Thanksgiving has arrived and it arrived early.

On September 21st, our region was hit with not only one but six tornadoes. I am so proud of our Ottawa/Gatineau region for shining our humanity by pulling together and showing kindness through adversity. We opened our homes and our hearts to ensure our neighbours/community were taken care of.

We have shown that not only are we survivors but also some of the best in humanity. To the men and women who worked tirelessly to get things back to normal for us, we are extremely grateful.

As we get ready for Thanksgiving, I take great pleasure to personally express my deepest gratitude for your trust, your friendship, your continuing business relationship, and most of all, YOU. It is a privilege that I get to work with you, my wonderful people, to turn your dreams into realities. Thank YOU!

For this season, I would like to challenge you into having smaller celebrations and donating food, money or volunteering your time to the Food Banks. Let’s continue this spirit of kindness and help those who were left without homes and who have to start fresh.

For those who are traveling for the holidays, out of province or overseas, make sure to invest in travel insurance. Make sure the insurance covers your entire trip, including the day you leave and the day you return.
Please follow this link for our Holiday and Travel Tips – “Bon Voyage, But…”

Remember to always “Dream it. Plan it. Live it.”

Despite the Canadian dollar being at its historical low, many Canadians are still finding value in visiting the United States for bargain hunting or catching discount flights.

Whatever the reason for you to cross the border, you will need travel insurance! US and international medical costs continue to rise, and it’s in your best interests to be covered.

Why should I get travel insurance?

“BON VOYAGE, BUT …”, published by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, states: “Do not rely on your provincial or territorial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad, or even out-of-province.”

Your provincial health care plan provides only limited coverage for medical treatment and hospital costs. Expenses such as ambulance services, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs may not be covered.

Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan may not cover any medical expenses abroad. You might need to get some top-up travel insurance.

Some credit cards do offer travel insurance, but these plans often have limited benefits and coverage.

Without travel insurance, a broken arm or even the flu could turn into a substantial medical bill, potentially costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars more than you thought you would spend on your trip.

For a few cents a day, travel insurance protects you, the ones you love, and your belongings from the financial nightmare of an accident or sudden illness on a trip, and from unexpected expenses if you miss a flight or if your luggage is stolen.

Spend a little NOW — and save a whole lot later.

When should I purchase travel insurance?

Buy insurance coverage from the time you purchase your ticket to be on the safe side or before leaving on your trip at the latest. Make sure the insurance covers your entire trip, including the day you leave and the day you return.

If you normally take more than one trip annually, you can save money by purchasing a Multi-Trip Travel Insurance.

Which travel insurance plan is best for you?

There are many choices and options available. Whether you′re looking for a little peace of mind or a lot of travel protection, you can have a customizable insurance plan that fits your needs, for just about any kind of trip, anywhere in the world.

Here are some of the choices:

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance
Provides coverage in case your travel plans are cancelled or disrupted due to unforeseen reasons including a new government formal warning regarding the travel destination, missed connection, unexpected medical emergency or death.

Baggage Insurance
Pays for the loss, damage, destruction or theft of personal effects owned by you while in transit, or while in any hotel or any other building, en route anywhere in the world, on water, land or in the air.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Provides coverage in the event of your death or dismemberment as a result of an injury while riding as a fare-paying passenger on an airplane, helicopter or common carrier (bus, train, boat).

Emergency Travel Medical Insurance
Provides coverage in case of injury or sickness requiring an emergency hospital stay or emergency medical treatment while traveling outside of your home province or territory abroad or within Canada.

Additional benefits include: licensed ambulance, emergency dental expense, prescription drug reimbursement, emergency medical transport, family transportation expense, board and lodging for you or your traveling companion while you or your traveling companion is confined to hospital, escort home of insured children and more.

All-Inclusive Insurance – the most popular plan
Provides you extensive coverage for your trip. The All-Inclusive Insurance combines all of the above insurances.

Student Travel Insurance
Provides coverage for international students studying in Canada, Canadian students studying either abroad or outside their principal province of residence.

Visitors to Canada Travel Insurance
Provides coverage for people visiting or applying for a Super Visa, people in Canada on a work or student visa, new immigrants who are waiting for government health insurance plan coverage and returning Canadians who are waiting for the reinstatement of their government health insurance plan coverage.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Contact us directly for more choices. We are more than happy to serve you.
If you wish to do your own research, here are a couple of links to get you started:

 Regardless how you do it, make sure you enjoy your trip to its fullest.

Bon Voyage!

Remember to always “Dream It. Plan It. Live It.”
I am here to help you on your journey. Reach out if I can be of any assistance.

A comprehensive benefits program is a major component of any organization’s compensation package. It provides protection for an employer’s most important assets, its employees, and helps to attract top candidates in today’s competitive employment marketplace.