Top three insurance claims for snowbirds
As the days continue to get shorter and shorter and the temperature starts to drop, some Canadians are preparing to say “goodbye” to Canada – at least temporarily – for the snowbird lifestyle in warmer climates.
Some Canadians head south and take up residence in popular “snowbird” locales including Arizona, Florida and parts of Mexico, but for many, incurring a medical issue can be a costly end to their lifestyle.
Insurer RSA says health-related issues are the most common insurance claims for snowbirds, most notably claims related to:
- Pneumonia
- Heart conditions
- Gastro-intestinal conditions
“With an aging baby boomer population and medical advancements and treatments, we are seeing people experiencing more serious health conditions when travelling than we have in the past and medical treatments outside of Canada can be extremely costly,” said Erin Finn, Director of Underwriting for RSA Travel. “We love that snowbirds are able to enjoy their winters by travelling to warmer destinations but making sure they have proper travel and medical insurance coverage before they leave will provide them with peace of mind while they are away.”
RSA offers the following tips for snowbirds and other travelers:
- Read and ensure you understand your travel insurance coverage before you leave on your trip
- Speak with your broker or agent to ensure you have the proper coverage you require
- Check with your doctor to ensure you’re healthy enough to travel
- Ensure that you have properly filled out your medical questionnaire
- Keep in mind that when traveling outside Canada, you may be expected to pay medical providers up front
