An Oshawa resident is warning Canadians to carefully review the fine print of their travel insurance policies after being left with a staggering medical bill of more than $147,000 following a medical emergency while vacationing in Mexico.
Bahoz Ali believed he had taken the necessary precautions before travelling to Cancun in April 2024. Like many travellers, he purchased comprehensive travel medical insurance through a Global Youth All-Inclusive policy before departing on vacation with his girlfriend.
However, what began as a routine holiday quickly turned into a life-threatening medical crisis.
According to Ali, approximately one week before leaving Canada, he developed flu-like symptoms and visited a walk-in clinic. He says a physician advised him that the illness appeared to be minor and that he should be fit to travel.
Two days after arriving at his resort in Mexico, his condition deteriorated rapidly. He suffered multiple seizures and required emergency hospitalization. Shortly afterward, he fell into a coma and remained hospitalized in Mexico for eight days.
Ali recalls very little from the ordeal, saying he lost memory of much of what happened after the seizures began. Due to the seriousness of his condition and uncertainty surrounding the cause of the illness, arrangements were made to transport him back to Canada aboard an air ambulance for further treatment.
After returning home, Ali continued receiving medical care in Canada. At the time, he believed the substantial medical expenses incurred in Mexico, including hospitalization and emergency transportation, would be covered under his travel insurance policy.
But more than a year later, the family received devastating news.
The claim had been denied, leaving Ali responsible for repaying $147,502 in medical expenses.
The insurer determined that Ali’s visit to a walk-in clinic before departure triggered a provision within the policy related to pre-existing medical conditions. According to the policy’s terms, travellers must be medically stable for 90 days before departure.
In a statement, Manulife Canada indicated that medical records showed Ali had experienced symptoms and sought treatment before travelling. The company stated that the condition fell within the policy’s three-month stability period and therefore affected eligibility for coverage.
The insurer emphasized that travel insurance policies contain specific exclusions and conditions and encouraged travellers to fully understand their coverage and disclose any medical developments that occur before departure.
The decision means the claim did not qualify for reimbursement, and payment for the medical services remains owing.
Ali’s family strongly disputes the insurer’s conclusion. They argue that medical specialists in Canada have indicated the medical emergency in Mexico was unrelated to the flu-like symptoms that prompted the walk-in clinic visit before the trip.
Despite multiple appeals, the insurer has upheld its decision.
Travel insurance expert Martin Firestone described the situation as unfortunate and said disputes involving stability clauses are among the most common issues encountered in travel insurance claims. He noted that disagreements often arise when insurers believe there is a connection between a pre-travel medical consultation and a subsequent medical emergency abroad, even when treating physicians may not see a direct relationship.
The case serves as a cautionary reminder for Canadians planning international travel. Many policies contain stability clauses that can affect coverage if travellers experience new symptoms, seek medical advice, change medications, or receive treatment within a specified period before departure.
Ali’s father, Rahim Ali, said the experience has been devastating for the family. While grateful that his son survived the medical emergency and appreciative of community support, he believes travellers need to be aware that purchasing insurance alone does not guarantee claims will be approved.
Consumer advocates recommend that travellers carefully review all policy conditions before departure, pay special attention to pre-existing condition and stability requirements, and contact their insurer directly if they experience any medical issues before travelling.
For many Canadians, the case is a sobering reminder that even a seemingly minor illness before a trip can have major consequences when it comes to travel insurance coverage. With overseas medical costs and air ambulance transportation often reaching six-figure amounts, understanding policy exclusions may be just as important as purchasing coverage itself.