Health Insurance when traveling to Canada? (Important)

[2orangebirbs]

Does anyone know about good, dependable health insurance to purchase for going to/staying in canada for a while? I've talked to many companies, some hospitals, and have asked friends but haven't gotten a solid answer. Any help is greatly appreciated esp during something like COVID. Thank you. I know so many people on here are much more travel savvy/experienced than I am, and in the event I do need to travel soon for essential reasons, which is likely, I want to be really prepared and appreciate any step in the right direction on this.

 

[Starwind]

As a Canadian my travel medical insurance is through Tugo. They also sell visitor to Canada insurance. Even if one doesn't get theirs, their website and its blog and FAQs are a great source of info about insurance. https://tugo.com/

Ray Battiston is an Ontario insurance broker (licenced across Canada) with an online presence who I used for years to buy my travel medical insurance (I had to switch brokers when the specific TuGo policy he carries changed, otherwise I would still be with him). Good info on his site, and I had a good experience as his customer. He sells visitor policies. http://www.ecanadianinsurance.com/index.html

Note that from what I have read finding a policy that will cover COVID will be a challenge or impossible.

 

[wdwmom3]

Does anyone know about good, dependable health insurance to purchase for going to/staying in canada for a while? I've talked to many companies, some hospitals, and have asked friends but haven't gotten a solid answer. Any help is greatly appreciated esp during something like COVID. Thank you. I know so many people on here are much more travel savvy/experienced than I am, and in the event I do need to travel soon for essential reasons, which is likely, I want to be really prepared and appreciate any step in the right direction on this.

I agree you may have a hard time finding an insurance company that will require coverage for COVID. What province are you going to? Maybe even a google search for Canada visiter travel insurance might help.

And because you are being proactive I’m sure you will do this, but please please follow the 14 quarantine when you arrive. Please don’t even stop in a store. We have many grocery stores that will deliver or have curb side pick up. If you need help organizing stuff just ask here and we can give you info. It’s a serious issue for most of here because we have worked so hard at getting our cases down to only a few. And in the last week new cases, in areas that had none for a while, can be traced to someone who came into Canada and did not quarantine.

 

[hdrolfe]

I'd also add, what's "awhile"? And what is the purpose of your visit. If it is strictly a vacation, not for work with a work permit or for education, then yes, you would need insurance. But if you are coming here for work or school you may be eligible for the provincial plan (usually after 3 months).

 

[2orangebirbs]

I just want to say thank you SO much for the helpful reply @Starwind. I'm looking into both of those now and also got a rec from a friend today so I'm going to see how it goes!

 

[2orangebirbs]

@wdwmom3 would NEVER ever break quarantine. Thank you so, so, SO much for the kind words and thoughts, though. I've been calling up/reading up on everything to make sure I do everything right in the event/when I travel. Very, very cautious. I can't tell you how terrified I am traveling even in a personal car at this point (I've been pretty much staying inside since some point in February because I thought this was going to be an out break (granted I never expected of this size) and didn't want to risk it--so if/when I do travel--you best believe, no stopping, I'd wrap myself in a hazmat suit if I could!)

 

[2orangebirbs]

thank you--I'll check on that, too! As for awhile, I'm still working out the details, but I'd say a few weeks over the quarantine time, for sure.