Multi-destination trips and travel insurance

You’ve managed to set aside several weeks, perhaps months, to go on the trip of a lifetime to multiple countries. To get the most out of your money, consider airlines that offer stopovers between home and a final destination. Stopovers are a great way to fly to two cities for the cost of one. A deal long offered by European and Middle Eastern Airlines, stopovers are extended layovers of usually up to a week. Some airlines also offer sightseeing packages and accommodations in major hubs. You can also book multi-city airfares through travel search engines such as KAYAK.

You could also consider choosing a country as a temporary home base that has a low cost of living, a robust market for budget airlines, and is near other international destinations you have your heart set on.  Additionally, visiting regions connected by efficient, extensive train travel is optimal. Safety may also be of concern. Be sure to check for any advisories for your destination before travelling. 

If you want to take the big plunge and literally circumnavigate the globe, the most economical way to go is to purchase a round-the-world ticket from an airline alliance. As partnerships between independent airlines worldwide, airline alliances can connect you to geographically diverse hubs. You can stop at multiple points, and pay for it all at once. The primary alliances in the airline industry are Star Alliance, One World, and Skyteam; the largest of which is Star Alliance. A confederation of 26 airlines that fly to 1,300 airports, Star Alliance has a presence in 98 percent of nations. 

Travel insurance is a necessity for protecting your health, belongings and trip plans while travelling abroad. You should know that your government health insurance plan may not fully protect you in the event of medical emergencies you may have while travelling outside your home province. Travel insurance by Allianz Global Assistance may help you fill these coverage gaps during your multi-national excursion. 

If you’re planning an extensive trip that will have you jet setting for most of the year, consider an annual policy. Annual travel insurance coverage by Allianz Global Assistance gives you the convenience of paying one annual fee for as many trips as you may take during the year. Our annual plans may cover medical and dental emergency care and transportation for unlimited trips, up to 10 or 30 days.

Before shopping for a travel policy, you should consider a few details. Are you travelling with kids? Do you have a pre-existing condition? How long will you be travelling? Allianz Global Assistance covers emergency transportation home for dependents travelling with you if you’re hospitalized. We also provide a $500 reimbursement for the return of your pets to Canada if you are hospitalized. 

Travel insurance by Allianz Global Assistance also may also cover pre-existing conditions under certain conditions. Depending on factors like the traveller's age and trip length, the pre-existing condition exclusion will require that any previous medical condition be stable for a specified period of time before your departure date (e.g. 90 or 180 days). For more information, read more about our plan options.

Be aware of any coverage exclusions, which are situations in which your travel insurance won’t reimburse for losses. Exclusions include injuries due to extreme sports, such as climbing, and any event that was foreseeable, or expected when your plan was purchased. And be sure to keep a copy of your policy handy during your travels, or download our TripWise Mobile App for on-the-go information about coverage. You can also use the app to quickly file a claim, access information on nearby medical facilities and pharmacies, and more. 

As a world leader in travel protection, we help Canadians and Visitors to Canada answer the call of adventure with confidence every year. Let us be there for you too.

Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators Group of Companies, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.

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