Frequently Asked Questions aboutTravelStar Travel Insurance

A sudden and unforeseen medical condition that requires immediate medical treatment. 

Yes. All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements. When applying for coverage for a child under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must declare on the dependant’s behalf that the child also meets eligibility requirements — regardless of whether a premium is charged for the child or not.

We cover emergency medical expenses for pre-existing conditions that have been stable for a minimum of 180 days before travelling. Even if your doctor gives you the “all clear” to travel, your condition needs to meet our specific requirements. The specifics can be found in our policy wording.

Our TravelStar insurance is designed for unpredictable medical emergencies when you’re away. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or develop one before you travel, we need to know that it won’t cause you any troubles while you’re away from home. We consider a medical condition to be stable if your condition or treatment hasn't change for a period of time before you travel. Click here to read the specifics.

When purchasing TravelStar to top-up an existing GMS plan (for example a Multi-Trip Annual plan or a GMS health insurance plan that includes travel coverage), stability is measured according to the stability period of the existing plan.

When purchasing TravelStar to top-up a plan with another carrier (for example a SunLife group plan or a RSA credit card plan), the stability period is 180 days prior to the effective date of the GMS TravelStar plan.

It could. You’re required to let us know of any changes to your health or medications before you travel so we can make sure you have the coverage you need. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to give us a call.

There’s no age limit when it comes to purchasing Single-Trip coverage. For Multi-Trip Annual Emergency Medical, the limit is 79 years old or younger at the time of application.

We know travelling as a family can be expensive. We allow adults purchasing a Single-Trip Emergency Medical plan to include up to six dependent children under the age of 16 to their plan for free.

You must have valid provincial health coverage to be covered under a TravelStar Emergency Medical plan. It’s your responsibility to contact your provincial health care provider to make arrangements to maintain your provincial coverage when your trip extends beyond your provincial limit.

Not to worry, there’s still time. TravelStar plans purchased online or over-the-phone are approved at the time of application. Give us a call or buy now online and you’ll be covered as soon you’re finished the application.

For most work travel, coverage is provided for emergency medical conditions that aren’t related to the work you’re travelling for. Work-related injuries are not covered under our Emergency Medical plans, as these claims are the jurisdiction of the employer’s insurance plan (typically a Worker’s Compensation Board).

Any eligible claims could be limited to 70% of the expenses incurred, up to a maximum of $50,000.

We’ll cover you during the medical emergency, which may include a post-treatment follow-up visit. But, ongoing and continuing medical care is not covered.

We know even the best-laid plans get interrupted. We’re in the insurance business after-all. If you’re hospitalized while you’re away, we’ll manage your case until your medical emergency has ended. Once discharged from hospital, your coverage will automatically be extended for 72 hours to allow you and any travelling companions to return home.

The same 72-hour coverage extension applies if your transportation home is cancelled or delayed, or you have a vehicle breakdown that causes you to miss your transportation home.

We understand that even when you’re away, unexpected things can happen and you might need to come home. When this happens, we offer a coverage continuation benefit that will continue your TravelStar Coverage after you return to your destination without the need to re-apply for coverage, provided this is before your original return date. You must let us know if you had any medical treatment and/or medical consultation during your return trip home.

There is no additional cost for this benefit and no need to re-apply. Coverage continuation doesn’t cover the costs associated with your transportation home or back to your trip destination and doesn’t provide a refund for any unused days of coverage.

Yes, provided you haven’t incurred a claim or required medical treatment or medical consultation during your trip. Your request must be received at least two days before the expiry of your policy.

Trip Cancellations plans are available to anyone provided:

• they’re a Canadian resident;
• the plan is purchased before leaving on a trip;
• the destination isn’t under a travel advisory to avoid non-essential or all travel from the Canadian government in effect at the time they purchased the plan;
• Your trip is valued at $20,000 or less; and
• medical questions have been answered if your trip is valued over $12,000, regardless of your age 

For full instructions on what steps to take visit the Submitting Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insuance Claims page. 

No. This plan is non-refundable.

 Yes, in some provinces.

Benefits for baggage loss, damage & delay are payable up to $500 per item/set, to a maximum of $1,500 per person.

You have coverage as long as:

• You’re travelling while your policy is effective;
• Your trip is within the number of days you have coverage for, from your departure date; and
  • TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought on or after October 5, 2022:
    • The Government of Canada hasn’t issued a travel warning of “Avoid All Travel” or “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” for your destination.  
  • TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought before October 5, 2022:
    • The Government of Canada hasn’t issued a travel warning of “Avoid All Travel” or “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” for something other than COVID-19. Examples would be (but not limited to) terrorism, high crime, violence, civil unrest, other health notices, etc. 

You have emergency medical coverage for medical expenses related to a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 under the emergency medical benefit maximum of $5 million.  
 
You’re covered for emergency medical expenses related to testing positive for COVID-19 when:

• You haven’t had a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 during your stability period.
• You didn’t have any symptoms of COVID-19 before your departure.
• You’re within your allowable days of travel or effective dates of your plan.

TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought on or after October 5, 2022:

You’re not covered for any emergency medical expenses when the Government of Canada has issued the following travel warnings for your destination:

• “Avoid All Travel” warning
• “Avoid Non-Essential Travel”  

 
TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought before October 5, 2022:

You’re not covered for any emergency medical expenses when the Government of Canada has issued the following travel warnings for your destination:

• “Avoid All Travel” warning
• “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” for something other than COVID-19.

Examples would be (but not limited to) terrorism, high crime, violence, civil unrest, other health notices, etc. 

No. We don't require you to be vaccinated to be eligible for emergency medical benefits.

Your coverage would be in effect until your plan expires. However, extensions would not be available. 

If you're stranded or delayed past your scheduled return date due to the delay of a common carrier (bus, train, airplane, etc.) you would be eligible for an automatic three-day coverage extension.

If you're going to be stranded or delayed more than three days due to a COVID-19 disruption, you can purchase a policy extension if you:

• Contact us prior to the expiry date of your policy; and
• Have not had a claim or required medical treatment during your trip and have met the plan's eligibility requirements.

Please call us at 1.800.667.3699 (within Canada and the US) or collect at 1.306.352.7638 (from all other locations) if you need an automatic extension or if you need to purchase an extension. Our Call Centre is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. 

Yes. When buying a TravelStar Emergency Medical Plan as a top-up for a GMS policy, you must:

• Apply for coverage two business days before the expiry of your current policy
• Not have had a claim or required medical treatment during your trip
• Meet the plans eligibility requirements of the policy you are purchasing

Please call us at 1.800.667.3699 (within Canada and the US) or collect at 1.306.352.7638 (from all other locations) if you need to purchase a top-up. Our call centre is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. 

If you have a TravelStar Emergency Medical Plan and it was still in effect when you started your quarantine, we'll automatically extend your policy for 72 hours after you've been discharged from a hospital or you've completed your quarantine requirement. Please make sure to contact GMS Travel Assistance toll free at: 1.800.459.6604 or collect: 905.762.5196.

If you have a TravelStar Emergency Medical Plan and it was still in effect when your travel companion started their quarantine, we'll automatically extend your policy for 72 hours after your travel companion is discharged from a hospital or they’ve completed the required quarantine. Please make sure to contact GMS Travel Assistance toll free at: 1.800.459.6604 or collect: 905.762.5196.

You’ll have coverage, according to the terms and conditions of your policy, up to the expiry date of your plan. 

No. This is not a benefit of the policy. 

No. Vaccinations are not covered.

Yes. If you have no symptoms before your departure date and if you meet the stability requirements of your plan.

You can change or cancel your coverage for a full refund as long as it’s before the effective date. Just give us a call toll free at 1.800.667.3699 or at our local number 306.352.7638, or send us an email at info@gms.ca to cancel. If you purchased your plan through a broker, you can also contact them.

Single-Trip Emergency Medical plans can be refunded. We’ll refund you for your unused days of Single Trip coverage as long as you haven’t submitted a claim for that trip.

Be sure to send us a cancellation request by email no more than 30 days from the day you return home. Once we’ve issued your refund, you’ll no longer be able to submit a claim under that plan. If you purchased your plan through a broker, you can also contact them.

Multi-Trip Annual Emergency Medical plans are not refundable. 

A travel advisory must be in effect on your scheduled travel dates. Due to that, you must wait to cancel your trip within 2 weeks of your departure date. Please click here for further information on how and when to submit your claim.

Our Trip Cancellation Plans offer coverage for costs that can’t be recovered when a trip is cancelled - for example a non-refundable deposit. If your supplier has offered a voucher/credit for the total value of your cancelled trip, it’s considered a full refund under your Trip Cancellation Plan. With a full refund available in voucher/credit form, there is no cost to be recovered, and a claim cannot be made.

With that said, you may be eligible for a premium refund. Please call us at 1-800-667-3699 for more information.

Any disputes over refunds and vouchers/credits should be directed to your travel provider, transportation carrier, or the Canadian Transportation Agency

No. There is no coverage for any happening if the Canadian government issues a global travel advisory.

You’d be eligible for a premium refund if your travel supplier (ex. airline, tour operator, cruise ship, etc):

• cancelled the trip and gave you a full refund with all penalties waived; or
• changed the travel dates and gave you a full refund with all penalties waived because you’re unable to travel on the new dates.

There’s no need to extend your policy if you’re delayed returning home. You can submit a claim for your interrupted trip once you get back home.

Yes, you can change the dates of your coverage as long as you haven’t left on your trip and your new departure date is within 18 months from the date you purchased your plan.

You have coverage as long as:  

• It meets the definition of a medical emergency in your policy
• There isn’t a global travel advisory issued
• There was no travel advisory to “avoid non-essential” or “avoid all travel” before you purchased your plan.
• For Multi-trip plans, you have coverage if there was no travel advisory in place before your purchase date or booking date.

Yes, you’d have coverage under your Trip Cancellation plan if the situation meets the policy definition of a medical emergency.

COVID-19 is considered an emergency when:

• You have a positive PCR test, and have seen a doctor for treatment. Medical treatment can be prescribed medication, recommended bed rest, fluids, etc. The doctor must also advise that you are not fit to travel. 
• For a claim, you will need to include a doctor's note or have the doctor fill in the physician section on the claim form along with proof of the positive PCR test.

COVID-19 is not considered a medical emergency when: 

• You have mild to no symptoms, test positive with a rapid test, and have not consulted a doctor.

There is only coverage as long as the government did not issue a global travel advisory. Your plan will cover the cost to change your ticket or book one-way transportation home, whichever’s less. You’ll also have coverage for unused, non-refundable tickets, accommodations, car rentals, etc.

No. Coverage is only applicable when the Government of Canada has a travel advisory for your destination of “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel.” 

No. You must wait to be sure that the Avoid all" or "Avoid non-essential" travel warning for your trip is still in place for your travel dates or still in place within 2 weeks of your originally scheduled departure date. 

No. Trips valued at more than $20,000 per person are not eligible for coverage.

If you have a TravelStar Emergency Plan, you can use the confirmation document as proof. The confirmation document was included in the email we sent when you purchased your coverage.  

TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought on or after October 5, 2022 

No. There is no coverage for the entire trip if any part of it includes travel to a region where, prior to the departure, there is a travel advisory issued by the government to "avoid non-essential travel" or "avoid all travel" for a country, region, city or destination, including cruise ships, that are part of your destination.  

TravelStar Emergency Medical Plans bought before October 5, 2022 Plans 

No. There is no coverage for the entire trip if any part of it includes travel to a region where, prior to the departure, there is a travel advisory issued by the government to "avoid non-essential travel" for other reasons than COVID-19 or "avoid all travel" for a country, region, city or destination, including cruise ships, that are part of your destination.

No. When buying a TravelStar Trip Cancellation Plan you must insure the full amount that you pre-paid for the trip per person.