Traveling to Canada for insurance question

[bonniesoo]

We are going to Canada this summer in our motorhomes. What do you do about your vehicle nsurance & more importantly what about health insurance. do we need to get trip insurance & will that cover our vehicles?

[Jagtech]

You must be able to produce proof of valid insurance, if you are stopped by a police officer, or if you are involved in an accident. Anything will suffice, such as a copy of your policy, or a card from your home state, as long as it indicates that it has not expired. No valid proof of insurance can result in hefty penalties, as much as $2500 in some locations.
Highly advisable to get medical coverage for out-of-country travel, no matter where you go, including Canada.

Enjoy your travels in our beautiful country, and welcome!

[enblethen]

You may want to read this. Even though your insurance meets the Canadian requirements you may want to check with yours to be sure and get card if they still provide them. better safe then sorry!
Insurance card

[bobsinn]

As of about 3 years ago my insurer, State Farm, also said that the Canadian insurance card was no longer required.

[LarryJM]

enblethen wrote:
You need to get a Canadian insurance card from your insurance company. Most provide this at no expense.

That is not universally true and making blanket statements such as yo did are generally incorrect. We recently went to Canada and when I contacted USAA they said they no longer issue or do you need anything additional. Your normal insurance card is all you need.

Only good answer is to check with your particular insurance company and get the correct answer.

Larry

[loggenrock]

We have used Seven Corners travel insurance since DW on Medicare when we visit Canada. Chose your level of coverage and length of policy - not that expensive overall. Luckily have never had to use it. ST

[Johnny_G1]

Here in BC you will need med insurance or if staying in our local hospital will cost $1000. a day for a bed and meds., that's what the insurance say that are posted on the wall in the ER. Just make sure you are covered as just a doctor visit in the clinic is $97. for a normal visit, if a doctor has to be called in for a emerge the price is double.

[ktmrfs]

medical insurance varies. In our case, for out of country trips our medical insurance provides coverage for "needed" care. Can't just go in for a checkup and expect payment, but if we go in for accident, injury, illness it covers. DW has medicare advantage, I have "regular" insurance. But check carefully with your medical insurance to see what they do or don't cover when your out of the country. And ours covers for long trips, at least 3-4 months, since I've asked when we took long out of country trips.

Since we travel a lot, I have GEOS medivac as well, so as soon as we are stable after an incident more than 100 mile radius from our house, if needed they will arrange to transport both of us back home or to a local hospitial from virtually anywhere in the world and pick up the tab. A few places excluded, somalia, etc.

Hopefully, one of those insurances you pay for but never need to use!!


And most auto insurance covers canada. Wasn't aware of the "special" insurance card.

[Little_Kopit]

Find out what medical coverage is there and get additional in place. I very much doubt that any plan covers anything under regular terms of insurance past 30 days from the day you leave home.

& it is the insurance companies you have to ask, not us.

:C

[darsben]

SOME MEDIGAP PLANS COVER FOREIGN TRAVELS if you have medicare.
Check with your company if you have medicare

[Murphsmom]

My cousin's husband broke his leg while visiting Ontario. Medicare did not cover, and he didn't have a Canadian rider on his supplement. He ended up traveling back to the US before he could get it treated. Lots of wheelchair travel through airports, with changes of planes until he could get back home.

[spud1957]

bonniesoo wrote:
We are going to Canada this summer in our motorhomes. What do you do about your vehicle nsurance & more importantly what about health insurance. do we need to get trip insurance & will that cover our vehicles?

For medical insurance, you will either have to purchase out-of-country insurance IF you current medical insurance policy does not have it already.

It's important to understand the details on things like $$$ caps, pre-existing conditions and length of stays etc.

Don't leave home without something!! You may have perfect health but that means squat in the event of an auto accident.

[tonymull]

In practice no one is going to ask for an insurance card unless you have an accident and then your US card has all the right info. If you're pulled over the mountie will ask but I've never heard of them not being OK with a US card. The worst you might get is being asked to send a copy along with your fine if you get a ticket. Unless you have some major illness that will mean you need to return to the US you'll find canadian clinics pretty reasonable for things like a sore throat, just pay as you go. It'll still be tax deductible wherever it happens. Now that Harper is gone we may get more reciprocal agreements in the near future.

[gbopp]

enblethen wrote:
You need to get a Canadian insurance card from your insurance company. Most provide this at no expense.

x2. I called our insurance company and they sent a card good in Canada.
Sorry, can't help you with the health insurance. It is a good question.

[enblethen]

You need to get a Canadian insurance card from your insurance company. Most provide this at no expense.