Ontario Blue Cross has provided health and safety products to residents of Ontario for more than 80 years. It is a part of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, which spans across the United States and Canada.
Advantages
- Automatic renewal options.
- A transparent overview of coverage limits while you’re getting a quote.
- Many plan types to choose from.
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage option on the Trip Cancellation and Interruption plan.
Disadvantages
- Ontario Blue Cross travel policies are only for residents of Ontario.
- If you’re age 76 or over, you’ll have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire.
- The medical condition exclusion list is longer for travellers over 60 or over 55 and travelling for more than 18 days.
Overview
Ontario Blue Cross offers a variety of travel insurance products, including:
- Emergency Medical Care Plan
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan
- Accidental Death or Dismemberment Plan
- Baggage Plan
- 3-in-1 Package Plan
You can choose to get coverage for a single trip or opt for the Multi-Trip Annual Plan if you plan on taking multiple trips within a year.
Ontario Blue Cross Emergency Medical Care Plan
This plan includes up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance for a single trip. It is intended for Canadian residents covered by a provincial health insurance plan. There are two versions of the plan, one for Canadians travelling within Canada and another for Canadians travelling worldwide. This plan is available as a single-trip and multi-trip option.
The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for travellers aged 54 and under, and six months for travellers aged 55 to 59 who are travelling for less than 18 days. For policyholders over the age of 55 travelling for more than 18 days, and aged 60 and above, the stability is also six months, but the medical conditions exclusion list is longer.
Ontario Blue Cross Trip Cancellation & Interruption Plan
This plan is for a single trip and offers trip cancellation up to the value of your trip and unlimited trip interruption. No emergency medical insurance or other benefits are included. This plan is available as a single-trip and multi-trip option.
You can also add on Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. This allows you to cancel your trip for reasons other than the covered reasons in the Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan.
Ontario Blue Cross Accidental Death or Dismemberment Plan
This plan provides up to $300,000 in the event of loss of life or loss of the use of at least one limb and/or vision. This plan is available as a single-trip and multi-trip option.
The maximum benefit paid is dependent on age, with travellers between the ages of 18 and 64 receiving the highest maximum benefits.
Ontario Blue Cross Baggage Plan
This coverage provides up to $1,500 per trip if baggage is lost, stolen or damaged to repair or replace items. This plan is available as a single-trip and multi-trip option.
It also covers up to $500 for delayed checked baggage and up to $250 if official documents are lost or stolen.
Ontario Blue Cross 3-in-1 Package Plan
The 3-in-1 Package Plan is designed for Canadian residents under the age of 54.
It is a plan combining three coverage types: Emergency Medical Care, Accidental Death or Dismemberment, and Baggage into one package. You also have the option to add on Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage.
It provides up to $5 million for emergency medical, $300,000 for accidental death and dismemberment and up to $1,000 for baggage.
There are two versions. A single-trip 3-in-1 Package designed for one trip or the 3-in-1 Annual Package, which covers unlimited trips in a 12 month period with no health declaration required prior to each trip.
Ontario Blue Cross Multi-Trip Annual Plan
If you plan on travelling multiple times in a year, you can opt to select any of the above plans as a multi-trip plan instead of a single-trip plan. Multi-trip plans are available for Canadians aged 85 years or under.
The per-trip maximum durations are as follows: 4, 8, 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days. 150 and 180-day trips are only available to travellers under 80 years of age. The maximum coverage amounts for each multi-trip annual plan are $5 million for emergency medical care, unlimited trip interruption, $300,000 for accidental death and dismemberment and $1,500 for baggage.
If you choose a Trip Cancellation and Interruption Multi-Trip Annual Plan, the insured amount choices are $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 or $5,000 per traveller per trip.
Comparison Chart for Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans
Plan | Medical Insurance Coverage | Deductible | Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Baggage | Accidental Death and Dismemberment | Maximum Age and Maximum Length of Coverage |
Emergency Medical Care Plan | $5 million | Up to $5,000 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | No age limit. Travellers over age 76 need to call to purchase. |
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan | ❌ | ❌ | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | ❌ | ❌ | No age limit. Travellers over age 76 need to call to purchase. |
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Up to $300,000 | No age limit. Travellers over age 76 need to call to purchase. |
Baggage Plan | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Up to $1,500 | ❌ | No age limit. Travellers over age 76 need to call to purchase. |
3-in-1 Package Plan | $5 million | ❌ | Optional add-on | Up to $1,000 | Up to $300,000 | No age limit. Travellers over age 76 need to call to purchase. |
Tips for Saving with Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance
- Applicants with other Ontario Blue Cross policies may be eligible for discounts if they purchase travel insurance.
- A family plan may save you money if you’re travelling with children.
- 5% loyalty discount on the 3-in-1 Annual Package Plan when you renew.
Refunds
- You need to submit your refund to the agent you purchased your policy from.
- All refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee.
- You can request a full refund if you cancel before the start date of your policy or within the first 10 days of the start date, unless the policy is under 10 days or you intend to submit a claim.
- You can request a pro-rated refund for an unused part of your policy if you haven’t made a claim.
- You cannot claim a refund if you have Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage or Multi-Trip Annual coverage.
You Need to Know
- Ontario Blue Cross travel insurance products are underwritten by Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada.
- You need a valid Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan (except for Visitor’s to Canada plans).
- You need to depart from and return to your province of residence at the end of the trip.
How to Learn More
You can learn more about Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance plans online or by calling the local number 416-646-2585 or toll-free number 1-866-732-2583.
You need to call 1-833-950-1133 to purchase a policy if you meet any of the following:
- More than six people are travelling together.
- The main insured and their partner are under the age of 16.
- At least one dependent child is above the age of 25.
- The person to be insured is older than 76 years old.
Want to Compare Ontario Blue Cross’ Travel Insurance Rates?
The easiest way to compare Canadian travel insurance rates is to use a comparison website.
Comparison websites, like BestQuote Travel Insurance, let you compare quotes for travel insurance from several different companies at once. Type in a few details about your trip, and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice.