Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review 2024

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Sunny Yadav updated on 24 July 2024

Blue Cross Travel Insurance offers customizable plans so you can tailor the policy to your needs. It offers both single-trip and multi-trip options at affordable rates. There is also no mandatory medical questionnaire, and you get flight delay coverage with every plan.

But how much does Blue Cross travel insurance cost? What does it cover? What are its pros and cons? Does it cover pre-existing conditions? 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.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Canada: Key Points

  1. Blue Cross travel insurance covers up to $5,000,000 in medical expenses.
  2. It covers unforeseen events related to COVID-19.
  3. Blue Cross travel insurance costs between $3 and $8 per day.
  4. You cannot make a Blue Cross insurance claim online.
  5. Blue Cross offers a 24/7 emergency assistance service.

Our review of Blue Cross travel insurance Canada

Blue Cross travel insurance stands out for its comprehensive and flexible coverage, suitable for various travel needs. It offers emergency medical protection up to $5,000,000, which is competitive compared to other major companies like Desjardins and CAA. Besides medical care, the insurance covers cancellation and trip interruption costs up to $5,000, which is higher than the limits of some competing offers, such as those from Desjardins Travel Insurance, which cap at $2,500.

Blue Cross also includes coverage for loss, theft, or damage to luggage up to $2,000, which is advantageous for travellers with valuable items. Additionally, it offers benefits for emergency dental care and medical care in the event of COVID-19, making it a robust option for travellers concerned about their safety.

Blue Cross provides an easy online quote submission, allowing policyholders to subscribe and manage their insurance policy conveniently. Emergency assistance is available 24/7, providing peace of mind to travellers regardless of their location. Blue Cross stands out for its generous coverage for medical expenses and luggage. The coverage options are customizable, with choices ranging from single-trip insurance to annual insurance, and discounts can be applied for families and groups.

Expert advice

Blue Cross travel insurance is ideal for families, frequent travellers, and those seeking comprehensive coverage for their international trips. The extensive coverage options, including luggage protection and emergency dental care, make it particularly suitable for travellers with specific needs or concerns about their health and safety. Blue Cross stands out for its value for money, offering comprehensive coverage at a competitive rate.

Pros

  • Comprehensive travel insurance offering good protection for medical expenses (up to $5 million)
  • COVID protection provided under certain conditions
  • Insurance covering all types of profiles, including single trips and annual trips
  • 24/7 assistance service via Can Assistance
  • Travel coverage up to $150,000 for visitors to Canada
  • Flight Delay Service at no extra charge
  • Blue Cross Travel Insurance Reviews are positive from customers for client service and claims processing

Cons

  • No online claims are possible
  • Some eligibility conditions may apply, especially for elderly travellers
  • The cancellation and trip interruption limit ($5,000) may be less advantageous for expensive trips compared to offers like CAA travel insurance (up to $40,000)
  • Different coverage offered by Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance, Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance, etc.

In summary, Blue Cross travel insurance offers extensive coverage, reliable emergency assistance, and easy online subscription. It is particularly suitable for families and frequent travellers seeking robust and flexible protection for their trips abroad.

However, we recommend shopping around online for your options before choosing this offer. You can use our free tool below to compare travel insurance quotes from the best providers. Get instant results for free.

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

Get a quote

What is the Price of Blue Cross Travel Insurance in 2024?

The price of travel insurance depends on many criteria:

  • Traveler profiles (student, snowbird insurance, expatriates, family, etc.).
  • Their age.
  • The chosen destination.
  • The type of travel insurance desired (annual, single).
  • Options added to the contract (cancellation, travel insurance, Covid-19, etc.).
  • The duration for which you want to be covered.

The price of Blue Cross travel insurance can vary from $3 per day to over a hundred depending on your destination, the number of people travelling with you, the chosen coverages, etc.

Here are some examples of Blue Cross travel insurance prices:

Traveler ProfileBlue Cross Travel Insurance Rate
Student traveller, 22 years old, USA for 17 days
$3.55 per day
Family vacation, 38, 32, and 5 years old, Cuba for 8 days
$2.71 per day
Business trip, 35 years old, several trips worldwide
$7.20 per month
Blue Cross Travel Insurance Quote

Annual or Single-Trip Travel Insurance: What Does Blue Cross Offer?

With Blue Cross, you can subscribe to:

  • An annual travel insurance to be covered for multiple trips throughout the year.
  • A single-trip travel insurance for a specific trip duration.

Blue Cross Annual Travel Insurance

The annual multi-trip insurance from Blue Cross can be very practical if you travel often. You subscribe to a single travel insurance contract for the whole year and are covered for an unlimited number of trips as long as you stay within the maximum number of days allowed per trip.

Annual Travel Insurance CoverageCoverage
Medical expense insurance
$5 million
Cancellation and trip interruption insurance
$1,500
Lost, stolen, delayed baggage insurance
Flexible amount to be specified
Travel assistance
Travel Insurance Blue Cross Coverage

Main advantages of Blue Cross annual travel insurance:

  • One contract for the whole year
  • Unlimited number of trips as long as it stays within the covered days
  • Choice for maximum stay duration
  • Customizable protections

Note: If you subscribe to annual travel insurance, you are covered for a limited number of days per trip only! However, it is possible to be covered for more days per trip by paying an additional fee to your insurer.

Blue Cross Single-Trip Travel Insurance

The single-trip insurance, subscribed for a specific trip, covers the following guarantees:

Single-Trip Travel Insurance CoverageCoverage
Medical expense insurance
$5 million
Cancellation and trip interruption insurance
$1,500
Lost, stolen, delayed baggage insurance
Flexible amount to be specified
Travel assistance
Travel Insurance Blue Cross Coverage

What Does Blue Cross Travel Insurance Cover?

Blue Cross travel insurance offers different plans tailored to your traveller profile, destination, or the duration of your trip. Below are the details of the various travel insurances offered by Blue Cross:

Blue Cross Baggage Insurance

Baggage insurance covers expenses in case of theft, delay, or damage to baggage. This product is not included in the basic travel insurance. You are covered up to $1,500 for the loss, theft, or delay of your baggage. This guarantee can also cover delays in the delivery of your baggage.

If your baggage is delayed by 12 hours or more, you can request compensation. Travel policies including Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance cover the replacement costs of your passport or driver's license.

Blue Cross Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Blue Cross trip cancellation insurance covers your trip cancellation regardless of the amount. It is up to you to specify this amount in the online quote request, and your travel insurance premium will increase accordingly. This cancellation insurance covers all non-refundable amounts.

Without a waiting period, the guarantee also covers you in case of trip interruption if you need to return to Canada urgently. Regarding cancellation or interruption, you will be reimbursed for all pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event or a serious reason.

All-Risk Travel Insurance

This includes:

  • Medical expenses and hospitalization
  • Loss or theft of your baggage
  • Repatriation
  • Cancellation It can also cover optional: cancellation of a show; loss of your papers causing you to miss the plane; or a disaster at your destination.

Blue Cross Health Travel Insurance

You can choose a policy that covers only medical care - Blue Cross Medical Travel insurance. This insurance product is very useful as it covers medical care abroad and sometimes repatriation home if needed.

Blue Cross Health Travel Insurance can be subscribed alone (Medavie):

  • Emergency medical care: $5,000,000
  • Hospitalization fees: covered
  • Emergency dental care: $2,000
  • Emergency repatriation: covered
  • Family return costs: covered
  • Accommodation costs in case of delay: $3,000

Blue Cross Travel Insurance and Covid19

Travel insurance policies from Blue Cross cover COVID-19 medical expenses, not cancellation/interruption due to COVID-19. Emergency medical care is covered if no symptoms or infection before departure. Emergency repatriation is covered if necessary and approved by medical authorities.

Conditions for Blue Cross Travel Insurance COVID coverage mentioned on the company website:

  • Emergency medical care related to COVID-19 is covered as long as you have not contracted the disease or shown symptoms before your departure. Blue Cross cannot guarantee the availability of health services at the destination during a pandemic.
  • Emergency repatriations are covered only if the person's health condition requires it, subject to approval by the relevant medical authorities.
  • COVID-19 is considered a known situation for Trip Cancellation or Interruption Insurance. You will not be covered if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for this reason.
  • The Emergency Medical Care guarantee does not cover the costs of COVID-19 testing during travel unless it is prescribed by a doctor following a medical emergency or sudden illness.

Good to know

You can be covered if you have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, as long as you comply with the exclusions related to pre-existing medical conditions.

You must compare coverage from multiple providers before zeroing in on Blue Cross. Use our free tool below to compare travel insurance policies from Canada's best providers and get free quotes instantly.

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

Get a quote

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans Based on Province

While the travel insurance coverage offered by Blue Cross Canada is largely the same, the group operates under six different shareholders based on the province. Therefore, the plans offered might be slightly different based on where you are from. Here’s a brief overview of the plans offered by Pacific Blue Cross, Ontario Blue Cross, Quebec Blue Cross, Alberta Blue Cross, and Blue Cross Travel Insurance Nova Scotia.

Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $10,000,000 for emergency medical expenses.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Coverage up to $2,500 for cancellations and $5,000 for interruptions.
  • Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,500 for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Includes emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19.
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Coverage up to $100,000.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Worldwide support is available 24/7.

Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Ontario offers:

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical expenses.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Coverage up to $2,500 per trip.
  • Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,500 for lost or delayed baggage.
  • Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage for accidental death and dismemberment up to $100,000.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Includes emergency medical care for COVID-19-related issues.
  • 24/7 Assistance Services: Access to emergency assistance around the clock.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Quebec

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical services.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Up to $2,500 for trip cancellations and interruptions.
  • Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,500 for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Coverage for emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19.
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Coverage up to $100,000.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Available worldwide for any travel emergencies.

Alberta Blue Cross Travel Insurance

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical expenses.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Coverage up to $2,500 per trip.
  • Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,500 for lost or delayed baggage.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Includes emergency medical care for COVID-19.
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Coverage up to $100,000.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Access to emergency assistance around the clock.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Nova Scotia

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical expenses.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Coverage up to $2,500 for cancellations and interruptions.
  • Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,500 for lost or delayed baggage.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Includes emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19.
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Coverage up to $100,000.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Available worldwide for emergencies.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Saskatchewan

  • Emergency Medical Coverage: Up to $5,000,000 for emergency medical expenses.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Coverage up to $5,000 for trip cancellation and interruption.
  • Baggage Protection: Up to $1,500 for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
  • Emergency Dental Care: Up to $2,000 for emergency dental treatment.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Available for medical emergencies and travel support.
  • COVID-19 Coverage: Includes emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19.

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.

How to Contact Blue Cross Travel Insurance?

You can reach Blue Cross using the following contact details:

Communication MethodBlue Cross Contact Details
Blue Cross Travel Insurance phone number
Customer Service: 1-888-822-5383
Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance Phone Number
1-888-699-9333
CanAssistance 24/7
Canada/US: 1-800-361-6068
Mexico (toll-free): 800-062-3174
Dominican Republic (toll-free): 1-800-203-9666
Worldwide (toll-free): 1-800-7328-7473
Website
croixbleue.ca
Email
[email protected]
In-person
At your local Blue Cross branch
Blue Cross travel insurance phone number, email

Blue Cross Travel Insurance for Seniors

While Blue Cross does not have policies specifically catering to seniors, all of its plans are tailored to suit the needs of senior travellers.

  • Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Up to $10,000,000 for emergency medical care, hospitalization, and evacuation, ideal for seniors' higher health risks.
  • Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions: Options include coverage for pre-existing conditions, ensuring seniors' specific health needs are addressed.
  • Flexible Plan Options: Various plans are tailored to trip duration and personal requirements, allowing seniors to choose what best suits their itinerary.
  • Assistance Services: 24/7 emergency assistance for medical coordination, travel support, and lost document replacement, crucial for senior travellers.

Good to know

If you want to explore policies tailormade for seniors, check out our guide on the best travel insurance for seniors.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Pre Existing Conditions

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Canada covers pre-existing conditions under specific criteria. Here are the key points:

  • Stability Period: Pre-existing conditions must be stable for 3 months for those aged 0–54 and 6 months for those 55 and older before the trip begins.
  • Definition of Stability: A condition is considered stable if there have been no changes in medication, no new symptoms, and no new treatments during the specified period.
  • Coverage Eligibility: Conditions that meet the stability criteria will be covered by the travel insurance policy.
  • Exclusions: Unstable pre-existing conditions will not be covered, but the insurance will still cover other unrelated medical services.
  • Medical Questionnaire: A medical questionnaire may be required for certain chronic conditions to determine eligibility for coverage, completed by a doctor.

Good to know

We recommend you contact Blue Cross Travel Insurance Phone Number 1-800-361-6068 to clarify the coverage on your pre-existing conditions.

How to file a Travel Insurance Blue Cross claim?

To file a claim on your travel insurance with Blue Cross, you can send your request:

  • By Mail: CanAssistance, Travel Assistance Claims PO Box 910, Station B Montreal, Quebec H3B 3K8
  • By Email: [email protected]

Watch out!

Ensure to send invoices and/or receipts with your claim form. Submit it within 90 days to Blue Cross.

How to modify your travel policy from Blue Cross?

You can modify your Blue Cross travel policy by calling the customer service at 1-800-361-6068. You can:

  • Extend your stay by adding days to your coverage.
  • Increase your travel insurance protection level.

Watch out!

Modifying your policy is not the same as cancelling it. If you wish to cancel your travel insurance policy, penalties will most often apply.

How to Cancel Your Blue Cross Travel policy?

You have 10 days from the purchase date of your travel insurance on the website to cancel your contract without fees. You can use your Blue Cross travel insurance login to read your policy information instantly.

Watch out!

After this date, penalties will apply for cancelling an annual travel insurance subscription. These penalties are mentioned in your insurance policy contract.

Is Blue Cross travel insurance good for me?

Travel insurance from Blue Cross is good for you if you're a family, a frequent traveller, or someone seeking comprehensive coverage for international trips at affordable rates. Also, if you're a senior or someone with a stable pre-existing condition, Blue Cross is a good choice considering its coverage for pre-existing conditions.

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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.