Your holidays are booked, your bags are packed and you think you have everything you need—money, passport, tickets, and clothing for every occasion. What more could you possibly require?
For almost 41% of Canadians who do not always travel with it, the answer is emergency medical travel insurance. Whether simply forgotten or deemed unnecessary, the fact is that travel health insurance should be a must-have before you leave the country.
When you are away from home even the most minor injuries or illnesses can become a major expense. So while an accident or illness can happen anywhere at anytime, emergency medical travel insurance helps to protect you from the unexpected costs that can come with a visit to a doctor or hospital outside of your home country.
Consider for example the following estimates: A stay in a US hospital typically costs about $2,500 Canadian per day. Even more shocking is that if your condition is serious and you require intensive care, it is not uncommon that you would end up paying about $10,000 per day.
If you’re not worried about the costs, because you believe your province’s health insurance plan will cover it, make sure you look into your province’s coverage first. You may be surprised to learn that if your province’s health coverage does extend outside of Canada it will likely be limited.
For example, if you are an Ontario resident travelling outside of Canada you will be covered for emergency care from a physician but only for as much as that service would have cost in Ontario. And, if you need to stay in a hospital to receive emergency services you are covered up to $400 per day for intensive, complex care. If it is less intensive, the maximum is $200.
Why risk it, when emergency medical travel insurance is so inexpensive?There’s a good chance you’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your trip. For a few extra dollars, you can protect yourself by ensuring you get the attention you need, when you need it while not having to worry about how your emergency treatment will get paid.
The following travel health insurance quotes can be found easily online and show how little emergency medical travel insurance actually costs:
• For travellers aged 16 to 40 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $26 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.• For travellers aged 41 to 55 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $27 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.• For travellers aged 56 to 59 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $21 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $28 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
Quotes are for single and annual trip emergency medical insurance for a resident of Ontario travelling overseas or to the US.
Without emergency medical travel insurance, an illness or injury could not only ruin your vacation but would likely have financial consequences for years to come. Why risk it when emergency travel health insurance costs so little and can save you so much? Not to mention the peace of mind it will give you knowing you're covered.
Don’t leave home without travel health insurance. Compare emergency medical travel insurance quotes online today and get the coverage you need for your travels. It is a travel tip that could save you thousands of dollars.

The old goat herder stands before his flock. Stick in hand, he bears the look of experience. His beaten old hat keeps the sun off his unshaven face.
His weathered trousers have seen better days and wear a belt, crudely tied around his waist. His braces are actually two of the elastic straps you use to tie your luggage to the car's roof rack.
As the sun beats down on the plains of Agia Marina he herds his goats to pastures new and another day of contentment.
When your country has suffered 9000 years of constant invasion, any break in hostilities is greeted with appreciation.
Cyprus is a blend of many influences. Turkish, Greek, Muslim and Christian invaders have all set foot upon this hallowed land and made their mark.
Mosques and Christian churches stand side by side as a reminder of the often turbulent and violent past of Cyprus.
But when free of the shackles of conflict, Cyprus is a place of beauty and discovery. The Byzantine churches amongst the Troodos Mountains are an essential experience.
The sense of history and culture is overwhelming as you journey through mountain passes and wonder at the ancient architecture.
For a genuine sense of solitude try cycling through the barren land of the Karpas Peninsula or hiking the well-trodden trails of Mount Olympus.
The blue crystal waters of Cape Greco provide a wealth of opportunity for swimming and diving.
When the sun goes down, the Cypriot nightlife will have you dancing into the early hours. Youngsters tend to make their way towards the large contingent of British pubs in Agia Napa.
The more cultured make their way to the traditional Cypriot cafes and bars. Here you can drink raki, the local firewater made from distilled grapes.
If you're peckish, try the baked lamb dish of kleftiko, or another local favourite mezedes.

A little old man stands at the edge of the harbour. He always stands when he works. In his left hand is a photograph, a commission to keep him busy for the next few days.
He holds his brush in his right hand, masterfully transforming the canvas in front of him into someone's dream painting, an image to take pride of place on their lounge wall.
Every other stab of the brush he stops and takes a step back, checking his judgement. Behind him lie several pieces of previous work, portraits of many a happy customer.
His face is weathered, years of exposure to the sea and wind. His greying hair straddles halfway down his back, bound in a ponytail. What a wonderful life he enjoys.
Across the harbour the fishermen of St Ives prepare for a day at sea. Hopes of a good catch make for jolly banter aboard the boats as the crews prepare the nets and rigging.
The stench of fish from previous catches continues to linger and drifts around the dock. Seaweed clings to the nets and adds to the aroma.
The clattering of gear on deck adds to the general din as I make my way past the old Sloop Inn and head towards the main shopping high street.
The narrow cobbled street starts with a slow incline. To the left lies an enticing little gift shop full of ocean souvenirs. The entrance leads you down a short but steep flight of steps, past a glut of hanging novelties.
Once at the bottom the shop opens out into an underground cavern of curiosities. Delicate little ornaments fill every nook and cranny.
The shelves ahead house a series of maps depicting geographical changes over the centuries throughout the regions of England.
The streets above are now bustling with life as locals and tourists work their way through the myriad of tight narrow streets like an army of busy ants.
Every few minutes the inconvenience of a passing motorist disturbs the balance of the high street.
The cobbled streets are so narrow you literally have to stand with your back to the wall to allow the passing vehicle. God help you if you have pushchairs and children.
But this minor gripe aside, St Ives is a town of rich character, a place to shop, soak up the sun and experience life in one of the quintessential fishing towns of Cornwall.