TORONTO — Canada’s travel insurers are imploring Canadians to help prioritize calls during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), a voluntary association that represents 99% of Canada’s life and health insurance business, says that travel insurers are receiving an unprecedented number of calls, and that the industry is working hard to respond to everyone as quickly as possible.

To help alleviate long wait times, CLHIA is asking travellers to not contact their travel insurer’s call centre at this time unless they are currently outside of Canada and in need of travel medical assistance, or are currently outside of Canada and in need of travel assistance.

If a traveller needs to cancel their trip, CLHIA is advsing them to contact their travel vendor (airline, travel agency, etc.). They are to submit their claim to their travel insurer within a short period (7 to 14 days) of their original departure date.

“Please be patient. Everyone’s claim will be processed,” said CLHIA.

For travellers currently abroad and in need of immediate travel or medical assistance from their insurer, go to www.olhi.ca/for-insurers/member-list/ for contact information.