COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic

Q1 – I have Out-of-Country Emergency Medical Insurance with 21st Century. Am I covered for Emergency Medical expenses if I get sick due to COVID-19?

A1 – Check the travel advisories at travel.gc.ca for your destination(s) prior to your departure. If there is no Level 3 or 4 advisory in effect for you or your destination on your departure date, you are covered for COVID-19 just as you would be for any other medical emergency. You even have some quarantine coverage if you must quarantine following a positive COVID test or diagnosis. The COVID-19 Emergency Medical Rider will be needed if the destination has a level 3 or 4 advisory relating to COVID-19 risk. It is important to note that a Level 3 advisory still applies to you if you are unvaccinated on the date of departure.

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Please note that Canadians who leave Canada when a COVID-19 related Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory is in effect are not covered for COVID-19 on our regular outbound Emergency Medical insurance products and they need additional protection. The COVID-19 Emergency Medical Rider will provide full coverage for the vaccinated and $1,000,000 of coverage for the unvaccinated (except on cruises where the Rider does not provide coverage for the unvaccinated). With the purchase of the Rider, kids under 5 can be covered for up to $1,000,000 of COVID-19 Emergency Medical benefits while they are still ineligible to receive the vaccine or, once they are eligible, during the transition period while they book appointments, get their two doses, and wait the 14 days after the second dose as required.

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Q2 – Does the Emergency Medical coverage in my policy provide any protection if I need to quarantine at my destination due to a positive COVID-19 test or COVID-19 sickness?

A2 – If there is no Level 3 or 4 advisory for you or your destination on your departure date, this would be considered a medical emergency and our regular insurance plans provide some limited reimbursement for hotel and meal expenses following the medical emergency. If a Level 3 or Level 4 advisory is in place relating to COVID-19 on your departure date, you will need to add our COVID-19 Rider to be covered for COVID-19 and the Rider will then include the same benefits in a quarantine situation subject to the coverage limits and terms provided by the Rider. Please note that our Rider does NOT provide coverage to unvaccinated travellers on a cruise.

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Q3 – If I test positive or become ill due to COVID-19 while on my insured trip, will my insurance coverage be automatically extended?

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A3 – Coverage for COVID-19 depends on many things, including; when you bought your insurance, when you travel, what the travel advisory is when you depart on your trip, etc. If your COVID-related medical emergency is covered under the terms of your insurance, then Automatic Extension of all benefits in your insurance will also apply for the full length of any required quarantine period plus 5 days. If a return flight cannot be secured within the 5-day window, you will need to purchase additional coverage for these extra days.