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
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.