Manitoba Blue Cross is a not-for-profit organization that joined the Blue Cross network, using its name and trademark in 1974.
They provide a range of health, dental and wellness coverage, including travel insurance, for over half a million people.
Advantages
- The online questionnaire helps you find the best plan.
- You can view, extend, renew, print or even cancel your policy online before you leave on your trip.
- Multiple policy options with coronavirus coverage.
Disadvantages
- Manitoba Blue Cross Travel Insurance does not offer plans for visitors to Canada.
- Plans only cover residents of the province of Manitoba.
- The requirements to qualify for plans can be very specific and restrictive.
- You cannot extend or top up Manitoba Blue Cross coverage with a different insurance provider. If you do, it will invalidate all coverage for that trip.
- Slightly awkward online quote system.
Manitoba Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans
Manitoba Blue Cross Travel Insurance offers several travel coverage plans in various categories, including emergency travel health coverage, trip protection plans (covering cancellation and interruption), and an all-inclusive plan.
The emergency travel health coverage options include the Deluxe Travel Health Plan, Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan, Annual Travel Plan, and Annual Travel Plan with Coronavirus Coverage.
Manitoba Blue Cross has two trip protection plans: the Holiday Cancellation Plan and the Airfare Cancellation Plan.
They also offer one all-inclusive plan called the Tour Package Plan.
Manitoba Blue Cross Deluxe Travel Health Plan
The emergency medical coverage for the Deluxe Travel Health Plan is $5M per policyholder. The plan includes numerous emergency travel health benefits such as ambulance coverage, economy air transport home, $3,000 emergency dental care per accident, $4,000 return of vehicle, $500 pet return, among other benefits.
An automatic extension benefit is available for up to 72 hours after the scheduled date in certain circumstances. The Deluxe Travel Health Plan does not include trip cancellation, trip interruption, or baggage insurance.
There are three different stability period requirements for pre-existing conditions: the Deluxe Blue Plan (under age 55), the Deluxe Gold Plan (aged 55 to 74), and the Deluxe Silver Plan (above age 55). The Deluxe Blue Plan has a 7-day stability period, the Deluxe Gold Plan has a 90-day stability requirement, and the Deluxe Silver Plan has a 365-day stability period requirement.
You cannot purchase your policy more than 30 days in advance if your trip is longer than 32 days in length. Also, travellers who are eligible but not vaccinated for COVID-19 cannot submit a coronavirus-related claim.
Manitoba Blue Cross Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan
The Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan is similar to the Deluxe Travel Health Plan, except it also provides additional coverage benefits related to the Coronavirus.
The COVID-19 benefits of the Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan include:
- Coronavirus pandemic quarantine
- Coronavirus testing and taxi to and from the testing centre (only valid for emergency or unforeseen testing).
- Coronavirus pandemic trip interruption
This plan includes up to $5M in coverage, the same automatic extension benefit as the Deluxe Health Plan and cannot be purchased more than 30 days in advance if the trip is longer than 32 days in length.
The Travel Health Coronavirus Plan has two pre-existing condition plan types: Deluxe Blue Plan (under age 55) and Deluxe Gold Plan (aged 55-74). The Deluxe Blue Plan has a 7-day stability requirement, and the Deluxe Gold Plan has a 90-day stability requirement.
Manitoba Blue Cross Annual (Multi-Trip) Travel Plan
The Annual Travel Plan is designed for Manitobans who make several trips throughout the year. Coverage is for multiple trips of 32 days or less. The Annual Travel Plan is an emergency medical insurance plan with up to $5M coverage and benefits including emergency dental, private duty nursing, ambulance coverage, pet return, and vehicle return, among other benefits. Each trip must start and end in Manitoba. This plan does not include trip cancellation, trip interruption or baggage insurance.
This insurance is only available to Manitoba residents up to, and including, age 74. If you are a student attending classes outside of Manitoba, you are not eligible for this plan. There are two pre-existing condition stability requirements on the Annual Travel Plan, depending on age. For policyholders under age 55, the stability period is 7 days. For ages 55-74, the stability period increases to 365 days.
You can get an extension on your 32-day coverage if you’re under age 55.
Manitoba Blue Cross Annual (Multi-Trip) Travel with Coronavirus Coverage Plan
Like the standard annual plan, the Annual Travel Plan with Coronavirus Coverage is designed for Manitobans travelling multiple times throughout the year on trips of up to 32 days. The plan is available for travellers aged 74 and under. If purchased before the 75th birthday, coverage is effective for the entire duration of the coverage term.
The Annual Travel Plan with Coronavirus Coverage includes up to $5M coverage and the same benefits as listed in the Annual Travel Plan. However, it also includes additional benefits such as coronavirus pandemic quarantine, coronavirus pandemic trip interruption, and coronavirus testing and taxi to and from the testing centre during an emergency. Like the Annual Travel Plan, the stability period for pre-existing conditions is separated by age. Travellers under age 55 have a 7-day stability period requirement, and travellers aged 55-74 have a 365-day stability requirement.
The added benefit of the Coronavirus Coverage plan is that even if you are not vaccinated or you are travelling to a destination with a COVID-related non-essential travel advisory, the plan includes coronavirus coverage.
Manitoba Holiday Cancellation Plan
The Holiday Cancellation Plan offers trip cancellation, trip interruption and repatriation benefits only, and does not include emergency medical insurance. Benefits include non-refundable airfare, land and surface payments connected to the trip, the cost of transport to the destination if you miss a connection, up to $7,500 repatriation, among other benefits.
There’s a six-month pre-existing condition stability period for all travellers.
You can only purchase this plan within 72 hours of making your deposit, or before any cancellation or penalty package. There’s a maximum coverage period of 183 days, with no extension available.
Manitoba Airfare Cancellation Plan
The Airfare Cancellation plan is suitable in cases where you must cancel your airfare before departure or are forced to return before your scheduled date.
Benefits include the extra cost of economy air transportation if you miss a flight connection, a non-refundable portion of the prepaid airfare and loss of life cover for up to $7,500 to transport the deceased and the extra cost of one-way economy airfare home when you purchase additional Air Extra coverage. The plan does not include emergency medical insurance.
There’s a six-month pre-existing condition stability period requirement for all travellers.
You can only purchase this plan within 72 hours of making your deposit, or before any cancellation or penalty package. There’s a maximum coverage period of 183 days, with no extension available. You must have every person travelling together insured with this plan and cover the total cost of your trip.
Manitoba Tour Package Plan
You can only purchase the Tour Package Plan if you have purchased a tour package that includes all your travel arrangements, including transportation, excursions, accommodations, etc.
This is a single-trip plan for Manitoba residents that includes airfare cancellation, trip cancellation and trip interruption, emergency travel health benefits, and baggage protection ($500 per subscriber).
The stability period requirements for the Tour Package Plan are both age-related and connected to specific benefits (travel health, airfare and holiday cancellation benefits). For travellers under age 55, the travel health benefits stability period is 7 days. For travellers above the age of 55, the travel health benefits have a 365-day stability period requirement. The overall stability period for airfare and holiday cancellation benefits is 180 days.
You can only purchase this plan within 72 hours of making your deposit, or before any cancellation or penalty package. You can receive an automatic 72-hour extension on your plan if you are hospitalized on your last day of coverage or if your return is delayed due to the fault of the carrier.
If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine but are not vaccinated, you are not eligible for any coronavirus-related claims.
Comparison Chart for Manitoba Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans
Plan | Emergency Medical Insurance Coverage | Extension Available | Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Baggage | Maximum Age | Maximum Length of Coverage |
Deluxe Travel Health Plan | $5 Million | Up to 72 hours after the return date in certain circumstances. | ❌ | ❌ | No age limit | 62 days if over age 75 (or between ages 55 and 74 on the Silver Plan). 183 days if under age 55 (or age 74 on the Gold Plan). |
Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan | $5 Million | Up to 72 hours after the return date in certain circumstances. | ❌ | ❌ | Up to age 74 | 183 days |
Annual (Multi-trip) Travel Plan | $5 Million | Only available to applicants under the age of 55. | ❌ | ❌ | Up to and including age 74 | Multiple trips of 32 days or less within one year. |
Annual (Multi-trip) with Coronavirus Travel Plan | $5 Million | Only available to applicants under the age of 55. | ❌ | ❌ | Up to and including age 74 | Multiple trips of 32 days or less within one year. |
Tour Package Plan | $5 Million | Up to 72 hours after the return date in certain circumstances. | Up to $7,500 for trip cancellation and $7,500 for trip interruption. | Up to $500 per person | No age limit | Up to 32 days |
Holiday Cancellation Plan | ❌ | ❌ | Up to the covered amount in the case of a cancellation before departure, early or late return or missed connection (covered risks only). | ❌ | No age limit | Maximum 183 days |
Airfare Cancellation Plan | ❌ | ❌ | Up to the covered amount in the case of an airfare cancellation before departure, early or late return or missed connection (covered risks only). | ❌ | No age limit | Maximum 183 days |
Tips for Saving with Manitoba Blue Cross Insurance
- Family plans can be a cheaper alternative than individual plans.
- If you travel more than once a year, an annual plan may save you money.
Refunds
For the Deluxe Travel Health Plan and Deluxe Travel Health with Coronavirus Coverage Plan, you can get a full refund if you notify an authorized agent or Manitoba Blue Cross before you leave on your trip. You can also get a partial refund for an early return if you notify an authorized agent or Manitoba Blue Cross before the end of your policy.
You won’t receive a refund if a claim has been incurred or if you’ve extended your policy. Refunds are only available for the Tour Package Plan if the policyholder has duplicate Manitoba Blue Cross coverage or if the tour operator cancels the tour and refunds all prepaid travel costs. Refunds aren’t available for the Annual Travel Plan, Annual Travel Plan with Coronavirus Coverage, Holiday Cancellation Plan, and Airfare Cancellation Plan.
You Need to Know
- Claims administration is provided by CanAssistance Travel Claims.
- You must have a Manitoba Government health insurance plan and be a resident of Manitoba.
- You must purchase these plans before you leave on your trip.
- Policies and coverage can change at any time, without warning. This article is only intended as general advice. Please check your own policy carefully.
How to Learn More
You can learn more about Manitoba Blue Cross travel insurance online, by telephone at 204-775-0151 or in person at their office at 599 Empress Street in Winnipeg.
Want to Compare Manitoba Blue Cross’ Policy Rates?
If you’d like to compare Manitoba Blue Cross plans and policies with other travel insurance companies, the quickest way is to get a few comparison quotes.
Comparison websites, like BestQuote Travel Insurance, let you compare quotes for travel insurance from several different companies at once. You type in a few details about your trip and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice.