Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

What is a medical emergency?

A medical emergency is any sudden or unforeseen medical condition that needs urgent medical attention (breaking your arm on the ski hill or coming down with the flu, for example).

The GMS Difference

Comprehensive coverage. Travel with ease knowing you have the protection you need to enjoy your adventure.
Convenient claims. Skip the post office and submit your claim by email.
Around-the-clock support. The GMS Travel Assistance team is here when you need us.

Travel health insurance plans for all types of travellers

Choose between single-trip travel insurance or a multi-trip annual plan.

GMS Emergency Medical Insurance plans also include:

24/7 multi-language support: Emergencies don’t always happen during business hours. Connect with a GMS Travel Assistance team member anytime, day or night.
24 essential benefits: Emergency Medical plans cover costs for 24 essential health services, from hospital accommodation to ambulance, private duty nursing, and more.
Virtual care available: For minor emergencies like sprains and common colds, skip the waiting room and talk to a medical professional on the phone or online instead. Call our Travel Assistance line and we’ll help find the best option for you.

What's included?

Benefit	Details
In-hospital Care	Hospital room charges (up to semi-private rooms) and hospital services and supplies necessary for emergency care during hospitalization.
Medical Services	Cost of treatment by a physician.
Diagnostic Services	Cost of x-rays and other diagnostic tests.
Out-patient Medical Treatment	Cost of outpatient medical treatment.
Prescription Drugs	Cost of prescription drugs and medication prescribed by a physician, to a maximum of a 30-day prescription. GMS will cover lost, stolen, or damaged prescriptions to a maximum of $50 per prescription.
Essential Medical Appliance Rentals	Expenses to rent essential medical appliances like wheelchairs, crutches, and canes when necessary due to a medical emergency.
Emergency Dental Services	Up to $2,000 to repair or replace natural teeth caused by an accidental blow to the mouth. GMS will also cover $250 for treatment and relief of dental pain for any dental emergency other than an accidental blow to the mouth.
Private Duty Nursing	Cost of private duty nursing up to $5,000 per person.
Health Practitioners	Up to $300 each for emergency services of an osteopath, physiotherapist, chiropractor, chiropodist, and/or podiatrist.
Road Ambulance	Cost for emergency transport to a hospital.
Air Ambulance	$20,000 for a helicopter air ambulance in a medical emergency involving life-threatening circumstances where you need immediate transport to the nearest hospital with adequate facilities.
Remote Evacuation	Expenses up to $20,000 for your evacuation to the nearest hospital from a location inaccessible by road in a medical emergency involving life-threatening circumstances.
Repatriation	Costs for the use of an air ambulance or regularly scheduled airline to transport you back to your province or territory of residence from outside of Canada for further in-hospital treatment.
Special Attendant	Reimbursement for the round-trip transportation of a medical attendant to accompany you back to your province or territory of residence in Canada.
Return of Family Member	Up to $1,000 for one-way air transportation to return one accompanying family member insured under your policy to your province or territory of residence when GMS requires you to return to your province or territory of residence for further in-hospital treatment, or in the event of your death.
Return and Escort of Dependant Child/Grandchild	Expenses for one-way transportation to return your dependant child(ren) or grandchild(ren) under 18 years of age to your province or territory of residence when you have been returned to your province or territory of residence for further in-hospital medical treatment. When necessary, round-trip transportation for an arranged escort will be provided under this benefit.
Family/Friend to Bedside	Expenses up to $3,000 for round-trip air transportation for a family member or close friend to visit you if you are travelling without a family member and are hospitalized for at least three consecutive nights. GMS also provides up to $150 per day (to a $750 maximum) for reasonable expenses incurred by the transported family member.
In the Event of Death	Up to $2,000 for the cost of round-trip economy transportation for a family member to identify your remains, including up to $300 for meals and accommodations.
Return of Remains	Up to $7,000 for the preparation and transportation of your remains to your province or territory of residence in Canada, or up to $3,000 for cremation or burial at the place of death.
Return of Vehicle	Up to $2,000 to have your vehicle or rented vehicle returned to your province or territory of residence in Canada, or nearest rental agency, when you or your travel companion(s) are unable to do so due to emergency treatment.
Return of Cat or Dog	Up to $300 to return your cat or dog to your province or territory of residence in Canada when GMS returns you to your province of resident for further in-hospital medical treatment.
Childcare	Up to $500 for licensed childcare for a dependant child(ren) or grandchild(ren), or physically challenged person(s) who relies on you for assistance, traveling with you if you are hospitalized.
Out-of-pocket Expenses	Up to $150 per day (to a $1,000 maximum) for accommodations, meals, necessary telephone calls, and taxi or bus fares incurred by an accompanying family member in the event you are hospitalized on your scheduled return date to Canada.
Coverage Continuation	Your policy coverage won’t be interrupted when returning to your destination if you unexpectedly had to return to your province of residence during your trip.

Looking for a resource?

Check out the GMS Resource Hub for a sample policy, forms, and other helpful information about travel health insurance.

Visit the Resource Hub

Ways to save

10% bundle discount: For the best deal, buy both! Save 10% on TravelStar Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance when you add it to your Emergency Medical purchase.
Add your kids for free: Don’t let insurance costs derail your family travel plans. Add up to six kids (under the age of 16) for free when you buy Emergency Medical travel insurance.
5% companion discount: Travelling with another family member over the age of 16? Take 5% off your coverage costs with our companion discount.
Increase your deductible, decrease your price: The higher your Emergency Medical insurance deductible, the less you’ll pay for coverage. Choose a deductible as low as $0 up to $5,000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

See all FAQs

How do I know if I qualify for Emergency Medical travel insurance?: Head here for a full list of TravelStar eligibility criteria. These criteria apply to all applicants, even if an applicant (a child under the age of 16, for example) isn't charged a premium.
Is there an age limit for Emergency Medical travel insurance?: There's no age limit if you're buying single-trip emergency medical insurance, but multi-trip emergency medical plans are only available for customers 79 years or younger at the time of application.
Does GMS TravelStar Emergency Medical travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?: Your travel health insurance plan covers medical expenses for pre-existing conditions that have been stable for at least 180 days before travelling. Even if your doctor gives you the "all clear" to travel, you'll need to meet our requirements (found in our policy wording).
How much does travel emergency medical insurance cost?: The answer no one wants to hear: it depends. We consider your age, deductible, and medical history when we’re pricing out your plan. The good news is we’ve made getting a quote easy.
I bought a multi-trip GMS TravelStar Emergency Medical plan. Is it refundable?: No. Our multi-trip plans are non-refundable.

Don't see your question here? Check out our full list of TravelStar Emergency Medical insurance FAQs or contact us and we'll get you an answer.

Emergency medical travel insurance from $1.87 per day.

We make buying emergency medical travel insurance easy – honestly. You’re only a few minutes away from dozens of essential in-case-of-emergency benefits.

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GMS Travel Assistance and claims management provided in partnership with World Travel Protection.

If the unexpected happens, know you came prepared.