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Travel Medical Insurance: 5 Reasons to Buy an Annual Plan

By AMA Staff

As summer road-trip season kicks into high gear, it’s the perfect time to make sure you’re covered if something unexpected happens along the way. When you leave Alberta—even if it’s just for an impromptu weekend south of the border or camping in B.C.—you may not be covered in the event of a medical emergency.

“Chances are, you won’t remember to purchase a travel insurance policy every time you book a trip or hop in the car for a road trip,” says Pam Murray, insurance sales manager for AMA Travel. “That’s why our annual plan is such a popular coverage option.” It provides year-round coverage within Canada, plus multiple cross-border and international trips, up to 365 days from the policy activation date. “Which means you can purchase once and travel with your coverage all year,” Murray adds.

Here are some other reasons to consider an AMA Travel annual plan* this summer and beyond.

BETTER FOR YOUR BUDGET
If you take more than one international trip per year—plus a few cross-border drives or weekends in other provinces—you can save considerable cash with an annual travel medical insurance plan.

Pay one price for unlimited trips outside of Canada, up to the number of days you select: Choose a new four- or eight-day option, or 15, 30, or 60 days per trip (you can always add extra days for any given trip). And within Canada, you get coverage for unlimited trips and durations throughout your 365-day plan period.

“For instance, if you take two or more long weekends south per year, plus extra travel within Canada, the new four-day annual plan will save you money, compared to buying insurance for each trip,” Murray says. You also have the option of a flexible deductible that can save up to 45 percent off your premium.

EXPLORE MORE OF CANADA
As we celebrate Canada’s big 1-5-0, it’s the perfect time to check a few provinces off your bucket list. “Alberta Health travels with you, but it doesn’t cover all emergency medical expenses within Canada, like an ambulance to the nearest hospital or air ambulance to get you home again,” says Murray. “It also doesn’t include costs for getting your vehicle home or bringing a family member to your hospital bedside.”

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With an annual plan, travel stress-free knowing you’ve got multiple-trip coverage, including emergency medical care up to $5 million and emergency evacuation.

SIMPLE AND STRESS-FREE
An annual plan is a convenient way to get year-round peace of mind: Fill out the paperwork once for 365-day coverage. (As always, be sure to notify your insurance company if your condition changes.) And when you’re travelling, you’ll get worldwide access to our toll-free helpline—24 hours day, seven days a week.

STAY COVERED ACROSS THE BORDER
Heading for a quick shopping excursion to the States? Remember: A broken leg at home is an incon-venience; a broken leg in the U.S. could be a budget-buster. An annual plan takes the guesswork out of cross-border coverage. “Our new four- and eight-day annual plans provide a more cost-effective way to buy insurance compared to purchasing a policy for each individual trip,” says Murray.

BUSINESS TRAVELLERS REST EASY
If you often travel outside of Alberta for work, an annual plan could be a life-saver. Savvy travellers know that flight delays and lost luggage can happen. Consider an annual premium package: It includes the same medical coverage as an annual plan—plus coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, lost or damaged baggage, and flight and travel accident coverage.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
For a free travel medical insurance quote, visit AMA Travel online or call 1-866-989-6595. AMA members save 10% on travel medical insurance plans.

*AMA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company.  Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to certain terms, conditions and limitations.