RBC Travel Insurance

RBC Travel Insurance is offered by RBC Insurance, the insurance arm of the Royal Bank of Canada. Plans include single-trip and annual multi-trip policies, plus standalone trip cancellation/interruption and emergency medical coverage. Policies are underwritten by RBC Insurance Company of Canada and can be purchased whether or not you bank with RBC. Key features highlighted in the review:

• Emergency medical coverage (up to CAD 5,000,000 noted in the review)
• Baggage protection up to CAD 2,000
• Trip cancellation/interruption coverage up to CAD 10,000
• 24/7 global assistance and telemedicine
• Online purchase and claim filing, plus affiliated credit-card claims routes

What the coverage includes

Emergency medical

One of the strongest selling points is the high emergency medical limit. The review cites emergency medical coverage up to CAD 5,000,000, including dental and COVID-related care. For travellers concerned about potentially large overseas medical bills, that level of protection can be a decisive factor.

Trip cancellation and interruption

RBC offers trip cancellation and interruption coverage (the review notes limits up to CAD 10,000). That helps protect prepaid, non-refundable expenses when covered events force you to cancel or cut a trip short.

Baggage and belongings

Baggage protection is included, with coverage up to CAD 2,000. This helps for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items while travelling.

Assistance and telemedicine

RBC provides 24/7 global assistance and telemedicine access. Reviewers in the video praised the availability of telemedicine and fast coordination for hospital care when needed.

Pros — where RBC stands out

• High emergency medical limits: Substantial coverage (review notes up to CAD 5,000,000) including dental and COVID care.
• Robust trip and baggage limits: Trip cancellation/interruption up to CAD 10,000 and baggage protection up to CAD 2,000.
• 24/7 global assistance & telemedicine: Helpful for urgent medical coordination and remote medical advice.
• Online purchase and claims: Policies can be bought online and claims submitted digitally.
• Fast claims via affiliated credit cards: Some users reported rapid processing when claims were made through RBC-affiliated cards (example: processed in three days).

Cons — what to watch out for

• Customer service issues: Frequent complaints about long hold times, dropped calls, and no callback option. Several reviewers described slow, confusing claim filing while overseas.
• Complex eligibility rules: Preexisting medical condition rules can be complicated and may differ for RBC banking clients versus non-clients, affecting both eligibility and price.
• Inconsistent claims experience: While some claims are handled quickly, others reportedly involved hours on the phone and frustrating loops.
• Consumer complaint indicators: The review mentioned a “triple B B rating” and unresolved consumer complaints, raising questions about consistency in problem resolution.

Eligibility, pricing, and fine print

Eligibility — especially around preexisting medical conditions — is a recurring complexity. The review warns that rules can differ for RBC clients versus non-clients and that these distinctions also influence pricing. Travellers with preexisting conditions should read policy wording carefully and, if necessary, contact RBC to confirm how their circumstances are treated before purchasing.

Pricing wasn’t detailed in depth in the review, but it’s implied that the product can be competitive when high medical limits are required. Because eligibility and price can vary, obtaining a quote and comparing it with alternatives is recommended.

Alternatives to consider

The review suggests exploring other insurers if customer-service reliability or policy clarity is a priority. Alternatives mentioned include:

• Tougo
• Kan assistance
• Allianz (World Nomads was referenced as “Alliance World Nomads” in the review)
• Blue Cross

Each of these providers has different strengths — for example, some may be known for smoother customer support, more flexible preexisting condition coverage, or different price points — so comparing quotes and claim reputations is worthwhile.

Who should consider RBC Travel Insurance?

• Travellers who want high emergency medical limits and broad protection for medical and dental emergencies abroad.
• People who value strong trip cancellation/interruption and baggage limits.
• Those who may leverage affiliated credit-card benefits for faster claims processing.

Who might want to look elsewhere?

• Travellers who place a high priority on responsive customer service and minimal hold times.
• Those who need very clear, simple rules for preexisting medical conditions and eligibility.
• People who prefer insurers with a consistently strong consumer-complaint track record.

Tips when considering RBC

1. Get a written quote and carefully review the emergency medical limit, deductible, and exclusions.
2. Ask specific questions about preexisting condition coverage and whether your status as an RBC client changes terms or pricing.
3. If you have an RBC-affiliated credit card, confirm whether/how card benefits interact with standalone policies for faster claims.
4. Document everything when filing a claim (photos, receipts, official reports) and keep copies both on your device and in cloud storage.
5. Check recent customer reviews focused on claims processing — experiences can change over time, and recent feedback is most useful.

Final verdict

RBC Travel Insurance is a strong contender for travellers who need robust emergency medical protection and solid trip and baggage limits. The 24/7 global assistance and telemedicine are valuable features, and some users report impressively fast claims through affiliated credit-card channels.

However, persistent customer-service complaints, confusing eligibility rules around preexisting conditions, and mixed claims experiences mean RBC may not be the best fit for everyone. If clear rules and consistently responsive support are essential, it’s worth comparing alternatives like Tougo, Kan assistance, Allianz/World Nomads, and Blue Cross before deciding.

In short: choose RBC for maximum medical protection if you’re comfortable navigating eligibility questions and potentially variable customer-service experiences. If you prioritize smoother support and simpler rules, shop around and compare quotes.