5 risks to watch out for when travelling abroad

Planning on jetting off for few months to soak up the sun, road-tripping across North America or backpacking across Asia? Before you leave, make sure to get travel insurance. That way, you'll be protected against unexpected situations, like illness, accidents or misunderstandings. Here are a few things to consider:

If you have an accident or get sick while you're travelling, emergency care could end up costing a lot. For example, in the United States, 1 day in the hospital costs an average of $10,000 to $12,000, and in some cases, it could even cost as much as $40,000! Luckily, Emergency Health Care can cover up to $5 million in medical care and services, emergency transportation expenses and repatriation expenses¹ per insured person, so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

Travel insurance often excludes coverage for unstable injuries or medical conditions, which are also known as pre-existing conditions. You may be considered as having a pre-existing condition if you experienced symptoms, underwent treatment or consulted a medical professional for a health problem prior to the coverage period. It's a good idea to learn about any applicable restrictions and to take out additional insurance if necessary. 

When you're travelling and there's an emergency (your home is damaged, a loved one is in hospital or has died), this doesn't just ruin your travel plans—it could also ruin your finances. That's why, in certain cases, if you have to make an emergency trip back home, Emergency Return Trip coverage could reimburse you for the cost of your flight home and back to your destination.¹

You can't find your ID, someone stole your credit card or you have a misunderstanding with local authorities. Even at home, these are stressful events—imagine if any of them occurred abroad, with everything happening in a foreign language and culture! When you're travelling and it's an emergency, the Desjardins Insurance² telephone assistance service can help you find solutions to your medical and non-medical problems. This bilingual service, with translators and interpreters, is available 24/7 to assist you before you head off and during your stay abroad.    

When you're abroad, it can be complicated to carry out even a simple transaction like sending, receiving or borrowing funds. But when you're in Florida, you can take advantage of French-language service from Desjardins Bank and enjoy access to the products and services that fit your needs.

Take long trips to create lifelong memories If you take out travel insurance before you leave, you can pack your bags with peace of mind and focus on what matters most: enjoying every minute of your new adventure.