We remain committed to keeping you informed about actions we’re taking, to support you during this time. Thank you for choosing RBC Insurance.
Last Updated: July 12, 2022
RBC Insurance Stores
Travel Insurance
Group Benefits
Purchase Security and Warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
RBC Insurance Stores
Travel Insurance
Group Benefits
Purchase Security and Warranty
Car Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Updates
RBC Insurance Stores
How RBC Insurance Stores are supporting clients
Our Store locations have now re-opened. Please see the RBC Insurance Store Locator opens new window for a location near you.
Please note that while most locations are now open, limited on-site staff are available at this time. Prior to visiting us, we recommend calling or completing the Request an Appointment form link for your chosen Store within the RBC Insurance Store Locator opens new window.
We are committed to ensuring your insurance needs are met. RBC Insurance Advisors across Canada remain available to meet with you virtually by phone or video. To connect with an Advisor near you, please see the RBC Insurance Advisor Locator opens new window.
Travel Insurance
How RBC Insurance is supporting travel insurance clients
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, we appreciate our clients have important questions and concerns about upcoming travel. Due to recent changes to Government of Canada Travel Advisories (opens external website in new window), we are currently experiencing extremely high call volumes that are resulting in much longer wait times than usual. We have all hands on deck to support you and greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to assist you in your time of need.
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.
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Travelling outside of Canada: In an effort to provide increased peace of mind to our valued clients, RBC Insurance will cover emergency medical claims if diagnosed with COVID-19 on or after February 17, 2022 provided all the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage are met.
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Travelling within Canada: For clients who choose to travel within Canada, we will continue to provide Emergency Medical coverage related to COVID-19 provided all the terms and conditions are met.
Any expenses related to quarantine requirements and/or PCR testing/COVID-19 testing will NOT be covered under this coverage.
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Cruise ship travel: For clients who choose to travel on a cruise ship, RBC Insurance will cover emergency medical claims if the client is diagnosed with COVID-19 on or after March 7, 2022 provided all the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage are met.
COVID-19 Pandemic Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Update
Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, RBC Insurance is committed to ongoing monitoring of developments and will update coverages as appropriate.
Purchased Plans with Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance coverage
RBC Insurance will not pay Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption insurance claims if a client is required to cancel or interrupt a trip for a reason related to COVID-19, except in the following circ*mstances (subject to all other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions):
- The client’s emergency medical condition (a medical certificate completed by a physician is required) due to contracting COVID-19 that prevents the client from travelling as planned.
- The emergency medical condition of the client’s spouse and/or children (a medical certificate completed by a physician is required) due to contracting COVID-19 that prevents the client from travelling as planned.
This update is effective for insurance purchased *on or after June 1st, 2022.
* For the Deluxe Annual Package the effective date is when the client purchases pre-paid travel arrangements on or after June 1st, 2022.
COVID-19 Pandemic Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Update
Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, RBC Insurance is committed to ongoing monitoring of developments and will update coverages as appropriate.
RBC Insurance will not pay Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption insurance claims if the Cardholder is required to cancel or interrupt a trip for a reason related to COVID-19, except for the following circ*mstances (subject to all other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions):
- The Cardholder’s emergency medical condition (a medical certificate completed by a physician is required) due to contracting COVID-19 that prevents the Cardholder from travelling as planned.
- The emergency medical condition of the Cardholder’s spouse and/or dependent child (a medical certificate completed by a physician is required) due to contracting COVID-19 that prevents the Cardholder from travelling as planned.
This update is effective for travel arrangements paid in full with a Cardholder’s RBC Credit Card and/or RBC Rewards points on or after June 1st, 2022.
Before travelling, please review the country/region specific guidelines and requirements on:
- Proof of vaccination;
- Testing;
- Quarantine; and
- Re-entry requirements
In addition, for non-vaccinated individuals, the Government of Canada has provided a guideline recommending against non-essential travel, however this advice is not considered part of the Level 3 travel advisory.
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.
Group Benefits
How RBC Insurance supporting Group Benefits clients
We at RBC Insurance are working as quickly as possible to assess the impacts of COVID-19 and to keep you informed of key decisions that impact you and your group benefits plan. We are here to support you and your family. While things continue to move fast and change quickly, below is some important information.
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.
If you depart on or after January 1, 2021 while there was a Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential travel) or lower advisory in place, you will be covered for COVID-19 related claims under your group emergency medical insurance. If you have Trip Cancellation Trip Interruption coverage, COVID-19 continues to be a known occurrence and will not be covered should you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to COVID-19.
If you travel to a location that is under a Level 4 (Avoid all travel) advisory, medical emergency will not be covered. If you are already in a country when the Level 4 advisory is issued, you will be given 10 days to return home. Your medical emergency will remain covered during the 10-day period.
Visit the Government of Canada Global Travel Advisory website for updates on travel advisories.
If you departed prior to January 1, 2021, you would only be covered under medical emergency for COVID-19 related claims if you were traveling for work that is deemed essential. Any leisure or non-essential travel would not be covered for COVID-19 related claims. Any medical emergency claims not related to COVID-19 continue to be covered.
Visit the Government of Canada website for Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
If you travel to a location that is under a Level 4 (Avoid all travel) advisory, medical emergency will not be covered. If you are already in a country when the Level 4 advisory is issued, you will be given 10 days to return home. Your medical emergency will remain covered during the 10-day period.
I have to cancel my trip, or cut my trip short due to COVID-19, will my Group Benefit coverage cover my loss?
COVID-19 pandemic is considered a known occurrence under the Trip Cancellation Trip Interruption coverage and is excluded from coverage. If you have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to COVID-19, your Trip Cancellation Trip Interruption coverage will not cover the claim.
The Government of Canada issues 4 travel health notices for travel destinations as follows:
- Level 1 - Practice usual precautions
- Level 2 - Practice special precautions
- Level 3 - Avoid all non-essential travel
- Level 4 - Avoid all travel
Visit the Government of Canada Risk levels and Travel Advisories website for more information.
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.
Car Insurance
How RBC Insurance is supporting car insurance clients
At RBC Insurance, we understand that we are in unprecedented times and many clients are facing financial hardship. That is why we work with each client to offer personalized advice and solutions to help them save on premiums while ensuring they have adequate coverage.
- Driving less? We may be able to update your usage if you still need your vehicle, but are no longer commuting to work and/or school.
- Not driving at all? If you no longer drive one or more of your vehicles, we may be able to offer the #StayHome endorsem*nt.
- Have multiple vehicles? If you are no longer using one of them, it may be possible to reduce the coverage on that vehicle currently not in use.
Please call us at 1-888-556-2685 to review your coverage options or if your driving usage changes.
Purchase Security and Warranty
You can submit a claim for Purchase Security and Warranty Insurance under your RBC Credit Card coverage using this online form for Credit Card and Travel Insurance Claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are committed to ensuring that your insurance needs are met. While our stores are closed, our advisors and insurance solutions remain available to you across a variety of channels. If you need to talk to someone about your insurance coverage, have an insurance review or simply better understand what your options are, you can find an Insurance Advisor here opens new window or call the number on our website. If your need is not urgent, please email us.
If you are receiving your payment by direct deposit into your account, there will be no impact to your payment. If you are receiving your payment by cheque, we will be reaching out to you to switch to direct deposit. You can reach us at 1 888 Royal 94 (1-888-769-2594). To initiate the direct deposit process or by email at rbcigroupannuity@rbc.com.
Yes, for Individual Life insurance policies, coverage includes death as a result of COVID-19.
Yes, COVID-19 is an insurable illness that you would have coverage for under the Royal RecoverAssist – Enhanced Coverage. Your coverage begins on the fourth day of your hospital stay. (Please see your policy for details.)
Yes, if you become ill due to COVID-19, test positive and as a result cannot work, you have coverage through your Disability Insurance policy. Benefits will be paid after the end of any applicable Elimination Period. (Elimination Period is the period of time between when you first become sick and when you start receiving benefits. Please see your policy for details.)
Supporting communities affected by COVID-19
RBC has committed an initial $2-million in support of COVID-19 community response efforts. As a first step, RBC will be donating funds to respond to community needs in Canada, the U.S. and globally to charitable partners including Food Banks Canada opens new window; Feeding America opens new window and The World Health Organization’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund opens new window.
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Use of the Government of Canada COVID Alert app is not mandated by Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) and is completely voluntary. RBC has no affiliation with the app and assumes no liability for its use by any person. RBC will not know if an app user has downloaded or used it, nor are we able to collect, view, or retain any personal information of an app user, including their health information.
