We know that international travel to Canada during the pandemic can be a challenge; not only do you have to make sure that you fulfill travel requirements from your home country, but you’ll also have to stay up-to-date on the Government of Canada’s travel restrictions.
Canadian Visitor Visas & Permits
Whether you’re planning to come to Canada on a visitor visa (known as a “temporary resident visa”) o r if you’re a parent or grandparent look ing into a Super Visa , y ou’ll need to make sure your paperwork is in order . Don’t leave your research until the last minute! The pandemic has brought on many changes to travel policies , and depending on your situation, it may have affected your ability to visit, work or study in Canada. Read about the criteria specific to your visitor needs .
Tip : T here are also resources for new immigrants to Canada who are waiting on their provincial healthcare to kick in . You might even be a Canadian expat who’s returning home to Canada , but aren’t eligible for provincial healthcare due to an extended leave .
Why Visitors Need Insurance
Even outside of the pandemic, it’s important for visitors like you to know that your medical insurance from your home country may not cover you for unexpected emergencies. In fact, the Government of Canada highly recommends that you have a $100,000 minimum in travel insurance coverage , since Canadian m edical care can be costly if you aren’t a resident. Y ou should arrive prepared for any unexpected mishaps or emergencies with travel insurance .
How Visitors to Canada Emergency Insurance W or ks
TuGo’s Visitor s to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance is a comprehensive option for all ages that includes coverage for emergency medical treatment and hospital care for sickness or injury , doctor , ambulance, x-ray and diagnostic lab services , prescription medication and more —including 24/7 emergency assistance.
When it comes to qualifying for coverage, there are 3 important points to note:
Regardless of your age, the first step in the purchase process is ensuring you’re eligible for coverage. Review the “eligibility” section of the policy and/or contact your trusted insurance professional for assistance.
If you’re 59 years or younger, you won’t need to complete a Medical Health Questionnaire.
If you’re 60 years or older, you’ll need to complete a straight-forward 3-question Medical Health Questionnaire to determine the cost of your policy (also known as the “premium”).
Enjoy these 11 benefits when you choose to protect yourself with TuGo’s Visitors to Canada Insurance :
1. COVID-19 coverage
You’ll be covered for COVID-19 related medical emergen cies if you have symptoms of COVID-19 an d test positive for and are diagnosed with COVID-19 while visiting Canada. But remember, m andatory COVID-19 test s (including any COVID-19 test taken to meet government requirements) are n ’t covered , regardless of the test results .
Tip : If you need to get tested in Canada for COVID-19 and you’re staying in Vancouver, Nanaimo or Calgary, consider getting tested at CVM Medical , a Canadian-owned company providing accredited gold standard COVID-19 PCR testing. You’ll have your results within 48 hours!
2. Competitive pre-existing medical condition coverage
Even if you already have a medical condition, we’ve got you covered , as long as you meet the policy’s stability requirements for pre-existing medical conditions .
3. Waiting period requirements
If your travel insurance is purchased before arriving in Canada, there’s no waiting period for any claims related to sickness. The waiting period doesn’t apply to injury.
However, if you didn’t buy coverage before arriving in Canada, you can still buy coverage once you get here, taking into account a:
48-hour waiting period on disease or illness if the policy is purchased within 60 days after arrival in Canada
7-day waiting period on disease or illness if policy is purchased 61 days or more after arrival in Canada
4. Coverage outside of Canada
You can e njoy coverage for worldwide travel, as long as the majority of your period of coverage is spent in Canada. To be covered for side-trips outside of the country, you must have travelled to Canada first.
Note : Visiting your home country during your coverage period is allowed during the policy period , but expenses incurred in your home country won’t be covered.
5. Follow -up post-medical emergency visits
If you need to visit the doctor after an emergency medical treatment, you’re entitled to 5 follow-up visits, as long as they take place within 14 days of your initial emer gency medical treatment.
6. 24-hour accident insurance
Get up to $25,000 coverage for d eath or dismemberment as a result of an accident .
7. Professional medical services
Up to $600 for any one incident per licensed practitioner, including:
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Chiropodists
Osteopaths
Podiatrists
Optometrists
Acupuncturists
8. Maternity benefit
You can be covered up to $6,000 for pre-natal car e and delivery, and/ or complications from these within the 9 weeks before the expected date of delivery, provided the pregnancy began after the effective date of the policy .
9. Family & Friends plan
This special rate is available for up to 2 adults 59 years of age and younger , travelling with up to 6 children. This is applicable to children up to age 21 years of age , if residing with their parents/guardians or up to age 25, if they’re full-time students. No age limit applies for children with cognitive, developmental or physical disabilities.
10. Sports & Activities Coverage
M any sports and activities are covered under the Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance plan at no extra cost. But, i f you ’re a more daring traveller and want to backcountry ski or snowboard, mountaineer , or participate in white water sports (Class VI) , you ’ll need to add Optional Sports & Activities Coverage .
11. MyFlyt service
With TuGo, you ’ll get complimentary access to MyFlyt ! When your flight’s delayed 2+ hours, y ou can choose a n airport lounge pass or a cash payout.
One last tip…
I f you’re looking for additional coverage as a visito r , you can always add non-medical options like Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance or Trip Interruption Insurance Only to emergency medical coverage to protect your travel investment.
Safe travels ahead!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2021, and has bee n updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
The post 11 Reasons to Choose TuGo’s Visitors to Canada Insurance appeared first on TuGo Travel Blog .
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