Property, Vehicle and Medical Insurance

What You Need to Know Before Going on Vacation 

            Before you pack your luggage and leave for vacation, it is worth the time to ensure you have the proper insurance for both your property and yourself. In addition, there are ways to mitigate potential insurance claims that could ruin your relaxation time.

            Whether you are leaving your property for a weekend or an extended vacation, you do not want to advertise to burglars or vandals that your home is vacant. Halifax Regional Police Cst. John MacLeod from the Public Information Office offers these tips:

·         Inform a trusted neighbour, friend or family member that you will be away and ask that they keep an eye on your property.

·         Leave your destination and contact information with your trusted person so you can be reached in the case of an emergency.

·         Don’t announce your travel plans on your social networking sites or anywhere else online.

·         Sending updates while you’re away informs everyone that you’re not home. An unoccupied residence is much more vulnerable to break-ins.

·         Try to make it appear as though your home is still occupied while you are away. For example, use a light timer and ask a neighbour to collect your mail and/or newspapers and flyers.

After Easter in 1994, I returned from visiting family for the long weekend to discover my home had been broken into and many items were stolen. This was a sobering experience. Knowing someone was in my home, looking in all the cupboards and drawers, stealing jewelry, electronics and, liquor left me feeling violated. Although I had property insurance that included replacement cost, it was little comfort. My friend stayed with me for two nights until I could have a hard-wired security system installed that was monitored 24 hours a day. It was the only way I felt comfortable in my own home again.

            There are several home security devices on the market and finding one to fit your needs and budget is money well spent. This site can get you started on what to look for.

            If a rental car is in your plans, one of the most important things to consider is insurance. Your own car insurance may cover third party losses and damage to the rental vehicle, but you need to confirm this with your agent. An endorsement Endorsement #27 is required, which will cover the rental vehicle with the same coverage you have on your existing insurance. You can also review your credit cards to determine if rental car insurance coverage is included as a benefit.

            Rental car agencies offer a variety of optional insurance coverages. Linda from Enterprise (Rent A Car) Holdings Customer Service offers these choices that are standard in Canada:

·         Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) which covers damage to the rental vehicle. This is not considered insurance, but an optional waiver.

·         Personal Accident and Personal Effects Insurance will protect you from medical costs and will provide coverage for some medical expenses and includes an accidental death benefit. It will also cover personal property that is stolen from the rental vehicle. Please note: If you have Accidents Benefits on your existing vehicle insurance, this will cover you in the rental vehicle. Additionally, your personal property is covered by your own property insurance. Deductibles may apply.

·         Roadside Assistance Plus (RSP): This coverage includes expenses such as fuel outage, lockouts and lost keys. Please note: If you have CAA, your plan could cover you no matter what vehicle is affected by the loss.

·         Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI): In the event of a third party loss, this coverage increases the liability insurance already available on your own policy or in addition to the basic car rental liability insurance.

Rental car companies may also offer other coverage. For example, if you are

travelling to the United States or internationally, you should review the available coverages carefully and always take the time to read the fine print!

            It is vitally important that you ensure you have adequate medical coverage if you are leaving your home province. In the 2023 Blue Cross Travel Study, it showed that travel insurance has become an increasingly important part of the planning process, as 58% of Canadians agree they would never consider leaving their province without it. However, it is imperative to review your existing supplemental travel insurance, such as what is covered in a group plan or a private policy such as CAA (Canadian Automobile Association).

            Medavie Blue Cross advises, “When travelling between provinces, travelers should consider travel insurance to cover costs associated with non-elective emergency care received in the event of an unexpected health issue or emergency. Travel insurance can cover costs not covered by the provincial health plans like ambulance services. Each individual and group policy is unique so it is important to talk to your provider about what your policy covers.”

            Tim Bishop, Managing Director, Blue Cross of Canada offers, “Travel should be about the fun and excitement of a trip, not worrying about what could go wrong. With heightened travel risk due to the pandemic, Canadians are taking extra precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones to make the most of their trips.”

            It can be a daunting task when you have to deal with various insurance policies and coverages when you are planning your vacation and ensuring your property is safe while you are away from home. As reviewing your existing coverage and deciding what additional insurance you need to purchase involves a lot of reading and phone calls, a good suggestion is to use a double pocket folder to organize your insurance needs.  On one side, put all the wordings of your existing policies and on the other keep a detailed list of the phone calls you need to make or emails you need to send.

            Organizing and determining what insurance you already have and what you need to buy will lower your stress level while on vacation so you can have the holiday time you deserve.