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The Canadian guide to annual multi-trip travel insurance

SUMMARY

If you travel often, having to buy a new travel insurance plan every time can get costly and time-consuming. Instead, annual multi-trip travel insurance plans are a better way to cover your needs. This article tells you all about multi-trip travel insurance and why it’s likely your best bet.

By Vanessa Smith
Insurance Advisor, LLQP
11 min read
IN THIS ARTICLE

Do you ever feel like some people know all the tricks to make travelling a breeze? They have packing cubes and luggage trackers. They collect travel points and know about ticket sales. They can always find a good restaurant, a SIM card, and all sorts of insider secrets.

There’s a very good chance that these savvy travellers have an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. Well-seasoned travellers know that this kind of policy provides coverage on multiple trips throughout the year and is friendlier on their wallets than a single-trip policy.

Below, we’ll dig into what annual multi-trip travel insurance is and why it could be a good fit for you.

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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance offers a wide range of protection for travellers when they’re away from home. It can provide emergency medical coverage for visitors and some measure of protection in case of a delayed or cancelled trip. Some types of travel insurance even cover baggage loss or rental cars. And specialized super visa insurance helps cover medical emergencies for the visiting parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens and residents.

Those with travel insurance can feel safe knowing they’re protected in the event of any sort of travel hiccup. Some of the most common types of travel insurance include:

  • Travel medical insurance. Covers any medical emergencies during your trip, including emergency dental treatment.Trip cancellation insurance. Helps cover unexpected costs if your trip is cancelled before your departure.Trip interruption insurance. Helps reimburse the cost of your trip if you unexpectedly have to cut your trip short after you’ve already departed.

Read more about in our Complete Guide To Travel Insurance For Canadians
There are many different types of Travel Insurance for students, foreign workers, snowbirds, super visa holders, and others travellers to/from/within Canada.

Why should I buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance lets you enjoy that exciting trip to Mexico without having to worry about what will happen if there’s an emergency.

While we’d all like to hope that an upcoming trip will be nothing but smooth sailing, the reality is that sometimes unexpected and unfortunate things can happen. Luggage can get lost. Flights can be delayed, forcing you to change plans. Or someone can end up in the hospital.

All of these things can cost thousands of dollars that you didn’t plan on spending. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that if something happens, you won’t be stuck footing a foreign medical bill or a last-minute hotel booking.

Does travel insurance cover multiple trips?

It can! Depending on the type of insurance you have, you can be covered for anything from a single weekend trip to multiple week-long excursions or whatever travel you have in mind.

Traditionally, when we think of travel insurance, we think of single-trip insurance. But there are other types of insurance that can better suit your needs and save you money.

For instance, you can get an annual travel plan to cover multiple trips instead of just one.

What is annual multi-trip travel insurance?

Annual multi-trip travel insurance is an insurance policy that is valid for a 12-month period of time and covers multiple trips within that timeframe.

With this type of policy, you don’t need to purchase a new policy prior to every trip. It’s a great type of travel insurance for people who travel more than a few times a year.

Multi-trip insurance spares you the hassle of buying travel insurance every single time you book a flight. This spares you from the awful last-minute panic of realizing you forgot to buy travel insurance when you’re already on the plane!

Plus, annual travel plans usually end up being cheaper than buying single-trip insurance if you take a lot of trips in one year. All in all, it’s the most convenient, affordable coverage option for those frequently on the go!

How does annual multi-trip travel insurance work?

Annual multi-trip travel insurance works by providing you coverage for multiple trips you may take in a given year. When purchasing a policy, you’ll select how long you think your trips will be. In addition, you can choose the type of coverage you want as well as any add-on options (typically known as “riders“). It’s as simple as that.

You can pick an annual plan that covers just medical treatment, or go for a multi-trip premium travel plan that gives more comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation, baggage loss, etc. Plus, optional deductibles can help you lock in lower rates. For instance, choosing a deductible where you pay some costs upfront and the insurance provider takes care of the rest will usually lower the overall price of an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.

There are tons of options available, so you can customize your plan based on your exact needs.

What does annual multi-trip travel insurance cover?

Your multi trip travel insurance coverage depends on the type of policy you chose to purchase and if your policy has any optional add-ons.

The most popular and comprehensive policies will cover:

  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Trip cancellation and interruption
  • Baggage loss, damage, or delay
  • Travel accident insurance

However, you can find policies for multi-trip travel medical, for multi-trip travel interruption, and other combinations. The coverage you have comes down to the policy you choose.

Does multi-trip cover COVID-19?

Annual travel insurance plans can cover COVID-related travel snags, but this depends on the insurance provider, public health recommendations, and your vaccination status.

For example, if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19, you might not be covered if you contract COVID and have to cancel your trip or receive medical care while travelling.

Or, if a travel advisory has been issued for the specific destination you travel to, COVID-related trip interruptions may not be covered.

However, most travel plans provide some level of coverage in the event you or your travel companion unfortunately contracts COVID and you have to quarantine.

Although COVID-related restrictions have been slowly easing, we still recommend that you confirm coverage with your insurance provider before purchasing a policy. You can also check in with the travel insurance professionals at PolicyAdvisor if you’re unsure. It can never hurt to ask first!

How many days can I travel with an annual multi-trip policy?

When buying an annual multi-trip policy, you can select the average duration of your trips to ensure the proper length of coverage.

So, if you tend to only travel for weekend trips, a policy that covers four days per trip would be great for you. If you are away from home for a week at a time, you’ll want a policy that covers seven-day trips. Or, if you travel for months on end, you should get a policy with 30 days of coverage.

Some plans can cover a maximum trip length of 180 days, so there’s bound to be coverage options for you no matter how long or short your trips are. Most policies allow you to customize the duration and purchase additional coverage for specific trips if you plan on taking a longer trip at any point throughout the year.

Be sure to chat with your advisor to figure out what type of coverage is best for you.

Annual multi-trip travel insurance lets you travel without worrying about whether you're protected if an emergency happens.

How much does annual multi-trip travel insurance cost?

The cost of your annual multi-trip insurance is based on what kind of coverage you buy and your average trip duration. Some bare-bones policies can cost less than $50, while other, more comprehensive coverage can run upwards of $500. It completely depends on what you choose for your specific needs and expectations.

Is multi-trip travel insurance cheaper than single-trip?

If you travel more than a few times a year, purchasing a multi-trip travel insurance policy as opposed to multiple single-trip plans is a great way to save money.

For example, CAA emergency medical coverage for a single four-day trip is $22.50 and annual four-day multi-trip coverage is $45.81. So, for this coverage, if you’re planning on taking more than two four-day trips in a year, annual multi-trip coverage is cheaper.

You can expect a similar trend from most insurance providers. As a rule of thumb, you can expect single-trip travel insurance to cost 5% of your trip. Add that up several times a year and it becomes easy to see why a multi-trip plan might be easier on your wallet than individual policies.

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Who can benefit most from multi-trip travel insurance?

Anyone who travels frequently can benefit most from multi-trip travel plans. Simply put, this type of travel insurance works best when it’s used to do precisely what the name describes: cover multiple trips in one year.

Multi-trip insurance is all about making it easy for frequent travellers to get as much coverage as they need without the hassle of re-applying every single time. So, if you have a few trips lined up over the course of the next 12 months, this type of plan would be a great fit for you.

The kind of travellers who may benefit most from annual multi trip insurance include:

✔️ Snowbirds

Our beloved Canadian snowbirds routinely head down south once the weather cools down. As travellers who usually spend months away from home, sometimes even two or three times a year, an annual plan is just perfect for them. Some companies have even created travel insurance plans specifically designed for snowbird travel.

Read more about snowbird travel insurance.

✔️ Athletes

Whether amateur or professional, athletes can travel multiple times over the course of a year to attend or participate in sporting events. Annual multi-trip travel insurance is a good option for them! But athletes should carefully check the policy to make sure the sports they plan to take part in are actually covered under their plan.

Read more about travel insurance for athletes.

✔️ Businesspeople

Business travel has been picking up again now that pandemic restrictions are slowly easing. Some people need to travel often for their work, whether for business trips, conferences, seminars, etc. C-suite executives, for instance, or similar frequent flyers can save time and money with annual multi-trip travel insurance.

✔️ Remote workers

The pandemic also made remote work more widespread than ever. And remote workers, or “digital nomads” have started a trend of travelling all over the world to work remotely. Some remote workers spend a few weeks in one location before moving onto the next. An annual travel plan is perfect for someone planning on working remotely abroad for extended periods of time.

✔️ Families

Some families make annual trips a tradition, meeting up for a family vacation in the summer or winter break. While many insurers offer family discounts for single-trip plans, a family that makes a habit out of travelling might want to compare the cost of an annual travel insurance plan. Especially if they’re likely to travel at least twice per year.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. There are tons of reasons why a multi-trip insurance policy may be the best plan for a given traveller.

Do I need multi-trip travel insurance?

It all depends on your unique circumstances. Annual travel insurance plans come with many benefits, but they aren’t for everyone.

The cost may not be worthwhile if you only take 1 or 2 quick trips per year. Or, if you travel infrequently and already have some other form of coverage, that may be perfectly adequate for your needs. For example, if you have a group travel insurance plan through your employer, and you only need to take a one-off weekend trip to the next province over, your group coverage may well work just fine.

Of course, we absolutely recommend that you still get travel insurance even for trips that are short in both duration and distance. But getting full annual multi-trip insurance may be a bit excessive for this type of travel plan.

If you’re wondering whether an annual multi-trip plan is right for you, reach out to us by chat or give us a call. We’re happy to help you assess your needs and determine what plan would work best!

Where can I buy multi-trip travel insurance?

Some of the biggest insurance companies in Canada have annual multi-trip travel plans that we can recommend, such as:

  • Allianz Global Assistance
  • Manulife
  • Tugo
  • 21st Century
  • Destination Canada
  • GMS

But you don’t have to call around looking for the best option – simply let us help! Connect with one of our travel insurance specialists to find the best annual multi-trip travel insurance policy for you and all your travel needs. Bon voyage!

Need help?
Call us at 1-888-601-9980 or book time with our licensed experts.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Annual multi-trip travel insurance is a great way for frequent travellers to save money
  • Annual travel insurance plans can cover trips from 4 days to 180 days
  • Coverage can be basic or comprehensive, and you can choose your deductibles

By Vanessa Smith
Insurance Advisor, LLQP
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