Trip Cancellation Insurance Not a Priority for 65 per Cent of Canadian Travellers

Almost two-thirds of Canadians either don't buy or are unsure if they have trip cancellation insurance before leaving on holiday.

TORONTO, Feb. 5, 2019 /CNW/ - From flights to hotels, rental cars and pre-paid excursions, going on vacation is expensive. In fact, Kanetix.ca estimates that the typical vacation costs about $2,938 per person. Yet, according to a recent Kanetix.ca survey, 65 per cent of Canadians do not buy, or know if they have, trip cancellation insurance when they make plans to go on holiday.

With an average vacation cost of almost $3,000, however, why don't more travellers buy trip cancellation insurance? The survey found that for those travellers who don't buy trip cancellation insurance, the reasons varied:

• 36 per cent of Canadians believe the insurance is expensive
• 28 per cent said they have it on their credit card
• 18 per cent are not confident a claim would be paid
• 15 per cent have coverage through their workplace benefits
• 13 per cent have never heard of trip cancellation insurance
• 12 per cent believe their travel medical policy includes it

"For all that trip cancellation insurance covers, it's an inexpensive way to protect the money you've invested into going on vacation," explains said Janine White, VP of marketplaces and strategy at Kanetix.ca. "Whether it's due to a death in the family, being called to jury duty, or a sudden injury or illness that prevents you from travelling, trip cancellation insurance can help you recoup travel expenses that are non-refundable or prepaid should you need to cancel your plans."

Trip cancellation insurance can also provide coverage if you're laid off from your job, your home suffers a catastrophic loss like fire or flooding, severe weather, as well as new "avoid travel" advisories issued by the Government of Canada, among other situations that may force you to cancel your plans unexpectedly.

"If you believe you have trip cancellation insurance through your credit card or workplace benefits, we encourage you to review your policy's limits to ensure the full value of the trip is covered," adds Ms. White. "And, if you think your travel medical policy includes trip cancellation, we want you to be sure of it. Unless an all inclusive policy has been purchased, which bundles emergency medical, trip cancellation and baggage loss coverage into one policy, there's a chance you don't have the coverage you think you do."

About the study

The Kanetix.ca survey, was conducted by Leger using their online panel between January 4 and January 7, 2019 and polled 960 Canadians who do not purchase trip cancellation or do not know if they purchase trip cancellation insurance. The margin of error for this study was +/-3.2%, 19 times out of 20.

About Kanetix.ca

Kanetix.ca publishes rates from 50+ insurance providers, more than any other comparison platform in Canada so that users can find the best insurance rates for them. Use our site to find the best rates on Auto, Home, Tenant, Travel and Commercial Insurance. 

Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Kanetix.ca is located at 360 Adelaide Street West,?Suite 100, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1R7

SOURCE Kanetix