I have read most of the posts in the Alaska / Canada forum and have not seen any reference to the topic of insurance while traveling thru Canada. Has anyone encountered the need to use either their Medical / Medicare insurance or Auto insurance in their travel through Canada? Is It necessary to obtain additionall out of country coverage for these issues?

Hi,The rules have changed. If you plan an extended stay in Canada you now must show that you do have medical insurance coverage in Canada.They may ask for financial information as well, such as your bank balance and how much you owe on credit cards.

There's a lot of confusion about auto insurance in Canada and the "Yellow Card". Some say you need it, others say you don't since it's never asked for when crossing. But if you're stopped and/or involved in an accident you need to show proof of insurance coverage in Canada and that's what the Yellow Card provides. It is a Canadian document that proves your US insurance company has been authorized to represent you in Canada. Most US carriers will provide it at no charge, others claim it's not needed and won't issue it though. Luckily I've never had a problem getting them from Progressive and Travelers.Not sure about medical coverage other than I do know that US prescriptions can't be filled in Canada since they're not written by a Doctor licensed to practice in Canada.

pianotuna wrote:Hi,The rules have changed. If you plan an extended stay in Canada you now must show that you do have medical insurance coverage in Canada.They may ask for financial information as well, such as your bank balance and how much you owe on credit cards.Thanks for the reply. Not an extended stay, but will be in either BC or YT for various parts of the trip.

Hi,Unfortunately the customs agent decides what is an extended stay. Those guys have a LOT of power on both sides of our common border.Check to see if your USA plan covers you in Canada and get a letter to that effect from them.

Drop in to a walk in clinic in Canada ($50 fee, in Cdn dollars), and bring along your medications. The Canadian Doc will write a script for you. However, if you get it in one province--it won't be honored in another.Drugs are generally about 1/5 the cost in Canada for the same prescription from the same maker, and often less than the cost of co-pay costs in USA.bob_nestor wrote: I do know that US prescriptions can't be filled in Canada since they're not written by a Doctor licensed to practice in Canada.

Auto / Medical Insurance in Canada | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

bob_nestor
Explorer III
Sep 27, 2016
There's a lot of confusion about auto insurance in Canada and the "Yellow Card". Some say you need it, others say you don't since it's never asked for when crossing. But if you're stopped and/or involved in an accident you need to show proof of insurance coverage in Canada and that's what the Yellow Card provides. It is a Canadian document that proves your US insurance company has been authorized to represent you in Canada. Most US carriers will provide it at no charge, others claim it's not needed and won't issue it though. Luckily I've never had a problem getting them from Progressive and Travelers.

Not sure about medical coverage other than I do know that US prescriptions can't be filled in Canada since they're not written by a Doctor licensed to practice in Canada.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 27, 2016
Hi,

The rules have changed. If you plan an extended stay in Canada you now must show that you do have medical insurance coverage in Canada.

They may ask for financial information as well, such as your bank balance and how much you owe on credit cards.

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Auto / Medical Insurance in Canada

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