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Travel Insurance Coverage as a Result of H1N1

Frequently Asked Questions – November 2009

1.   Can I cancel my trip because I am afraid of contracting H1N1 when travelling?

RBC Insurance^® travel insurance products have been designed to provide a wide range of coverage for a variety of situations but “fear of travelling” is not covered under our travel insurance policies.

2.   Can I cancel my trip because I have contracted H1N1 or a flu-like illness?

RBC Insurance trip cancellation insurance provides coverage for a wide variety of situations.  Cancelling a trip as a result of contracting H1N1 or a flu-like illness would be considered an emergency medical condition and the policy holder would be eligible for the reimbursement of the non-refundable portion of their prepaid travel arrangements, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Quarantine resulting from H1N1 or a flu-like illness would also be covered. Confirmation of illness or quarantine from a physician is required. 

Please note that the policy holder must have purchased appropriate travel insurance coverage prior to exhibiting any flu-like symptoms to be eligible for reimbursement.

3.   Can I change my travel dates because I have contracted H1N1 or a flu-like  illness?

RBC Insurance policy holders wishing to change their travel plans because they contracted H1N1 or a flu-like illness will be able to update their travel insurance for equivalent coverage, at no extra cost, to reflect their new travel dates provided that the length and cost of the trip remains the same.

4.   If I contract H1N1 or a flu-like illness while travelling, will my travel insurance policy cover me?

RBC Insurance policy holders who contract H1N1 or a flu-like illness while travelling are eligible for medical coverage under our medical insurance policy, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. If they are unable to travel home and have purchased the appropriate travel insurance coverage, trip interruption benefits can provide coverage for the costs of accommodations, meals and transportation. 

Please note that if a written formal travel warning regarding H1N1 was issued by the Canadian government prior to the policy holder’s effective date of departure and they chose to travel to the affected country, region or city where they contracted H1N1, they would not be covered.

5.   If I didn’t purchase travel insurance at the time I booked my trip, can I now purchase travel insurance because of my concerns of contracting H1N1?

RBC Insurance travel insurance can be sold at any time prior to the departure date.

Please note that the policy holder must have purchased appropriate travel insurance

coverage prior to exhibiting any flu-like symptoms to be eligible for reimbursement.

6.   If I am unable to get the H1N1 vaccination due to line-ups or choose not to get the H1N1 vaccination before my travel date, can I cancel my trip because I am afraid to travel and get a flu-like illness?

RBC Insurance travel insurance products have been designed to provide a wide range of coverage for a variety of situations but “fear of travelling” is not covered under our travel insurance policies.

7.   What happens if I am denied boarding at the airport as a result of exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

RBC Insurance policy holders who are denied boarding as a result of exhibiting flu-like symptoms are eligible for benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, as long as they receive confirmation from a physician that they contracted H1N1 or a flu-like illness. 

Please note that the policy holder must have purchased appropriate travel insurance coverage prior to exhibiting any flu-like symptoms to be eligible for reimbursement.

8.  What happens if I reach my destination and I am denied entry as a result of exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

RBC Insurance policy holders who reach their destination and are denied entry as a result of exhibiting flu-like symptoms are eligible for benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy they purchased, as long as they receive confirmation from a physician that they contracted H1N1 or a flu-like illness.

Please note that the policy holder must have purchased appropriate travel insurance

coverage prior to exhibiting any flu-like symptoms to be eligible for reimbursement.

9.  If I get the H1N1 vaccination and exhibit side effects before my travel date, can I cancel my trip?

RBC Insurance trip cancellation insurance provides coverage for a wide variety of situations.  Cancelling a trip as a result of side effects to a vaccination would be considered an emergency medical condition and the policy holder would be eligible for the reimbursement of the non-refundable portion of their prepaid travel arrangements, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Confirmation of illness from a physician is required.

Please note that the policy holder must have purchased appropriate travel insurance

coverage prior to obtaining the H1N1 vaccination to be eligible for reimbursement.

10. If I get the H1N1 vaccination and exhibit side effects from the vaccination while travelling, am I covered?

RBC Insurance policy holders who exhibit side-effects while travelling are eligible for

medical coverage under our medical insurance policy, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. If they are unable to travel home and have purchased the appropriate travel insurance coverage, trip interruption benefits can provide coverage for the costs of accommodations, meals and transportation.

Please note that if a written formal travel warning regarding H1N1 was issued by the

Canadian government prior to the policy holder’s effective date of departure and they chose to travel to the affected country, region or city where they contracted H1N1, they would not be covered.

11. If I get the H1N1 vaccination within the pre-existing condition exclusion period and I contract H1N1 while travelling, will I still be considered stable as defined in the policy?

RBC Insurance policy holders who have received the H1N1 vaccination or any preventative vaccination in the pre-existing condition exclusion period will still be considered stable provided that all other terms and conditions in the policy are met and as long as any other pre-existing medical conditions are stable.

12. Can I cancel my trip if a government warning is issued regarding H1N1 for a country, region or city I am travelling to?

RBC Insurance travel insurance products provide coverage for a wide variety of situations, including cancellation of a trip as a result of a travel warning. As long as a written formal travel warning is issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian government advising Canadians not to travel to a country, region or city, policy holders wanting to cancel their trip as a result of the travel warning are eligible for cancellation coverage under the appropriate RBC Insurance travel insurance policy.

Please note that the travel warning has to be issued by the Canadian government after the policy holder purchased travel insurance and has to be in effect on their departure date for the coverage to apply.

We trust that you will find this information useful in determining the best course of action for your valued clients.  We thank you for your understanding and your continued support.  If you have questions, please contact us at 1-800 387-4357.

Sincerely,

Tim Bzowey,
Vice President, Sales
RBC Insurance Company of Canada

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