Every year, thousands of Canadians flee the winter cold to sunny destinations like Florida, Mexico or other foreign countries. This trend is particularly popular with retirees. Since a snowbird ‘s winter trip often lasts several months, choosing an insurance policy is an important step in planning a long-term stay.
As a snowbird, when the time comes to choose your travel insurance, several factors should be considered in selecting your coverage:
You may already be dealing with a particular provider for your travel insurance, as there are many to choose from: Blue Cross, CAA, Desjardins and many others. To get the best value for your money, it’s a good idea to revisit the various offers on the market and opt for a new insurance policy offering the coverage best suited to your needs.
For snowbirds, soNomad offers a travel insurance adapted for long stays, at competitive prices.
Many credit cards offer travel insurance with coverage for the following events:
However, the duration of some of these coverages can shorten as we get older (sometimes as early as 54 years old). While some cards, like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, offer extended emergency medical coverage, most credit cards don’t offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As snowbirds, you need to turn to other insurers who offer customized options tailored to your needs.
Finding the travel insurance that’s right for you can take some research, and now it’s possible to get quotes directly online. Take soNomad, for example.
Here’s what’s included in soNomad ‘s emergency medical protection for Snowbirds:
Numerous features set soNomad insurance apart from the rest and make it an interesting option for snowbirds, for example:
If you return to Canada early, you may receive a refund for the unused portion of your insurance premium, provided you have returned to your province of residence and have not made (or are in the process of making) any claim to the insurer.
Plus, soNomad gives you access to a range of exclusive insurance products and can quickly assess your needs online. The commission soNomad charges on its insurance products is lower than that charged by traditional brokers, which saves you money.
To get a quote, go to the soNomad website and click on “Get a quote”. Read our complete guide to filling out the online form easily. You can then get an instant quote and pay your insurance premium directly online. If you have any questions or need more information, contact soNomad at 1-855-360-7225, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All soNomad travel insurance programs include COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost, provided you are symptom-free before your departure date and meet the policy’s stability requirements.
Whether you choose to spend the winter in the USA, Europe, Mexico or another sunny destination as a snowbird, it’s important to take out adequate travel insurance tailored to your needs. While many credit cards offer attractive insurance plans, the duration of coverage is often not long enough for people aged 54 and over who travel for several months at a time. soNomad offers comprehensive, affordable coverage that saves you money.
As a snowbird, don’t forget to check your home insurance and renew your prescription drugs before you leave! And to save 2.5% on your purchases, be sure to pay with a credit card that has no conversion fees.
Travel plans often involve the unexpected. Travel cancellation insurance, offered by many credit cards, will protect you should your situation suddenly change.
The price of travel insurance depends on a number of factors, including the length of your trip, your destination, your age and your state of health.
If you need medical care, it’s best to be covered abroad to avoid serious financial consequences. In some countries, hospitals may refuse to treat you if you don’t have insurance or money to pay your bill, according to the Canadian government.
Many credit cards offer good insurance to cover emergency medical care and travel accidents. We suggest you read our guide to the best credit cards for travel insurance.
However, most credit cards don’t offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As a snowbird, you’ll need to turn to insurance companies that offer options tailored to your needs.
For information on visas, we invite you to consult the Canadian government website, in the Country-specific advice and warnings section. You can also contact your travel agent for further details.
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