Going Places

Exclusive benefits to CAA Members. Call or go online today to book your complimentary hearing evaluation. At Connect Hearing, we know that "fine" really isn't fine at all when hearing loss starts to affect some of life's important moments, like family time during the holidays. Not when there are so many innovative hearing solutions available to you. Better hearing can start right now! To find out more, call 1.888.486.0177 or visit connecthearing.ca/caa today! ®CAA, CAA logo and CAA Rewards trademarks owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association. " My hearing is fine… " ... except during family gatherings. W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 49 Before you escape the cold this winter, give your battery a break too. Here's how you can prevent it from freezing or draining while you're away: • Use a battery maintainer. A main- tainer monitors your batter y and as the charge drains, the device turns itself on and charges the battery. Once fully charged, it turns itself off again so as not to overcharge the battery. (Purchase a Deltran Battery Tender at CAA Manitoba service centres or online at shop.caamanitoba.com. Member prices: $41.99- $69.99.) • Disconnect and remove the battery from the vehicle. Store the battery in a well-ventilated area. Do not place directly on a concrete floor though – place a piece of wood or cardboard underneath. If you're not sure how to remove the battery, consult your owner's manual. Should you need a boost or a new battery though, we're always here to help. Place an emergency service request online at www.caamanitoba.com, through our mobile app or call 204-262-6111 in Winnipeg, toll-free 1-800-222-4357 or *222 from your cellphone. I N S U R A N C E Q My annual Away From Home travel insurance plan only covers me for up to 30 days at a time, but I'm planning on going away this winter for longer. Am I able to add on coverage? A You can – and should – top up your annual travel insurance plan if you'll be away for longer than your coverage provides. "It's important that your travel health insurance covers you for the entire duration of your trip," says Aimee Sebastian, a CAA Manitoba member services counsellor. "Not purchasing top-up days can leave you vulnerable to expensive medical bills. Even something as simple as a slip and fall or a virus can cost thousands of dollars." To add on coverage, Sebastian urges travel- lers to visit a CAA Manitoba service centre as early as possible before leaving. You must know your date of departure and the date you'll be arriving home. "In my experience, purchasing coverage until the latest possible return date is best. If you come back to Canada earlier than planned, you can always get a refund on any unused top-up days with an Away From Home plan (provided you have no claims)." If you've already left Canada and forgot to purchase top-up days or decided to extend your trip beyond the 30 days, contact CAA Manitoba right away to discuss the possibility of adding extra days over the phone with a credit card payment. To qualify for the additional coverage, a medical declaration form may be required. It's important to contact CAA as soon as possible because top-up coverage will not take effect until all necessary information and documen- tation is received, as well as payment. If you're already out of the country and a medical declaration is required, an interactive medical form can be emailed to you, or if you're in Canada or the U.S., arrangements can be made to fax the form to the closest CAA/AAA office for pick up. GP

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