2020 and what it could’ve been! Trips to the beaches of Mexico, strolling the shops of St.Tropez, tasting the wines and cheeses of Europe. It all seems like a dream now! What you may have had planned for this year and the way it turned out is likely two different scenarios. COVID-19 has put quite a damper on many of our travel agendas, to say the least. However, maybe the hiccup in plans isn’t as bad as it seems? Now there is more time to think ahead and find ways to save on your future domestic trips or across the border. Start dreaming now and be prepared to hop on that jet or jump in that car when things get better.
Here are our tips on how to plan for your future travel:
Practicing Caution
Whether you decide to travel within the borders now or wait until the borders open up again, safety will be the top priority for a while. Travelling by car, airplane or train there are a few ways to BC Centre for Disease Control recommends you travel during a global pandemic:
- Make sure you have checked the travel advisories to know the risk to your health before embarking out of your province.
- It’s important to be prepared when entering a public area, so remember to pack hand sanitizer, masks and avoid crowded areas as much as possible.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Bring disinfectant wipes for gas pumps if you will be taking a road trip.
- Consider packing your own food so you don’t need to make as many stops.
Be aware: As of the publish date of this article, The Government of Canada now requires temperature screening for all passengers flying within or to Canada. This screening is performed at security or at the gate. All people entering Canada by air, sea, or land are required to self-isolate for 14 days even if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms for accommodation and activities.
Deciding on a Destination
The decision of if and where to travel in 2020 or 2021, will likely depend on the following
factors:
- Are you at a high risk of developing serious health issues from COVID-19? This may prompt you to consider destinations with fewer outbreaks.
- Is your trip essential? Business, emergency, and family travel means you likely already have a destination where you need to be and in that case, the next steps would be finding the safest route to get there and to avoid crowded public spaces once you’ve arrived.
- Domestic Vacation Travel – is there somewhere within your home country that you’ve always wanted to go to and never have, or maybe a funky Air BnB you saw on Instagram and have been dreaming of escaping to? Now’s your chance!
What about returning to a local nostalgic spot where you loved visiting in the past and haven’t been in a while? A trip down memory lane, (especially during the holidays) can be quite sentimental and create a place for new memories/traditions to start.
We are especially lucky in Canada, to live where the landscapes are vastly different and we are very spread out, allowing for the opportunity to get lost on a multitude of amazing adventures while borders remain closed.
Did you know that when travelling to another province, your provincial healthcare system may not cover everything? If you have an accident or become unwell in another province, services such as ambulance rides, hospital transfers, or transportation back to your home province, will likely not be covered. That’s why you may want to look into travel insurance to cover you while you travel domestically.
*HOT TIP:
Check for booking and cancellation flexibility for accommodation and activities. The overall health of today’s world is somewhat unpredictable these days. It’s wise to look at the options for rescheduling or cancelling a trip before you book. See what the options are with the hotel and airlines before committing to a date and place.
You could save big by taking your time planning ahead for your next trip, not only on flights and hotels but also on travel insurance. We have some great options to enhance your insurance, to help ensure when you feel comfortable to travel again, you don’t miss out on your dream destinations!
- Get 3 bonus months included when you buy a Multi-Trip Annual Travel Insurance plan. To secure the best rate possible for future travel, take advantage of this offer before December 31, 2020.
- As a BC Resident, you can save up to 10% on your policy up until March 31st, 2021.
Not ready to travel just yet? You have the flexibility to buy up to 1 year in advance of your trip start date.
Our travel insurance policies can cover:
- Medical expenses
- Trip interruption and cancellation
- Baggage
- Rental car protection
- COVID-19 cancellations
Travel insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that if things don’t go according to plan; you are at least financially protected during your journey. Hopefully, these tips on future travel will give you something to look forward to for 2021!
Whether you plan to travel within Canada or are counting down the days to venture abroad, we’ve got you covered, when you’re ready to travel again. Contact a JMI Insurance agent to discuss upcoming travel options.