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A brief overview of the newly offered Green Shield Travel Insurance versus the BCRTA Johnson Travel Insurance Plans.

Do you have good TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Thousands of BCRTA members have enjoyed travel insurance coverage through BCRTA’s MEDOC travel insurance plan, and Johnson Prestige Travel Insurance. Satisfaction levels with BCRTA’s travel insurance offerings are parallel to the high marks received by our Johnson EHC plan. In our recent EHC Satisfaction Survey of BCRTA members, the Johnson EHC plan was rated higher than Green Shield on all 21 of 21 measurable categories.

New Competition Targets GSC Users

Retirees who have EHC coverage with Green Shield Canada recently received a mailing offering them travel insurance. Naturally, this has led to a series of inquiries to BCRTA as to how GSC’s new travel insurance plan compares to the established travel insurance offerings in BCRTA.
Many of the details of the new Green Shield offering are only made plain if one examines in detail the complete terms of the plan, which is not included in the mailing, but is available as a download from the Green Shield website.

We have produced this detailed comparison of plan coverage and some sample rates for different age groups. Links to more extensive documentation are at the web page noted below. The best way to confirm which coverage works best for you is to have a personal consultation with a Johnson representative at 1.877.989.2600.

COVERAGE: Johnson base plan covers more situations, at higher levels

Both of BCRTA’s travel offerings provide more extensive coverage than Green Shield Travel. As shown on the following pages, more travel incidents are covered, and in many cases coverage levels are significantly higher with the Johnson plan. The Prestige plan offers superior Sudden and Unforeseen coverage, rather than requiring 90-day stability.

Annual Cost Comparison a Mixed Bag

For users in optimum health, Green Shield costs are much higher, particularly for older travelers. Johnson has 3 pricing levels – see the chart below for two sample rates. View the complete Johnson MEDOC TRAVEL pricing grid here. Prestige Travel may be purchased as part of an EHC and Travel package. Contact Johnson for details.

Comparing Annual Costs for an Individual Travel Insurance Plan

AGEGREEN SHIELD TRAVEL INSURANCEJOHNSON MEDOC OPTIMAL RATES
(SUBJECT TO HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE)
JOHNSON MEDOC STD RATES
(NO QUESTIONNAIRE)
60 YEAR OLD30 DAY TRIPS: $20435 DAY TRIPS: $15035 DAY TRIPS: $296
70 YEAR OLD30 DAY TRIPS: $43235 DAY TRIPS: $37135 DAY TRIPS: $660
80 YEAR OLD30 DAY TRIPS: $96035 DAY TRIPS: $64635 DAY TRIPS: $1038
60 YEAR OLD60 DAY TRIPS: $45660 DAY TRIPS: $29560 DAY TRIPS: $538
70 YEAR OLD60 DAY TRIPS: $96060 DAY TRIPS: $67360 DAY TRIPS: $1148
80 YEAR OLD60 DAY TRIPS: $204060 DAY TRIPS: $124460 DAY TRIPS: $1815

Comparing Insurance Plan Coverage

FEATURESGREEN SHIELD TRAVELBCRTA PRESTIGEBCRTA MEDOC
MEDICAL EMERGENCY MAXIMUM$5,000,000 per incident, per eligible participant$5,000,000 per person, per policy year$5,000,000 per person, per policy year
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS STABILITY PERIOD90 days stableSUDDEN AND UNFORESEEN COVERAGE.
There is no stability clause.
Contact Johnson for details.
90 days stable
TRIP CANCELLATION, INTERRUPTION & DELAY INSURANCENot Covered $8,000 per insured person, per trip
This benefit can apply to trips within the home province
$8,000 per insured person, per trip
This benefit can apply to trips within the home province
UPGRADE COST OR SINGLE SUPPLEMENT BENEFITNot CoveredIncludedIncluded
BAGGAGE & PERSONAL EFFECTSNot Covered$1,500 per insured to a max of $3,000 per family * including $400 per insured to a max $1,000 per family for the purchase of necessary toiletries and personal clothing as a result of your checked baggage being delayed by the carrier more than 12 hours after your arrival$1,500 per insured to a max of $3,000 per family * including $400 per insured to a max $1,000 per family for the purchase of necessary toiletries and personal clothing as a result of your checked baggage being delayed by the carrier more than 12 hours after your arrival
DOCUMENT REPLACEMENTNot Covered $500 in the event of loss or theft: passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, travel visa, other gov’t issued documents required for travel$500 in the event of loss or theft: passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, travel visa, other gov’t issued documents required for travel
ANNUAL PLAN DURATION30 days or 60 daysBase Plan covers unlimited trips up to 62 consecutive days outside of Canada (trips can be of unlimited duration in Canada)Base Plan provides unlimited trips up to 17 or 35 consecutive days outside of Canada (trips can be of unlimited duration in Canada)
IS COVERAGE FOR LONGER TRIPS AVAILABLE?NoSupplemental plan is available for up to to 182 or 212 daysSupplemental plan is available for up to 182 or 212 days
AIR EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION OR EVACUATIONAir evacuation (including a medical attendant when necessary); or one-way economy airfare (including medical attendant/stretcher seats when required)Air ambulance; or
one-way economy airfare (including medical attendant/stretcher seats when required)
Air ambulance; or
one-way economy airfare (including medical attendant/stretcher seats when required)
PRIVATE DUTY NURSING$5,000 per calendar year$10,000 per insured
(in hospital only)
$10,000 per insured
(in hospital only)
VEHICLE RETURN BENEFIT$1,000$5000$5000
PET RETURNNot Covered$500$5000
PHYSIOTHERAPY & OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICESNot CoveredPhysiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, chiropodist or podiatrist up to $500 per professionPhysiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, chiropodist or podiatrist up to $500 per profession
EMERGENCY DENTAL EXPENSES$2000$5,000$5,000
EMERGENCY RELIEF OF DENTAL PAINNot Covered$600$600
INCIDENTAL HOSPITAL EXPENSESNot Covered$250$250
ADDITIONAL HOTEL & MEAL EXPENSES$150 per day
Max $1,500
$350 per day
Max. $3,500
$350 per day
Max. $3,500
NON- MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATIONNot Covered$5,000$5,000
TRANSPORTATION TO THE BEDSIDERound trip economy airfare + $150 per day (5 day max)
Includes only specific family members
Requires 7 day of hospitalization or to identify body
Round trip economy airfare + additional Hotel & Meal Expenses ($350 per day, Max $3,500)
Includes family or close friend. Requires 3 day of hospitalization (unless under age 21) or to identify body
Round trip economy airfare + additional Hotel & Meal Expenses ($350 per day, Max $3,500)
Includes family or close friend. Requires 3 day of hospitalization (unless under age 21) or to identify body
RETURN OF MINOR DEPENDENT CHILD WITH ESCORTNot CoveredOne-way economy airfare + return economy transportation for an escort (when required)One-way economy airfare + return economy transportation for an escort (when required)
REPATRIATION OR BURIAL$5,000
(repatriation only)
$5,000$5,000
FLIGHT ACCIDENT & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENTNot CoveredFlight Accident – up to $100,000
AD&D – up to $25,000
Flight Accident – up to $100,000
AD&D – up to $25,000
RETURN AIRFARE
(STOLEN VEHICLE)
One-way economy airfare if vehicle is stolen or rendered inoperableNot CoveredNot Covered
REFERRAL SERVICES$50,000 per calendar yearCovered under EHC PlanNot covered
EXTENDING COVERAGE WHILE ON A TRIP?Increase trip duration from 30-60 days must be made prior to departure.Yes, prior to coverage lapsing. If any claims during trip or reason to submit a claim, insurer approval is required.Yes, prior to coverage lapsing. If any claims during trip or reason to submit a claim, insurer approval is required.
RETURN TO HOME PROVINCE OR TERRITORY OR RESIDENCEYou must return to your province of residence for at least 24 hours before your trip duration coverage resets.Trips are separated by a return to home province or territory of any length, even if less than 24 hours.Trips are separated by a return to home province or territory of any length, even if less than 24 hours.

Please note: This is not a definitive statement of coverages.  Consult the fine print in the plan documents for detailed coverages.

SOURCES

Green Shield Travel Insurance details: https://onlineservices.greenshield.ca/publicbooklets/optionalmedicaltravelcoverage.pdf

BCRTA Johnson 2023 – 2024 MEDOC Pricing Table:https://bcrta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MEDOC-Rates-Model-C6-2023-24.pdf

BCRTA Johnson  EHC with or without Prestige Travel (as of Sept 2023): https://bcrta.johnson.ca/sites/affinity.johnson.ca/files/BCRTA%20Prestige%20Plan%20Summary%20-%20FINAL%20Sep%202021.pdf

Get a Personalized Evaluation of Your Travel Insurance Needs (Best Friend Advice)

Email: pbservicewest@johnson.ca
Telephone: 1.877.989.2600