As a Canadian with Provincial or Territorial Health Care, is it best to purchase travel insurance for trips outside of Canada?

When Canadians are travelling outside of Canada, government health care coverage will not be sufficient to cover all or even many of their emergency medical costs and associated travel-related expenses. Costs associated with hospitalization are greatly underfunded by the provincial schemes and in some cases, there is no coverage at all. 
 
The costs of medical emergencies outside of Canada can be very expensive and the range of cost recovery from the provinces is from zero to about 7% per claim.
 
It is not only important for the person needing medical attention but for family members who may well be impacted when an emergency takes place; including lodging, return home travel as well as other unexpected costs.
 
Foreign hospitals & treatments can be expensive and may require immediate payment in some cases. In certain places, hospitals and clinics will not treat you if you do not have proof of insurance coverage or enough money to pay the hospital bills.

Is it possible to top up a group insurance plan?

Yes, top-up coverage is available. This can be issued as a single trip top-up or a multi-trip top-up policy. You will still need to go through the eligibility process and meet the policy requirements to apply for coverage.

Can coverage be secured to cover pre-existing medical conditions?

The vast majority of medical conditions can be covered as pre-existing conditions and we work towards that outcome every time. Most policies have a waiting period to determine if the condition is eligible for coverage. That waiting period can be as short as 7 days and as long as 365 days depending on the condition and policy used. Often there is the ability to add riders to shorten these periods.

What is Visitor to Canada insurance?

Visitor to Canada insurance is for foreign visitors and returning Canadians who are looking for coverage during their visit or waiting period before being eligible to secure provincial healthcare coverage in Canada. The coverage is for unexpected health and medical expenses. Plans vary in terms of overall coverage maximums as well as benefits.

Is it possible to get coverage once you have already left Canada?

Yes, we have several solutions for travel insurance coverage after departure from your home province.

Is Super Visa Coverage available and what are the limitations?

Coverage is available for a parent or grandparent super visa. This coverage must be secured prior to the visa being granted for a period of at least 1 year from the date of entry. Coverage must be for at least $100,000.

Should one purchase travel insurance for a visit to Canada?

When travelling to Canada from other home countries, health insurance often excludes coverage in Canada, or it may be limited at best. Certain activities may well be excluded by coverage brought to Canada. Mountain Climbing and Skiing are often exclusions people have in policies they carry with them from other countries.

What happens when one stays longer than initially planned?

Coverage can be extended, but it should be done before the current coverage expires or you will have to take out a new policy. Where there are gaps in coverage a new policy referred to as an after-departure policy could be placed. Unfortunately, there are limited policy options though when purchasing while on your trip. Extensions can be done by email or over the phone through our office. 

Are refunds available?

Should a person return home before the scheduled return date of a trip and no claim was made, then a refund would typically be available for any of the unused days. Sometimes those refunds are subject to a refund fee. We do not distribute the refunds unless the premium was paid by a cheque. The refund form will be submitted directly through the company who issues your policy and they will have to approve it.

Are the wallet cards important?

Yes, wallet cards have your policy information on them. They also include the emergency phone number in the event you need services. Many companies have e-versions or app versions of their card with greater features built-in.