Travelling to Asia? Canadians have a lifetime of adventure in this exciting part of the world.
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Serving as home to more than half of the world’s population, we know there’s so much diversity Canadians can experience when travelling to Asia. You can take your journey to new heights as you experience the majesty of the highest peaks - from Mt. Fuji in Japan to Mt. Everest in Nepal.
From our own experiences though, we know that any international travel can also sometimes involve those less than great moments - like sickness, missed flights, and lost baggage. Because of this, you may want to get a quote for travel insurance for Asia before you set forth on your journey.
The flights to Sri Lanka are booked, you made the reservation for your guided safari at Yala National Park and found an adorable beach bungalow. It sounds like you planned the perfect vacation, but there’s some things you just can’t plan for.
What happens if a monsoon hits Sri Lanka a few days before your trip and makes it impossible to travel there? Natural disasters can strike while you’re already on holiday and you could get hurt. Canadian travellers may want to consider travel insurance for Asia that could help with trip cancellation, overseas emergency medical coverage, and emergency evacuation and repatriation.
We recommend you think about the places in Asia where you’ll be travelling and the types of adventures and activities you’ll be participating in while you’re there. When you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia, you can compare the different plan options, and then choose the best travel insurance for your overseas holiday.
From trekking through Sumatra to see orangutans to scuba diving the Great Wall of China, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Asia. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to Asia - including trekking, scuba diving, and more.
When you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you’re participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.
Motorbiking is common throughout many countries in Asia, and in some instances, it may be covered by your travel insurance policy. However, just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike or scooter in many Asian countries doesn’t mean you should ride one, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We receive a lot of injury claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Asia because it’s cheap and easy to rent, and they get hurt in an accident. You’ll notice that often safety is not a top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience is. The rules of the road and the road quality itself can be very different from back home in Canada.
Motorbike accidents are quite common (it’s one of our most common claims) and it’s very important to know that if you don’t hold the proper Canadian license for operating a motorbike, if you are injured while operating a motorbike in Asia, your travel insurance plan won’t cover you.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to investigate getting the proper license for motorbiking in Asia before you leave Canada. Check out our article on . You can get specific license requirements for each country you’ll be visiting on the Canadian government’s website. You’ll also want to review your policy wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia.
Before you leave Canada, consult with your doctor to see if you may need certain vaccinations. Depending on where you’re headed in Asia, they may recommend vaccinations that protect you against things like tetanus, typhoid and yellow fever. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent, as this can help protect you from dengue fever and malaria.
While these preparations could help protect you, there’s still a chance you may get sick or injured during your travels. If you’re surfing in Phuket and break a leg, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses. Your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses.
Keep in mind that there’s over 2,000 languages spoken across Asia. If you are in an emergency, language barriers may get in the way when you’re trying to get medical care. You may also find limited medical services available in some remote places. The 24/7 emergency assistance team will be able to help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if they don’t speak English or French.
If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go back home to Canada to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Asia may cover the costs to get you back to your Canadian home province .
If your Asian vacation includes hiking in Nepal, you’ve likely packed your favourite pair of hiking boots. But if you land in Kathmandu and then realize that your bag isn’t waiting for you on the airport carousel, it can make an unpleasant start to your trip.
If the airline loses your bag, you could be reimbursed for the cost to replace your hiking boots and other belongings. When you get a quote, you can check the policy wording in your travel insurance for Asia to get the specific details on depreciation and policy limits.
Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. It’s not uncommon for your bag to accidentally take a different route to your destination. The baggage coverage that is included in your international travel insurance could even reimburse you for a change of clothes and toiletries until your bag makes its way back to you.
Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cause you to cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip.
Asia is a continent full of natural wonders, but unfortunately, there’s also the possibility of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis that can affect your travels. If your planned trip to Okinawa gets cancelled because a typhoon makes it impossible for you to get there and the Canadian government issues a travel advisory (and the travel advisory is issued after you have booked your trip and purchase your travel insurance), your travel insurance for Asia could help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance.
You could also be reimbursed if you get sick before leaving Canada and your doctor advises you that you are not medically fit to travel to Asia at that time.
Travel insurance could also help if you’re already on your trip and something happens. For example, you may need to go back to Canada early if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency. You may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses if your trip is interrupted.
Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for things you paid for in advance- you’ll need those if you make a claim.
Asia has so much to offer visiting Canadians. Before you leave for your vacation, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings to review travel advice for the countries you’re visiting in Asia. You’ll want to review each country on your itinerary to see up to date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time.
Before you set forth on your Asian vacation, it’s also a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Finally, we recommend taking time to read up on all of the amazing experiences available to Canadians visiting Asia. Some of our team’s favorite spots include China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. The hardest part of your trip may be deciding which Asian country to visit first!
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.