Travel Insurance Questions for Visitors to Canada Insurance
Visitors to Canada Insurance Questions:
Q: Can my visitors to Canada medical insurance be extended if I want to stay longer?
A: Most policies can be extended up to one year of time in Canada, provided you are still in good health and do not have any prior or pending claims on the policy. You just need to call your insurance company before your policy ends (please look up exact extension details in your policy wording, and they can extend the coverage for you.
Q: Who can purchase visitors to Canada travel insurance?
A: As long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated in the policy:
- Visitors to Canada here on business or vacation
- Immigrants to Canada waiting for government health coverage approval
- Canadians who have returned to Canada and are not yet covered under a provincial health plan.
Q: Can I purchase a policy for my family members who are planning to come for a visit?
A: Yes. Anyone can purchase a visitors insurance policy on behalf of someone coming to Canada. In fact, you should know that if a person is coming to Canada and you have sponsored their stay, you will be responsible for their medical bills if they cannot pay for them. So even if they don't want to pay for higher coverage, you might want to buy it for them anyway.
Q: Are there any discounts for two or more travellers buying at the same time?
A: Some company's do offer discounts for companion travel, or larger group travel insurance policies. Your quote will determine if such a discount applies.
Q: Do you offer discounts for group travel medical insurance?
A: Yes, some insurance companies offer group discounts. Call us toll-free at 1-888-888-0510 for more information.
Q: Am I covered for trips outside Canada?
A: Your medical emergency coverage begins after your arrival in Canada. After that time, as long as the majority of your period of coverage is spent in Canada, you may be covered for during travel outside Canada. However, expenses incurred in your own country will usually not be covered. Please read your policy for details.
Q: If I have a pre-existing condition, can I get coverage for that with visitors insurance?
A: Maybe. It depends on the pre-existing condition, and the terms and conditions of the policy. Some insurance companies offer plans that cover pre-existing conditions as long as they have been stable for a certain period of time (usually 6 months) before departure from your home country. Sometimes, pre-existing conditions will not be covered. It is important to read your entire policy to make sure you are aware of the definitions affecting coverage, as well as the possible exclusions that may apply.
Only some of the available plans will cover pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, etc. Other policies, while they do cover stable pre-existing medical conditions, use strict eligibility questions to screen out applicants (for example, no coverage available if you use an ICD (pacemaker), oral steroids for lung conditions, diagnosis of stroke, blood clots, congestive heart failure or heart murmur in past 12 months, etc.).
Q: If visitors to Canada insurance won't cover my pre-existing condition, why should I buy it?
A: Even though the emergency medical coverage might not apply to an existing condition, your travel insurance will cover any new illnesses or accidental injuries. There are also visitors to Canada plans that include trip interruption coverage, which can protect you from financial losses from having to cancel your trip after you come to Canada (ie. for a family emergency back home), or for delays and other surprises that occur while travelling.
Q: What do I do in the case of an emergency and/or hospitalization?
A: You must call your insurance company and notify them of any emergency medical treatment or hospitalization as soon as possible, and/or to obtain their approval of expenses that can be covered (ie. flying home to obtain medical attention). Failure to notify your insurance company can result in decreased coverage.
For more information see:
Q&A General Questions
Q&A For Canadians
Q&A On Medical Issues