insurance iq
Carol and John StileS had finished a nice dinner with family in Casa Grande , Arizona when John started feeling ill . Come morning , he felt even worse . The couple headed to a medical clinic , where John was immediately referred to the local hospital due to a blocked bowel . “ Of course , I was a little panicky ,” Carol says . “ My husband was
insurance iq
Don ’ t Leave Home Without It
Why travel insurance is the one thing you should always pack
By Jennifer allford
sick in a foreign country — even if it was the States .”
Thankfully , the Stiles had purchased emergency travel medical insurance before they left Brandon . At the hospital , Carol immediately called the number on their CAA Travel Insurance card . And she was relieved to hear that everything would be covered for John .
He remained at the hospital where , on doctor ’ s orders , he tried to “ walk off ” the obstruction in hopes of avoiding surgery . And walk he did : “ We clocked 10 to 15 miles a day walking around the Phoenix hospital ,” Carol says . “ We would go 10 laps one way and 10 times the other .” In the end , the walking paid off and John didn ’ t require surgery . After about a week , he was discharged , feeling fine .
John ’ s six days in the hospital cost $ 37,000 USD — the surgery would ’ ve added another $ 40,000 to the bill . But the Stiles didn ’ t have to pay a penny . The snowbirds have been heading south every winter for years and they always purchase travel insurance before they leave . “ We know our provincial plan doesn ’ t cover all the expenses that come with an accident or a medical issue ,” Carol adds . “ This gives us peace of mind .”
When the Stiles returned home to Brandon , they were greeted by a bill from the Arizona hospital . “ There seemed to be a kerfuffle in there somewhere ,” she says . She just took the bill to the CAA Manitoba Brandon store , where it was immediately taken care of . “ Your shoulders drop and you relax , because you have such confidence in the people sitting across the desk from you .”
Her advice for other would-be travellers and snowbirds ? “ Always get the insurance — don ’ t even hesitate . You could lose your house if you don ’ t !”
The Stiles are busy planning their next trip south of the border : A trip to Boston to visit their daughter and her kids . In between shopping for gifts for her grandchildren , Carol has another important errand before jetting off : “ I am going to get our insurance !”
Cover Up
three reasons why caa travel insurance will work for you
1 . caa travel insurance * covers pre-existing conditions when stable . check with a caa travel consultant to find out if yours is covered .
2 . there ’ s no age limit , unlike some credit card and insurance providers . Whether you ’ re 17 or 70 , it ’ s always a good idea to get coverage before you leave the province .
3 . coverage is affordable and it only takes a couple of minutes to apply .
CAA members save 10 %:** caamanitoba . com / pack
* caa travel insurance is underwritten by orion travel insurance company . Exclusions , limitations and restrictions apply . a Medical Questionnaire is required if you are 60 years of age or older . ** applies to caa Members in good standing with dues paid in full by membership expiry date . 10 % savings applies to the total premium excluding applicable taxes . Minimum premium applies . Excludes Visitors to canada insurance . Rates are subject to change without notice .
FangXianuo / istock
30 Spring 2018 cAA MAniTOBA