COVID-19 - How RBC Insurance is helping clients

Effective February 28, 2022, Global Affairs Canada lifted the Level 3 global travel advisory that was in place as a result of COVID-19 (Omicron variant). See below for how this change may affect your travel insurance coverages.

Cruise Travel Advisory Lifted

Effective March 7, 2022 Global Affairs Canada lifted the Level 4 Cruise travel advisory that was in place as a result of COVID-19. We have made some updates to our travel coverages and exclusions.

Emergency Medical Coverage

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Coverage

RBC Credit Cards (Embedded trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage - applicable RBC Credit Cards)

Additional Travel Advice

Please contact Allianz Global Assistance immediately at:

• Call toll-free from Canada & U.S.: 1-800-387-2487
• Call collect from anywhere: (905) 816-2561
• Toll-free fax from Canada & U.S.: 1-888-298-6340
• Fax from anywhere: (905) 813-4719
• Or email: emergencyassistance@allianz-assistance.ca

Do you need to submit an insurance claim for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical, baggage, hotel or motel burglary, mobile device, purchase security or extended warranty? Find more information about submitting your claim online here.

If you have group travel insurance under an RBC Insurance Group Benefits Plan, please see the Group Benefits section of this site.

Short-term disability benefits provide income replacement, for short durations, in the event a person is unable to work due to injury or illness.

If you’ve tested positive and are diagnosed with COVID-19 and cannot work (even from home), whether or not you are displaying symptoms, benefits will be paid once the elimination period is satisfied. Standard claim forms must be submitted, including the Attending Physician Statement.

If you’ve tested negative for COVID-19, but have symptoms that prevent you from working (even from home), a standard STD application claim should be submitted. Standard contractual provisions would apply, including the elimination period.

If you are not at work because you’ve been advised to quarantine by a government or health care authority, and are not too ill to work otherwise, you will not be eligible for STD. For example, mass quarantines issued by a health authority or cautionary quarantines issued by an employer would not qualify for coverage. This means that if you have no disabling symptoms and cannot work from home, benefits will not be paid. A claim through the one of Government of Canada Employment Insurance program or any of the new COVID-19 response benefit programs should be submitted. These new programs include the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit and all provide income replacement to those who have been impacted due to COVID-19.

TIP: The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides up to two weeks of financial support for employees who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or who have an underlying health condition that puts them at risk of getting COVID-19. Employees are encouraged to apply for this benefit when not in receipt of STD benefits, for example, during their STD elimination period. They cannot receive any other benefits while receiving the CRSB, including any STD benefits.

For more information on this benefit go to the Canada's Economic Response Plan opens new window website.

Our Group Benefits medical emergency coverage has changed effective January 1, 2021. COVID-19 will be covered for travel departing on or after January 1, 2021 while there is a Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential travel) advisory or lower issued by the Government of Canada. For those insurance policies with Trip Cancellation Trip Interruption coverage, COVID-19 Pandemic will continue to be considered a known occurrence and as such is excluded from coverage.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and risk is heightened, we strongly recommend that you visit the Government of Canada’s Global Travel Advisory website before booking your trip and only travel when necessary.

I am planning a trip. Am I covered for medical emergency during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

I am now in a country where a Level 4 advisory was just issued. Am I covered for medical emergency?

What is the difference between a Level 3 and Level 4 Advisory?

Don’t forget about your Work-Life Employee Assistance program (EAP). Immediate and confidential EAP services, including counselling, educational materials, referrals to community services and more are accessible 24/7 by calling 1-877-630-6701. There are also COVID-19-related additional resources:

• The www.lifebalance.net opens new window website features information on the coronavirus and coping with trauma.
• Members of the Work-Life Employee Assistance Program Traumatic Event Support Team are available to support individuals and organizations impacted by these events.

During any crisis, it’s common to experience additional stress and anxiety. To help with the increasing demand for easily accessible, digital and affordable mental health solutions, we’ve introduced CarePlus. This gives you access to therapist-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy and extended digitally-driven counselling.   

Learn More about mental health support

This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment is likely to change frequently. You can follow updates at Public Health Agency of Canada opens new window and the World Health Organization opens new window.