HEALTH INSURANCE

[jbaia]

Good morning,

Just curious what private health insurance companies people have used while waiting for OHIP?

My husband currently has 'safevisit' but was wondering if there was something less expensive. We are currently buying 6 months at a time while we wait for the never ending PR process.

 

[keesio]

I've purchased Blue Cross and Manulife in the past for my wife. She was covered by Manulife when waiting for OHIP.

 

[jbaia]

Thanks! Blue cross is quite a bit cheaper than what we've been paying.

 

[Aussam]

I'm in need of new insurance too and have previously been with Blue Cross.
Why is the Landed Immigrant insurance plan more expensive than the visitors plan?
I've got SA and I'm waiting on COPR, if I get the visitor one now for 4 months, what happens if I become a Landed Immigrant in the next couple of months, does the insurance void?

 

[Aussam]

Here's what I entered in for 4 months at Blue Cross

Total cost of this plan
$270.61
Visitors to Canada Plan for Landed Immigrants
or Permanent Residents
Emergency Medical Care
up to $100,000
Travel Assistance
included

Total cost of this plan
$307.50
Visitors to Canada Plan
Emergency Medical Care
up to $150,000
Travel Assistance
included

Total cost of this plan
$205.16
Visitors to Canada Plan
Emergency Medical Care
up to $50,000
Travel Assistance
included
Apply Now

 

[Rob_TO]

Check here to compare prices/companies: https://www.kanetix.ca/travel-visitors-to-canada

Basic $10K policy with low deductible can be in the $50 per month range.

 

[goldenbrown]

Manulife won't be the most affordable policy out there even though most companies provide essentially the same coverage. Manulife does have some coverage for pregnancy related emergencies which might be useful for some people waiting for OHIP.

There's a benefit table compiled where most travel insurance companies are compared, including Blue Cross, Manulife and the rest

<a href=http://supervisabestinsurance.com/comparison-table/>Comparison Table</a>

You can also compare quotes among the different companies here:

<a href=http://arbetovinsurance.com/visitorstocanada/>Health Insurance Calculator</a>

Video tutorials are added for each company to make selection easier.

 

[Aussam]

So I'm a visitor now, say if I buy health insurance for 6 months as a visitor and I become PR in 1 month, are the 5 months remaining now void as I'll be PR?

 

[screech339]

So I'm a visitor now, say if I buy health insurance for 6 months as a visitor and I become PR in 1 month, are the 5 months remaining now void as I'll be PR?

Good question. But I think your remaining 5 months are valid as long as you maintain the monthly premium.

 

[Aussam]

Yeah, I just got off the phone with Blue Cross. Still valid as that was my status when purchasing the insurance. Also you can only buy it within 30 days of when your last Blue Cross insurance plan expired or within 30 days of your entry date.
I've been here 2 years now and purchased my last insurance when my work permit expired and I went on a visitor visa in February so I wonder if my last plan was actually credible?!

 

[screech339]

Yeah, I just got off the phone with Blue Cross. Still valid as that was my status when purchasing the insurance. Also you can only buy it within 30 days of when your last Blue Cross insurance plan expired or within 30 days of your entry date.
I've been here 2 years now and purchased my last insurance when my work permit expired and I went on a visitor visa in February so I wonder if my last plan was actually credible?!

I suspect they would not want to change the premium as it is based on you as a visitor (more expensive than PR / Canadian). So of course they will want to continue the premium as is. More money for them.

I know this because I checked around for quotes for myself and wife as a visitor. I get way cheaper premiums as a Canadian compare to my wife as a visitor for the exact same coverage.

 

[goldenbrown]

It can become void in case of some companies, but usually the private coverage can be cancelled and you can get a refund for the unused period.

 

[Aussam]

I suspect they would not want to change the premium as it is based on you as a visitor (more expensive than PR / Canadian). So of course they will want to continue the premium as is. More money for them.

I know this because I checked around for quotes for myself and wife as a visitor. I get way cheaper premiums as a Canadian compare to my wife as a visitor for the exact same coverage.

Yeah it's strange that Blue Cross's Visitors to Canada plan for Landed Immigrants is more expensive than just plain visitors. Should be the same really?!