Updated April, November 2024

Local Community Updates

Current information and FAQs can be found on the municipal websites of areas we operate, such as the District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet and the District of Port Hardy.

Medical and Trip Insurance

General Differences in Types of Insurance:

• Trip Cancellation Insurance: In case of unforeseen events such as unexpected illness or injury prevent you from going on your trip. This also covers canceled or delayed flights, ferries or other types of transport that prevent you from going on your tour.
• Trip Interruption Insurance: In the case you are required to interrupt your trip or return home prematurely.
• Medical Travel insurance: In case you need to receive medical attention and/or evacuation during your trip. Due to the nature of our kayak tours, ensure the policy includes wilderness activities. It should cover the cost of both medical care and evacuation from a remote wilderness setting including the possibilities of Coast Guard, water taxi or helicopter.
• Cancel for Any Reason Coverage: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage expands the reasons for canceling your plans beyond traditional cancellation coverage. It’s an optional upgrade to most travel insurance plans, offering added security during uncertain times. With CFAR, you can typically cancel your trip for any reason and receive a partial refund, usually 50% or 75% of prepaid expenses like airline tickets and hotel reservations. This upgrade covers events considered ‘known or foreseeable’. To qualify for refunds, the trip must be canceled no later than 48 hours before departure, with the exact cutoff varying by provider.

Medical Coverage for Canadians In Canada, medical care is provided to everyone regardless of their ability to pay, ensuring that no one is denied essential treatment. However, it’s important to note that healthcare services are not provided free of charge for individuals who are not citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada. Costs can accumulate rapidly, particularly for emergency services such as helicopter evacuations, hospital stays, and diagnostic procedures.

Credit Card Coverage Credit cards typically provide a degree of medical insurance if the trip was paid for using your credit card. This coverage varies and is sometimes restricted. While some cards may offer more extensive protection, it’s essential to carefully review the terms and conditions to understand what exactly your credit card insurance entails. Additionally, clarify whether the coverage extends to the primary cardholder only or includes travel companions. It’s worth noting that many policies do not cover COVID-19 related issues, so it’s crucial to examine the fine print thoroughly.

Medical and Travel Insurance Wild Root Journeys strongly recommends all booked guests to purchase medical, travel and trip cancellation insurance as needed for their trip. Should something occur, it is likely that there are expenses outside of the tour cost that would benefit from insurance coverage, such as hotel bookings, flights etc.

Wild Root Journeys is not an expert on travel insurance, the information here is only meant to be of general help.

Most insurance policies need to be purchased no later than 72 hours after booking your trip. Due to varying policy options by country of citizenship, we encourage participants to do their own research to find the best policy to fit personal situations. For guidance on policy options, check with your local travel agent, bank or regular insurance provider.

Something to keep in mind is that events that are considered “known or foreseeable” are not typically covered by most travel insurance policies. This can include a known health concern that could eventually prevent you from traveling in the future. Also, Coronavirus is often considered a “foreseeable event”. This has prompted insurance providers to add coverage for COVID-related cancellations to their policies. Insurance companies that we have found to offer extra COVID coverage include: SafetyWing for travelers from Canada; Heymondo for travelers from the USA, Europe and other parts of the world; and Staysure for travelers from the UK. Likely, there are more options available through your local travel agent, so this list acts solely as a suggestion.

Other general insurance policies could be purchased through Manulife-Safe Visit or Aardy.

Self Assessment Prior to Trip

Please discuss any concerns or limitations before booking. Participants are requested to self-assess their general well being in the days and weeks prior to starting a tour. Considerations can include changes in health, emotional well being or relational emergencies. For the safety and consideration of everyone on trip, we encourage you to share notable information prior to the trip and as soon as possible. We will hold this information confidentially and will offer our knowledge and support as we can.

The Trip and Medical Form has a question regarding Tetanus. While the tetanus immunization is not mandatory for clients to join the trip, guides first-aid certs hold us to maintain proper patient care. This means that without the immunization, even minor cuts could require evacuation. The cost of an evacuation would be on the client, as it is not an emergency that we would call on the coast guard for. This is mostly an industry-wide practice. If you choose to get the vaccine, your family doctor or most walk-ins have it available if you call beforehand. Below is a bit more information on tetanus. https://immunizebc.ca/diseases-vaccinations/tetanus

Wild Root Journeys Booking Terms and Conditions

• Deposits are refundable minus a 3% service fee up to 72 hours after booking. Please notify us by email at info@nullwildrootjourneys.com if cancelling within a 72 hour period for a refund. After 72 hours the deposit is non-refundable.
• Day Journeys refund minus a 3% service fee requires notice by 5pm the day before your trip via email to info@nullwildrootjourneys.com.
• Multi-Day Journeys require a 20% deposit per person at the time of booking. Full payment is deducted 30 days prior to the tour departure date and is then non-refundable. (Credits may be issued under certain circumstances).
• Please discuss any concerns or limitations before booking.
• Wild Root Journeys that recommends participants purchase Medical, Travel and Trip Cancellation insurances as needed for their trip. Most insurance policies need to be purchased within a short time of booking.
• Wild Root Journeys Ltd. reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for various reasons, including insufficient bookings. If a tour is canceled, you may opt for an alternate trip or receive a full refund. Participants will be notified of cancellations no later than 30 days before the tour departure. If the alternate trip chosen is of lesser value, you’ll receive a refund for the difference. If it’s of higher value, you’ll be required to pay the price difference.
• If a tour has to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control and/or a circumstance amounting to “force majeure” such as natural disasters, political instability, epidemics, closed or congested airports or ports, adverse weather conditions, and any other similar events, there will be no refund from Wild Root Journeys Ltd. Please contact your travel insurance provider to initiate a claim for such cases. Wild Root Journeys Ltd. is not liable for expenses incurred by trip participants in preparation for a canceled trip, including non-refundable plane tickets, visa fees, or equipment. We’ll make every reasonable effort to notify you promptly if a trip is likely to be cancelled.
• Wild Root Journeys guides have the right to remove persons from any trip if they are compromising the safety of themselves or the group. All evacuation costs are incurred by the participant.

Wilderness Travel and Group Dynamics

By traveling with Wild Root Journeys Ltd., you agree to follow the leadership of the guides. Group travel often requires compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and abilities of participants, including distances covered, travel pace, and choice of campsites. We encourage you to approach your adventure with an open mind and to embrace the unexpected. We are committed to delivering safe, environmentally conscious, well-organized, and enjoyable adventures.