A worry free vacation starts with Travel Insurance. This week on the travel show, we are joined by experts from Allianz Global Assistance who will explain how travel insurance works and why it is important.
For over twenty four years, Allianz Global Assistance has assisted Canadian travellers when they need it most. Allianz Global Assistance helps its customers navigate the difficulties of hospitalization abroad with the support of business units in 29 countries around the world. They provide unparalleled global support with a local touch – not to mention an audited network of medical providers around the world.
On the show, we’ll look at travel insurance in action and why the true value of travel insurance is not only found in the coverage for unexpected medical expenses, but in the assistance services provided when these medical emergencies occur. Imagine needing emergency medical attention in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, don’t understand the medical system and don’t have up front local currency to pay for treatment. ..
Help when you need it most
Allianz Global Assistance encourages its customers to call in before seeking treatment so they can be provided with a referral and directions to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Before the patient even arrives at the hospital, Allianz Global Assistance notifies the hospital of the incoming patient and, whenever possible, arranges for direct billing so the patient doesn’t have to pay out of pocket.
In cases where a patient must be admitted, Allianz Global Assistance closely manages the care of the patient with the perspective of Canadian medical standards and procedures, while approving and advising on what testing and treatments are needed. They are an advocate for the patient and act as a lifeline, coordinating communications with the patient’s treating physician at the destination and their primary physician at home - all the while keeping family members up to date on the status of their care.
Getting you back to home sweet home
If your vacation is interrupted by a medical emergency, you may be unable to return home on your original ticket. In this case, your Travel Insurance should cover you for rebooking on a commercial flight home. With more serious medical emergencies, a commercial flight home may be out of the question entirely and you may need a medical escort home or even an Air Ambulance. Again, this is an area where Allianz Global Assistance delivers the support you need for a smooth transition home, coordinating your return to Canada every step of the way.
Of course, with air ambulance fees ranging in the tens of thousands of dollars, having the costs covered by travel insurance is important. This would be equally true if you were returning home after an accident in another province of Canada as it would if you were further away - hence the need for travel insurance even when travelling outside of your home province within Canada.
When managing a medical transport, Allianz Global Assistance coordinates the preparation of the patient at their destination for travel, ground transportation from the hospital to the airport, boarding of the patient onto the commercial flight or air ambulance, receipt of the patient in their home city. Should continuing hospitalization in Canada be necessary, Allianz Global Assistance also locates and arrange for a receiving bed before the repatriation process begins, along with ground transportation from the receiving airport to the patient’s local Canadian hospital.
Your policy…simpler than you think!
Reviewing a travel insurance policy can be intimidating. To make the process less daunting, Allianz Global Assistance will explain the key elements of your policy wording. It is important to understand terms like the “sudden and unforeseen” component of emergency medical coverage, "pre-existing condition" clauses, covered reasons for trip cancellation, and general exclusions.
Within your policy, there can also be useful benefits that are often overlooked when researching Travel Insurance. For example, Allianz Global Assistance policies can provide:
- Trip Delay – If you incur meal and accommodation costs due to flight delays
- Baggage Delay- Costs incurred buying necessities should your baggage be delayed for over 12 hours
- Return of Vehicle – If you are unable to return a rental vehicle or are unable to drive your own vehicle home to Canada due to a medical condition
- Return of Dependent Children - If a child has to return home to relatives should the guardian they are travelling with become hospitalized
- Visit to Bedside – If you are travelling alone and admitted as an inpatient, this benefit allows a relative to come to your bedside abroad
- Assistance benefits like Lost Document Replacement - Help if you lose your passport abroad
Allianz Global Assistance is the registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc. Travel Insurance products are underwritten by Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company Canadian Branch.
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