Hi Brita,
The best starting point for your (visitors or expat) travel health insurance options is to use a comparable quote website that can help you instantly look at all the top available policies found in Canada, like the one offered by BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency.
Landed immigrants, permanent resident visa holders or foreign workers waiting to be accepted on provincial health care will be interested in a 2-3 month visitors to canada insurance policy:
http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/visitors-to-canada-insurance
For visitors to Canada insurance they are licensed with ten different insurance companies, although not all the companies will show up on the quote depending on the duration you choose, how old the travelers are, etc.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions, posted on BestQuote's site (although most policy details are presented to view and compare (prices, refund policy, eligibility, coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, etc.) after you have asked for an instant quote):
Q: Why should visitors buy insurance from a Canadian insurance company instead of from a company in their home country?
A: Canadian medical providers (hospital, dentists, medical clinics, etc.) prefer to work with Canadian insurance companies. There is direct billing between hospitals and the Canadian insurance companies. In the event that you have to pay for expenses and then file a claim, Canadian insurance companies will have a faster claim procedure as they can verify Canadian medical expenses faster than providers in foreign countries (so you get reimbursed faster).
Also, Canadian insurance companies are regulated by Canadian regulators, at some of the very highest standards around the world. In fact, they are also re-insured by Assuris - a Canadian government agency that will cover up to $60,000 of medical expenses in case a Canadian insurance company becomes insolvent. Not that that is likely, but it's nicer to know that you are insured no matter what happens. And, of course, if you are already in Canada when you are shopping for visitors insurance, companies in your home country may not insure you because you have already left your home (province).
Q: What amount of Visitors travel medical insurance should I purchase?
A: Hospital costs for visitors to Canada can amount to over $4,000 per day, and air ambulance charges to return you home could very easily be in the ten's of thousands of dollars. We recommend at least $100,000 of medical insurance coverage if peace of mind is what you are after.
Q: Do I purchase Visitors to Canada insurance before I leave, or once I arrive in Canada?
A: We recommend that you purchase your visitors to Canada travel insurance prior to your arrival in Canada. If you purchase after you arrive in Canada, most insurance companies will have a waiting period of anywhere between 1 to 8 days after you purchase, during which time there will be only limited coverage. If you are a landed immigrant, or coming to Canada on a working holiday visa, visitors insurance allows you to be covered for sickness and injury before being eligible (3 month waiting period) for provincial health coverage. Don't take any chances by waiting to buy visitors to Canada insurance after you arrive. Buy it before you get here and avoid having any gaps in coverage.
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 the coverage, you might want to buy it for them anyway. For people employing a live-in caregiver, visitors insurance is what you buy for 'nanny insurance' before your caregiver becomes eligible for provincial healthcare.
Q: Are there any discounts for two or more travelers buying at the same time?
A: Some company's do offer discounts for companion travel, or larger group travel insurance policies. However, It may actually make sense to buy two separate policies, because the price may be the same (depending on the company) but if one traveler has a claim and both travelers return home the policy holder that did not claim can apply for a refund. If both travelers are covered under the same policy, no refunds are possible after a claim has been made by either of the travelers, no matter how many days are left on the policy.
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 (3 to 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.). For a direct comparison of the exclusions concerning pre-exisiting medical conditions, click here to compare policy wording and stable periods.If you have any questions about your pre-existing conditions and obtaining coverage, please contact us.
Q: Do I have to take a medical test before I can buy Visitors to Canada insurance?
A: No. There is no medical exam required prior to purchase. There may be some medical questions that are asked as a part of your online application. You must answer all questions truthfully, as not doing so may void (cancel) your coverage. If you have to submit a claim, the insurance company will investigate to determine if your condition was a pre-existing one, and/or whether you were truthful on your application.
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: 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 will 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 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.
