Canada IEC 2013 Health Insurance

ripcord

Hey all,

The IEC Megathread has turned into a bit of a monster - so I thought I'd start this one purely for the heatlh insurance. After all, this will be pretty important, as you might not get in without it! Hopefully it's something none of us will ever need

It would be cool if we could keep the chat to a minimum and just post up links and prices for the options. It will make it easier to read the thread. If ye like, I can update this post with the current "winning" option (which hopefully will be the cheapest )


The IEC eligibility criteria here http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ireland-irlande/experience_canada_experience/working_holiday-vacances_travail.aspx?view=d states that you must:

6. accept to purchase, prior to entering Canada, insurance for medical and health-care, including hospitalization and repatriation, for the duration of your stay – you may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada;


In the Arrival in Canada section http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ireland-irlande/experience_canada_experience/application_status-processus_demande.aspx?view=d they say the following:

The border service officer may ask you for proof of funds and proof of health care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization, repatriation and travel back to your country). Your insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less than 24 months, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. In this case, you may not apply for an extension of your work permit at a later date

So basically, they MAY ask you for proof - so you MIGHT get away with it, but definitely not worth the risk. If you turn up with only 6 months insurance, they'll only give you a work permit for 6 months. Once this is up - you cannot extend your work permit by simply getting more insurance.


So I'll start with the most obvious one:

VHI Backpacker.
https://www.vhi.ie/info/MainServlet?action=backpackerHome&gclid=CNX81Nqis7UCFWaCQgodQn0A0A

I'm single with no VHI card. Including the winter sports, I'm getting €261 per year - so €522 for the whole lot. I was hoping for something cheaper!

Backpacker Travel Insurance
http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie/
Pros: Cheap!
Cons: Will only allow you to come home once during the two years - and only for a two-week stay. Will not cover you for those two weeks.

danny2013

http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie/?_$ja=kw:backpacker+travel+insurance|cgn:Backpacker+Insurance_Exact|cgid:1656566312|tsid:17560|cn:Backpacker|cid:48442892|lid:32680090|mt:Exact|nw:search|crid:6432600992&gclid=CK7YxMetgbUCFdE72wodU3oAwg


im planning to use this cover, my mate who is already in canada from last year uses it. he says its grand

JustRoss23

mate do not go with vhi robbing bastards haha go with backpacker insurance.ie 2 year standard is like 285 add an extra 40-80 for winter sports works out a bargain:D

fifi2008

I am with VHI already and their Global cover is about €1000! They do direct debits and require a minimum of 6 months, so if you get a job and health insurance covered, after say 3 months, you still have to pay VHI the other 3 months to make up the 6!!!

Don't think so!!! Only thing I'd noticed though is they do cover you if you come home in between for a holiday...

Does anyone know how the others cover you if you came home for a wk at Christmas just say?

hdowney

fifi2008 wrote: »

I am with VHI already and their Global cover is about €1000! They do direct debits and require a minimum of 6 months, so if you get a job and health insurance covered, after say 3 months, you still have to pay VHI the other 3 months to make up the 6!!!

Don't think so!!! Only thing I'd noticed though is they do cover you if you come home in between for a holiday...

Does anyone know how the others cover you if you came home for a wk at Christmas just say?

I'd say they do cos you will have chosen worldwide including usa/canada cover - so worldwide would include Ireland in my opinion.

The biggest problem I have found whilst researching insurance is that most insurers will go to a year/18mths most but NOT the full two years. Some of the 18mth crowds say you can extend in country, but that isn't much help when you are supposed to have the full two year the day you enter Can

DodoByrne

http://www.backpackertravelinsurance...FdE72wodU3oAwg

Gives a 2 year quote. I won't be looking any further than this, job done, sorted, next.

media101

DodoByrne wrote: »

http://www.backpackertravelinsurance...FdE72wodU3oAwg

Gives a 2 year quote. I won't be looking any further than this, job done, sorted, next.

are u sure they cover you for ambulance rides and medication?

ripcord

DodoByrne wrote: »

http://www.backpackertravelinsurance...FdE72wodU3oAwg

Gives a 2 year quote. I won't be looking any further than this, job done, sorted, next.

I'm afraid this is no use to me. From their policy documents:

On request, and subject to the payment of an additional premium
agreed between the Insured, ACE and Blue Insurances, the Policy will
extend to allow the Insured to make one return visit to their home to
Ireland before their original intended return date (as specified on their
Policy Schedule) for up to a maximum duration of 14 days excluding
any return for which a claim is being made as a result of emergency
medical repatriation or curtailment. Cover is suspended whilst the
Insured is in Ireland - from the time the Insured arrives at their
home in Ireland and starts again when the Insured leaves home to
return to their overseas destination.

So even IF you pay them an extra premium - they will only allow you home one time for only 2 weeks. And you get no cover when you're back here!

No good to me. I'd like to come home for 3/4 weeks this christmas (and the christmas after too)

hdowney

No they don't cover your medication. In hospital meds will be covered (cos it is essential for you to have them for whatever reason you are in hosp) but the only cover you are gonna get for meds is private insurance cover/employer cover. I'm pretty sure it'l cover ambo trips though - I mean that's part of the emergency that ended you in hosp in the first place. But bear in mind they will likely not cover if alcohol is the reason you ended up needing the ambo and trip to the hosp, so easy does it people

WasterEx

ripcord wrote: »

I'm afraid this is no use to me. From their policy documents:

On request, and subject to the payment of an additional premium
agreed between the Insured, ACE and Blue Insurances, the Policy will
extend to allow the Insured to make one return visit to their home to
Ireland before their original intended return date (as specified on their
Policy Schedule) for up to a maximum duration of 14 days excluding
any return for which a claim is being made as a result of emergency
medical repatriation or curtailment. Cover is suspended whilst the
Insured is in Ireland - from the time the Insured arrives at their
home in Ireland and starts again when the Insured leaves home to
return to their overseas destination.

So even IF you pay them an extra premium - they will only allow you home one time for only 2 weeks. And you get no cover when you're back here!

No good to me. I'd like to come home for 3/4 weeks this christmas (and the christmas after too)

Yeah but they wouldn't know you weren't around?

media101

hdowney wrote: »

No they don't cover your medication. In hospital meds will be covered (cos it is essential for you to have them for whatever reason you are in hosp) but the only cover you are gonna get for meds is private insurance cover/employer cover. I'm pretty sure it'l cover ambo trips though - I mean that's part of the emergency that ended you in hosp in the first place. But bear in mind they will likely not cover if alcohol is the reason you ended up needing the ambo and trip to the hosp, so easy does it people

you should read the fine print before you buy your insurance cause ambo trips are very expensive and if ur insurance doesnt cover you ur f**ked!!

hdowney

media101 wrote: »

you should read the fine print before you buy your insurance cause ambo trips are very expensive and if ur insurance doesnt cover you ur f**ked!!

Agree completely. Cos this is such a big deal insurance I will be reading the whole damn insurance thingy before purchase

WasterEx

Gonna email backpackers now and ask them do they cover ambulance trips.

fifi2008

WasterEx wrote: »

Yeah but they wouldn't know you weren't around?

Its the making claims is the prob with these companies. They prob ask for the stamped pages of the passport...otherwise they wouldn't be able to check - and all these insurance companies check inside out!!

Was looking at the VHI Backpacker one there and it says, in tiny writing at the end, that it won't cover you for stuff that can be done in your home country and few other small bits.

The Global one, whilst very dear, does cover you for everything, incl 60 days at home, GPs visits, prescriptions, dentists, the lot. For 80 a month...and hopefully transfer to Canadian one after 6 months with job...

media101

WasterEx wrote: »

Gonna email backpackers now and ask them do they cover ambulance trips.

also ask them if visiting the doctor will cost anything to you? i was in the U.S and got sick. just to see the doctor cost me $150 and my insurance only covered half of it >:( altho i did get insurance through usit - robbing bastards!

WasterEx

Emailed them the following,

Hi there,

I'm interested in using your service but I have a couple of questions.
This is regarding the non-premium service.

- Does this service cover ambulance trips?
- Can I leave my arrival destination to go home to Ireland for more than 2 weeks and still be covered once I get back?


Thanks for your time.


I'll let you know what their reply is.

WasterEx

media101 wrote: »

also ask them if visiting the doctor will cost anything to you? i was in the U.S and got sick. just to see the doctor cost me $150 and my insurance only covered half of it >:( altho i did get insurance through usit - robbing bastards!

Ahh to late, I'll email them again asking that once I get my first reply.

DodoByrne

With the backpackersinsurance.ie i just read the fine print. In regards to medical claims, the insured "must contact ACE insurance BEFORE any costs are incurred". Typical Insurance crapolla. You'll be too busy being injured to think of it and they're covered to bail on you. Money money money F*$ckin money. Is it me or is the global market setup to rape you in the ass every chance it gets, all under the pretense of "service".
Guess its a case of getting insurance cheap enough for 2 years cover and hoping you don't ever have to attempt to count on it. Also you might get better cover with a job over there.
But it would be so typical to get shafted by some crappy irish bull**** from thousands of miles away.

WasterEx

Got this email about an hour ago.

Thank you for your recent email.

Both our Premier and Premier Plus cover would cover any costs which is deemed medically necessary at the time of the incident. So if you are in need of medical attention whilst abroad and an ambulance is necessary to transport you to the nearest hospital then the cost of this would be covered on the policy. This is assuming all the Terms and Conditions of the policy have been adhered to.

Our policy only allows one trip home to Ireland no more than 14 days. If you stay longer than this then your policy becomes invalid.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.



Kind Regards

Hmmm sounds a bit iffy for some reason. I think even though I'm not entirely satisfied with how that email was worded I'll end up going with those guys anyway because they're cheap for 2 years and it's a requirement for the IEC but someone did say you can cancel insurance and get your money back once you're there if you cancel within a certain amount of days; That option seems reasonable atm.

Anyway will email again asking the question about the doctor fees now.

DodoByrne

Yeah seems a good option. " This is assuming all the Terms and Conditions of the policy have been adhered to."
This means that you have to contact the insurance company... ACE..... "before any costs are incurred".
Which means if you're run over by a car and don't have the where withall to ring them before the ambulance picks you up, they don't have to pay. Seems like a typical bulls**t way to do business.
It reads like this : "We'll take your money to provide a service, but we'll try take every opportunity to leave you high and dry if a sliver of a chance arises."

It'll serve a purpose I'm sure to reassure customs officers on arrival, but its by no means a substitute for your mothers love.
I'll be going with them, but i'll be dropping them on arrival as wasterex says, and get canadian cover unless i get a job with cover.

WasterEx

Latest email in response to question about doctor fees.

The policy extends to Emergency Medical Expenses. So if you become unexpectedly ill or involved in an accident and need to visit a doctor then the policy would cover these costs. Each policy has an excess so bearing in mind any costs less than the policy excess would not be covered.

I hope this helps.



Kind Regards

Corporate speak.

WasterEx

WasterEx wrote: »

Latest email in response to question about doctor fees.



Corporate speak.

Answer: Yes, minus any excess.

Beyonkers

Hey,
Any1 heard of any companies that will give insurance when you are already in Canada? We here on 1st year, waiting to see if we can get the 2nd year.. wondering what to do about insurance.

fifi2008

On an unrelated topic, have any of ye looked into opening bank accounts or companies that transfer money? I saw something somewhere about being able to open them before u get there because of verification over there.
Between renting and waiting for utility bills u could be waiting weeks for a bill in the post....

Bd84

This is absolutely ridiculous that you need 2 years insurance to get a 2 year work permit, I was in Australia for 4 years and had my own insurance for a year, had an accident at work and got paid no where near what I should have got back, these insurance companies are robbing bastards, ill be getting a standard package enough to get threw customs and cancelling as soon as I get over there

JustRoss23

^^^
what if you have a serious accident though? will you expect your family to pay for you or do you have 1000's saved up?

Bd84

JustRoss23 wrote: »

^^^
what if you have a serious accident though? will you expect your family to pay for you or do you have 1000's saved up?

Iv been told that I can get private health insurance for a lot lot cheaper and will cover me for a lot lot more once I'm there, I have friends in Saskatchewan, they advised me to not get any insurance until I come over, they nor I knew about this 2 year thing

EvilDead13

Bd84 wrote: »

Iv been told that I can get private health insurance for a lot lot cheaper and will cover me for a lot lot more once I'm there, I have friends in Saskatchewan, they advised me to not get any insurance until I come over, they nor I knew about this 2 year thing

You're taking a chance not having insurance until you come over here. If the immigration officer asks for proof of insurance and you do not have it they can deny you entry. Although it seems they rarely ask for this some people have said they needed to provide it.

It is also on the IEC website that if you do not have insurance coverage for the full duration of your stay they can shorten the length of your visa to what you do have covered.

Bd84

EvilDead13 wrote: »

You're taking a chance not having insurance until you come over here. If the immigration officer asks for proof of insurance and you do not have it they can deny you entry. Although it seems they rarely ask for this some people have said they needed to provide it.

It is also on the IEC website that if you do not have insurance coverage for the full duration of your stay they can shorten the length of your visa to what you do have covered.

Yeah iv been reading up on it a lot more I'm not going to take any chances, who are you insured with when you 1st went over, I have to come 3 times for wedding s and things so that back packer 1 is no good to me as it only covers you for 1 2 week visit

EvilDead13

Bd84 wrote: »

Yeah iv been reading up on it a lot more I'm not going to take any chances, who are you insured with when you 1st went over, I have to come 3 times for wedding s and things so that back packer 1 is no good to me as it only covers you for 1 2 week visit

Went with getcover.ie last year but can't use them this year since haven't been a resident of Ireland and they don't renew. Was Backpackers insurance though. Looking through options this year but buying insurance while in Canada is a rip off.

Almost tempted to adjust the dates and amount paid on last years email receipt!!! Too much of a risk though.

Bd84

In sasketchewan all your medical treatment is payed for by the state, only thing is you have to pay for prescriptions yourself, iv had problems claiming off back off insurance companies so I'm a bit skeptical of paying top dollar for them to come up with some bull **** excuse of why you can't get anything back, so I just want a bog standard package enough to get threw immigration,
Yeah man I wouldn't be taking the chance ye don't want to screw yourself and then be stuck back here again

RootsCanada

Hi folks

Did anyone have luck finding an insurance that would give two years cover?
It doesn't seem like an industry standard really.
I wonder would you have issues with the permit lenght, if insurance was only 1 year?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

JustRoss23

yea mate look up backpackerinsurance.ie they will cover you fro 2 years think its 285euro

RootsCanada

They only cover people if they are in Ireland, I'm already in Canada :-/

Anyone in Canada, applying for second visa, find a supplier?

Beyonkers

nope i am looking for the same. an insurer for when you are already in canada

laney22

Every insurance company I find either don't cover 2 years or you need to be resident in Ireland when booking it.. Im thinking speaking to someone in the company might be the best way to go, try and convince them to waive the residency requirement? AFAIK if you get asked to show your insurance docs & you only have it for a year, they'll only give you a permit for a year...

RootsCanada

Hi Laney22,

When I came to Canada last year, they didn't check my insurance or bank statement.
I'm not suggesting to not have them, but the main thing is to have your passport in order and that letter of landing.

I came in through Toronto, they were very nice, no pressure, no unecessary interrogation or anything.
I was under pressure to get a connecting flight and they were so accommodating.

I'm going to have trouble getting insurance full stop, as I'm not a resident of Ireland. So, if successful, I'll make contact with REC and advise of my insurance issue and let them resolve or excuse it after the LOI has been issued.
I'm not going to sweat it now, when I don't even know if I'm getting the visa!

laney22

I know, I'm in Toronto and didnt get asked anything last year either. Thing is, if you get asked and dont have them you can be deported so I need to find insurance that will cover two years, so I get the full time on my next visa, and which I can activate from outside Ireland, as most policies require you to have been resident in Ireland for a minimum of 6 months before activation. Same goes for everyone else currently on a IEC visa, seems mad that theres no insurance policy that covers this when its a requirement..

RootsCanada

I find it very hard to believe that you'd be deported, that sounds extreme.
I know people who have been illegally in America and caught and sent home with a warning, they weren't even deported.

I think the IEC made an assumption about the insurance industry that isn't realistic.
No one buys insurance for two years, all policies are annual, that's industry standard.

Look, I'm in the same boat as you, I want the visa for the full two years too.
Following successful visa clearance (God willing!), I will make contact with IEC and ask do they know of any supplier who gives this cover.
I will then explain that insurance can only be bought on an annual basis, based on my research. I expect they will be reasonable and understand that this was an oversight.

All I'm saying is, they made this a requirement without thinking it through. It's kind of obvious, but they were so rushed to get this off the ground, it probably didn't get noticed.

bhob

What about multi trip? Annual insurance from them is only €54 per year for the premium cover. Anyone know anything about these? I'm not very good with this kind of insurance malarky so any help is appreciated

RootsCanada

bhob wrote: »

What about multi trip? Annual insurance from them is only €54 per year for the premium cover. Anyone know anything about these? I'm not very good with this kind of insurance malarky so any help is appreciated

Annual multrip is easy.
I used Ace for my first year here and they're good to deal with.
http://www.acetravellerinsurance.ie/default.asp
You can go through a wizard on their site and get a quote very easily.
Best of luck.

laney22

Yes it's extreme. It's not likely I don't think but it is possible. More likely they'd sting you at the border to buy insurance there& then, which I'm sure wouldn't be cheap! Hopefully some insurance company realises what's going on soon & can offer something!

RootsCanada

Well the person a the border/airport just processes permits, they don't sell insurance so you won't be buying it there and then, that's for sure.
This is just a money scam, because, no Irish insurer will cover you if you're already out of the country. I got a quote from a Canadian insurer and it was $2,600.

I'll be making contact with the Dept of Foreign Affairs on this, they are actually helpful enough.
Eamon Gilmore's office did the work on getting us more visas and for a longer period, so I'll make it known to them that this is potentially putting huge costs on applicants and the permits may be in question with the clause.
They may be able to help us out.

horse7

this may help if ur with backpackers ins already and want to extend ur cover http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie/faq9.asp

Black_shadow

so what do ye think would be the best thing to do, get insurance with backpackers.ie or go over with none??

gary27

Black_shadow wrote: »

so what do ye think would be the best thing to do, get insurance with backpackers.ie or go over with none??

get insurance with them, I won't be taking the risk if they ask for it.

Black_shadow

gary27 wrote: »

get insurance with them, I won't be taking the risk if they ask for it.

going to get sports package, that way go snow boarding etc !

gary27

Black_shadow wrote: »

going to get sports package, that way go snow boarding etc !

same here its more expensive but imagine snowboarding, you have to try it

bhob

You're better off going with go4less. Same price as backpackers for the 2 years including winter sports but with go4less you can come home twice a year for up to 2weeks per trip. Backpackers it's only once over the full 2 years

gary27

bhob wrote: »

You're better off going with go4less. Same price as backpackers for the 2 years including winter sports but with go4less you can come home twice a year for up to 2weeks per trip. Backpackers it's only once over the full 2 years

I tried the go4less site for insurance it doesn't allow longer than 366days as you need 2 years for visa duration.

ripcord

Backpackers.ie should be grand if you're going for the full two years. But you will only be allowed back in ireland for one two-week holiday. Anymore than that and your policy is invalid.

Personally, if you plan to to come home for more than two weeks (like me), I wouldn't risk it. I'm very cautious when it comes to insurance. Remember - these companies will try ANYTHING not to pay you. You could try coming home for longer and not telling them about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they found out somehow. Maybe someone reading this thread has experience of insurance companies finding out their travel details?


Simple choice. If you turn up in Canada without any insurance there is a good chance they won't give you the permit, and that's the Canada dream over. If you're willing to take that chance, go for it. I'm not that brave