Hi,

My parents are planning to visit me from India and stay for 6 months in Edmonton.

Please advice any good insurance companies where I can buy "travellers insurance" for my parents that covers they stay in Canada (Health)?

Thank you
Alex

The newest and quickest way to compare travel insuruance prices offered by the top travel insurance companies to Canada is http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/visitors-to-canada-insurance
The site also works for Canadian travelers, students, expats, trip cancellation insurance, ect.

You'll find lots of information answering the common questions, be able to quickly comapre policy wording, look into coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and buy coverage online. Here is a sample of the questions and information on the site:

Q: Why should I buy insurance from a Canadian insurance company instead of from a company in my home country? http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/common-questions-for-visitors
A: Canadian medical providers (hospital, dentists, medical clinics, etc.) prefer to work with Canadian insurance companies. There is direct billing between hospitals and the Canadian insurance companies. In the event that you have to pay for expenses and then file a claim, Canadian insurance companies will have a faster claim procedure as they can verify Canadian medical expenses faster than providers in foriegn countries (so you get reimbursed faster).

Also, Canadian insurance companies are regulated by Canadian regulators, at some of the very highest standards around the world. In fact, they are also re-insured by Assuris - a Canadian government agency that will cover up to $60,000 of medical expenses in case a Canadian insurance company becomes insolvent. Not that that is likely, but it's nicer to know that you are insured no matter what happens. And, of course, if you are already in Canada companies in your country may not insure you because you have already left your home (province).

Q: What amount of Visitors travel medical insurance should I purchase?
A: Hospital costs for visitors to Canada can amount to over $3,000 per day, and air ambulance charges to return you home could very easily be in the ten's of thousands of dollars. We recommend at least $100,000 of medical insurance coverage if peace of mind is what you are after, and a higher amount if you are visiting from farther away.

Q: Do I purchase Visitors to Canada insurance before I leave, or once I arrive in Canada?
A: We recommend that you purchase your Visitors to Canada travel medical insurance prior to your arrival in Canada. If you purchase after you arrive in Canada, most insurance companies will have a waiting period of anywhere between 1 to 8 days after you purchase, during which time there will be no coverage for sickness, only for injury. Why take the chance that nothing happens before your sickness coverage is valid?

Q: Can I purchase a policy for my family members who are planning to come for a visit? http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/common-questions-for-visitors
A: Yes. Anyone can purchase a policy on behalf of someone coming to Canada. In fact, you should know that if a person is coming to Canada and you have sponsored their stay, you will be responsible for their medical bills if they cannot pay for them. So even if they don't want the coverage, you might want to buy it for them.

Q: Are there any discounts for two or more travelers buying at the same time?
A: Some company's do offer discounts for largers groups. For two travelers, each traveler pays the rate that applies to their age, based on how long their trip is. It actually makes sense to buy two separate policies, because the price will be the same but if one traveler has a claim and both travelers return home the policy holder that did not claim can apply for a refund. If both travellers are covered under the same policy, no refunds are possible after a significant claim has been made, no matter how many days are left on the policy.

Q: If I have a pre-existing condition, can I get coverage for that with a Visitors to Canada insurance policy?
A: Maybe. It depends on the pre-existing condition, and the terms and conditions of the policy. Some insurance companies offer plans that cover pre-existing conditions as long as they have been stable for a certain period of time (3 to 6 months) before departure from your home country. More often, pre-existing conditions will not be covered. It is important to read your entire policy to make sure you are aware of the definitions affecting coverage, as well as the possible exclusions that may apply. If you have any questions about your pre-existing conditions and obtaining coverage, please contact us.

Q: Do I have to take a medical test before I can buy Visitors to Canada insurance?
A: No. There is no medical exam required prior to purchase. There may be some medical questions that are asked as a part of your online application. You must answer all questions truthfully, as not doing so may void (cancel) your coverage. If you have to submit a claim, the insurance company will investigate to determine if your condition was a pre-existing one, and/or whether you were truthful on your application.

Q: Can my Visitors to Canada medical insurance be extended if I want to stay longer?
A: Most policies can be extended up to one year of time in Canada, provided you are still in goodhealth and do not have any prior or pending claims on the policy. You just need to call your insurance company before your policy ends (please look up exact extension details in your policy wording, and they can extend the coverage for you.

Q: Who can purchase Visitors to Canada travel insurance?
A: As long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated in the policy:

•Visitors to Canada here on business or vacation;
•Immigrants to Canada waiting for government health coverage approval.
•Canadians who have returned to Canada and are not yet covered under a provincial health plan.
Q: Do you offer discounts for group travel medical insurance?
A: Yes, some insurance companies offer group discounts. Call us toll-free at 1-855-237-8808 for more information.

Q: Am I covered for trips outside Canada?
A: Your medical emergency coverage begins after your arrival in Canada. After that time, as long as the majority of your period of coverage is spent in Canada, you will be covered for during travel outside Canada. However, expenses incurred in your own country will usually not be covered. Please read your policy for details.

Q: If Visitors to Canada insurance won't cover my pre-existing condition, why should I buy it?
A: Even though the emergency medical coverage might not apply to an existing condition, your travel insurance will cover any new illnesses or accidental injuries. There are also Visitors to Canada plans that include trip interruption coverage, which can protect you from financial losses from having to cancel your trip after you come to Canada (ie. for a family emergency back home), or for delays and other surprises that occur while travelling.

Q: What do I do in the case of an emergency and/or hospitalization?
A: You must call your insurance company and notify them of any emergency medical treatment or hospitalizationas soon as possible, , and/or to obtain their approval of expenses that can be covered (ie. flying home to obtain medical attention). Failure to notify your insurance company can result in decreased coverage.

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Here's another tip when it comes to buying visitors insurance for your parents coming to Canada: Since most companies don't offer 'companion discounts', it is better to buy two separate policies - one for each parent.

The reason for that is that if there is a claim on the policy and both parents then return home, or if one decides to go home early and there hasn't
been a claim on the policy - the person returning home that did not claim can obtain a partial refund of premium. If both parents are named on the same policy and one has had a claim there won't be a refund. If one parent returns home early - they can get a refund (as long as there has been no claim), while the other parent continues to stay in Canada with their insurance.

And, using two different companies might help find a lower overall rate if different companies are lower for one parent but not the other.

To get a quote from all Canada's top companies at the same time for easy comparing here:
http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/visitors-to-canada-insurance

You can find more answers to your questions here (the link noted above has changed): http://www.bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/common-questions-for-visitors-to-canada-insurance

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