Visitors to Canada Insurance:
What You Need to Know
What is Visitors to Canada Insurance?
Visitors to Canada insurance is a private medical insurance policy that provides coverage for emergency medical and dental care for the duration of a visitor’s stay in Canada. It is essential because Canada’s universal healthcare system, funded by taxpayers, generally does not cover visitors. Without this insurance, a medical emergency, such as an accident or sudden illness, could result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Who Needs Visitors to Canada Insurance?
This type of insurance is designed for a variety of individuals who are not covered by a Canadian provincial or territorial health plan, including:
- Tourists and travellers: Those visiting Canada for a vacation or to see family and friends.
- Super Visa applicants: Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents applying for a Super Visa must have proof of at least $100,000 in medical insurance coverage from a Canadian insurance company, valid for at least one year.
- Temporary foreign workers and international students: Individuals in Canada on work or study permits who are not yet eligible for provincial health coverage.
- New immigrants and returning Canadians: Those who are in the waiting period for provincial health coverage to become effective.
What Does it Typically Cover?
While specific coverage details vary between insurance providers and plans, most standard visitors to Canada insurance policies offer protection against a range of emergency medical expenses, including:
- Emergency medical treatment: This includes doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and surgical procedures.
- Prescription medications: Drugs prescribed for an emergency medical condition.
- Emergency dental services: Treatment for accidental injury to teeth or for the relief of sudden dental pain.
- Ambulance services: Both ground and air ambulance transportation when medically necessary.
- Diagnostic services: Such as X-rays and other laboratory tests required for an emergency diagnosis.
- Repatriation: The cost of returning the insured person to their home country for further medical treatment or, in the event of death, the cost of returning their remains.
- Other professional services: Such as those provided by physiotherapists or chiropractors when required as part of an emergency treatment.
Key Benefits of Visitors to Canada Insurance
Beyond the core coverage, many plans offer additional benefits that can be invaluable during a medical emergency:
- 24/7 travel assistance: Access to a multilingual team that can help coordinate medical care, provide referrals to doctors and hospitals, and offer support during a crisis.
- Side-trip coverage: Some policies extend coverage for short trips taken outside of Canada (excluding the insured’s home country) during their stay.
- Deductible options: The ability to choose a deductible (the amount you pay before the insurance kicks in) can help lower the premium.
What is a Pre-existing Condition?
A significant aspect of visitors to Canada insurance is the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury that you had before the start of your insurance policy. Coverage for pre-existing conditions varies widely among insurers and plans. Some policies may exclude them entirely, while others may offer coverage if the condition has been “stable” for a specified period before the policy’s effective date. This stability period can often be 90 or 180 days, however, some plans can offer coverage for a pre-existing condition that has been stable for as little as 7 days. It is crucial to disclose all medical conditions when applying for insurance to avoid having a claim denied.
Common Exclusions to Be Aware Of
It is equally important to understand what is typically not covered by visitors to Canada insurance. Common exclusions include:
- Non-emergency and routine care: This includes regular check-ups, preventative care, and elective surgeries.
- Treatment for unstable pre-existing conditions: As mentioned, if a pre-existing condition is not considered stable according to the policy’s definition, any related claims may be denied.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: Routine prenatal care and childbirth are generally not covered.
- High-risk activities: Injuries sustained while participating in certain high-risk sports or activities (e.g., skydiving, bungee jumping) may be excluded from standard policies. For those planning to engage in these adventures, specialized plans or optional riders can be purchased to provide coverage for these specific activities.
- Mental health conditions: Treatment for psychiatric or psychological disorders may be limited or excluded.
- Injuries sustained while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Before purchasing visitors to Canada insurance, it is highly recommended to carefully review the policy wording, including the coverage details, exclusions, and definitions of terms like “emergency” and “stable pre-existing condition.” Comparing quotes from different providers will also help in finding a plan that best suits your needs and budget, ensuring a safe and worry-free stay in Canada.
