Sun Life: Emergency Travel Assistance and COVID-19
We recognize Thinkers are beginning to travel internationally and have received questions about what our Sun Life Emergency Travel Insurance coverage is as it relates to COVID-19. Sun Life has provided the following summary which will hopefully answer common questions, but if you need additional assistance to understand our travel coverage, please reach out to our benefits administrators.
TL;DR
You and your dependents are covered for up to 90 days for medical emergencies including care required due to testing positive for COVID-19. This coverage will start on the day you leave Canada. To qualify for payment, you must have active provincial health coverage in your province of residence.
Our Sun Life plan covers:
- 100% of physicians’ fees,
- 100% of hospital fees,
- 100% of ambulance services, and
- 100% of economy airfare for the patient to go home, if necessary.
Sun Life won't cover you if you’re required to quarantine unless you require immediate emergency medical treatment. This includes:
- If you test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic or are experiencing mild symptoms that do not require immediate medical treatment; or
- If you test negative for COVID-19 but are still required to quarantine.
For more information, please read Sun Life's latest member communication on out-of-country travel insurance: Sun Life Emergency Travel Insurance.pdf or refer to our Sun Life group benefits booklet.
FAQs
Sun Life continues to provide coverage during epidemics or pandemics, but we advise you to pay attention to the Government of Canada Travel Advisory website before deciding to leave Canada. If you are traveling to a foreign country, we advise you to call Allianz Global Assistance to verify the current status of the country or territory where you intend to travel, or contact Foreign Affairs Canada (Consular Affairs) at 1-800-267-6788 or 613-944-6788 or verify their website for travel updates and current issues.
❗️Ensure you keep a physical (or digital copy) of your Sun Life card with you at all times while travelling.❗️
If you experience an emergency while traveling, your first step will be to call Allianz Global Assistance at 1-800-511-4610 in Canada and the U.S. You can also call collect, through an international operator at 1-519-514-0351. They work with you to assess your coverage, help arrange treatment and manage your claim.
What is considered a medical emergency?
A medical emergency is an acute illness or accidental injury that requires immediate medical treatment, as prescribed by a doctor. This includes treatment for pain or illness that cannot wait until you return home.
Your plan also covers medical emergencies related to pregnancy. However, a planned birth or prenatal check-up in a country other than Canada is not covered.
You also have coverage for emergency medical needs for any conditions you had before your departure. Non-emergency treatment is not covered.
Sun Life will treat illness related to COVID-19 like any other medical emergency. This means there are no exclusions with this being a pandemic. Please note that you won’t have coverage for any expenses related to quarantine, unless you show symptoms of, or have tested positive for, COVID-19. This applies even if a doctor or medical professional mandates your quarantine.
If you choose to be tested for COVID-19 on an elective basis, including tests required to travel back to Canada, our plans do not cover this expense. We will continue to cover any medically necessary expenses incurred while travelling outside Canada, in order to manage a medical emergency, as outlined in your contract.
Your plan will not cover costs related to mandatory quarantine in a hotel when you return home to Canada after a trip outside the country.
Out-of-country emergency medical expenses are covered at 100%, to a combined lifetime maximum of $3,000,000.00 per person.