Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions Canada
Taking a vacation with travel insurance is always a good idea. The worst-case scenario rarely occurs. However, even a slight setback, such as an injured ankle far from medical care, can derail the trip you’ve been preparing for months. It can cause a hole in your finances. And, if you or a family member needs to be flown and hospitalized due to a more catastrophic event, the financial cost can be substantial â not to mention the incalculable concern that comes with a loved one being unwell. Stay protected on your travels with essential travel insurance for individual living in Canada with pre-existing conditions. Travel insurance, whether included in a comprehensive policy or purchased separately, is always advisable.
What Is Pre-existing Condition
In essence, any physical problem you were aware of before your departure is regarded as “pre-existing.” Travel insurance rates are based on people’s reasonably strong and stable health. As a result, if a medical issue arises and you have not declared a pre-existing condition, you may receive only partial or no treatment at all.
How to Get Coverage for a Pre-existing Condition
Absent pre-existing illness coverage, a travel insurance provider will not pay for medical expenses or claims relating to your recent health status, even if you require emergency care for that condition.
However, do not panic. If you want travel insurance that covers you despite your medical history, there are numerous alternatives available for travellers with pre-existing diseases. Keep in mind that not every policy provides these alternatives.
1. Pre-existing medical condition waiver
When you buy the insurance within a particular period of time, you insure the entire nonrefundable cost of the trip and are eligible to travel on the date of buying, which waives any pre-existing condition restrictions. The waiver normally comes at no additional expense.
2. Individual underwriting
Many insurance firms give a distinct and personalized private underwriting form option in which you answer a more extensive medical survey, after which the medical underwriter examines your responses and, if accepted, provides you with tailored travel insurance policy.
3. Reduction of stability period
This option, which is usually offered as an add-on (also known as a certificate of insurance or rider), shortens the time it takes for your pre-existing condition to be judged stable before you may be covered. There is usually an aggregate benefit sum that is less than the emergency medical benefit payment. For example, AMA Travel Insurance provides $5 million in urgent treatment coverage, but only up to $200,000 for the pre-existing condition supplement.
4. Pre-existing condition exclusion
Pre-existing conditions can drastically increase the cost of your insurance. Along with to a reduced stability period option, Tour+Med provides an innovative Optional Exclusion option, which allows you to exclude an organ or entire system affected by the pre-existing condition in exchange for a lower premium. For example, if you have asthma that does not fulfil the “stable and controlled” criteria, you can opt to have it omitted, which will also eliminate the whole respiratory system. So if you have bronchitis, you won’t be insured. Get a comprehensive travel insurance in Canada that covers medical expenses with pre-existing conditions.
5. Personalized pre-existing conditions packages
Some insurers offer customised plans for travellers (usually above a particular age) that include coverage for pre-existing medical issues. Rather than being added to a current insurance plan, this is a separate regulation, such as Manulife’s TravelEase insurance coverage or RBC Insurance’s TravelCare package.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, but there are a few things to think about. CAA Travel Insurance covers medical problems for three to six months before your departure date. A Pre-Existing Medical Condition Rider modifies the travel insurance plan you have to reduce the stability period. With a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Rider, you only have to be healthy for seven days before your travel date.
How long does my health need to be stable to get travel insurance?
The age limits vary depending on the type of coverage you select. For passengers aged 69 and under, their health must be constant for at least three months before each flight leaves (though this may vary depending on the type of plan you choose). For travelers aged 70 and up, your medical condition must be constant for at least six months ahead of your scheduled flight (although this may vary depending on the type of plan you choose). Our comprehensive travel insurance plans cater specifically to travelers with pre-existing conditions for folks in Canada.
Which Travel Insurance Companies Offer Coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
Pre-existing illnesses are excluded from all normal travel insurance policies, but these travel insurance firms provide the following protection options:
1. AMA Travel Insurance
Pre-Existing Disease Rider provides up to $200,000 in emergency medical coverage while shortening the stabilisation period to seven consecutive days
2. BCAA Travel Insurance
Optional Pre-Existing Condition coverage provides up to $300.00 in urgent healthcare while shortening its stability duration to seven days.
3. Pacific Blue Cross
The Optional Pre-Existing Condition Benefit provides insurance for existing illnesses and decreases the stability duration to seven days.
4. CAA Travel Insurance
Pre-Existing Condition Rider provides up to $200,000 in urgent medical coverage while shortening the warranty duration to seven days.
5. Tour+Med
A Shorter Stability time option lowers the stability time from three months to 30 days before travel (for travellers under the age of 69) and from six months to 30 days (for travellers aged 70 to 85). There is also an Optional Exemption option for excluding an organ or entire system from covering.
6. Travel Guard
Exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. Waiver that removes any pre-existing medical condition exclusion if the policy is acquired within 15 days of the initial trip payment, all subsequent payments are covered within 15 days of buying, and you are sufficiently healthy to travel once you pay the fee.
7. TravelSafe
The insurance plan waives the prohibition for pre-existing medical conditions provided that it is purchased within 21 days of the start trip payment, all prepaid expenses are covered, any extra payments are covered within 21 days of purchase, and the policyholder is medically eligible to travel at the time of paying the premium.
8. TuGo
Pre-existing medical conditions that were not stable up to seven days before to the date of departure are covered by the Unstable Pre-Existing Medical Condition add-on, which can be bought alongside to the urgent healthcare plan.
Explore our range of options and ensure peace of mind on your next adventure Contact Us Today!.
Can I buy travel insurance after leaving Canada?
Yes, you can still receive some coverage; however, certain exclusions apply. If you want to buy travel insurance but are currently outside of Canada, several carriers will cover emergency medical expenses. However, be aware that there may be a wait of usually 24 to 48 hours before the policy takes effect. This delay is necessary to prevent someone who has been hurt or admitted to the hospital from purchasing insurance after the fact. Additionally, be aware that if you purchase trip interruption or cancellation coverage while outside of Canada, it will not be available to you under that policy.
