A Message from Canada Life – Travel – March 16/20

News about the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic continues to evolve quickly, and we want to continue to provide information about how this affects coverage and handling under your plan. Canada Life is taking the situation seriously. Our Incident Management Team is monitoring the outbreak through our global threat monitoring system and government agencies, including the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Members affected by COVID-19 can continue to expect their claims to be handled on a case-by-case basis based on their plan coverage. As the situation develops in Canada and abroad, we wanted to provide clarification on two key elements of your coverage.

Travel to countries that have been affected by COVID-19

The Government of Canada advises avoiding all non-essential international travel, citing fast-moving border restrictions and quarantines. Claims related to COVID-19 that occurred during travel to a country with travel advisory warnings will be assessed like any other claim under your plan. Plan coverages vary, so that's why every claim will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Your out-of-country coverage covers expenses when members have symptoms from a medical emergency that require them to seek treatment. These include medical evacuation if suitable care isn't available, family assistance, and lodging.

As the risk of quarantine continues to grow when travelling internationally, it's important to know that expenses incurred when members are not experiencing symptoms, whether under quarantine or not, are not covered under Canada Life's standard group plan wording. It's important to review the plan carefully.

When a city is in lockdown, or has high-level travel advisories, we may not be able to help because officials may refuse our entry. When a country issues evacuation notices, members should follow the protocols issued by the country's authorities, which includes the process for getting help. Typically, assistance is handled by the Canadian Embassy.

Because of the protective requirements around COVID-19 while transporting a patient, all evacuations for patients with COVID-19 are being handled by health officials.

The situation continues to develop, and we advise everyone to adhere to the travel advisories and warnings from the Government of Canada.

For the most up-to-date information on the outbreak, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada

Contact Canada Life prior to your travel to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information 1-855-729-1839, our policy number is 164609.