With school holidays approaching, many Canadian families are planning domestic trips to destinations such as Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax.
However, new data from CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) suggests that a significant number of Ontarians are travelling within Canada without travel insurance, potentially leaving themselves exposed to unexpected costs.
According to a national travel survey conducted for CAA, 41% of Ontarians reported travelling outside their home province without insurance during their most recent trip. Among those respondents, 43% said they believed travel insurance was unnecessary for domestic travel, 24% cited concerns about cost, and 20% said they simply hoped nothing would go wrong.
Kaitlynn Furse, director of Corporate Communications at CAA SCO, said that while many Canadians assume they are fully covered under their provincial health plans when travelling within the country, that is not always the case. “Whether it’s a medical issue or a trip disruption, insurance coverage can help travellers manage unexpected expenses,” she said.
The report noted that some emergency services, including ambulance transport, prescription drugs, and medical equipment, may not be covered or reimbursed in full when incurred outside of a traveller’s home province. In cases where individuals must return home early due to an emergency, insurance can also help with additional transportation costs.
Orion Travel Insurance, part of the CAA group of companies, noted that the average cost of medical claims has increased by approximately 15% per year since 2019. The trend reflects rising prices for a range of services, including air ambulances and routine medical care.
CAA recommends that Canadians review their travel coverage before leaving home, particularly for interprovincial travel. This includes checking the limits of employer-provided benefits or credit card insurance and considering whether additional travel insurance is needed.
The findings come as more families choose to explore domestic destinations over international ones this summer. While the risks may seem lower, the survey suggests that having insurance in place remains an important consideration for any type of travel.
