Supervisa / Travel Insurance

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Travel Insurance

The term “travel insurance” is an umbrella name for a wide variety of coverages for those who travel outside of their home country or province. Although availability may be broad-based, this does not mean that all travellers are adequately covered. It is important for every traveller to consider his travel insurance needs and determine what type of policy and coverage he should purchase.

1 A - Supervisa Insurance

In 2011, Canada introduced the Super Visa, which allows parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent Canadian residents to stay in Canada for periods of up to two years without having to reapply. It's a multi-entry visa that lasts up to ten years, depending on the applicant's passport.

Super visa insurance is a type of travel insurance which provides medical insurance coverage for travellers coming to Canada in Super Visa.

As a requirement of the parent and grandparent super visa, applicants must have proof of Canadian medical insurance coverage for a period of at least one year and for a minimum coverage amount of $100,000 for healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation. This is where travel insurance comes in. These policies can be purchased to cover the entire duration of your stay in Canada, so you have nothing to worry about except for spending time with your loved ones and exploring our beautiful country.

Requirements of Super Visa Insurance

Parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada must obtain valid super visa insurance prior to application in order to be eligible for a super visa.

Following are the super visa insurance requirements:

  • Medical insurance must be purchased from a Canadian insurance company prior to your planned arrival
  • Policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry
  • Policy must provide a minimum of $100,000 in medical coverage
  • Policy must cover medical care, hospitalization and repatriation
  • You must have proof that you have paid for the insurance. Quotes will not be accepted.

You will have to answer to the following while applying for Super Visa

  • Your primary destination in Canada (where you’ll be staying)
  • Start date of coverage (the date you’d like the policy to begin, likely the day you plan to arrive in Canada)
  • The number of travellers (one or two)
  • The birth date of oldest traveller
  • Your gender
  • Your relationship (applicant)
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions (if so, the insurance provider will likely ask you to answer a few additional questions)
  • Your contact information (to receive a copy of the quotes)

1 B - Visitors to Canada Insurance

Visitors to Canada - whether coming for on vacation, business, study, or even newcomers who are waiting out their eligibility for the government health insurance plan - can benefit from a Visitors to Canada travel health insurance policy.

If in case you become ill or met with in an accident, you will be expected to pay for any hospital or medical services you require. Even though Canada is well known for its universal health care for citizens, Canada does not cover these bills for visitors and travellers to Canada.

A typical inpatient care in a Canadian hospital can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $15000 a day depends on how critical care you need. No one ever plans on becoming ill while away from home, but if you don't prepare for it the outcome it can be financially devastating. Therefore, it is important to have sufficient medical insurance coverage while you are in Canada.

It is always better you purchase your policy before you depart your home country to avoid any waiting period to commence the cover. For policies purchased after landing will have waiting period of 2 to 10 days depending on policy and time frame.

Although you do not need to have a specific amount of cover, you can purchase any amount from $ 10,000 to $ 1000,000 depending on the policy. However, at least $100000 coverage is recommended.

Things to know about Travel/Super Visa & Visitors insurance

1) What is Covered?

Super visa & Visitors insurance typically covers:

  • Emergency medical
  • Hospital care
  • Emergency dental care
  • Diagnostic services such as x-rays
  • Prescription medication
  • Medical evacuation/emergency return home
  • Repatriation of remains
  • Travel assistance
  • Special coverages, which vary by policy/provider

Some policies may also provide additional insurance for non-emergency medical expenses such as eye exams.

2) Pre-existing conditions

Every policy is different, so be sure to read and compare policies thoroughly before purchasing your super visa insurance, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. (Please read the notes below) Be sure to read the exclusions also. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions is an option in most of the Insurance plans and the Travellers should choose if they need it, and it may make impact on the premium.

To get the coverage, the pre-existing conditions should be stable, for 90 days, 180 days or 1 year, prior to the arrival date. The stability period varies depend on the company, type of plan and the age of travellers.

Since the coverage is typically issued with little or no medical underwriting “up front,” underwriting takes place at claim time. In many cases a common reason for the denial of a claim is that the expense incurred was the result of a “pre-existing condition.” Generally, a pre-existing condition is considered to arise if, during a period of anywhere from 90 to 180 days (depending on the contract) prior to departure on the insured’s trip, the insured:

  • Saw a doctor for specific symptoms requiring treatment;
  • Underwent tests, or additional tests were recommended by a doctor;
  • Had treatment for the condition;
  • Was prescribed medical tests or treatment, or had a prescription changed prior to the trip for which the coverage was required.

In extreme circumstances, even failing to disclose that the prospective insured is taking a daily baby aspirin as a preventative measure against stroke or heart attack could be viewed as nondisclosure of a pre-existing condition (medication) leading to denial of a claim, even one unrelated to stroke or heart attack.

Conditions that were diagnosed prior to the 90- or 180-day period but which are chronic (like diabetes) may also result in restricted coverage if the individual is not under the care of a physician and symptom-free for up to one year prior to departure on a trip.

The existence of a pre-existing condition will not void all coverage, but a claim may be denied if treatment is required specifically related to the pre-existing condition unless you have opted the same.

In extreme circumstances, even failing to disclose that the prospective insured is taking a daily baby aspirin as a preventative measure against stroke or heart attack could be viewed as nondisclosure of a pre-existing condition (medication) leading to denial of a claim, even one unrelated to stroke or heart attack.

Conditions that were diagnosed prior to the 90- or 180-day period but which are chronic (like diabetes) may also result in restricted coverage if the individual is not under the care of a physician and symptom-free for up to one year prior to departure on a trip.

The existence of a pre-existing condition will not void all coverage, but a claim may be denied if treatment is required specifically related to the pre-existing condition.

Super Visa Insurance

Super visa insurance provides medical insurance coverage for parents and grandparents of permanent Canadian citizens and residents.

In 2011, Canada introduced the super visa, which allows parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent Canadian residents to stay in Canada for periods of up to two years without having to reapply. It's a multi-entry visa that lasts up to ten years, depending on the applicant's passport.

As a requirement of the parent and grandparent super visa, applicants must have proof of Canadian medical insurance coverage for a period of at least one year and for a minimum coverage amount of $100,000 for healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation. This is where visitors to Canada insurance comes in. These policies can be purchased to cover the entire duration of your stay in Canada, so you have nothing to worry about except for spending time with your loved ones and exploring our beautiful country.

3) Premium

If opted for a 12 months’ plan, some companies offer Monthly premium payment option, in which the two months (1st Month and 12th Month) premium will be collected in advance while purchase of the policy and the 2nd to 11th months premium will be collected after one month of the effective date of the policy. The premium should be paid each month, even if you don’t use it, or else lose coverage.

4) Deductible

A deductible is the amount of money you would have to pay in the event of a claim. For Example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you must pay $1,000 for your own care out-of-pocket before your insurer starts covering a higher portion of costs. In other words, if the total claim is $ 5000, the insurance company will pay $ 4000 and the client will have to pay $ 1000 out of his pocket.

Higher the deductible, lower the premium will be. However, it is better to keep the deductible lower or zero if possible to avoid out of pocket expenses in the event of the claim.

5) Side Trips

Some policies often cover you with coverage for side trips too, so if you're planning a quick jaunt across the border into the U.S., your policy may follow.

It is important to understand the policy details before purchasing to make sure you're getting the coverage you need for all your travels. Also, carefully consider the amount of coverage you purchase if you'll be travelling to U S.

2) International Student Insurance

A recent survey found that Canada is the most popular destination for students looking to study abroad. The International Student Insurance helps to ensure you're fully protected should anything happen to you while you're studying in Canada. It is up to you to decide what type of coverage is best for you. Not all institutions provide mandatory health insurance for international students. In these cases, securing your own insurance is your best option.

Although the benefits vary from policy to policy, Generally the coverage includes,

  • Emergency hospital accommodation and medical services
  • Emergency transportation (e.g. road or air ambulances)
  • Prescriptions needed as a result of a covered emergency
  • Diagnostic services including x-rays
  • Emergency dental care

In addition to the above, and specifically for student health insurance plans, coverage may also include:

  • Tutorial services if, because of a covered emergency or accident, you're in the hospital or confined to your home to recoup for more than 30 school days.
  • An eye exam or check up with the doctor if you purchase an annual policy

Policies for supplementary health insurance for international students may vary, so please review each policy terms and conditions before you buy.

3) Travel Insurance for Canadians

Out of Canada/Out of Province Travel Insurance is designed for travelling Canadians who are going out of their province or out of Canada where the provincial health care benefits don’t cover.

Provincial health care benefits differ from province to province, so an expense covered in one jurisdiction might not be covered in another. Consequently, the individual insured may have to cover expenses out of pocket and then seek reimbursement, over and above the provincial coverage, from the insurer.

Coverage

The most comprehensive travel insurance coverage can be obtained by purchasing a customized contract directly from an insurer or its representative. Plans may offer some or all of the following protections:

  • Doctors’ and nurses’ fees;
  • Hospitalization costs;
  • Medical equipment;
  • Ambulance services;
  • Dental costs for accidental injury;
  • Return of the injured traveller to his province of residence;
  • Return of a deceased traveller’s remains to his province of residence;
  • Return of the insured’s vehicle to his province of residence;
  • Lost baggage insurance;
  • Trip interruption or cancellation due to illness.

4) Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip Cancellation insurance is intended to protect you from paying all or part of the cost of your trip in the event your trip is cancelled or cut short.

It is not typically included in basic travel insurance policies, including those offered through credit cards or employment benefits packages.

While no one ever expects their travel plans to fall through, there are numerous reasons why a trip could be cancelled, including.

  • Travel interruption
  • Travel advisory regarding destination
  • Flight cancellation due to weather
  • Illness preventing travel
  • Family medical emergency
  • Jury duty summons
  • Bankruptcy of tour operator, airline, or resorts
  • Natural disaster at home

With trip cancellation insurance you aren’t financially responsible for your trip if an insured incident prevents you from travel.

To get a quote, please contact us