The Importance of Travel Insurance Medical Questionnaires

If you are a Canadian senior aged 60 or over planning to spend more than a few weeks out of the country, you will typically be required to fill out a medical questionnaire before purchasing seniors' travel insurance. Unfortunately, many seniors do not take adequate care when completing these forms, which can lead to errors and omissions. The result could be a denial of a claim after a serious accident or illness. By following these tips, you can avoid having your medical claim denied while traveling.

Record all doctor visits, tests, and discussions. Many questionnaires address medical conditions from 5 or even 10 years ago. Avoid relying on your memory alone—having a log ensures accuracy and helps you recall important details.

Small variations in wording can change your answers. For instance, a questionnaire might ask, “Have you been prescribed an inhaler?” while another might ask, “Do you use an inhaler with three or more medications?” If your inhaler contains two medications, your answer to the first question would be “yes,” while your answer to the second would be “no.” If you’re not detail-oriented, ask a friend or family member for help.

Medications prescribed “as needed” still count. For example, if you’ve been prescribed Glyceryl trinitrate for heart conditions, include it on the questionnaire, even if you rarely use it.

If recalling your medical history is challenging, opt for a simpler questionnaire. Some of BestQuote’s policies feature questionnaires with as few as five questions, making them easier to complete.

Certain medications can be prescribed for multiple conditions. For instance, blood thinners might be prescribed for stroke prevention or specific heart conditions. Make sure you understand and document the purpose of each prescription.

Questionnaires typically focus on chronic conditions. For example, a healed broken bone (an acute condition) is usually not addressed, while chronic conditions like heart disease, even if fully managed, are likely to be included.

If you’re unsure about a question, consult a nurse or doctor. In some cases, your family doctor may need to help you accurately complete the questionnaire.

If a question could be interpreted as “yes” or “no,” choose “yes.” While this might increase the cost of your policy, it ensures you’ll be covered during a medical emergency.

Some of BestQuote’s policies allow travelers under 75 to take trips of up to 15 days without completing a medical questionnaire. Although you still need to meet general eligibility conditions, these are typically easier to understand than detailed questionnaires.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@bestquotetravelinsurance.ca