Six tips for stress-free travel from RBC insurance

MISSISSAUGA, March 2008 — Canadians planning their perfect vacation often forget important details that can spoil or interrupt a well-deserved and long-awaited journey.

“Lost baggage, missed flights or sudden health issues can really put a damper on a vacation,” said Stan Seggie, president and CEO of the travel insurance division of RBC Insurance. “Unfortunately, people often realize too late that they overlooked purchasing comprehensive travel insurance, which could have saved them stress and headaches.”

Here are six travel tips from RBC Insurance to help ensure Canadians have a stress-free travel experience:

1. Make sure your passport is current. Many countries will not permit entry if your passport expires several months beyond your date of arrival. A recent change to U.S. regulations now means that when flying to the U.S., you must present a valid Canadian passport. If you are travelling by land or sea, a passport or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, plus a birth certificate or citizenship card is required. For those under 18, only a birth certificate is required. For further passport information, visit www.passportcanada.gc.ca.

2. Understand exactly what your travel coverage benefits offer to ensure there are no gaps. For example, government health insurance plans often pay only a portion of out-of-country medical costs, and don’t offer benefits such as baggage and personal effects insurance, flight and travel accident insurance, and trip interruption/after departure insurance. Credit cards often provide coverage for a limited number of days or limit the amount you can claim and may not provide coverage after age 65. Employment benefits may not cover all medical emergencies and may limit travel benefits.

3. When flying, remember that you are only allowed to carry on liquids, gels and aerosols with a maximum capacity of 100 ml each, placed inside a one litre re-sealable plastic zip-top bag. There is a limit of one bag per passenger. Canadian airport security check-in areas offer these bags free of charge. Any liquids not meeting these requirements must be packed in your checked luggage. For more details go to www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/travel_voyage/list.shtml.

4. Make two copies of an emergency contact list before you leave - take one with you, packed separately from your passport, wallet and identification documents and leave a copy at home, with family or friends. Include phone numbers for lost passports, wallets, and/or other ID documents. The Canadian government’s Services Canada website includes a comprehensive list of contact numbers for such emergencies at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/lifeevents/wallet.shtml.

5. Before you leave home, notify credit card and debit card providers about your travel locations and ask them to provide you with out-of-Canada contact phone numbers to use if any cards are lost or stolen.

6. Check if any travel advisories or warnings have been issued for your destination at www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp. Try to familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs of your destination since you are subject to the laws of those countries you visit.

Canadian travellers should check the web sites above for up-to-date information, as certain travel requirements can change without notice.

RBC offers a wide range of travel insurance products. For more information when making travel arrangements, ask a travel agent about RBC Insurance, go online to www.rbcroyalbank.com/travel, call 1-800-565-3129, or visit a local RBC branch.