Real-life reasons why you need travel insurance when going on holidays

Have you ever had a vacation spoiled because you came down with a cold and didn't want to get out of your hotel bed, but did anyway? After all, it's your vacation and you want to make the most of it. Luckily, a cold doesn't typically require an emergency room visit. But there are many common illnesses and injuries when a visit to the emergency room is needed.

The following are not only real-life reasons, but also some of the most common travel insurance claims submitted by Canadians while away on vacation.

Top afflictions facing Canadian travellers and the potential medical costs

Claim information provided by T.I.C. Travel Insurance Coordinators

• Animal bites: Claims due to an animal bit range in price from $2000 to $5000. The reason for the wide range? Depending on the severity, lacerations caused from a bite are difficult to repair and may require plastic surgery.



• Insect bites: These "pesky" claims usually fall under $500 for common bites.



• Sunburn: Spending a little too long in the sun without sun block can cost up to $500.



• Insect borne diseases: Using Malaria as an example, treatment can cost between $2000- $4000 depending on whether the person is hospitalized, and for how long.



• Gastrointestinal problems: It is quite common, for instance, to come down with diarrhea while away in places like Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and some cruise ships. Based on past claims submitted, the cost typically comes in just $500.



• Respiratory infections: A "simple" case of bronchitis usually costs around $500 for treatment, but pneumonia which requires hospitalization, can range from $10,000 and up, depending on the age of the person and the difficulty of their treating their infection.

Going mountain trekking or diving while travelling?

Vacations are great times to try out new adventures, which we might not always do while at home. But sometimes these adventures come with risks, which we might not anticipate.

• Mountain sickness: Claims submitted for being ill while mountain trekking or hiking can vary greatly. Part of the reason is that the ill person has to be taken off the mountain, which can mean a helicopter transport to the nearest facility. This can run anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000.



• "The Bends" or Decompression sickness: This ailment usually occurs when divers return to the water's surface too quickly. Symptoms include itching skin, rashes, joint pain, fatigue, numbness, paralysis, or in severe cases, even death. Treatment involves putting the person in a recompression chamber for a couple days at an approximate cost of $5000.

Protect yourself - Get travel insurance

Travelling often means enjoying new experiences, tastes and activities and the last thing anyone wants to think about when planning or taking a holiday is getting sick or injured. But it is often these new, unfamiliar experiences which we look forward to while on holiday that can lead to illness or injury. Whether it is due to inexperience while hiking or biking, or a low tolerance to some of the local cuisine, emergency medical travel insurance can take the sting out of needing medical attention.

As illustrated by the medical costs for some of the most common, real-life reasons for needing travel insurance, an illness or injury could not only ruin your vacation but could have financial consequences for years to come. That's why it is so important to protect yourself with travel insurance. After all, why risk it when emergency travel health insurance costs so little and can save you so much? Not to mention the peace of mind it will give you knowing you're covered.

You can start shopping now at Kanetix.ca to find the best rate, or just click: trip travel insurance.