Travel insurance sales go up as Canadians feel more confident vacationing overseas
After staying close to home and avoiding travel during the pandemic, many Canadians are anxious to take international trips again and travel insurance companies are seeing that trend reflected in their sales.
"There is an incredible pent-up demand for people wanting to travel to all kinds of popular international destinations that over the past few years they couldn’t go,” Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc., a company that sells travel insurance, told CTV News Toronto.
A travel survey by RatesDotCa found the United Kingdom is the number one spot for European travel this year, followed by Portugal, France, Italy and Spain.
The increase in international travel has in turn seen an increase in purchasing travel insurance.
While travel restrictions are easing, some passengers are still concerned about COVID-19 and other issues that could prevent them from taking a trip, which is why trip cancellation insurance has jumped by almost 1,200 per cent over the same period last year.
"The bottom line is that travel insurance is still extremely important as we don't know how things can change and it's in your best interests to purchase a policy," Tanisha Kishan, insurance professional with RatesDotCa, said.
When booking a trip, you'll have many insurance options to consider including medical, trip cancellation and trip interruption which Kishan said every traveller should consider.
“Travelling is supposed to be relaxing and I think travel insurance will give consumers peace of mind when they are travelling abroad," she said.
Even though some countries in Europe have dropped travel restrictions, some haven't. Always check which ones you're going to and the corresponding rules when it comes to vaccines, testing and wearing masks, so you’ll be prepared.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.