage for epidemic/pandemic diseases such as Covid-19
• Quick and simple medical screening for travellers age 65 or older via our contact centre
• No upper age limits
• Deductible option available on Emergency Medical plans 
• New Multi-trip length options

Travel insurance for visitors and International Students

• New sum insured coverage options
• Deductible option available on each plan
• Plans available up to age 89
• Coverage for inbound travellers such as tourists, new landed immigrants, international students, and temporary workers

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance 101, file a claim.

Before leaving

Now that your trip has been booked, find a wealth of useful information and tips to simplify your planning and ensure you set off with peace of mind!

Travel documents and important information to remember

Travelling abroad? Check to make sure you have everything you need.

Entry restrictions and conditions

These are regularly updated. Stay tuned with the Sherpa tool.

We guarantee your photos and give you CAA Dollars back.

Enjoy a 30% discount on service fees by choosing our partner CIBTvisas.

International Driving Permit

CAA-Quebec is the only authority in Quebec authorized to issue this document, which is required in several countries.

Bookings and online tools to round out your trip planning

Find a hotel, rent a car or RV, or get an itinerary in just a few clicks thanks to our online tools.

TripTik ® Travel Planner

Tourist documentation.

CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance provides comprehensive coverage and 24-hour assistance in both English and French, as well as interpretation services in several languages . This way, you have all the backup you need in the event your trip doesn’t quite go according to plan. Several options are available to best suit your needs. Save up to 20% on your premium 1 if you’re a member!

See coverage options

Air travel: a new tool to help you understand your rights

Flight delays or cancellations, lost baggage, overbooking…

Find out what you can do when your trip is disrupted.

To better understand the airlines’ obligations toward you, consult the Air Passenger Help Guide, a new tool launched by CAA.

  Featured travel advice

10 key questions to consider before your departure, before leaving home: a few tips, choosing your luggage: a brief guide, must-haves for travelling safely, 10 ways to save on your travel insurance, ready, set, go it’s vacation time.

Browse the CAA-Quebec Boutique and find everything you need for your trip and much more!

• CAA Dollars back for members
• Free delivery on purchases of $65 or more
• Best price guarantee

Shop online

  Travel with your CAA-Quebec membership card and start saving!

Not a CAA-Quebec member? See the many perks of becoming one ! Booking a trip with CAA-Quebec comes with a host of benefits:

• CAA Dollars back on purchases at the CAA-Quebec Boutique
• Discounts on parking at the Montréal and Ottawa airports
• Discounts on accommodations and vehicle rentals (including RVs!)
• And a whole lot more!

Note légale

1. The 20% discount on Travel Insurance represents the 10% member discount plus an additional 10% discount for those purchasing an explore cruise or tour.

Getting ready for a cruise

Ideas, advice, pro tips, and more!

TripTik Travel Planner

Create your own itinerary.

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is your last line of defense if something goes wrong on a trip—it pays for unexpected expenses like lost bags, cancelled flights, and medical emergencies. But not all policies are created equal.

So you’re planning a trip and someone asked you if you have travel insurance. Wait, what? Yes, at this point, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask yourself (and the internet): what is travel insurance?

For years, I didn’t know anything about travel insurance, and I went without it. Knowing what I do now, I’ve come to believe that if you can’t afford a travel insurance policy, you can’t afford to travel.

Essentially, travel insurance covers expenses from unforeseen events like a canceled trip, lost bag, or medical treatment.

It’s important to understand how it works so you can pick the right plan. Ready? Let’s dive right into the details of travel insurance.

How Does Travel Insurance Work?

If you’re just here for a quick and dirty answer, let’s get right down to it.

When you travel, you take on risk, whether you know it or not. You put down a lot of money on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. But what if your trip gets canceled? Oops, looks like you’re out a lot of cash.

Plus, did you know that regular health insurance plans usually don’t provide any coverage outside your home country?

Travel insurance protects you from unexpected events like these. You pay a relatively small up-front fee to a company in exchange for a guarantee that they will pay for expenses that are covered by a specific policy.

Travel insurance policies typically include two different categories of protection: trip coverage and emergency medical coverage.

• Trip insurance includes protection for the expenses of your trip. If your trip is canceled or interrupted (for a covered reason), the company will reimburse you for the cost. Trip coverage can also include reimbursements for lost baggage, delayed flights, rental car damage, and more.
• Emergency medical insurance is exactly what it sounds like. If you are injured or become ill overseas, your regular health insurance may not pay for your care. Travel medical coverage includes overseas care or emergency medical evacuation if needed.

There you have it. That’s the basics of how travel insurance works, and no, it isn’t that complicated. If you want to get into more details, let’s keep going.

Different Types of Travel Insurance

Did you know that there’s more than one type of travel insurance?

Yep, it can be broken up into several categories, from single trip insurance to long-term healthcare designed for digital nomads. The type of insurance you need will depend entirely on your trip, your destination, how often you travel, and your personal preferences.

Single-trip comprehensive coverage is most often the best choice, but not always. Here are the most important types of travel insurance so you can pick the right coverage type for you.

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance covers every aspect of your travel, from luggage to trip cancellations to emergency medical bills. For most people most of the time, this is what I recommend. I’ll dive deeper into every aspect of comprehensive travel insurance soon.
• Travel Medical Insurance only covers medical expenses, so you don’t get any of the trip expense coverage. Travel medical plans range from emergency coverage to full-fledged health care for living abroad.
• Single Trip Travel Insurance Insurance is exactly what it sounds like: insurance for a single trip. You enter your destination and travel dates to get covered during your trip.
• Annual Travel Insurance is, again, pretty straightforward. Rather than covering a single trip, annual plans include all your travels for an entire year. Note that there are often limits on how many days abroad in the year are covered.
• Nomad Travel Insurance (like the Nomad Insurance Plan from SafetyWing) is designed for people living long-term outside their home country. It typically renews monthly.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Any travel insurance policy has a lot of pieces to it, and sometimes the legalese terminology can be difficult to understand. The most important thing to understand is what is covered, and what isn’t. After all, you want to know what you’re paying for, right?

There are many varieties of travel insurance; essentially, they all just mix and match different coverages. Here are the most common things that a plan covers, and how that coverage works.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

If you have a lot of prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, the idea of having to cancel your trip can be scary. You’ve put hundreds or thousands of dollars into your upcoming trip, and you would lose all that money if your travel plans change.

Life happens though, and there’s always a chance that you get sick, a natural disaster happens, your house floods, you get called in for jury duty, or something else bad happens that causes you to cancel your trip.

That’s where trip cancellation coverage comes in. If you have a travel insurance plan, you can file a claim, and the company will refund the total trip cost.

Yep, that’s pretty cool.

It’s important to know that you can’t just cancel for any reason you want and expect to have your trip’s price refunded. Most insurance policies only pay out reimbursements for a “covered reason.” Covered reasons include things like serious illness to yourself or a family member, losing your job, a natural disaster or terrorist attack in your destination, or other unpredictable events.

Reasons that aren’t covered typically include things that could be predicted ahead of time, like ongoing civil and political unrest, severe weather due to a predicted tropical storm, or “because I want to.”

Also, cruises are not always covered under typical trip cancellation insurance, so make sure your plan covers cruise lines if that’s what you need.

Cancel For Any Reason

If you want the greatest peace of mind, you’ll want to look for Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. CFAR is exactly what it sounds like, you can cancel your trip for any reason, and the insurance company will pay you for any non-refundable expenses from hotel stays, flights, and more.

Just know that CFAR insurance costs more.

Trip Interruption Coverage

Trip interruption is similar to trip cancellation insurance, but it covers travel expenses in case you have to cut your trip short after you’ve already departed (while trip cancelation is for before you leave).

Trip interruption coverage typically has similar rules and limits, so you can just think of it as an extension of trip cancellation.

Good trip interruption coverage also includes coverage for travel costs to return home. That’s a great benefit so you don’t have to pay your own way home if anything goes wrong.

Trip Delay Coverage

Beyond trip cancellation and interruption, comprehensive travel insurance policies also typically have coverage for trip delays. That means they’ll help pay for inconveniences and extra expenses caused by flight delays, cancellations, missed connections, and other delays.

Usually, this is a per-day amount while your trip is delayed to pay for unexpected hotel stays or transport costs to rejoin your trip itinerary.

Medical Emergency Coverage

No one wants to think about having a medical emergency overseas, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared.

In my opinion, emergency medical protection is the most important travel insurance coverage. If you have to pay for a canceled trip, that’s a bummer, but you’ll get over it. If you become seriously ill or get injured on your trip, having insurance to pay for emergency hospital costs can be life-saving. At the very least, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

Travel medical coverage will cover costs up to a specific dollar amount stated in the policy. I recommend getting at least $50,000 of coverage, though $100,000 or more is better.

And yes, pretty much every travel insurance policy covers COVID-19 just like any other illness.

Most plans also include accidental death or dismemberment protection. Essentially, this is a sort of life insurance policy that pays out a certain amount if you die or have a disabling injury on your trip. I don’t want to think too much about “accidental death or dismemberment” either, but it’s good to know it’s there.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Many travel insurance plans have strict limits regarding previously existing medical conditions. If you have a condition like diabetes, heart disease, or some other chronic illness, it may not cover related healthcare costs.

If you have a chronic condition, I recommend looking for a plan with a pre-existing condition waiver (like the Travelex Select Plan) to make sure you have full coverage.

Secondary vs Primary Coverage

If you’re looking to purchase travel insurance, you may have come across the terms secondary and primary coverage. Those terms sound confusing, but the difference is pretty simple.

• Primary coverage pays for medical bills before anything else.
• Secondary coverage only kicks in after your normal health insurance pays whatever they will cover.

Emergency Evacuation

For severe injuries or illnesses, travel insurance plans typically cover emergency medical evacuation. That can include transport costs to the nearest medical facility or evacuation to your home country for care.

Again, I’d look for the highest coverage limits possible here. Air ambulances can cost into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you don’t want to be stuck with that bill.

Baggage Loss or Delay

I have recurring nightmares of losing my checked bag on a long international flight. It hasn’t happened to me yet, but I usually fly carry-on only anyway. Few things sound worse than getting stuck in a foreign country without my personal belongings.

Baggage loss coverage reimburses the cost of lost luggage—up to a specific dollar amount. You will just need to file a claim accounting for the value of the lost personal items.

Many policies will also include coverage for a baggage delay or damage to personal property.

Other Travel Insurance Benefits and Options

Beyond medical protection, trip cancellation insurance, and lost baggage coverage, most travel insurance coverage includes a range of other benefits that either come standard with your plan or that you can add on for an extra cost. Here are some of the most common benefits you may want to look for:

• Rental car insurance in case you scratch up that BMW you rented
• Adventure sports coverage so your medical expenses are still paid for even if you’re participating in “risky” activities like skydiving, skiing, or rock climbing.
• Vacation rental protection , because accidents happen
• Electronic equipment coverage for all you gear-laden photographers
• Cruise and tour operator cancellation coverage , because you don’t want to be stuck with that bill if your trip is canceled.

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

In general, plans from good travel insurance providers will cost about 5-6% of your total trip cost. It can seem annoying to pay for something you might not need to use, but it’s way better than losing tens of thousands of dollars if anything goes wrong. Standard plans range from well under $100 to a few hundred dollars depending on your trip.

Of course, the price will depend on the specific insurance provider and plan you choose. I recommend shopping around to find the best travel insurance for your money.

If you really can’t stomach paying for a full insurance policy (and aren’t worried about losing non-refundable expenses), at the very least you should buy a travel medical plan. Heymondo has a great medical plan that’s so cheap, it would be stupid not to get it. This insurance can help give you peace of mind on your travels.

One thing to note: some credit cards come with some form of travel insurance. It’s worth checking with your credit card company to see if any coverage comes with your credit card.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

I’ll make this answer short: yes, travel insurance is worth it.

For the peace of mind and financial protection you get, the cost of travel insurance is a low price to pay, especially when you consider what you could lose if something bad happens. I don’t like the idea of losing thousands in non-refundable costs or tens of thousands in medical bills.

Still not convinced? We’ve got a full article explaining why travel insurance is worth it . It’s worth a read if you’re still on the fence.

How Do You Buy Travel Insurance?

Fortunately purchasing travel insurance is easy—no need to deal with pushy travel agents. You just go to a travel provider’s website, enter your destination, travel dates, and age, and they will instantly give you a quote for different plans for your trip. It’s also worth checking with your credit card provider because some credit cards include trip insurance!

I highly recommend shopping around a bit to find the best travel insurance plan and price for you. SquareMouth is a fantastic website that gives you quotes from dozens of different providers so you can compare different plans all in one place. They don’t search every single company out there though, so it’s worth checking a few other places.

Our list of the best travel insurance companies is a great place to start. We’ve listed out what each company is best at to help you find the option that fits you best.

Travel Insurance FAQs

What is travel insurance and how does it work.

Travel insurance protects you from unexpected events while traveling like illness or a canceled flight.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers canceled trips, emergency medical costs, lost baggage, and more.

Why would I get travel insurance?

Travel insurance isn’t expensive and protects you from heavy costs if anything goes wrong.

What is not covered in travel insurance?

Travel insurance typically doesn’t cover cancellation due to foreseeable events.

Does travel insurance actually pay out?

Good travel insurance companies like Heymondo and Allianz have a reputation for paying out claims.

Jeremy Scott Foster

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search our latest articles, reviews and gear guides

• TravelFreak on Instagram
• TravelFreak on Facebook
• TravelFreak on Twitter
• TravelFreak on Pinterest

Sign up now and get the best gear, travel tips, deals and destinations, straight to your inbox.

Thank you for signing up!

• Data Portability Right Takes Effect in Quebec: What Service Providers Need to Know

Effective September 22, 2024, Quebec's data portability right will come into force, marking the final phase of the implementation of the amendments to the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (the Act) introduced in the Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards to the protection of personal information (Law 25), which began in September 2022. 1 This new right aligns with global trends that emphasize individual control over personal information. For businesses operating in Quebec, understanding the data portability right is essential, as it imposes significant obligations and is critical for both compliance and maintaining customer trust.

What is Data Portability?

In broad terms, data portability allows individuals to request the transfer of their personal information—either to themselves or another organization at their request. This right empowers consumers by giving them greater control over their data and making it easier to switch service providers.

Below are the key considerations.

What are the Requirements for Invoking the Data Portability Right?

• Personal information must be computerized . Information in non-digital formats, such as paper records, is not subject to portability right. Although the Act does not explicitly define "computerized personal information," the Commission d'accès à l'information describes it as personal information organized and structured through information technology.
• Personal information must have been collected from the individual : The data must be obtained directly or indirectly from the individual. This includes information gathered through an individual's activities, such as history of purchase, travel and driving habits. 2

What is Excluded from Portability?

Certain types of information are not subject to portability rights:

• Personal information inferred or created from personal information, such as user profiles created from the analysis of an individual's activities on the web, 3 the level of risk associated with an individual by their insurance company. 4
• Third-Party information: Personal information acquired from third-party sources is also outside the scope of portability.

What are the New Obligations for Service Providers as of September 22, 2024?

At the request of an individual, service providers must communicate the computerized personal information in a structured, commonly used technological format .

• Although this notion is not explicitly defined in the Act, the Quebec government clarifies that a format is considered "structured and commonly used" if commonly available software applications can easily recognize and extract the information. Formats such as CSV, XML and JSON are deemed suitable for portability, while formats like images, PDFs or those requiring proprietary software or paid licenses are not. 5

How Can Service Providers Prepare?

To comply with data portability requirements, service providers should take the following steps:

• Inventory your data : Understand what personal information is collected, how it is stored and whether it qualifies for portability. This will help streamline responses to portability requests.
• Develop a data transfer process : Establish procedures for managing data portability requests.
• Implement security measures : Transferring data can expose sensitive information to risks. Ensure robust security protocols are in place to verify the recipient's identity and protect data during the transfer process.
• Train your staff : Ensure your employees are familiar with the requirements of data portability and are trained to handle requests in compliance with the law.

By understanding data portability requirements and developing robust processes, businesses can not only remain compliant but also build stronger relationships with their customers, enhancing trust and loyalty.

We are grateful for the assistance of Alexia Armstrong, student-at-law, in connection with the preparation of this article.

1 Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector, CQLR c P-39.1, s 27.

2 Commission d'accès à l'information, "Vos Droits: Contrôler l'accès et la circulation de vos renseignements personnels", online: < https://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/protection-renseignements-personnels/citoyens-protection-renseignements-personnels/acces-et-protection-renseignements-personnels >.

3 Government of Quebec, "Droit à la portabilité", online: < https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/travailler-gouvernement/travailler-fonction-publique/services-employes-etat/conformite/protection-des-renseignements-personnels/acces-aux-renseignements-personnels/droit-portabilite >.

4 Supra note 2.

5 Supra note 3.

Related Posts

• PMRA Publishes Draft Regulations Regarding Disclosure of Confidential Test Data for Consultation
• B.C. Court of Appeal Finds that Allegedly Reckless Database Custodians may be Liable for "Wilful Violations" of Privacy Under the Privacy Act
• The PMRA has Provided Clarity for Data Compensation in the Re-Evaluation and Special Review Contexts

Latest Posts

• Proposed Changes to the Guidance on Recognized Standards for Medical Devices in Canada

See more »

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations. Attorney Advertising.

Refine your interests »

Written by:

PUBLISH YOUR CONTENT ON JD SUPRA NOW

• Increased visibility
• Actionable analytics
• Ongoing guidance

Published In:

Bennett jones llp on:.

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Access my Online Account

Important! New login system as of September 4.  

Is this your first login since that date? Click on “Create my access.” This applies even if you had a Member Account on our previous website. 

First time logging in?

Remember my username

Any problems? Got questions?

• / Home Page
• / Planning a trip
• / Traveling in Canada outside Quebec: do you need travel insurance?

Traveling in Canada outside Quebec: do you need travel insurance?

Everyone knows that whenever you travel abroad, it’s a very good idea to purchase travel insurance before leaving. Did you know that this is also true as soon as you leave Quebec—even if you’re only visiting other parts of Canada? Here are 5 myths about travel insurance outside Quebec, and our explanations.

Myth 1: i’m a quebec resident and a canadian citizen, which means my health insurance card covers me if i travel outside quebec..

The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) does not fully reimburse healthcare services received outside the province, even if you stay in Canada. In addition, some services are not covered at all under the provincial health insurance plan.

If the services received in the province visited cost more than the amount the RAMQ is prepared to reimburse, you’ll have to pay the difference. In other words, if you get medical care in, say, British Columbia or Prince Edward Island, and you don’t have private health insurance, you’ll have to pay for the portion of expenses that is not reimbursed by the RAMQ.

Here is an example illustrating the costs to a Quebec resident of a hospital stay in Ontario:

Source: RAMQ

MYTH 2: I don’t need travel insurance in my own country; I’m covered under interprovincial agreements, so I have health insurance outside Quebec.

A doctor can accept the Quebec health insurance card even when you are outside the province; he or she will then be reimbursed for services rendered in accordance with the fees in effect in Quebec. However, the doctor can refuse to accept your card because he or she does not agree to be paid in line with the Quebec fees. In such a situation, you will need to pay the fees the doctor is charging and then apply for a refund from the RAMQ.

MYTH 3: I’m ready to run the risk of assuming part of my medical expenses instead of buying travel insurance for a stay somewhere else in Canada.

Remember: the RAMQ covers a broad range of care and services, but it doesn’t cover everything. Fees that aren’t covered in Quebec won’t be when you’re travelling outside the province either. This is true of the following, among others:

• Transportation by ambulance if you are under 65;
• The cost of bringing you back to Quebec (by ground or air);
• A private (or semi-private) hospital room;
• Fees for extra services (e.g., rental of crutches, TV in hospital room);
• Medication purchased outside Quebec;
• Services provided by a healthcare professional other than a doctor (e.g., a dentist).

Only private health insurance or travel insurance can reimburse you for the cost of these services in the case of an emergency. And the RAMQ definitely won’t refund non-medical travel expenses, such as:

• Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage;
• Trip cancellations due to weather or illness.

You’ll need comprehensive travel insurance or another type of insurance for those, too.

MYTH 4: I’m prepared to buy travel insurance when I go to Europe or the U.S., but if I’m staying in Canada, I find it unfair to have to pay the same price.

Insurers calculate their premiums based on the risks, the costs of medical care in the countries visited, and many other factors. Because the RAMQ reimburses a larger part of fees paid in Canada than in other countries, which reduces potential costs, some insurance companies like Travel Insurance offered by CAA-Québec adjust to the market. They offer flexible products, adapted for travel outside Quebec, in the rest of Canada, and this, at much lower rates (up to 75% lower for products sold by CAA-Quebec) than those for international travel insurance.

MYTH 5: It’s no big deal if I leave the country for a quick getaway. I’ll still be covered by my travel insurance.

If you’ve opted for travel insurance that covers you only in Canada, that means you need to stay in the country or you won’t be covered. So if you decided to slip down to Buffalo on a road trip to Niagara Falls (after all, it’s only 30 minutes away), full Insurance is void if you leave Canada.

Other advantages of travel insurance

Most travel insurance includes 24/7 assistance services , which can be handy as soon as you leave the province, even if you go no further than Ontario!

What’s more, if you have travel insurance, you don’t need to take care of applying for your refunds from the RAMQ. Your insurer handles it and co-ordinates the entire process, saving you valuable time!

Am I covered for COVID-19 in Canada?

Many insurers consider COVID-19 to be a known event and would not cover care for the disease if you caught it while travelling. However, CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance does cover COVID-19 care in Canada, unless there is a government advisory not to travel between provinces.

CAA Travel Assistance is provided by Global Excel. Virtual Emergency Medical Assistance availability may vary depending on geographical locations and current emergency medical condition. In-Province virtual assistance is limited to four (4) calls per insured per policy term. CAA‑Quebec Travel Insurance products are provided by Orion Travel Insurance Company and distributed to Quebec residents exclusively by CAA‑Quebec Travel and Cabinet en assurance de personnes CAA‑Québec.