Is Blue Cross Travel Insurance in Canada worth it? 2024 Review

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Sunny Yadav updated on 22 April 2024

Blue Cross Travel Insurance is a well-established insurance provider that offers coverage for Canadian travellers. With a reputation for reliability, Blue Cross is a trusted choice for those seeking reliable travel insurance solutions.

But how much does Blue Cross travel offer cost? What does it cover? What are its pros and cons? And most importantly, is it the best choice for you? Find all this and more in our complete review of Blue Cross Travel Insurance Canada.

5 Key Takeaways on Blue Cross Travel Insurance

  1. Provides comprehensive coverage for Canadian travellers
  2. Offers various plans to suit different travel needs, including single-trip and multi-trip policies
  3. Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage and other travel-related incidents
  4. May have limitations depending on specific situations and individual health conditions
  5. Compare Blue Cross with other providers using HelloSafe comparator and get free quotes

Our 2024 review on Blue Cross travel insurance

Blue Cross is a reputable provider in Canada, catering to travellers' needs by offering travel insurance plans. The company's policies cover a wide range of travel-related incidents, including medical emergencies, trip interruptions and baggage loss.

The company aims to provide peace of mind to travellers by protecting them from unexpected expenses while abroad. Its extensive coverage options and reputation in the insurance industry make it a good option for Canadian travellers seeking reliable travel insurance.

Let’s take a look at its pros and cons to further understand Blue Cross insurance Canada:

Pros:

  • Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies during travel
  • Options for trip cancellation and interruption coverage
  • Provides coverage for lost or delayed baggage
  • Multi-trip policies for frequent travellers
  • Access to a vast network of healthcare providers
  • Blue Cross Travel Insurance reviews show good customer service

Cons:

  • Pre-existing conditions coverage may not be all-inclusive
  • Some plans may have limited coverage for extreme sports or adventure activities
  • High deductibles on certain policies
  • Policy costs may be higher for older travellers

Before choosing Blue Cross, be sure to compare its offer with its competitors:

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

Get a quote

What is Blue Cross travel coverage in Canada?

What does Blue Cross travel insurance cover

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Canada typically covers a range of incidents, such as:

  • Emergency medical expenses during travel
  • Trip interruption or cancellation under some unforeseen circumstances
  • Baggage loss, delay, or theft
  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
  • Travel assistance services, including emergency evacuation
  • Optional: Covid coverage

Below, we have outlined the features of each coverage option offered for the single-trip plan when traveling outside of Canada to assist you in selecting the most suitable option:

Coverage TypeEmergency MedicalTrip Cancellation or InterruptionAccidental Death or DismembermentBaggage
Up to $500 (after a 12-hour delay)
$5 million
Medical repatriation
One-way economy airfare
Paramedical services
Up to $400 per profession
Hospital allowance
Up to $100 per day, $500 max
Emergency dental for injury and pain
Up to $2,000 for injury, $500 for pain
Companion travel, subsistence
Economy fare and up to $1,200
Subsistence allowance due to medical delay
Up to $300 per day, max $3,000
Trip cancellation and trip interruption
Up to the sum insured, max $15,000
Meals & accommodation due to travel delay
Up to $300 per day, max $3,000
Travel accident and travel accident
Up to $200,000 for travel
Up to $300,000 for flight
(depending on age and circumstances)
Baggage insurance
Up to $1,500
Baggage delay
Up to $500 (after 12-hour delay)
Blue Cross travel insurance Canada coverage options for a single trip

What is not covered by Blue Cross travel plans?

The specific exclusions may vary depending on the policy, but typical exclusions might include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions (unless specifically covered)
  • Injuries or accidents related to extreme sports or risky activities
  • Travel to countries or regions under travel advisories or warnings

In some cases, Blue Cross might provide coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, which are medical conditions that have been stable and controlled for a certain period before the trip. The definition of "stable" and the required stability period can vary from one policy to another.

It's important for travelers with pre-existing conditions to be upfront and honest when providing their medical history during the application process. Failure to disclose pre-existing conditions accurately can lead to claims being denied later on.

Good to know

Medical or trip cancellation/interruption coverage is mandatory, while dismemberment and baggage coverage or accidental death are optional.

Is Blue Cross travel insurance available in all provinces?

Blue Cross offers coverage to travellers from all Canadian provinces, including but not limited to:

  • British Columbia (Pacific blue cross travel insurance)
  • Alberta
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan
  • Nova Scotia
  • New Brunswick
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador

Does Blue cross have travel insurance for seniors?

Yes, Blue Cross offers travel insurance to seniors in Canada. Its offer is designed to cater to the unique needs of older travelers. These insurance plans typically offer comprehensive coverage, including the following:

  • emergency medical expenses,
  • trip cancellations,
  • baggage loss.

They may also provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, as well as extended trip durations suitable for seniors traveling abroad

Good to know

There are eligibility criterias for travellers aged 55, we discuss these further down on this page. Policies are tailored to accommodate the potential health risks associated with age.

How to contact Blue Cross travel insurance?

For inquiries or assistance, individuals can contact Blue Cross through their customer service channels, which may include phone numbers, email, or online chat support available on their official website.

The Blue Cross travel insurance phone number numbers may vary based on your province. In Ontario, you can call Blue Cross at: 

  • 416-640-3444
  • 1-866-732-2583

Another easy and quick way to contact Blue Cross is to log in to your Blue Cross account and get in touch with the insurer through its private online channels.

Blue Cross travel insurance for visitors to Canada

Blue Cross offers insurance for visitors to Canada to provide health travel coverage and financial protection for individuals who are visiting Canada from other countries. This type of visitor travel insurance is essential for international visitors as it helps cover medical expenses in case of unexpected illnesses or accidents while in Canada.

How much does Blue Cross travel insurance cost?

The cost of Blue Cross's travel insurance is determined by several factors, including:

  • the total trip cost,
  • the trip destination (whether you need travel insurance for the USA or Europe, your premium will not be the same),
  • the age of the traveller,
  • the chosen coverage level.

Below are some examples of the costs for Blue Cross single-trip plans available to travellers based in Ontario. All travellers have provincial healthcare plans.

Travellers' profileDestination, timeEmergency Medical Care Coverage Cost Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage CostAccidental Death or Dismemberment CostBaggage Coverage
Overal single-trip coverage cost
Individual, age: 33 years old
France, 21 days$81.60
($0 deductible, $5,000,000 Coverage)
$121.49
(For $3,000 cost per traveller of travel expenses)
$13.04
(maximum benefit $300,000)
$26.21
(up  to $1,500 coverage)
$242.34
(inc taxes)
Individual, age: 45 years old
UK, 10 days$44.16
($0 deductible, $5,000,000 Coverage)
$124.66
(For $3,000 cost per traveller of travel expenses)
$7.73
(maximum benefit $300,000)
$12.48
(up  to $1,500 coverage)
$189.03
(inc taxes)
Blue Cross insurance cost - quotes obtained on April 22, 2024

To know the exact coverage and exclusions, you must get a personalized quote from Blue Cross.

To see what suits you best, you could use our comparator below to compare Blue Cross prices with other travel insurances. Get quotes and pricing information in no time and it's completely free to use.

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

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Are you eligible for Blue Cross travel insurance?

To qualify for insurance coverage with Blue Cross, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are a Canadian resident who is covered under a health insurance plan from the government.
  • You are at least 30 days old on the departure date of your trip.

Moreover, for travellers aged 55 and over, the following conditions must not apply:

  • You have received medical advice not to travel.
  • You are suffering from a medical condition in a terminal stage.
  • You are suffering from kidney failure and treated with dialysis.
  • You have been diagnosed with or treated for metastatic cancer in the last five years.
  • You have been prescribed or treated with home oxygen in the past 12 months.

Good to know

Blue Cross Medical Travel Insurance refers to travel insurance policies that emphasize medical coverage, ensuring that travellers have financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies while travelling.

How to make a Blue Cross travel insurance claim?

To make a claim with Blue Cross travel coverage, travellers typically need to follow these steps:

  1. Contact Blue Cross as soon as possible to initiate the claim process.
  2. Provide all necessary documentation and details related to the incident.
  3. Complete any claim forms required by the company.
  4. Cooperate with the claims adjuster, if needed, to provide additional information.

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Sunny Yadav Copywriter
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Sunny has over six years of experience curating engaging content spanning across industries. Specifically in finance, his expertise is insurance reviews and lending and investment topics.