Every year, tens of millions of people travel to Canada. Whether you're there for the stunning landscapes and world-class cities, going for a business trip, or anything in between, there are plenty of reasons to visit The Great White North.
Before you embark on your trip though, one essential thing to plan for is health insurance while you are abroad. While it's well-known that Canada offers universal healthcare, this only applies to residents of the country; if you are visiting from somewhere else like the United States or overseas, any medical expenses you have while abroad will not be covered.
The good news is that Visitors to Canada health insurance policies are readily available, and these policies can ensure that all of your healthcare needs are covered for the duration of your visit. To help you pick the right policy, we'll go over everything you need to know about choosing the best insurance for visitors to Canada.
Why is Visitors to Canada Health Insurance Important?
Whether you're visiting Canada for just a few days or plan on staying for several months, it's essential to ensure that you have health insurance coverage for the entire time you are away from home. Here are a few of the top reasons why visitor to Canada medical insurance is so important:
1. Covering Unexpected Health Expenses
Canada's healthcare system is one of the best in the world, but if you don't have health insurance, healthcare services in Canada can also be quite expensive. Medical emergencies are unpredictable. While you may not plan on visiting a doctor or hospital while you're in Canada, accidental injuries and unexpected health events can happen at any time. To avoid getting stuck with massive medical bills, it's best to plan for the worst.
2. Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
Many healthcare expenses are difficult to predict, but certain visitors to Canada may know ahead of time that there's a high likelihood they'll need healthcare services during their trip. If you have a pre-existing condition that will require you to purchase medication or visit a doctor while in Canada, Visitors to Canada health insurance becomes even more important. Just be sure to disclose your pre-existing condition to the policy provider and make sure that the policy you purchase will cover any expenses related to the condition.
3. Required for Certain Visas
If you’re applying for a super visa (which is issued to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents), you must provide proof of private medical insurance. This insurance must:
- Be valid for at least one year from the date of entry
- Cover at least $100,000 in emergency medical expenses
- Be from a Canadian insurance provider
While Visitors to Canada insurance is not required for other visas, it's still highly recommended.
4. Additional Benefits
When you purchase Visitors to Canada Insurance, coverage for medical expenses while abroad is perhaps the policy's main benefit. However, many Visitors to Canada insurance policies provide additional benefits such as trip interruption/cancellation insurance and coverage for repatriation back to your home country.
With trip interruption/cancellation insurance, you can receive reimbursement for expenses like airplane tickets and hotel stays if you have to either cancel your trip or cut it short. Repatriation coverage, meanwhile, means that in the event of an emergency, the policy will pay to transport you to a medical facility back in your home country (if deemed medically necessary).
What Does Visitors to Canada Insurance Cover?
It's important to note that coverage will vary depending on the specific policy and provider that you choose. With that said, here are the types of expenses generally covered by a Visitors to Canada health insurance policy:
- Emergency Medical Expenses: This is the cornerstone of a Visitors to Canada insurance policy, and it includes coverage for medical expenses like doctor visits and hospital stays. If prescription medication is required to treat the injury or condition, then this will be covered as well.
- Emergency Transportation: If you require emergency medical transport either by ambulance or by air, the costs of this transport can often be quite high. However, most Visitors to Canada medical insurance policies will cover emergency transportation expenses. If it is deemed safe and medically necessary by doctors, the policy may cover transportation back to your home country as well.
- Emergency Dental Care: While most policies won't cover routine dental procedures while you're in Canada, many do include coverage for emergency dental care. This is nice to have in case you begin to experience sudden dental pain or suffer an injury that requires dental care while you are abroad.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Expenses: If you have to cancel your trip for an unexpected reason like illness or a family emergency, you could still be on the hook for a range of travel expenses like hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, and more. Likewise, if you have to cancel your trip early, it isn't always possible to get a refund for the extra days. But with a policy that includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage, some or all of these expenses will be paid for depending on the coverage.
- Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: If you have a stable pre-existing condition that is likely to require paying for medication or healthcare services while you are in Canada, you should be able to find a visitor to Canada insurance policy that includes coverage for these expenses. Just be sure to honestly disclose your condition to the policy provider beforehand.
How to Choose the Best Insurance for Visitors to Canada
There are many different providers that offer Visitors to Canada health insurance and many different policies that can vary a lot when it comes to things like the expenses they cover and coverage limits. This makes it important to do plenty of research before choosing a provider and policy. Here are a few key factors to consider during your search:
1. Assess Your Medical Needs
To help you choose the right policy, start by assessing your medical needs by considering things like your age, medical history, and the activities you plan to participate in while you are in Canada. It's also important to determine exactly how long you are planning to spend in the country so you can choose a policy with an adequate duration.
2. Compare Coverage Limits
The coverage limits for Visitors to Canada insurance policies can range from $10,000 all the way up to $500,000. While the exact amount of coverage you need will depend on the factors we covered in the previous section (like your age and medical history), at least $100,000 in coverage is recommended. This is also the minimum amount you are required to have if you are applying for a super visa.
3. Look for Exclusions
When checking out a Visitors to Canada insurance policy, be sure to read the fine print! Many policies will have exclusions, or specific expenses that are not covered. These will vary from policy to policy, but common exclusions include things like expenses related to pre-existing conditions that were not disclosed in your application, routine checkups or preventive care, and injuries due to high-risk activities (such as extreme sports).
4. Choose a Reputable Provider
Choosing the right provider is always essential when purchasing visitor insurance to Canada. By choosing a reputable provider such as GMS, you can help ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience in the event you have to use your policy. It is also important to go with a provider that is recognized by most Canadian healthcare facilities.
Ensure Complete Peace of Mind During Your Trip to Canada With a Policy From GMS!
At GMS, we offer comprehensive Visitors to Canada health insurance policies that include coverage for medical emergencies, coverage for pre-existing conditions, 24/7 multi-language support, and more. As a leading provider of Canadian travel insurance policies, GMS is recognized by most Canadian healthcare providers and facilities, and our company has been a trusted choice for travelers since 1949.
To learn more about covering your upcoming trip to Canada with a policy from GMS, be sure to contact us today!
