Planner: 8 insurance tips for visitors to Canada

Here are some points to raise with clients whose visitors may overlook the need to purchase travel insurance.

Millions of people visit Canada every year, and nearly half come to see loved ones, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Some of those visitors may be coming to see your clients. And they may lack travel insurance, so remind your clients to inform friends and relatives before they leave home. It’s best to buy these policies before departing, because certain policies have a waiting period if bought here.

Insurer Ingle International provides these tips:

• Medical care is expensive for foreigners. Your visitors will need at least $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses.
• Super Visa applicants must be insured. The federal government requires these travellers to have health coverage which is: (1) a minimum of $100,000, (2) good for at least one year, and (3) Canadian.
• Insurance isn’t just for travel to Canada. It can also cover side trips to other countries, including the U.S. and the French-controlled islands off Canada’s eastern shore.
• It’s not just for visitors. It can also be suitable for new Canadians awaiting health care coverage, and returning Canadians whose provincial coverage has lapsed.
• Coverage is broad. Coverage can include physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other specialists (when treatment is related to an initial emergency).
• Plans can cover stable pre-existing medical conditions.
• Plans can cover a variety of amateur sports. Coverage can include water-skiing, mountain climbing and hiking.
• Coverage starts early. Visitors are covered while en route to Canada and while travelling back to their home countries.