I will be travelling with my wife and adult son to reside in Canada in September. I am aware that we will have to wait approx. 3 months before we apply and receive Ontario Health cards. I will be carrying a travel insurance for the whole family from my Insurance Company which covers the following for each person for a period of first 30 days.
a) Emergency Medical expenses (Accident and sickness) - $50,000
b) Emegency Medical evacuation - $ 25,000
Once the first 30 days expires, I may need to purchase a health insurance until the health cards arrive.
Can you guys suggest what sort of insurance I need to buy to cover the bare minimum of emergencies, what are the reasonable insurance companies etc etc. I will be residing in Waterloo, Ontario.
I used Blue Cross Blue Shield. Coverage was only for emergencies. A six month policy, covering only one person, was about $700. You could start there and get a quote.
Have you secured a job?
I was surprised my husband's company is pretty much requiring us to have a gap insurance, that they will provide which will be identical to OHIP for the 3 month wait period - or we might be called upon for testing and if anything is found, then be forever uncovered for it.
For my husband it is $450 for 3 months and then for the kids (2) and I it will be $1100 for 3 months - the kids & I are staying behind till teh house sells or I graduate in December - so that is why it is split. It may have been mroe like 1100 for all of us if we'd been able to all move though.
As usual it is a big mistake to buy insurance outside Canada for the first 30 days.
Some companies will offer you 8 days waiting period before private insurance starts.
Other companies can refuse you to insure.
You can read here more regarding medical visitors to Canada insurance. If you have more questions please ask.
