Travel Insurance vs Trip Protection: What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?

Planning an international trip? You need to know the critical difference between travel insurance and trip protection. While they sound similar, travel insurance is regulated coverage offering comprehensive medical and cancellation protection, while trip protection is simply a limited refund policy from travel providers. This guide explains exactly what each offers, when to choose one over the other, and why most Canadians benefit from proper travel insurance.

Understanding Travel Insurance: Real Protection That Matters

When preparing for international travel, protecting your health and investment should be a top priority. Travel insurance isn’t just another expense—it’s essential protection that can save you from financial disaster when traveling abroad.

Canadian traveler with comprehensive travel insurance protection

Travel insurance is a legitimate, regulated insurance product that offers comprehensive protection during your journey. Here’s what makes it different from other travel protection options:

Key Features of Travel Insurance

Government Regulation: Overseen by provincial insurance regulators, providing consumer protection and recourse
Emergency Medical Coverage: Pays for unexpected illness or injury treatment while abroad
Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Reimburses non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or cut short for covered reasons
Baggage Protection: Covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage
Medical Evacuation: Covers the potentially enormous costs of emergency medical transport

When you purchase travel insurance from a licensed provider like Red Helm Canada, you’re getting a product backed by strict financial requirements and consumer protection laws. This means insurance companies must maintain adequate reserves to pay claims and follow specific rules when processing claims.

The Smart Way to Buy Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance experts recommend purchasing separate policies for emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation rather than buying an all-in-one package. This strategy typically saves money while ensuring you have the specific coverage you need.

Pro Tip: Emergency medical coverage is the most crucial part of travel insurance for international trips. Healthcare costs in countries like the United States can be astronomical, and provincial health plans like OHIP offer minimal coverage abroad.

Trip Protection: Limited Coverage with Significant Drawbacks

Trip protection is fundamentally different from travel insurance, despite the similar-sounding name. This distinction is important to understand before making your travel protection decisions.

Comparison of trip protection vs travel insurance coverage limitations

What Trip Protection Actually Offers

Trip protection is typically sold directly by airlines, cruise lines, or tour operators. It is not insurance in the legal sense and comes with significant limitations:

Limited Refund Options: Often provides only partial refunds or credits for future use with the same company
No Medical Coverage: Doesn’t cover emergency medical expenses while traveling
Unregulated: Not subject to insurance regulations, giving companies more freedom to deny claims
Provider-Specific: Only applies to bookings with the specific company that sold the protection

Warning: The Fine Print Matters

Because trip protection isn’t regulated like insurance, the terms can change at any time, and you have limited recourse if a claim is denied. Many travelers have been surprised to discover their trip protection doesn’t cover situations they assumed would be included.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Travel Insurance vs. Trip Protection

Feature	Travel Insurance	Trip Protection
Regulatory Oversight	Provincially regulated insurance product	Unregulated; terms set by provider
Medical Coverage	Comprehensive emergency medical coverage	None
Trip Cancellation	Cash reimbursement for covered reasons	Often limited to credits or partial refunds
Baggage Loss	Typically covered	Rarely covered
Consumer Protection	Strong; regulated claims process	Limited; provider sets all terms

When to Choose Travel Insurance vs. Trip Protection

Choose Travel Insurance When:

Traveling internationally, especially to countries with expensive healthcare
Taking trips with significant pre-paid, non-refundable expenses
Engaging in activities with higher risk of injury or illness
Traveling to remote destinations where medical evacuation might be necessary
You want peace of mind and comprehensive protection

Trip Protection Might Suffice When:

Taking a short domestic trip with minimal expenses
You already have medical coverage through other policies
You’re comfortable receiving credits instead of refunds
Your main concern is simple cancellation protection
You’re booking a package deal with a reputable tour operator

Canadian travelers receiving emergency medical assistance covered by travel insurance

Real-World Scenarios: When Insurance Makes a Difference

Scenario 1: Medical Emergency in the United States

With Travel Insurance: Sarah from Toronto suffered appendicitis while visiting New York. Her travel insurance covered the $35,000 hospital bill, arranged direct payment with the hospital, and even paid for her family member to fly down and accompany her home once stabilized.

With Trip Protection Only: Sarah would have been responsible for the entire $35,000 medical bill, as trip protection provides no medical coverage.

Scenario 2: Trip Cancellation Due to Family Emergency

With Travel Insurance: Michael from Vancouver had to cancel his European vacation when his father was hospitalized. His travel insurance reimbursed the full $4,800 in non-refundable flights and hotel deposits.

With Trip Protection Only: Michael might have received partial credits for future travel with specific providers, likely with expiration dates and blackout periods, but would have lost most of his investment.

Getting the Best Value on Travel Insurance

To maximize your protection while keeping costs reasonable, consider these expert tips:

Buy Separate Policies: Purchase emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation insurance separately to save money
Check Credit Card Coverage: Some premium credit cards offer limited travel insurance, but review the coverage limits carefully
Compare Multiple Providers: Use a broker like Red Helm Canada to compare policies and find the best rates
Consider Annual Plans: If you travel frequently, multi-trip annual policies often provide better value than single-trip plans
Review Coverage Limits: Ensure your policy has adequate coverage limits for your destination and activities

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Protection

Does my Canadian health insurance cover me when traveling?

Provincial health plans like OHIP provide very limited coverage outside Canada, typically reimbursing only a small fraction of what foreign healthcare actually costs. For example, OHIP might cover only $400 for emergency outpatient services that cost $10,000 in the U.S.

What if I have pre-existing medical conditions?

Many travel insurance policies can cover pre-existing conditions that are stable for a certain period (typically 3-6 months). It’s essential to disclose all conditions when purchasing insurance and understand the stability requirements.

Is the trip protection offered by my cruise line or airline worth it?

Trip protection from travel providers typically offers minimal benefits compared to comprehensive travel insurance. It usually doesn’t include medical coverage and often limits refunds to credits rather than cash. For international travel, proper travel insurance is almost always the better option.

The Bottom Line: Your Travel Protection Decision

When planning your next trip, the choice between travel insurance and trip protection shouldn’t be taken lightly. For international travel especially, proper travel insurance provides essential protection against medical emergencies and significant financial losses that trip protection simply doesn’t offer.

While trip protection might seem cheaper upfront, the comprehensive coverage and peace of mind that comes with regulated travel insurance delivers far greater value. The small premium you pay for travel insurance is minimal compared to the potential financial disaster of a medical emergency abroad or the disappointment of losing thousands in non-refundable travel expenses.

For most Canadian travelers, the smart choice is clear: invest in proper travel insurance, focusing first on emergency medical coverage, and then on trip cancellation protection if you have significant pre-paid expenses.

Get Your Travel Insurance Quote

Ready to protect your next adventure with proper travel insurance? Red Helm Canada makes it easy to compare plans and find the perfect coverage for your needs.

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RED HELM CANADA LTD. - TERMS, CONDITIONS, ADVISOR DISCLOSURE, AND PRIVACY STATEMENT
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Red Helm Canada Ltd.
300 - 116 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G3
Toll-free: 1.866.230.5565 | [email protected] | redhelm.ca

Last updated: May 25th 2026

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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT AND YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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This document is a single, combined set of disclosures and terms that govern your relationship with Red Helm Canada Ltd. ("Red Helm," "we," "us," or "our") when you visit redhelm.ca, request a quote, request information, submit a form, speak with one of our licensed advisors, or apply for any insurance product through us. It is made up of three parts:

PART A - ADVISOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT - required to be given to every prospective client under section 15 and 16 of Ontario Regulation 347/04 made under the Insurance Act (Ontario), and equivalent rules in every other Canadian province and territory.

PART B - TERMS OF USE - governs your use of the redhelm.ca website and any related digital tool or application we operate.

PART C - PRIVACY STATEMENT - explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the rights you have over it under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and substantially similar provincial privacy laws.

By checking the acknowledgement box on any Red Helm form and submitting that form, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all three parts of this document as they apply to you. Please read carefully and keep a copy for your records. You can also request a copy at any time by emailing [email protected].

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PART A - ADVISOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
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WHY YOU ARE RECEIVING THIS DISCLOSURE

Under section 15 and 16 of Ontario Regulation 347/04 made under the Insurance Act (Ontario), and equivalent rules in every other Canadian province and territory, a licensed life and accident & sickness insurance agent must give every prospective client a written disclosure that explains:

- the agent's licensing status and jurisdiction;
- the insurance companies the agent represents;
- how the agent is compensated; and
- any actual or potential conflict of interest.

Red Helm Canada Ltd. provides this Advisor Disclosure to meet that obligation and to help you make an informed decision before purchasing any insurance product or accepting any recommendation from us.

A1. YOUR ADVISOR

Advisor name: Stephane Perron
Title: Health Benefits Specialist
Firm: Red Helm Canada Ltd.
Address: 300 - 116 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G3
Email: [email protected]
Direct: (613) 704.6160
Office: (866) 230.5565 ext. 101

A2. LICENSING

Stephane Perron holds the following active life and accident & sickness insurance licences:

Ontario - Life and Accident & Sickness - Licence #09110687 - Active
British Columbia - Life and Accident & Sickness - Licence #LIC-2024-0049171-R01 - Active

You can verify these licences directly with each regulator:

- Ontario - Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) public registry: fsrao.ca
- British Columbia - Insurance Council of British Columbia: insurancecouncilofbc.com

Red Helm Canada Ltd. only conducts insurance activities in jurisdictions where it and the responsible advisor are properly licensed.

A3. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE ARE LICENSED TO OFFER

Within the scope of our licensing, we provide advice and place the following insurance products:

- Individual and group life insurance (term, whole life, universal life)
- Individual and group accident and sickness insurance, including health, dental, disability, and critical illness
- Travel insurance (individual, group, expatriate, international)
- Group benefits programs, including Administrative Services Only (ASO) arrangements
- Health Spending Accounts and Health & Wellness Spending Accounts
- Group savings/retirement plans
- Long-term care insurance

Investment and segregated fund products (segregated funds, GMWBs, GMLBs, RRSPs, TFSAs, RRIFs, LIRAs, LIFs, RDSPs, RESPs, pooled funds, private portfolio management, and bank products) are offered ONLY BY REFERRAL to licensed mutual fund dealing representatives, securities-registered individuals, or appropriately licensed institutions. We are not registered as a dealing representative under the Securities Act and will not provide securities advice.

If a product you are interested in falls outside our licensing, we will tell you and, where possible, refer you to a licensed professional who can help.

A4. COMPANIES WE REPRESENT

Red Helm Canada Ltd. is an INDEPENDENT BROKERAGE. We are not an employee, captive agent, or exclusive representative of any single insurance company.

We hold direct or MGA-mediated distribution contracts with a range of Canadian life, health, and travel insurance carriers, including (current as of last update):

21st Century Travel Insurance, Allianz Global Assistance, Assumption Life, Azimuth Risk Solutions, Beneva, BMO Life Insurance, Canada Life, Canada Protection Plan, CanAm Insurance, Cigna Global, Desjardins Financial Security, Destination Travel Group, Edge Benefits, Empire Life, Equitable Life, Foresters Financial, GMS (Group Medical Services), Green Shield Canada, HotSpot Cover, Humania Assurance, Industrial Alliance, IMG Global, ivari, JF Insurance, Manulife, MSH International, myHSA, Ontario Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, RBC Insurance, RIMI Secure Travel, SLI (Specialty Life Insurance), Sun Life, TourMed, Travelance, Trawick International, TUGO, UV Insurance, Wawanesa Life

The list above changes as we add or end contracts. A current list of carriers we are contracted with at the time of your application is available on request by emailing [email protected].

A5. MANAGING GENERAL AGENCIES, THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

In Canada, life and health insurance is typically distributed through Managing General Agencies (MGAs), Third Party Administrators (TPAs), or Third Party Payors (TPPs). These entities sit between the advisor and the insurer and may handle contracting, commissions, compliance support, and administration.

Red Helm Canada Ltd. has contracts with the following MGAs, TPAs, and TPPs:

- Benefits by Design
- Edge Benefits
- Financial Horizons Group
- Group Benefitz
- People Corporation
- SBIS - Special Benefits Insurance Services
- Simply Benefits
- The Benefits Trust

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: when you apply for an insurance product through us, the MGA or TPA used for that product will receive your personal information (your application, medical disclosures, and ongoing policy information) as part of the underwriting and administration process. The MGA or TPA does NOT participate in the needs analysis or product recommendation - that is the role of your advisor.

A6. HOW WE ARE PAID

Red Helm Canada Ltd. and Stephane Perron are compensated in the following ways:

1. First-year commissions paid by the insurance company when a policy is issued.

2. Renewal or service commissions paid for as long as a policy remains in force.

3. Override or bonus commissions that may be paid by an insurer, MGA, TPA, or TPP based on the overall volume or persistency of business placed with them. These are a portion of, not in addition to, the commissions in points 1 and 2.

4. Referral fees in cases where we refer you to another licensed professional or partner and that arrangement permits referral compensation. Any referral fee will be disclosed to you specifically at the time of the referral.

5. Service or consulting fees in limited cases (for example, group benefit plan design work) where a fee-for-service arrangement is agreed in writing in advance.

We do not charge clients any direct fee for individual life, health, or travel insurance recommendations. You do not pay us out of pocket for advice on those products.

IMPORTANT: because compensation can vary between insurance companies and between products, there is an inherent potential conflict of interest. We manage that conflict by:

- selecting products based on a documented needs analysis;
- explaining the rationale for our recommendation in writing (a "reason why" letter);
- never recommending a product solely because it pays more; and
- disclosing any specific compensation differences if you ask us to.

You may ask us at any time, in writing, for the specific compensation structure on a product we have recommended, and we will provide it.

A7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

We are required under O. Reg. 347/04, s. 16 to disclose any conflict of interest, or potential conflict of interest, that a reasonable client would consider relevant to the recommendation being made.

The following relationships and activities apply to Stephane Perron and Red Helm Canada Ltd.:

- COMMON OWNERSHIP: Stephane Perron holds an ownership interest in Red Helm Canada Ltd.

- OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITIES: Stephane Perron is also licensed in property and casualty insurance through BrokerTeam Insurance. Property and casualty business is conducted separately from Red Helm Canada Ltd. and is not part of the services offered under this Advisor Disclosure.

- VOLUME-BASED COMPENSATION: as described in section A6, some MGA, TPA, or insurer compensation depends on aggregate business volume, which could in theory incentivize directing business to a particular carrier. We mitigate this by basing recommendations on documented needs.

- REFERRAL RELATIONSHIPS: where we refer you to a third party (for example, an investment advisor, a property and casualty broker, or a legal/accounting professional), we may or may not receive a referral fee. If we do, we will disclose it to you in writing before the referral is made.

A7a. AFFILIATE PROGRAM

Red Helm Canada Ltd. operates an AFFILIATE PROGRAM under which third parties ("Affiliates") may refer prospective clients to us through a tracked link, code, form, or other identifier. The full terms governing Affiliates are set out in the separate Red Helm Canada Affiliate Program Agreement and Affiliate Program Disclosure, both available at redhelm.ca.

For the purposes of this Advisor Disclosure, you should understand the following:

- YOU MAY HAVE ARRIVED HERE THROUGH AN AFFILIATE. If you reached Red Helm through a link, referral code, QR code, embedded form, landing page, advertisement, content piece, podcast, social media post, email, or other channel operated by an Affiliate, that Affiliate may receive compensation from Red Helm in connection with your visit, application, or any policy that is ultimately issued.

- HOW AFFILIATES ARE PAID. Affiliate compensation may take the form of a one-time referral fee, a per-lead or per-application fee, a percentage of first-year commission, an ongoing share of renewal commission, a flat marketing fee, or a combination of these. The specific structure depends on the agreement between Red Helm and the individual Affiliate.

- AFFILIATES ARE NOT YOUR ADVISOR. Affiliates are NOT licensed to provide insurance advice on behalf of Red Helm and are contractually prohibited from doing so. Affiliates do not conduct needs analysis, recommend specific products, complete applications, bind coverage, or hold themselves out as licensed insurance agents. All licensed insurance activity is performed by Red Helm and its appropriately licensed advisors.

- NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. Affiliate compensation is paid by Red Helm out of its own commission revenue. You do not pay anything extra because you were referred through an Affiliate, and your premium is not increased as a result.

- THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT. Because Affiliate compensation creates a financial incentive for Affiliates to send traffic and leads to Red Helm, there is a potential conflict of interest. Red Helm manages this by (i) restricting what Affiliates may say about insurance products in their marketing, (ii) requiring Affiliates to identify themselves as affiliates of Red Helm and not as advisors, (iii) basing every policy recommendation on a documented needs analysis conducted by a licensed Red Helm advisor regardless of how you were referred, and (iv) auditing Affiliate communications for compliance with applicable advertising and insurance conduct rules.

- YOU CAN ASK WHO REFERRED YOU. At any time, you may ask in writing whether an Affiliate received or will receive compensation in connection with your file, and we will tell you.

Red Helm does not accept Affiliate referrals from any person whose participation in insurance distribution would require a licence they do not hold. If you suspect an Affiliate has described an insurance product to you in a way that goes beyond marketing or has held themselves out as a licensed advisor, please email [email protected].

If a new conflict arises during our relationship with you, we will disclose it at the earliest opportunity.

A8. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS (E&O) INSURANCE

Red Helm Canada Ltd. and Stephane Perron maintain professional liability (E&O) insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum coverage required under section 13 of O. Reg. 347/04 ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, including coverage for fraudulent acts). Current policy details are available on request.

A9. REGULATORS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BODIES

Stephane Perron and Red Helm Canada Ltd. are subject to oversight by:

- Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) - Ontario
- BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) / Insurance Council of British Columbia - British Columbia

Industry-wide, the following bodies may be relevant to you:

- Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR)
- Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - federal solvency oversight
- Assuris - life and health insurance policyholder protection
- OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI) - independent complaint resolution
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
- Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA)
- Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

If you have a complaint we cannot resolve, you may contact the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance at olhi.ca or 1-888-295-8112, or the regulator in your province.

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PART B - TERMS OF USE
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B1. ABOUT THESE TERMS

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website at redhelm.ca, any subdomain, and any downloadable application, mobile interface, or digital tool operated by Red Helm Canada Ltd. (collectively, the "Site").

By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version is always posted on the Site with a "last updated" date. Material changes will be brought to your attention where reasonably practical.

B2. ELIGIBILITY

You must be the age of majority in your province or territory of residence to use the Site. By using the Site you confirm that you meet this requirement.

B3. AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

All insurance products and services described on the Site:

- are offered only in Canadian provinces and territories where they may lawfully be sold;
- are only offered by individuals or firms appropriately licensed in your jurisdiction; and
- are subject to the full terms of the applicable insurance policy, application, and any related contract.

Nothing on the Site constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any product in a jurisdiction where doing so would be unlawful.

B4. INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS NOT ADVICE

The Site is published for general information purposes. It is NOT personal financial, insurance, tax, legal, or accounting advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice from a licensed professional who understands your specific situation.

Before purchasing any insurance product through the Site, we strongly recommend you speak with a licensed Red Helm advisor (or another qualified professional of your choosing). To speak with an advisor at no cost, email [email protected] or use the Contact form on the Site.

If you choose to purchase a product through the Site without first speaking with an advisor, you confirm that you had the opportunity to do so, declined that opportunity, and accept responsibility for selecting a product that meets your needs.

B5. SITE AVAILABILITY AND CHANGES

We make reasonable efforts to keep the Site available, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Site may be unavailable from time to time for maintenance, updates, security work, or other reasons. We may also add, remove, or change features of the Site at any time.

B6. ACCEPTABLE USE

When using the Site, you agree that you will not:

- submit information that is false, misleading, defamatory, discriminatory, abusive, or that infringes on the rights of any person;
- attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site, our systems, or any other user's account;
- use the Site to transmit malware, conduct security testing without permission, or interfere with the operation of the Site;
- copy, scrape, reproduce, or redistribute content from the Site for commercial purposes without our written permission; or
- use the Site in any way that breaches applicable law.

B7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All content on the Site - including text, graphics, logos, images, software, and the "Red Helm" name and marks - is owned by or licensed to Red Helm and is protected by Canadian and international intellectual property law. You may view and print pages from the Site for your personal, non-commercial use. All other uses require our prior written permission.

B8. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES, SERVICES, AND TOOLS

The Site may link to or integrate with services, tools, or content provided by third parties (for example, insurance carrier portals, quoting engines, identity verification providers, or administrators).

- Third-party services are subject to that third party's own terms of use and privacy policies, which you should review separately.
- Third-party services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranty of any kind, except as required by applicable consumer protection law.
- The listing of a third party on the Site is not an endorsement of that third party's products or services.

We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, operation, or availability of third-party websites or services that we do not control.

B9. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

By providing your email address, phone number, or other contact details, you consent to receive electronic communications from us related to the services you have requested. You may withdraw consent for non-essential communications at any time by emailing [email protected].

We use reasonable safeguards (including encryption in transit) to protect electronic communications, but no transmission over the Internet is fully secure. You acknowledge that residual risk exists when sending sensitive information electronically.

B10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Red Helm is not responsible for losses arising from:

- inaccurate or incomplete information provided to us by you or a third party;
- actions or omissions of insurance carriers, MGAs, TPAs, or other third parties outside our control;
- decisions you make to purchase, decline, modify, or cancel coverage without first obtaining appropriate professional advice;
- temporary unavailability of the Site; or
- unauthorized access to information transmitted over the Internet.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for fraud, gross negligence, or any liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law (including consumer protection legislation).

B11. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable in Ontario. Any dispute relating to the Site or these Terms will be resolved in the courts of Ontario, subject to any consumer protection legislation that gives you the right to bring proceedings in the courts of your province or territory of residence.

B12. CONTACT

Questions about these Terms can be sent to [email protected] or by mail to:

Red Helm Canada Ltd.
Attn: Legal & Compliance
300 - 116 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G3

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PART C - PRIVACY STATEMENT
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C1. OUR COMMITMENT

Red Helm Canada Ltd. is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Statement explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the rights you have over it.

We handle personal information in accordance with:

- the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA);
- substantially similar provincial private-sector privacy laws where they apply (including Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector, BC's PIPA, and Alberta's PIPA);
- the Insurance Act of the province in which you reside; and
- the privacy guidance issued by the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).

C2. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Depending on the product or service you ask about, we may collect:

- IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION - name, date of birth, address, phone, email, government-issued ID where required for insurer underwriting or anti-money-laundering purposes.

- FINANCIAL INFORMATION - income, employment, banking details for premium collection, beneficiary information.

- HEALTH INFORMATION - medical history, current medications, treatment details, and other health information needed to underwrite life, health, disability, critical illness, or travel insurance.

- FAMILY / DEPENDENT INFORMATION - where the product covers a spouse or dependents.

- CLAIMS INFORMATION - where you submit a claim, including supporting medical or other documentation.

- INTERACTION INFORMATION - records of meetings, emails, and other communications with us.

- WEBSITE INFORMATION - IP address, browser type, pages visited, and similar technical information when you use our Site (see section C9).

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for the purposes described below.

C3. WHY WE COLLECT, USE, AND DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal information may be collected, used, and disclosed only as necessary to:

- assess your insurance needs;
- prepare quotations and recommendations;
- submit applications to insurance carriers for underwriting;
- administer policies that are issued (including premium collection, beneficiary changes, renewals, and cancellations);
- process and adjudicate claims;
- respond to your questions and provide ongoing service;
- meet our regulatory, tax, anti-money-laundering, and record-keeping obligations;
- detect and prevent fraud or misuse; and
- where you have consented, send you information about products or services we believe may interest you.

C4. WHO WE MAY SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH

To deliver the services you request, we may share personal information with:

- the INSURANCE COMPANY (or companies) underwriting or issuing your policy;

- the MGA, TPA, or TPP that administers the product (see Part A, section A5 for the current list of partners);

- REINSURERS participating in the risk;

- DRUG POOLING ENTITIES required for group benefit plans;

- HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, PHARMACIES, AND LABORATORIES where required for underwriting or claims;

- INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS retained by an insurer to verify claims;

- TECHNOLOGY SERVICE PROVIDERS (such as cloud hosting, document storage, e-signature, and customer relationship management systems) that operate under contractual confidentiality and security obligations;

- REGULATORS, COURTS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT where we are legally required to disclose;

- REFERRAL PARTNERS where you have asked us to refer you and you have consented to the disclosure; and

- AFFILIATES in the Red Helm Affiliate Program, who may receive limited information confirming whether a referral they originated resulted in a paid lead, application, or issued policy (for the purpose of calculating their compensation). Affiliates do not receive your medical, financial, or application content. The full terms of the Affiliate Program, including the limited data shared with Affiliates, are described in the Red Helm Canada Affiliate Program Disclosure at redhelm.ca.

We do NOT sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information for purposes unrelated to those listed above without your consent.

C5. GROUP BENEFITS - ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

If you are enrolling in a group benefits plan through Red Helm, you acknowledge that:

- claims under the group policy may be submitted through you as the plan member;
- we may exchange information about those claims with you or anyone you authorize (including a spouse or dependent) for the purpose of confirming eligibility and managing the claim;
- if you are enrolling a spouse or dependents, you confirm that you are authorized to provide their information for the same purposes; and
- misrepresentation, fraud, claim falsification, tampering with documents, or claiming for goods or services not actually received may result in immediate termination of coverage by the insurer.

C6. CROSS-BORDER TRANSFERS

Some of our service providers, insurers, or reinsurers may be located outside Canada (most commonly in the United States or the European Union). Personal information transferred to or stored in another country may be accessed by the courts, law enforcement, or national security authorities of that country.

We take reasonable contractual and technical steps to protect personal information when it is transferred outside Canada.

C7. HOW LONG WE KEEP PERSONAL INFORMATION

We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above and to meet our legal, regulatory, and contractual record-keeping obligations.

For most insurance files, this means retention for at least the minimum period required by FSRA, the relevant insurer, and the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario) or equivalent legislation in your province - typically seven years after the file is closed, and longer where claims or litigation are involved.

When personal information is no longer required, we destroy, erase, or anonymize it using secure methods.

C8. SAFEGUARDS

We protect personal information using:

- encryption of data in transit and, where reasonably practicable, at rest;
- access controls limiting personal information to staff and partners who need it;
- secure document handling and storage;
- contractual confidentiality and security commitments with service providers;
- staff training on privacy and information security; and
- ongoing review of our IT risk management practices consistent with FSRA's IT Risk Management Guidance.

Despite these safeguards, no system is completely secure. We will notify affected individuals and relevant regulators of any material privacy breach as required by PIPEDA and applicable provincial law.

C9. COOKIES AND SITE ANALYTICS

The Site may use cookies and similar technologies to recognize repeat visitors, remember preferences, and measure how the Site is used. You can disable cookies in your browser, but some features of the Site may not work properly without them.

C10. YOUR RIGHTS

Subject to legal exceptions, you have the right to:

- ACCESS the personal information we hold about you;
- REQUEST CORRECTION of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- WITHDRAW CONSENT to certain uses or disclosures (which may affect your ability to continue providing you with services);
- REQUEST DELETION of personal information that is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected; and
- FILE A COMPLAINT with our Privacy Officer or with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or the privacy regulator in your province.

We will respond to requests within 30 DAYS of receipt, or notify you within that period if more time is needed (as permitted by PIPEDA).

C11. HOW TO REACH OUR PRIVACY OFFICER

Privacy Officer: Red Helm Canada Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Privacy Officer, Red Helm Canada Ltd.
300 - 116 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G3
Phone: 1.866.230.5565

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:

- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada - priv.gc.ca | 1-800-282-1376
- Commission d'acces a l'information du Quebec (Quebec residents) - cai.gouv.qc.ca
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia - oipc.bc.ca
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta - oipc.ab.ca

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT
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By checking the box below on the form you are submitting, you confirm that:

- You are the age of majority in your province or territory of residence.

- You have received, read, and understood this combined document consisting of the Advisor Disclosure Statement (Part A), Terms of Use (Part B), and Privacy Statement (Part C) of Red Helm Canada Ltd.

- You agree to be bound by the Terms of Use in Part B.

- You consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in the Privacy Statement in Part C, for the purposes described in section C3, including disclosure to the insurance companies, MGAs, TPAs, TPPs, reinsurers, service providers, and other parties listed in section C4.

- You acknowledge the licensing, compensation, conflict of interest, and Affiliate Program disclosures set out in Part A, sections A2, A6, A7, and A7a.

- You have the right to withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal and contractual restrictions and reasonable notice, by contacting our Privacy Officer at [email protected]. Withdrawal of consent may affect your ability to continue providing services to you.

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END OF DOCUMENT
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We’ll help you find the right coverage for your specific trip, destination, and budget. Don’t leave your health and financial security to chance—get protected before you go.

Remember: The best time to purchase travel insurance is immediately after making your first trip payment. This ensures you’re covered for the longest possible period before departure.

Wherever your travels take you, make sure you have the right protection. It’s a small cost for big security on your journey. Safe travels!

Disclosure

All quotes, products, and services are marketed and distributed by Red Helm Canada, an independent brokerage. Review our brokerage disclosure to find out more about who we are. While all effort is made to ensure accuracy, rates and plan details may be subject to review or change without prior notice. Rates are not guaranteed until final approval and confirmation from the insurance carrier. Plan eligibility is not guaranteed and may be subject to a medical questionnaire or other eligibility criteria. By submitting your information in our quote request form, you are accepting the terms and conditions of our website and are accepting that we communicate with you electronically for the purpose of solicitation.

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