IMPORTANT UPDATE: March 15, 2022

Canada lifts Global Travel Advisory to avoid non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Canadians

On February 28, 2022, the Government of Canada once again lifted its Level 3 Global COVID-19 Travel Advisory to avoid non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Canadians.

COVID-19 travel advisories are now being issued on a country/regional basis.

As a result, travel advisory levels have now been lowered for many popular snowbird destinations to Level 1 or Level 2 for fully vaccinated travellers.

In addition, on March 7, 2022, the Government of Canada lifted its blanket Level 4 Travel Advisory to avoid all cruise ship travel outside Canada for fully vaccinated Canadians.

The following travel advisories remain in place:

•  Level 3 advisory for unvaccinated Canadians to avoid non-essential travel

You can find current travel advisory levels for popular snowbird destinations by clicking on the links below:

• United States
• Mexico
• All other destinations
• Cruise ship travel

How does this impact my options for travel insurance coverage?

Policies that cover COVID-19 when Travel Advisories are Level 1 or Level 2

Due to the change in Government of Canada travel advisory levels on February 28 and March 7, 2022, we are pleased to announce that our Manulife Standard and Personalized travel medical insurance policies that provide $10 Million CAD in coverage for emergency medical care now cover eligible COVID-19 related medical expenses if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to your departure date,
    
2. You depart on your trip on or after February 28, 2022, - or for cruises, on or after March 7, 2022, and
    
3. The travel advisory level for your destination is either Level 1 (Exercise Normal Security Precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise a High Degree of Caution) at the time you depart on your trip

Both policies are available in Single-Trip and Multi-Trip Annual plan options.

These policies can now be purchased online, as well as by phone.*

PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase a Manulife Standard or Personalized policy and the travel advisory level for COVID-19 changes to Level 3 or Level 4 prior to your departure date, you will need to contact us to modify your policy to include coverage for COVID-19.

* Top-ups, Extensions and Personalized Multi-Trip Annual plans are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Policies that cover COVID-19 regardless of the Travel Advisory level

We also offer a variety of policies from Manulife and Blue Cross Ontario that include coverage for COVID-19 regardless of the travel advisory level.

These policies generally have higher premiums than our Manulife Standard and Personalized travel medical insurance policies outlined above, however, they do not require you to contact us to modify your coverage if the travel advisory level for COVID-19 increases to Level 3 or Level 4 prior to your departure.

Policies that cover COVID-19 regardless of the Travel Advisory level are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Cruise Coverage

Snowbird Advisor Insurance is now offering multiple emergency travel medical coverage options for cruises, including coverage for COVID-19. 

Please call us for cruise coverage details and options, as options may vary depending on your province of residence and vaccination status. 

These policies are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Travellers who are NOT Fully Vaccinated

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, we still have COVID coverage options available by phone. Please call us at 1-855-478-3490 for assistance.