Guide To Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for Canadians

Canadians love to travel and we’re not afraid to try new things – from multi-experience holidays to foodie-focused vacations, beach escapes, and cultural exploration.

Canadians also love to get away often – with 11 per cent of us planning multiple travel getaways per year, according to Flight Centre. The cost of taking a French cooking class in Paris or snorkelling in the Caribbean adds up.

One way to save money is with multi-trip travel insurance. This kind of insurance covers you for if you plan to take two or more trips over 12 months. Compared with purchasing several single-trip policies, multi-trip insurance is a cost-effective option, leaving you with more funds for fun.

If you plan to getaway more than once this year, here’s why multi-trip travel insurance might be the best choice to pack along with your sunscreen.

Key takeaways

• Travel insurance is important as it safeguards you from financial loss and provides valuable assistance should you experience illness or injury.

• Multi-trip insurance policies cover unlimited travel within a 12-month period. You decide how long your insured holidays will be, with options ranging from 4 to 60 days. Other considerations include what kind of policy you want: classic medical coverage or deluxe coverage.

• Multi-trip travel insurance options include coverage for trip cancellations, trip interruptions, and baggage delays or loss.

• There are eligibility requirements for multi-trip trael insurance, including having a valid provincial/territorial health card, a medical questionnaire, and some adventure activities may be excluded, depending on the policy.

• Multi-trip insurance is flexible and affordable, and suits a wide range of Canadians, including retirees, business travellers, digital nomads, and families or individuals who travel two or more times throughout the year.

Why is travel insurance important?

If you’re in good health, you might wonder why travel insurance is important. You may think you’re not going to need it if you’re enjoying a quiet getaway filled with rest and relaxation, right? However, injury and illness don’t take a holiday, even if you do.

Even the healthiest person could contract a debilitating illness like influenza, or the most seasoned skier could break their leg on the slopes. Travel insurance offers financial protection against injury and illness.

Just how expensive can foreign medical care get? The average cost of a hospital stay in the U.S. is around USD $3,025 per day.

Travel insurance also improves your care and recovery experience.  Becoming hurt or sick in an unfamiliar place can be worrying. With travel insurance, you can have access to 24-hour worldwide emergency medical assistance to help coordinate your care, so you can focus on what matters most: getting well.

Flight cancellations or lost baggage can be more than just minor annoyances – they could end up costing money, as well as time. Travel insurance can also offer protection against trip interruption, covering out of pocket expenses such as paying for an extra night at a hotel, or covering the cost of flying home later than you planned.

What is multi-trip travel insurance?

If you’re an avid traveller, then multi-trip annual insurance should be on your radar. Multi-trip annual travel insurance is designed to cover you for an unlimited number of journeys outside your province or territory over a 12-month period. Want to leave town regularly? Go for it! There’s no need to buy separate policies for every trip.

You need to choose the length of trip you want insured. With RBC Insurance, plans range from 4- to 9- 16-, 30- or 60-day trip options – perfect, whether you’re a weekend warrior or someone who loves deep, immersive travel experiences

Multi-trip vs single-trip travel insurance

Whether you choose multi-trip or single-trip travel insurance, depends on how frequently you plan to get away. Single-trip travel insurance is ideal for Canadians planning a single domestic or international trip and you can tailor the type of travel coverage to meet the specific needs of that one journey.

Multi-trip insurance is designed to cover you for a set number of days multiple times throughout a 12-month period. The advantage of multi-trip travel is it’s typically a more cost-effective option if you’re planning two or more trips in a year.  

What does multi-trip travel insurance cover?

Not all travel insurance policies are the same. That’s why it’s important to understand what you’re covered for, should you need assistance. 

Emergency medical coverage

All multi-trip plans include emergency travel medical coverage. If you become unexpectedly ill while on holiday, it’s reassuring to know you have coverage in place.  Depending on the policy you choose, multi-trip medical travel insurance provides the following emergency treatment:

• Hospital stays

• Seeing a licensed healthcare provider

• Diagnostic testing

• Prescription drugs

• Emergency dental care

• Cost to purchase or rent medical equipment, such as a wheelchair

Transportation benefits

Insurance helps take care of the costs if you need to be transported to another medical facility or back to Canada for medical care, including:

• Ambulance or taxi

• Air ambulance

• one-way economy air fare on a commercial flight

Trip cancellation or interruption coverage

Sometimes, your plans are derailed before you even leave for the airport. If you become ill, or have a death in the family, travel insurance helps minimize the financial burden of these unexpected costs. This travel insurance provides protection if your trip is cut short, interrupted, or delayed by due to covered reasons, like severe weather.

Baggage Coverage

You might have experienced that sinking feeling when you’re standing at the baggage claim carousel, watching the last lonely suitcase go round and it’s not yours. Your luggage is delayed, and you have no idea when you’ll get it back. And if you do get your bag, will it be damaged? What about the contents?

This insurance can cover you for:

• Lost or damaged baggage

• Baggage delays

• Delay of golf clubs or ski equipment

However, it’s worth noting that not everything in your suitcase is protected by insurance. Valuables like jewellery, cash, and professional equipment such as camera gear are excluded items. This coverage is also subject to policy limits.

RBC’s Deluxe Package Multi-Trip Annual Plan and TravelCare Package Multi-Trip Annual Plans both offer trip cancellation and baggage protection.

Multi-trip medical travel insurance exclusions and limitations

No single insurance policy covers every possible circumstance. Many travel insurance policies exclude the following:

• Pre-existing, medical conditions: Most insurers require that a pre-existing medical condition be stable between 90 to 180 days before departure.

• High-risk activities: Insurance policies often exclude high-risk activities, such as mountain climbing.

• Drugs and alcohol: Any medical condition arising during your trip related to the abuse of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants.

• Self-harm: Self-inflicted injury, suicide or attempt to die by suicide, as well as claims resulting from illegal activities.

• Government advisories: If the Canadian government advises against travel to a country and you go anyway, your travel insurance may be negated, should something happen to you related to the travel advisory

Bottom line: It’s important to read the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy carefully before you leave.

Who is multi-trip travel insurance best for?

Multi-trip travel insurance is best for Canadians who travel frequently in a year. This coverage is designed for retirees who also enjoy travelling year-round, people who frequently cross the border for shopping, family visits, or sightseeing, business travellers, or digital nomads.

Even if you’ve got multiple trips planned in a year, like a destination wedding, a reunion with your college roommates, and a romantic sojourn with a loved one, then multi-trip travel insurance could be cheaper and more convenient than purchasing separate policies for each trip.

Eligibility and requirements in Canada

Eager to embrace your wanderlust and enjoy a fulfilling year of travel? Here’s the common eligibility and requirements for a multi-trip travel insurance policy:

• You must be a Canadian resident with an active provincial or territorial health insurance plan (i.e., you must have a valid health card from your home province or territory).

• You must meet the policy’s age restrictions.

• While you are covered for multiple trips, you must choose the length you want insured – typically from 4- to 60-days.

• You must be prepared to complete a medical questionnaire, as required.

See more of the world with multi-trip insurance

 Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a destination that’s long been on your bucket list, travel introduces us to new experiences, cultures, and people. When you’re on the road, it’s wise to protect yourself with emergency medical coverage, should you need it.

If you’re a frequent traveller, you could save you hundreds of dollars a year compared to buying several one-time policies. Learn how much you’ll save with our free travel insurance quote. Saving on travel insurance means more money in your travel budget for adventure.

With RBC Insurance, you and your family can get out there and enjoy yourself knowing you have the right coverage and 24/7 access to a caring team who’s always on call—no matter how big or how small the emergency.

FAQs about multi-trip travel insurance for Canadians

Does annual travel insurance cover multiple trips?

Yes, annual travel insurance covers you for multiple trips in a given 12-month period, usually between 4 to 60 days. Annual trip insurance may also cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or delays, and lost luggage. 

Is it worth getting multi-trip travel insurance?

It’s worth getting multi-trip travel insurance if you’re planning to travel two or more times throughout the year. Buying a single policy can save you money compared purchasing several single-trip policies. You also have the peace of mind of knowing you’re covered for spontaneous getaways.

Does RBC Insurance have multi-trip travel insurance?

Yes, RBC Insurance offers multi-trip travel insurance. Popular plans include a 4-Day Getaway Multi-Trip Annual Medical Plan, Classic Medical Multi-Trip Annual Plan, TravelCare Medical Multi-Trip Annual Plan, Deluxe Package Multi-Trip Annual Plan and TravelCare Package Multi-Trip Annual Plan depending on your needs.

RBC Travel Insurance

If you need help during your trip for a medical or other travel emergency, help is available 24/7.

Get A Quote

Learn More

Share This Article