Planning a trip? How the right insurance plan could help manage travel stress

Dreaming of new adventures in 2026? You’re not alone. From domestic escapes to international journeys, a recent TD Insurance survey revealed that 73 per cent of Canadians polled plan to travel for pleasure over the coming months — and 36 per cent are looking to explore a new destination.*

If travelling more is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, you may want to consider travel insurance from TD Insurance so you can travel with confidence, no matter where you’re headed.

Budget for protection

How will you handle a surprise cost if something goes wrong? According to the TD Insurance survey, nearly one-in-four Canadians say they couldn’t cover any out-of-pocket expenses without travel insurance.* Think surprise medical bills, a cancelled flight, or an extra hotel night — simple inconveniences that can add up fast.

With many younger adults keen to save money whenever possible, 51 per cent of Gen Z and 39 per cent of Millennials planning to travel within Canada say the likelihood of needing to cancel a trip is too low to justify the cost of travel insurance.* But a medical emergency and trip cancellation out of your control could end up costing much more.

Double-check your existing coverage

Some Canadians who intend to skip travel insurance may assume they’re already covered by provincial healthcare plans, employee benefits, or credit cards — especially when travelling domestically. In reality, all forms of coverage have limitations and gaps that could lead to unexpected bills if something goes wrong.

For example, if you’re travelling to another province or territory, your provincial health plan may provide little to no coverage for certain medical expenses like ambulance services or prescription medication. So, if you’re from Ontario and need an ambulance in Nova Scotia without private insurance coverage, that could cost you at least $700.

The best way to help financially protect yourself from the unexpected is to check your existing coverage and consider whether you require additional coverage before you go travelling.

Travel with confidence with TD Insurance

If you’re going to put in the time and money to travel, it helps to be prepared. One of the best times to purchase travel insurance is right when you book your trip. Locking it in early could help cover you for unused travel arrangements if your trip is cancelled or interrupted for a covered reason.

Next, check your existing coverage through your employer or credit card to determine any limits or exclusions, and top up that coverage if needed. Be sure to consider the length of your trip, the number of travellers, and the frequency of travel. If you’re already an existing TD Credit Card Holder, you can learn about what travel insurance benefits are available on your card through the TD Credit Card Travel Insurance Verification Tool.

Finally, learn more and obtain a quote online with TD Insurance to find the best policy to suit your needs, goals, and budgets. TD Insurance offers four different plan options, including single-trip and annual plans for both medical and trip cancellation, and interruption coverage.

This year, travel with confidence. Learn more about travel insurance on the TD Insurance website.

*This survey was undertaken by The Harris Poll Canada. It ran overnight on May 30, 2025, with 1,534 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panellists. The results have been weighted by age, gender, region, and education (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Canada. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of ±2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals when compared to the data tables are due to rounding.

Kendall Bistretzan

Branded Content Writer

Kendall Bistretzan is a Calgary-based writer, reporter, and coffee enthusiast. In her spare time, she loves to read, have dinner with friends, and sing in her car. She is currently querying her debut fiction novel. You can find her on Instagram @kendallbistwrites.

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