To the point
Do you spend your winters abroad? Discover our best tips for saving on travel insurance for a long stay and finding the best value for your money.
Every year, thousands of Canadians flee the winter cold to sunny destinations like Florida, Mexico or other foreign countries. This trend is particularly popular with retirees. Since a snowbird ‘s winter trip often lasts several months, choosing an insurance policy is an important step in planning a long-term stay.
Travel Insurance - How to Choose the Right Long-Term Insurance Policy
As a snowbird, when the time comes to choose your travel insurance, several factors should be considered in selecting your coverage:
- Age
- Health and pre-existing conditions
- Travel destination
- Duration of travel
- Coverage to be included in the policy
- Exclusions from coverage
You may already be dealing with a particular provider for your travel insurance, as there are many to choose from: Blue Cross, CAA, Desjardins and many others. To get the best value for your money, it’s a good idea to revisit the various offers on the market and opt for a new insurance policy offering the coverage best suited to your needs.
For snowbirds, soNomad offers a travel insurance adapted for long stays, at competitive prices.
Credit Card Insurance
Many credit cards offer travel insurance with coverage for the following events:
- Emergency medical care
- Flight delay
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Travel Accident
- Theft or damage to rental cars
- Hotel burglary
However, the duration of some of these coverages can shorten as we get older (sometimes as early as 54 years old). While some cards, like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, offer extended emergency medical coverage, most credit cards don’t offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As snowbirds, you need to turn to other insurers who offer customized options tailored to your needs.
Travel insurance - Destination
Finding the travel insurance that’s right for you can take some research, and now it’s possible to get quotes directly online. Take soNomad, for example.
soNomad: Travel Insurance for Snowbirds in Canada and Quebec
Here’s what’s included in soNomad ‘s emergency medical protection for Snowbirds:
- Emergency Medical
- Hospitalization
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Doctors
- Ambulance and Air Ambulance
Numerous features set soNomad insurance apart from the rest and make it an interesting option for snowbirds, for example:
- COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost
- Coverage tailored to pre-existing medical conditions
- An option to make a single deposit to guarantee rates
- Annual multi-trip options
- No administrative fees for date changes or cancellations
Plus, soNomad gives you access to a range of exclusive insurance products and can quickly assess your needs online. The commission soNomad charges on its insurance products is lower than that charged by traditional brokers, which saves you money.
soNomad: How to Get a Quote and Subscribe
To get a quote, go to the soNomad website and click on “Get a quote”. Read our complete guide to filling out the online form easily. You can then get an instant quote and pay your insurance premium directly online. If you have any questions or need more information, contact soNomad at 1-855-360-7225, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
soNomad: Concerning COVID-19
All soNomad travel insurance programs include COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost, provided you are symptom-free before your departure date and meet the policy’s stability requirements. For more information, visit this page.
Travel insurance - Conclusion
Whether you choose to spend the winter in the USA, Europe, Mexico or another sunny destination as a snowbird, it’s important to take out adequate travel insurance tailored to your needs. While many credit cards offer attractive insurance plans, the duration of coverage is often not long enough for people aged 54 and over who travel for several months at a time. soNomad offers comprehensive, affordable coverage that saves you money.
As a snowbird, don’t forget to check your home insurance and renew your prescription drugs before you leave! And to save 2.5% on your purchases, be sure to pay with a credit card that has no conversion fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel cancellation insurance?
Travel plans often involve the unexpected. Travel cancellation insurance, offered by many credit cards, will protect you should your situation suddenly change.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The price of travel insurance depends on a number of factors, including the length of your trip, your destination, your age and your state of health.
Why take steps to obtain travel health insurance?
If you need medical care, it’s best to be covered abroad to avoid serious financial consequences. In some countries, hospitals may refuse to treat you if you don’t have insurance or money to pay your bill, according to the Canadian government.
Health insurance: where to find the best prices for travel medical coverage?
Many credit cards offer good insurance to cover emergency medical care and travel accidents. We suggest you read our guide to the best credit cards for travel insurance.
However, most credit cards don’t offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As a snowbird, you’ll need to turn to insurance companies that offer options tailored to your needs.
Where can I get a visa to travel?
For information on visas, we invite you to consult the Canadian government website, in the Country-specific advice and warnings section. You can also contact your travel agent for further details.
