Yes! Provincial health plans provide limited or no coverage outside Canada. Travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, lost baggage, and more. A medical emergency abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars without proper insurance.

Single-trip insurance covers one specific trip from departure to return. Multi-trip annual insurance covers unlimited trips within a year, typically with a maximum trip duration (e.g., 30 or 60 days per trip). Annual plans are more cost-effective if you travel 2+ times per year.

It depends on the policy. Many insurers offer coverage for stable pre-existing conditions if certain criteria are met (e.g., condition has been stable for 90-180 days). Always disclose all medical conditions when purchasing insurance. Some policies offer pre-existing condition waivers if purchased within a certain timeframe of booking your trip.

Purchase as soon as you book your trip. Early purchase ensures you're covered if you need to cancel before departure and may provide access to additional benefits like pre-existing condition waivers. Most insurers allow you to purchase up until the day before departure, but earlier is always better.

Trip cancellation typically covers non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for covered reasons such as: illness or injury, death of a family member, severe weather, job loss, jury duty, or home damage. "Cancel for any reason" upgrades offer more flexibility but cost more and typically reimburse 50-75% of costs.

Most Canadian travel insurance providers now include COVID-19 coverage as part of their standard medical coverage. This typically includes emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and quarantine accommodations. However, coverage details vary by provider, so always confirm what's included in your specific policy.