If you are visiting Canada short term and do not qualify for BC Medical coverage (available once you have been here for 3 months or more) then it is important to have adequate travel insurance in place.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer illness or injury while in BC then a trip to the hospital could cost around $500 as soon as you walk in the door. After that diagnostics (x-ray, blood tests etc), follow up visits and medical supplies or prescriptions will just keep racking up the bill. And you don’t even want to contemplate the cost of helicopter rescue or an ambulance pick up….
We are not insurance experts but common sense should lead you to realize that arranging comprehensive travel insurance is important. We suggest that you remember to check the following points and all other details of your insurance before travelling to Canada:
We have chosen to partner with Travel Underwriters who offer comprehensive insurance services. Established in 1964, Travel Underwriters is one of the largest and most highly regarded travel insurance providers in Canada, and the market leader in BC. They protect millions of Canadian travelers worldwide with some of the largest travel insurance programs in the country. They are the only major Canadian travel insurance provider based in British Columbia, so they are well positioned to serve you during your visit to the province. They also provide medical coverage for new residents who do not yet qualify for BC Medical Insurance. For more information on Travel Underwriters, the types of programs available, etc, please click here.
And for existing residents who have BC Medical coverage, don’t forget to arrange travel insurance if you are leaving the province or the country – if only for a day! Again, Travel Underwriters can help but you could also shop around with other insurers to find a plan that best fits your individual needs.