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Protect your family medically and financially.

When you travel, medical emergencies or accidents can happen at any time.

Since provincial health plans may not cover everything once you leave your home province/ territory or Canada, medical costs can quickly add up to more than you have—wiping out your family savings or forcing you to take on costly debt.

That's why the Canadian Government (Consular Services, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada) urges all Canadians to purchase supplemental health insurance when leaving the country. They say:

"Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best."⁽³⁾

What's more, provincial health plans do not provide a 1-800 number for access to 24/7 emergency assistance, upfront payment (whenever possible) of expenses for costs not covered under your provincial plan, or protection against situations such as lost or damaged baggage.

Here are the options for purchasing travel insurance with RBC^®:

• Existing RBC clients⁽¹⁾: You may purchase Travel HealthProtector^® insurance, which covers the cost of medical treatment, prescription medication, hospitalization and emergency travel back to Canada in the event of an accident or medical emergency.
  Enhanced coverage is also available, with the same benefits as above and extra insurance for trip interruption, baggage and personal effects, and flight and travel accidents.
• Any resident of Canada: You may purchase travel insurance from a travel agency that is appointed to sell our travel insurance packages, travel medical insurance plans or coverage for specific situations.

Find more tips, advice and answers:

For even more tips and advice on travel insurance, click here. Or, visit our Travel Insurance site for additional details on your coverage options.

1) Also available for the spouse, child, adopted child, or step-child of the client. You must also be a Canadian resident over age 16 (residents of Quebec must be over age 18) and be covered by a provincial health plan for the entire duration of your trip. RBC clients include customers of any company under RBC. See certificate for limitations / exclusions.

2) Family coverage is available through select plans only. If you are applying for family coverage, each family member you are buying coverage for must be under 60 years of age. Family members who are 60 years of age or older must apply for single coverage. Under the Family Plan, an eligible child is defined as an unmarried person who is under 21 years of age; or under 26 years of age if a full-time student; or mentally or physically handicapped and over 20 years of age, who is the natural, adopted or step-child of the applicant and is dependent on the applicant for support.

3) "Bon Voyage, But... Essential Information for Canadian Travellers 2008/2009." www.voyage.gc.ca . 2008. Consular Services, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. June 11, 2008.