The March Break Travel Boom — Why Travel Insurance Matters More Than Ever in 2026

March Break 2026 is just around the corner, and families across Ontario and Alberta are preparing for one of the busiest travel periods of the year. From sunny beach escapes to city adventures and international flights, millions of Canadians will be travelling in the coming weeks.

But if recent years have taught travellers anything, it’s this: Travel plans can change quickly.

Why?

In 2026 especially, travel insurance is more important than it has been in many years. Because the world has become more unpredictable. Airlines continue adjusting schedules, healthcare costs abroad continue to rise, and global economic and geopolitical conditions can affect travel with little warning.

When you’re travelling outside Canada or out of your home province, even a small problem can quickly turn into a major issue.

That’s why travel insurance isn’t just an optional extra — it’s a practical way to protect your trip, your health, and your finances.

Why Travel Insurance Makes Sense in 2026

1) Trips Can Cancel or Change at the Last Minute

Unexpected events can disrupt even well-planned vacations:

• Illness before departure
• Severe weather
• Airline cancellations
• Transportation delays

Without insurance, you risk losing prepaid travel expenses such as:

• Flights
• Hotel deposits
• Tours or activity bookings

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage can help reimburse those costs when unexpected events prevent you from travelling.

2) Emergency Medical Coverage Is Vital — Especially Abroad

Medical care outside Canada can get expensive. Without travel insurance, you may be responsible for:

• Hospital stays
• Emergency evacuation or air ambulance
• Physician visits
• Prescription medications

Reminder: Provincial health plans such as OHIP or Alberta Health provide very limited reimbursement outside Canada or out of your home province, and costs can escalate quickly — especially in the United States.

In serious cases, medical bills abroad can exceed $50,000–$100,000 USD. Travel medical insurance protects you from these potentially overwhelming expenses.

3) What Travel Insurance Typically Covers

Depending on the plan you choose, travel insurance may include coverage for:

• Emergency medical treatment and evacuation
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption
• Baggage loss or delays
• Travel delays
• Optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage upgrades

An insurance specialist can help ensure the policy matches your destination, trip length and travel activities.

4) Credit Card Travel Insurance — Know the Limits

Some credit cards offer basic travel insurance if the trip is purchased using the card. However, these policies often have limitations:

• Lower coverage limits
• Family members may not be fully covered
• Pre-existing conditions may be excluded
• Coverage may not apply if travel advisories are issued

Many travellers discover these limitations only after something goes wrong. That’s why many Canadians choose supplemental travel insurance for stronger protection.

What To Do If Something Happens While Travelling

If something unexpected occurs during your trip, here are a few important steps:

1. Contact your travel insurance provider immediately: Most insurers have 24/7 emergency assistance centres that can guide you through medical care, travel changes, or claims.
2. Seek medical attention when needed: Your insurer can often coordinate care with hospitals or clinics abroad.
3. Keep documentation: Save receipts, medical reports, prescriptions, and travel confirmations.
4. Stay in contact with the assistance team: They can help with hospital coordination, evacuation arrangements, or travel rebooking if necessary.

Emergency Contact Numbers for Our Travel Insurance Providers

If you purchased travel insurance through My Insurance Broker, your policy documents will include one of these insurance providers' emergency contact numbers:

• CAA Orion Travel Insurance | Emergency Assistance: 1-800-848-1333
• Allianz Global Assistance | Emergency Assistance: 1-800-995-1662
• GMS Travel Insurance | Emergency Assistance: 1-800-665-8830
• Manulife Travel Insurance | Emergency Assistance: 1-866-707-4922
• TuGo Travel Insurance | Emergency Assistance: 1-855-929-8846

These assistance centres are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help travellers anywhere in the world.

Travel Insurance by the Numbers

Many travellers still underestimate the real cost of emergencies abroad. Consider these facts:

• Emergency medical treatment abroad can exceed $50,000 USD in serious cases.
• Air ambulance transportation back to Canada can cost $25,000–$40,000 USD.
• Provincial health plans typically reimburse only a small portion of overseas medical costs.

For many travellers, travel insurance is one of the most affordable ways to protect a trip worth thousands of dollars.

Top 6 Travel Insurance Questions Canadians Ask Before March Break

1) Do I really need travel insurance if I’m healthy?

Yes. Even healthy travellers can experience accidents, unexpected illnesses, or travel disruptions. Medical costs abroad can be extremely high.

2) Doesn’t my credit card already cover travel insurance?

Possibly — but coverage limits and exclusions can vary significantly. Many credit card policies offer limited coverage or exclude certain travellers or medical conditions.

3) Does OHIP cover medical care outside Canada?

Only partially. OHIP provides very limited reimbursement for medical care outside Canada and out of province. In many cases, the coverage represents only a small portion of actual costs.

4) How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance is usually very affordable, and vary by your age, destination, and trip length.

5) What happens if I get sick while travelling?

Your insurer’s emergency assistance team will help coordinate medical care, hospital admission, and payment arrangements. This support is one of the most valuable parts of travel insurance.

6) When should I buy travel insurance?

Ideally as soon as you book your trip. This ensures you are protected if unexpected events occur before departure.

Final Thought: Travel with Peace of Mind

March Break should be about relaxing and enjoying time away, not worrying about unexpected problems. Having the right travel insurance means that if something does happen, you’ll have financial protection and professional support to help you through it.

At My Insurance Broker, our team of travel insurance specialists can help you compare coverage options and find the policy that best fits your travel plans.