When you buy super visa medical insurance the policy is on hold until you start using it which is the actual departure date, however in order to get the policy issued you still had to indicate the effective date. In all cases the effective date has to be amended to coincide with the departure date. You can get a refund anytime prior to the departure date. In some cases it is advisable to do so. I have many clients who call me to apply for a super visa but have no intention of using the coverage within a six month period, I advise then to call the insurance company or go to any site online and buy coverage then after the super visa is approved they get a full refund, be careful which company you do this with as some have high cancellation fees other insurance companies don't have a cancellation fee. When their parents actually plan to visit Canada they call me back and buy the actual policy they will use preferable within a one month period prior to their departure date. The reason why I advise clients to cancel their policies is if there is a change in health between the application date and the departure date and the insurance company is not notified to get the policy approved the policy is null and void. The other reason is the definitions used by insurance companies for pre-existing conditions is anything one seeks medical attention for regardless if they have been diagnosed with a medical condition or not. So by purchasing a policy closer to the departure date shortens the time frame the insurance company uses do deny claims.
If the Insurance Company refuses to give you a refund for coverage you never used you can also file a complaint with the provincial regulator, in my experience I have never had a client that had to resort to this.
Hope this answers your questions, in the future use a broker that actually knows what they are doing, or contact me directly I will be able to assist you.
My direct line is 1.888.410.4393 Local Toronto Line 416.410.4393
Gary Goldshmidt
Managing Director
Stone-Hedge Financial Group Inc.