Travel insurance from BC's health experts

Affordable travel starts with flexible protection from unexpected travel costs like medical emergencies, trip cancellation fees, baggage issues and more.

Get Covered Questions? Make a Claim

Why choose our travel insurance

The most coverage on pre-existing conditions

Our optional Pre-existing Condition coverage protects you up to $10M as long as your symptoms don’t change seven days before you leave. Add it to your Emergency Medical plan for ultimate peace of mind.

No deductible, no surprises

Our $10M Emergency Medical plans cover claims from the first dollar. This means greater cost control and hassle-free care in the event of a claim.

Free for kids

As long as one adult is insured on your Emergency Medical plan, all travelling dependents aged 21 or under are covered for free under the same plan.

Healthcare with heart

As a BC's only not-for-profit health benefits provider, we support over 300 organizations improving health and wellbeing in our province each year — including Make-A-Wish.

Recognized around the world

As one of the most recognized symbols of health care in the world, you'll be confidently covered whether you're travelling to Toronto or Thailand.

Always on call

Get anytime help in over 100 languages should an emergency occur while you are travelling, whether you lose a passport or want to find the best medical care nearby.

Flexible work and play coverage

Build a plan to meet your needs, with optional Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, baggage protection and more. It's also easy to make changes to your Emergency Medical plan before you go.

Added value for members

Have health and dental coverage with us? Get travel with us too. Our travel plans are first payer, which protects the lifetime maximums on your health plan. Plus, members always save 10%.

Choose a plan below to get started

Emergency Medical

Comprehensive, flexible emergency medical care coverage for British Columbians while travelling outside of BC.

Why do I need this?

Buy Now

Trip
Protection

Peace of mind coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, airline delays and baggage loss, damage or delay.

Why do I need this?

BUY NOW

Visitors to
Canada

Emergency health coverage for visitors to Canada, returning Canadians and new immigrants.

Why do I need this?

BUY NOW

Trusted by 100K+ travellers per year

I’ve used several insurance companies over the years but always return to Pacific Blue Cross.

Stephen E.

The staff were incredibly knowledgeable…their genuine care and attention made me feel valued…

Cheryl

I’ve bought travel insurance from Pacific Blue Cross before. It's easy to access, and their agents are informative…

Janine K.

I’ve purchased [from Pacific Blue Cross] for many years…applying is easy, the cost is reasonable, and the agents are always helpful.

Heather W.

I appreciate the clear explanations of my coverage, especially while traveling with a pre-existing injury.

Richard C.

— Pacific Blue Cross —
Travel Health Check

Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Advisories and Vaccinations

A few frequently asked questions about travel insurance

  1. Why do I need Travel Insurance?

    You should be aware that your provincial coverage may not pay for all health care costs you may incur while outside of the province, and the difference can be substantial. For example, B.C. pays $75 (CAD) a day for emergency in-patient hospital care, while the average cost in the U.S. often exceeds $1000 (US) a day, and can be as high as $10,000 (US) a day in intensive care. For this reason, you are strongly advised to purchase additional health insurance from a private insurer before you leave the province, whether you are going to another part of Canada or outside the country. You are advised to purchase additional coverage even if you plan to be away for only a day.

  2. How do I get free travel coverage for my kids?

    When you purchase Emergency Medical insurance for at least one adult, each dependent child 21 years of age or younger who is subsequently added to your travel policy will receive free emergency medical coverage up to $10,000,000.

  3. Why should I purchase an Annual plan instead of a Single Trip Plan?

    Annual plans cover you across an entire year of travel. They are the most convenient, cost-effective option if you travel more than once per year. Choose an Annual plan that will cover your longest trip outside of BC or Canada, and you’ll be covered for all the other ones in between.

  4. Can I buy travel insurance if I have an existing medical condition?

    Yes - Regardless of any existing conditions, we always advise members to still purchase coverage, as it will protect against all other accidents not related to that condition.

    Travel insurance policies are designed to provide protection against unexpected emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption.

    Depending on your age and the condition pre-existing medical conditions are covered if they are stable for a certain time period (as specified in your policy) before your policy's effective date.

    It is important you review and understand any clauses or definitions in your chosen policy. Each travel insurance policy will uniquely define a pre-existing condition and there are many variations in wording. For example, policies may not cover conditions arising prior to the trip departure date:

    • that are unstable
    • where symptoms of an illness appeared
    • that have been diagnosed or treated
    • where medications have been changed

    Travel policies will also specify a time frame, based on your age that relates to the evaluation of your pre-existing conditions. This time frame could be as short as 3 months but could be 1 year, 5 years or longer.

    Some policies may provide coverage for your pre-existing conditions if you complete a more detailed medical questionnaire.

    When purchasing our travel policy, we will evaluate pre-existing conditions for people 60 years and younger based on their health within the previous 3 months prior to the day their coverage begins. For people age 61 and over, we evaluate based on their health within 6 months prior.

  5. I have a chronic illness. Am I still covered?

    It depends on the illness, its seriousness and its stability. Some illnesses are easily covered. Others require a three or six month stability period, depending on your age. Blue Cross offers the possibility of covering your illness with a medical questionnaire (available for persons aged 61 and over) filled out by your treating physician; Blue Cross’ medical team will then evaluate your condition. If authorized, you can travel worry-free: your chronic illness will also be covered.

  6. Are there vaccinations that I should get prior to travel?

    When travelling internationally, you may be at risk for a number of diseases which are common in other parts of the world. You can learn more about Travel Vaccines on our Vaccination page.

Looking for additional travel wellness tips?

Leave prepared on trips over 30 days

Prevent up to $7,660 in avoidable travel expenses with our ten pre-departure musts every traveller should know.

Travelling with health changes?

Find out how this may impact your travel coverage.

Group vs. individual travel coverage

Is your group out-of-country travel coverage enough? Understand and compare coverage options for peace-of-mind travels.

Choose the right travel coverage for your family

Learn how Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance has your family’s best interest in mind when travelling outside of British Columbia or Canada.

Looking for other types of coverage?

Personal Health Insurance

Our Personal Health Insurance plans providers coverage for people who are not covered by an employer group plan

Learn more

Critical Illness Insurance

Our Critical Illness Insurance can help manage your ongoing financial obligations in the unfortunate scenario of recovering from a serious disease

Learn more

Life Insurance

Ensure the financial health of your loved ones from one of the most respected Life Insurance brands in Canada

Learn more