Protect Your Summer Visitors to Canada With Travel Insurance: THIA

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 17, 2012) - Canadians are urged to make sure their out-of-country summer visitors are covered by travel insurance to protect them from unexpected accident or medical emergency costs during their stay.

"Provincial health insurance does not cover non-resident visitors, even if they are family; and the costs of medical care in Canada are higher than people may anticipate," says David Hartman, president of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada.

Mr. Hartman adds that though Canadian residents are generally not billed for hospital or doctors' services, their visitors, if uninsured, are routinely expected to pay in full or make arrangements for payment when bills are submitted.

That could be a considerable hardship to many, as health care in Canada is among the most expensive in the world.* Mr. Hartman noted that the average Canadian hospital ward rates for foreigners can range from $3,000 to $5,000 or more per day, with intensive care going to as much as $15,000, and that does not include physicians' fees, diagnostic services and ambulance transfers.

"Visitors to Canada" insurance plans are available from the same sources that provide out-of-country coverage for Canadians travelling abroad: brokers, banks, travel insurance companies, motor leagues, and many membership associations. Most offer varying benefit levels, but all provide a comprehensive range of emergency hospital and medical benefits, as well as trip cancellation and interruption options.

In addition, policies purchased before the traveller leaves home are effective immediately upon arrival in Canada. Insurance purchased after arrival usually has a 48-hour activation delay--a measure designed to prevent exploitation of government health services by non-residents who might be travelling to Canada specifically for emergency medical care.

"As with any travel insurance," says Mr. Hartman, "visitors' plans are for unexpected emergencies only, and may exclude certain unstable pre-existing conditions, so it's important for friends or family members completing applications for their visitors to discuss the traveller's health status and be aware of the limitations, exclusions, and even some of the definitions, included in the policy.

"The best way to fit the right policy to the customer is to deal with an agent who is thoroughly familiar with travel insurance, especially with Visitors to Canada policies," he adds.

*Canadian Institute of Health Information, and the OECD.

About THIA. THIA is the national organization representing travel insurers, brokers, underwriters, re-insurers, emergency assistance companies, air ambulance companies and allied services in the travel insurance field.

Super Visa Insurance

We are very pleased to provide wide range of Visitors to Canada insurance that meet the minimum requirements for private health coverage to qualify for a Parent and Grandparents Super Visa.

On December 1m, 2001 Citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC) of the Canadian Government introduced the new Parent and Grandparent visa.

A key requirement is proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company:

1. Valid for a minimum of one year
2. Covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation
3. Provides a minimum coverage of $100,000
4. Valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by a port of entry officer

No minimum deductible is required; however we would recommend a $0 deductible to ensure the best protection. In situations where cost may be a factor, you may want to consider a higher deductible for a reduced rate.

Our Super Visa Insurance Specialist will help you arrange it. Please call us at toll free 1-888-267-4461 or e-mail to info@biis.ca

Are you visiting Canada as Working Holiday?

If you are visiting Canada from following countries as Working Holiday, you are qualified for our visitors to Canada insurance or visitor to Canada insurance platinum plan for your medical insurance needs while staying in Canada.

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

Our working holiday insurance specialists will help you. Please call us toll free at 1-888-267-4461 or E-mail to info@biis.ca

TU - Claim example

71-Year-Old Man: Severe Back Pain
Strained back and severe pain improves after physiotherapy

A 71-year-old man from Mexico was visiting his family in Canada. While playing with his grandson, he strained his back and was taken to the ER in severe pain. He was given a muscle relaxant and a prescreption for physiotherapy. He attended three sessions of phsiotherapy before his back felt better.

Hospital fee..............$500.00
Doctor's fee..............$100.00
Prescription...............$12.76
Physiotherapy.............$130.00
Out-of-Pocket Cost...$742.76

Visitors to Canada insurance is not for only visitors.

Visitors to Canada Insurance is not only for those who are visiting Canada, but returning Canadians from overseas waiting for provincial health plan, foreign workers with working permit waiting for provincial health plan, international students who are no longer attending Canadian school.

They are all eligible for Visitors to Canada Insurance except some preexisting medical conditions. If you have medical conditions, please send us e-mail or give us a call

Another Claim

A 10 year old girl from Portugal was visiting her grandparents in BC when she was hospitalized for 4 days with ruptured appendix. Luckily, her family had purchased a 2 month Visitors to Canada policy for only $140. It covered her more than $17,000 in hospital expenses completely.

Claim example

A British mother staying with her daughter in Ontario has emergency bowel surgery due to a life-threatening obstruction. Her $372, 3 months plan from TIC covers everything - mere peanuts compared to the $12,289 hospital bill.

Visitors to Canada Insurance would help such case.