For many travellers, travel insurance can feel like an optional extra. Yet as recent stories show, an unexpected accident abroad can leave individuals facing bills that climb into six figures. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Elliott Draga, Chief Commercial Officer at Nordic Insurance Software (NIS) and president of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA), explained why Canadians should treat travel insurance as essential, not optional.
Why Travellers Skip Coverage
Surveys show that only one-third of Canadians planning trips purchase both emergency medical and trip cancellation coverage. Cost is often cited as the main barrier, particularly among younger generations. But as Draga points out, the financial and emotional toll of being uninsured far outweighs the upfront premium.
“At the end of the day, in the event that something unforeseen should happen, there is so much stress associated with that. Travel insurance can help to ease that stress,” Draga told the Toronto Star.
The Stakes Are High
From $100,000 medical bills in U.S. hospitals to lost luggage abroad, the risks of travelling without insurance are significant. And while provincial plans like OHIP may cover some costs, reimbursement is limited and leaves most expenses uncovered. Draga advises travellers to understand four golden rules before buying: know your health, trip, policy, and rights.
What It Means for Insurers
For insurers, this growing awareness represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Customers are demanding:
- Clarity – policies that are easy to understand.
- Speed – claims settled quickly, without bureaucracy.
- Transparency – digital access to status updates and documents.
This is where technology plays a crucial role. Platforms like NIS Policy and NIS Claims allow insurers to launch products rapidly, automate claims adjudication, and deliver customer self-service, ensuring that travellers feel supported and covered.
Connected Thinking: Insurance That Keeps Pace
At NIS, we call this Connected Thinking: uniting policy, claims, and case management in a configurable, global-ready platform. For travel insurers, this means they can reduce turnaround times (for example by up to 35% in Zurich’s case[LB1] ), integrate with provider networks, and adapt quickly to changing customer needs.
Read the Full Interview
For more of Elliott Draga’s perspective on the importance of travel insurance, read the full Toronto Star article: Is travel insurance worth it? What you should know before going on your next vacation
Want to explore how NIS can help your organisation deliver smarter, customer-first travel insurance? [Get in Touch]
