Which Visitor Insurance is best?

Usually, the Canadian Visitor Health Insurance coverage includes the expenses of medical treatment, visiting a doctor, staying in a hospital, and sometimes even prescribed medication and emergency dental care. However, the level of such coverage from one policy to another generally varies greatly. 

Tom had travelled from India to Toronto. He had a very sharp, unbearable toothache in the middle of the night. He was relieved to find that his Visitor Insurance included emergency dental coverage, which paid for his treatment without any hassle.

The coverage of pre-existing medical conditions depends on the policy one is going for. Some provide coverage where the condition has been stable for a certain period before the policy starts, while others do not cover pre-existing conditions at all. 

Review the terms regarding pre-existing conditions whenever you are comparing Canada insurance plans. Consider your own health needs to ensure you choose a plan that provides the appropriate coverage.

It is just the extent of their coverage that greatly varies. Regular Travel Insurance covers, at best, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and sometimes limited medical emergencies. On the other hand, Canadian Visitor Health Insurance is primarily based on medical expenses in Canada and provides more comprehensive health coverage.

Carlos purchased Canada Travel Insurance Coverage for his stay in Montreal, assuming that he stood a chance to be insured, at least in terms of medical expenses. Media coverage after a ski accident that he was involved in left him amazed. He later switched to a specific Canadian health insurance plan for visitors that had the amount of money needed to cater to his treatment and rehabilitation.

Most Visitors to Canada Insurance plans generally allow access to any licensed doctor or hospital within Canada. Some may have preferred networks that make the billing process smoother. Always check your policy details to find out where you can receive care. Knowing beforehand can save time and possible confusion in an emergency. 

Jane, a UK national, was not aware that her insurance policy provided for a preferred provider network, and therefore, the claim process went to a standstill once she settled in a hospital that was off-network. This proves how important it is to know and understand your policy’s network restrictions.

A deductible is an out-of-pocket amount before your insurance begins to cover costs. Depending on the plan, it can be charged per policy, per year, or per incident. 

Aya from Japan has chosen a policy with a $100 deductible per incident. Because she has been to the emergency room twice during her stay, she realizes that paying a deductible each time really takes more from her budget than she expected. Knowing how your deductible works can help you manage your finances better.

Yes, some Visitors’ Insurance Cover has limits beyond their validity. They usually offer different terms for seniors and aged persons or an increase in premiums for older travellers. 

Consider whether your age might affect the kind of coverage you can obtain. How might this influence your choice of policy?

Mohan from India found that most of the policies either cost him more money or offered reduced coverage. Hence, detailed research was undertaken. As such, one specifically meant for senior visitors was chosen, and therefore, it could provide the required full coverage.

The time limit for claiming varies from one visitor’s insurance policy to another, but it usually advises the client to claim as soon as possible, generally within 90 days of treatment.

An Australian guy named Sam, who had just broken his ankle, waited nearly three months just to file his insurance claim and nearly missed submitting it way past the deadline. This served as a close call, reminding me of the importance of timely claim submission.

For example, routine checkups, elective surgeries, cosmetic procedures, or treatment of chronic conditions, if not declared prior, usually form part of the exclusions in the Visitor Insurance policy. Go through the section of Exclusions carefully for your policy. 

Maria was really surprised when she noticed that not all dental emergencies are covered under Canadian Visitor Health Insurance. She thought that all cases would be considered dental emergencies. However, this does point out the importance of knowing what is actually not covered under a policy.

Most Visitor Insurance plans in Canada provide coverage for prescription drugs. Generally, this would be related to a covered medical emergency or treatment. However, the level of coverage can change, so definitely be sure to check this point. 

Take a look at your current prescriptions and think about it. Would you have to refill the prescriptions that are going to be necessary for the trip? That’s something to think about since most of the time, such prescription drugs are covered under the prospective policy.

Haruto from Japan needed a specialized prescription after a small accident in Vancouver. Fortunately for him, his insurance would cover the cost, and he was relieved to note this because, indeed, the medicine was very expensive.

There is a wide variation in how much each policy covers these services. Most policies include coverage for psychiatric emergencies but provide only limited or no benefits for the care of mental illness. 

Reflect on the importance of mental health coverage for you, especially if you are prone to stress or if travelling triggers anxiety. How might this influence your choice of an insurance policy? 

Emily came from the UK and was looking for help because of her acute anxiety, as she was staying for over a week. This is where her visitor’s insurance coverage for psychological services really helped Emily to carry through with her condition on the trip.

Please confirm the start and end dates on your policy to ensure it covers your entire planned stay. If you plan to extend your visit, consider purchasing a policy with extension options.

Thomas from South Africa found himself in a tricky spot as he faced an unexpected extension in the stay duration because of travel regulations. He went in for a policy with easy extension processing, which set him up and took away the tension by rectifying his coverage dates without any break.

Just make sure that whatever policy you purchase it has an amount that meets the minimum requirement of the Canadian government. This is usually at $100,000 CAD. It is also supposed to cover repatriation in case of death and is valid for every day that you spend in Canada. 

Lina is a visa applicant from Lebanon. She was to avail of a Visitor Insurance policy for her cultural exchange program. It served as an instrument that smoothed her requirements for the Canadian visa she applied for and supported the smoother process of her application.

Most companies accept renewals online these days. Contact your provider to renew before your current policy expires.

David had to extend his stay in Canada only to experience a Canadian winter. He went online, contacted the Canadian insurance company, and easily renewed the policy two weeks before its expiry. He remained duly covered without any break.

Engage in high-risk activities, such as skiing or hiking, and your insurance premiums are sure to go through the roof. Most standard policies will not cover accidents associated with them, and you will need to purchase extra coverage. 

Before you engage in any high-risk activities, review your policy to confirm whether such events are covered. If not, consider upgrading your policy or getting additional coverage. Real-life scenario: 

An Australian skier, Mia, had properly arranged her Visitor Insurance with the coverage for winter sports included. She was wise enough, as following the incident of her skiing accident in Quebec, she was able to seek medical attention without any delays.

Yes, children can be included under family Visitor Insurance Policies. These policies typically provide the same level of medical coverage for children as they do for adults.

If you’re travelling with children, what are your main concerns regarding their health coverage? Reflecting on this can help you choose a policy that best fits your family’s needs.

The Chen family from China included their two children on their Visitor Insurance policy during their three-month stay in Canada. When their daughter fell ill with pneumonia, the policy covered her hospital stay and treatments, relieving the family from significant financial stress.

Always keep your policy number, insurance contact numbers, and a copy of the insurance policy handy. Keep all the medical receipts and documentation because filing claims is done based on the same receipts and documents.

Jamal from Morocco kept a digital copy of his insurance information on his phone, which was invaluable when he needed to visit an emergency room after a biking accident. Having all necessary information immediately accessible helped expedite the medical and insurance processes.

The other routine exclusions are cases of pre-existing medical conditions not previously stabilized before the insurance date, routine checkups, and elective procedures. Cases of alcoholism and drug abuse are also common exclusions. 

Natasha was from Russia, and she realized that her insurance really didn’t cover incidents that involved alcohol. After an accident after a night out and drinking, she has incurred quite a sum of medical bills not covered by insurance.

If you’ve picked reputable Canadian insurance companies that are reputed for following Canadian health insurance regulations, then you’re good. It’s also wise to consult with a broker who specializes in Canadian Visitor Health Insurance to ensure compliance.

Kevin from Ireland used a broker service to locate a policy that was fully compliant with Canadian health standards and would allow him to go about his six-month academic stay with a settled mind.

We do hope these frequently asked questions will help bring clarity to you so that you arrive at the right Canadian Visitor Health Insurance.