When planning for your next trip, understanding the differences between your group health insurance plan’s out-of-country coverage and
buying
standalone travel insurance
is crucial to keeping you and your family protected on both out-of-country and out-of-province trips.
Travel insurance is an important feature of your benefits plan and is great to have, but there may be certain instances where it makes sense to top up with an individual plan. Let’s break down the key differences, benefits, and coverage options to help you make an informed decision.
Pacific Blue Cross group members can easily check the details of their group travel insurance online, any time by logging in to Member Profile or by talking to your trusted advisor.
Summary of contents:
- Why travel insurance matters
-
Key differences between group and individual travel insurance
- Comparing Pacific Blue Cross group vs. individual travel coverage
- Explore your individual travel insurance options
1 Why travel insurance matters
Travel insurance protects you from unexpected events like medical emergencies during trips.
Whether you're planning a quick business trip or a family vacation, travel insurance is essential to ensure that you're protected against the unexpected, like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage issues and more.
While many travellers have travel coverage provided by their employer or organization, it’s helpful to know that there are a few key differences between this type of coverage and standalone individual travel insurance. Understanding these differences in protection can help you make a more informed decision about your travel protection, so you can enjoy your trip just that much more.
2 Key differences between group and individual travel insurance
-
Coverage limits and duration
Individual plans typically offer higher coverage and longer protection compared to group plans.
Group travel insurance:
While the goal of both group and individual travel coverage is to protect you from unexpected medical bills while travelling out of province or country, the amount of emergency medical protection can differ significantly, depending on your plan.
Typically, group health plans offer out-of-country coverage for hospitalization and physician fees, but with lower coverage limits and shorter trip durations. This can be sufficient for short trips but may not cover more extended stays or more serious medical situations. Think of it like a trusty old backpack– great for a few short trips but may be stretched to the seams on a longer stay.
Pro tip: Before you go, be sure you understand any limitations on trip duration under your group travel coverage.
Individual travel insurance
On the other hand, standalone travel insurance policies, otherwise known as individual travel policies, often provide much higher coverage limits, for longer periods of time. For example, Pacific Blue Cross individual travel plans can cover you for up to one year with MSP approval, while most of our group plans only cover trips up to 60 days.
In terms of coverage, our individual plans offer a comprehensive $10M in emergency medical coverage, including repatriation coverage, which covers the cost to return you or someone on your plan home following a medical emergency. Your group out-of-country coverage with us may likely not cover these costs, or only provide limited coverage.
Higher coverage limits and duration ensure you're protected, even during long vacations or extended business trips. Like an all-inclusive travel bag with a lifetime warranty, you can travel easy knowing you’ve packed everything you need for the journey ahead, without leaving anything important behind.
Pro tip: Check to see if your group plan offers repatriation, and whether or not there are any coverage limits around this benefit.
-
Pre-existing condition coverage
Individual plans may cover more pre-existing conditions than group plans.
Group travel insurance
Group plans have varying coverage for pre-existing conditions or significant health concerns. This can leave you vulnerable if you have a medical condition that requires attention while you're abroad.
Be sure to understand your group coverage and any potential exclusions related to health conditions you may currently have.
You can learn more about travelling with pre-existing conditions in our help article.
Individual travel insurance
Most standalone travel insurance plans offer additional coverage for pre-existing conditions, providing better protection for travellers with ongoing health concerns if you qualify for coverage.
Let’s face it– that level of peace of mind can have all the difference when it comes to relaxing and enjoying your trip.
Pro tip: Add optional Pre-existing condition coverage to your Pacific Blue Cross individual travel insurance plan for the ultimate peace of mind. We offer the most coverage on pre-existing conditions—up to $10M in comprehensive protection, as long as your condition doesn’t change just seven days before you leave.
-
Flexibility and choice
Individual insurance lets you customize coverage in a way group coverage can’t.
Group travel coverage
Coverage under group health plans is generally standardized, meaning that what you see is what you get. Think of it like ordering off a fixed price or set menu– you get what’s offered, and there’s not much room for customization.
While the goal of group travel coverage is the same as that on an individual plan, coverage is typically designed to meet the needs of a broad range of employees or members, rather than tailored to your specific travel needs.
Individual travel insurance
Standalone travel insurance is like having the freedom to order à la carte, where you can select the right protection to suit your travel plans. Whether it’s getting you to your African safari after your connecting flight got cancelled or returning your travelling pet home safe and sound after a medical emergency, these added benefits mean fewer worries and more time enjoying new sights, tastes and sounds. It’s all about tailoring your protection so you’re fully covered, no matter where the road (or sky) takes you.
-
Lifetime maximum protection
Individual travel plans can work alongside your group plan to reduce both your out-of-pocket cost and protect your lifetime maximum limit.
Group travel insurance
Group health plans typically come with a lifetime maximum—the total amount your insurance will cover over your lifetime—which varies greatly by plan. Most Pacific Blue Cross group plans, for example, offer lifetime maximums ranging from $200,000 to $1,000,000. While this might seem like plenty, a heart attack in the United States can cost up to $625,000 for a five-day hospital stay and essential care, and this single event could potentially impact your coverage for the rest of your life.
Once your lifetime maximum is reached, you’re responsible for all future health costs. This could be especially challenging as your health care costs grow with age. Think of your lifetime maximum as a cookie jar—if it’s emptied by a travel emergency, you’ll have fewer resources for future health needs back home. You don’t want to use up your group plan’s lifetime maximum faster than you can say “chocolate chip cookie.”
Pro tip: Make sure you know the lifetime maximum limits of your group coverage before you go, especially if you’re a frequent flyer, you have pre-existing health issues that are likely to require care, or you’re planning a lengthy trip.
Individual travel insurance
A Pacific Blue Cross individual travel plan can help protect your lifetime maximum by stepping in first during emergencies. Think of it as having an extra stash of cookies to dip into first. With “first payer” coverage, your travel plan handles costs before your group plan is involved, preserving your group benefits for your other important health needs, like ongoing care or expensive prescriptions.
Some individual travel plans may also coordinate claims with your group plan to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. However, not all plans work this way, so it’s important to review your policy details or consult your insurance provider or advisor.
3 Comparing Pacific Blue Cross group vs. individual travel insurance
While the specifics of your out-of-country coverage will always vary by employer, below is a summary of some of the major differences between most of our group versus individual plans.
Review and compare the specifics of your existing group out-of-country coverage today by logging into your Member Profile, or by talking to your trusted advisor.
|
Individual
travel insurance |
Group health plan
(out-of-country) |
| Basic |
Deluxe |
| COVERAGE OVERVIEW |
| Lifetime maximum |
$10 million CAD |
Limits vary |
| Trip duration |
Up to one year with MSP approval |
Most plans have a 60 day trip duration maximum |
| Pre-existing conditions |
Conditions apply |
Most plans cover pre-existing conditions;
pre-existing conditions are excluded
for some retirees
|
| EXPENSES RELATED TO ILLNESS OR INJURY |
| Hospitalization |
Unlimited |
Up to 90 days |
| Incidental expenses |
$100 per hospitalization |
Not covered |
| Emergency dental |
Up to $500 for
dental emergencies;
$2,000 for dental accidents
|
Dental accident only or dental emergencies; payment
in accordance with
Pacific Blue Cross Dental Fee Schedule
|
|
Meals/accommodations
when travel home delayed
due to illness or injury
|
$300 per person/day
(maximum $3,000 per person )
|
Not covered
|
$100 per family/day
for up to 7 days
|
| RETURNING HOME FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT2 |
|
Transportation home of
covered family members
|
Covered, including escort for
child if required; conditions apply
|
Not covered
|
Covered;3
conditions apply
|
| Return of vehicle |
$5,000 |
Not covered |
$500 |
| Return of baggage |
$300 |
Not covered |
| Return of a pet |
$500 |
Not covered |
| Return of a deceased |
$10,000 |
Not covered |
$5,000;
$1,500 if cremated
|
| VISITING THE HOSPITALIZED MEMBER4 |
| Round trip economy airfare |
Covered |
Not covered |
Covered* |
| Meals/accommodations |
$300/day to $1,200 |
Not covered |
$100/day
for up to 7 days
|
| Travel insurance for the visiting member |
Provided at no cost |
Not provided |
| OPTIONAL BENEFITS |
| Trip cancellation/Interruption |
Optional |
Not covered |
| Emergency return benefit |
Optional —
covers the cost to return
home for an emergency and then
back to the vacation destination
|
Not covered |
| Air flight accident |
Optional — up to $300,000 |
Not covered |
|
Lost, stolen or
damaged baggage
|
Optional — $500, $1,000, $1,500
or $2,000 coverage
|
Not covered |
|
The information provided here summarizes coverage under Pacific Blue Cross Travel Plans and standard group Extended Health Care Plans. Amounts shown are maximum amounts payable.
Check plan documents for complete terms and conditions, limits and exclusions.
|
1 Pregnancy/childbirth expenses within two months of due date are excluded on all plans.
2 At our option and expense, and when it is safe to do so, we may bring an injured or ill member home for treatment. In those cases, there may be related
expenses incurred by the covered member or family.
3 Combined limit of $5,000 per medical emergency
4 If a covered member traveling alone is hospitalized for more than seven days, the plan covers expenses for a family member to visit when recommended by the
attending physician and approved by us.
|
4 Planning ahead for your next trip?
Review your group health plan and consider adding standalone travel insurance from Pacific Blue Cross for the duration of your trip to keep your travels stress-free. Whether you’re hiking the Himalayas or simply enjoying a seaside sunset, having the right coverage means fewer worries and more adventures
Pro tip: Be sure your Pacific Blue Cross standalone travel insurance covers the entire duration of your trip. While we coordinate claims with other providers, we don’t top up days that aren’t covered. If you don’t have coverage for the full trip—from departure to return—your claim could be denied.
For example, if you’re travelling for 30 days and your credit card covers 14, you'll need a Pacific Blue Cross individual travel plan for the full 30 days, not just the remaining 16.
Questions? Explore our standalone travel insurance plans today, talk to your trusted advisor, or contact one of our travel insurance experts at 1 800 USE-BLUE (1 800 873-2583).
