Coming to Canada? Get temporary insurance

Whether you’re visiting Canada for the first time, moving to Canada forever, or returning from a long stay abroad, you might be shocked to know that provincial health insurance doesn’t start covering you straight away. While the time you’re required to wait for coverage varies by province, it’s not uncommon to wait at least three months. Some people risk not being covered, but for the more prudent travelers, it can make sense buy temporary insurance when in Canada.

How much temporary insurance do you need?

The first step, as with every insurance product, is to figure out how much temporary insurance you need. No one wants to pay for too much insurance, just like no one wants to be left uncovered in an emergency. Instead, make a list of everything you want covered – emergency care, ambulance, hospital visits, and other items. Then, determine your budget. There’s no sense creating a dream list if you can only afford to pay $10 a month. Luckily, temporary insurance in Canada isn’t very expensive. You may be able to afford more than you think.

Find an insurance broker

Next, you need to choose an insurance broker. You can use an online broker or visit a broker in person. In either case, your list will be handy when it comes time to choosing a temporary insurance plan. The best thing about using an insurance broker is that they are paid by the insurance companies and are free for you to use. They also have a responsibility to provide you with the best coverage for what you need and can afford. So, instead of calling a dozen different insurance companies for quotes, visit a broker and have them do all the heavy-lifting and searching for you.

Learn about your temporary insurance options

Your broker will take your needs and budget into consideration and provide you with a few options for temporary insurance. For short-stays in Canada, basic visitor’s insurance is usually enough to provide sufficient coverage. Adventurers should beware, though. Extreme sports (even those as simple as skiing) are often excluded from basic visitor’s insurance coverage. Luckily, in the insurance world, anything is insurable, but it’ll probably cost extra.

If you’re moving to Canada either for the first time or moving back after a long trip abroad, you’ll want to ask for specialized newcomers insurance. This private health insurance works differently from provincial health insurance (not everything is covered), but it can include things like dental

and vision if you choose. Depending on the insurance company, in the event of an accident, they might work with the hospital for direct payment or reimburse you after you’ve paid the hospital bill. The cost for basic, no-frills, short-term insurance is not prohibitive: only a few dollars a day for young people and about $8-$10 per day for older people.

Choose a policy and pay the premium

Finally, you need to pay the premium for your coverage. Unlike car insurance or longer insurance terms, temporary insurance coverage is paid for in one up-front lump sum. This amount could be staggered, especially for families, so it’s important to think ahead and plan accordingly. However, a one-time payment before you go to Canada is much cheaper than a large hospital bill if the unfortunate happens.