Canada IEC 2013 Health Insurance

EI-DOR

Right so I presume Goforless is fine to cover 24 months if I go through the Annual Multi Trip on the website? Has anybody added extras to that Insurance?

Jane1012

Has anybody tried VHI's 2 year plan?

https://www.vhi.ie/info/MainServlet?action=backpackerHome

meelyb

EI-DOR wrote: »

Right so I presume Goforless is fine to cover 24 months if I go through the Annual Multi Trip on the website? Has anybody added extras to that Insurance?

The 24month Go4less is a waste of time for BC. It is not adequate cover. Read my thread for details. The girl I work with is from Ontario, she said cover is free there. Look into it more for there but so you know it varies by Province. I keep calling them states. they don't like that!

armadillo86

meelyb wrote: »

The following information applies to British Columbia (BC). I cannot say whether it applies to all provinces in Canada, maybe it does, but I am speaking from personal experience having moved to BC in May this year. I found out some very interesting and NEW information relating to the health insurance. I read boards.ie daily before I moved here and this was not mentioned.

So like you all, I read stories of people not even being asked to show the health insurance they got at the airport when they arrived and were getting their visas issued. But we didn't want to take the risk right? Our visa stated we had to health cover for the two years. So I got the Go4less insurance via a link on Boards.ie.This cover was the cheapest and essentially glorified travel insurance, but the policy also had medical cover so we hoped it would be accepted. I also read threads that in BC, the goverment offers free health insurance. SO I applied the week I arrived. People it is not free! I got a massive bill for me and my boyfriend (it is $125month for us as common law partners), backdated from when we applied. The billing department said that as we were not Canadians or permanent residents we did not apply for tax relief/low income relief on our bill. I didn't know what he meant until he clearly explained that the condition of our visa was to have health cover as, albeit temporary, our visas make us residents of BC. By law everyone residing in BC (Canadians, permanent residents, temporary working visas i.e. us) must have health cover. It is mandatory. It is not a condition of our visa specifically. He said I cannot just cancel the MSP application either as health insurance is mandatory by law. So I explained I had private health cover (ahem, the Go4less). He said that is great- the health cover does not have to be MSP (this is just cheaper as its through the government), it can be private BUT the cover must be equivalent to the basic MSP. Incidentally, if I can prove the cover is the same, they will waive my bill and leave me alone. But the GO4 less is crap cover and not the same. e.g. I paid $125 to go to the doctor. Msp would have made it free, GO4less let you claim back 30eur or something and I am not bothered making claims from here. Many employers even pay for your MSP.

My advice is a quote I have taken from my employers website (it is a government run agency)

If you are a new or returning resident coming to BC from outside Canada, you should arrange for private coverage during the period you are waiting for MSP to become effective. Normally, the waiting period consists of the balance of the month of your arrival, plus two months.

SO unless you want to take both the risk of breaking the BC law of having no health insurance and then also in the event of needing health cover being stuck with the bill, all you need is three months cover max, once you apply for MSP when you arrive. It is up to you what you opt for but I wish I had this info before hand. The Go4Less is useless cover, the same cost would have paid for 5months of MSP. My new employer actually pays for it but I am stuck with the bill from before that!

So are you saying that it'd be better to not get insurance before going to Canada, through go4less or otherwise? If I turn up at the airport with only 3 months insurance will that not cause problems with the two year visa?

EI-DOR

If I turn up at the airport with only 3 months insurance will that not cause problems with the two year visa?

That's what I'm thinking!!!

armadillo86

EI-DOR wrote: »

That's what I'm thinking!!!

I've read loads of posts on FB saying if you don't have the full two years insurance then you won't be issued a two year visa. So much conflicting information!

meelyb

I have not heard of anyone who has been asked at the airport for this insurance (myself and my partner included). I think the IEC did not make it clear enough that the law for anyone living in BC is to have health insurance. I think it is the law in all provinces in Canada, it’s just BC and Alberta that charge residents. If you live in BC, you can get MSP but they do accept the equivalent cover regardless of provider.

Is it possible to get the Blue insurance just before you leave (which I did) and then cancel within a certain number of days? So you have your Cert at the airport just in case. I am not sure what the policy rules are though once you leave Ireland, whether that stops you from being able to cancel. I doubt it. Aren’t there online 7day cooling off EU laws? You can only get the insurance online. Anyway, I didn’t cancel mine when I arrived because I just chalked it down as an expense of getting here. Like everyone on this board, I didn’t want to take the risk at the airport, and figured it was worth the 340eur each for that reason alone. However, now that I am living here I would like adequate health cover. I only applied cos I thought it was free! Now I have indavertedly exposed myself as having possibly inadequate health cover. MSP apparently is a bit of a disorganized mess so I am not worried they will report me or anything. The guy in the billing place just said, you know one of the conditions of your visa that allows you to live here, is that you have health cover like everyone else. So I can’t cancel my MSP application unless I prove I have other cover. So its either be billed for the MSP and get straight forward cover. Or show them my Go4less and hope they say it’s enough. Either way though, I want cover and MSP is better. Most employers pay for it. In fact, of the employers that don’t (my boyfriend is a plumber and his doesn’t pay for MSP), they offer a benfit called ‘extended cover’. This is includes free prescriptions and full to partial cover on dentists, specialists et. However- you can only get these benefits if you have MSP. I think there is a Canadian private provider that is valid but it’s unlikely any of ye over there would have anything but Irish insurance. There is no messing about claiming back in Ireland and getting euros etc if you just get MSP here. Sorry for the long posts but I really think this is important to know.

armadillo86

meelyb wrote: »

I have not heard of anyone who has been asked at the airport for this insurance (myself and my partner included). I think the IEC did not make it clear enough that the law for anyone living in BC is to have health insurance. I think it is the law in all provinces in Canada, it’s just BC and Alberta that charge residents. If you live in BC, you can get MSP but they do accept the equivalent cover regardless of provider.

Is it possible to get the Blue insurance just before you leave (which I did) and then cancel within a certain number of days? So you have your Cert at the airport just in case. I am not sure what the policy rules are though once you leave Ireland, whether that stops you from being able to cancel. I doubt it. Aren’t there online 7day cooling off EU laws? You can only get the insurance online. Anyway, I didn’t cancel mine when I arrived because I just chalked it down as an expense of getting here. Like everyone on this board, I didn’t want to take the risk at the airport, and figured it was worth the 340eur each for that reason alone. However, now that I am living here I would like adequate health cover. I only applied cos I thought it was free! Now I have indavertedly exposed myself as having possibly inadequate health cover. MSP apparently is a bit of a disorganized mess so I am not worried they will report me or anything. The guy in the billing place just said, you know one of the conditions of your visa that allows you to live here, is that you have health cover like everyone else. So I can’t cancel my MSP application unless I prove I have other cover. So its either be billed for the MSP and get straight forward cover. Or show them my Go4less and hope they say it’s enough. Either way though, I want cover and MSP is better. Most employers pay for it. In fact, of the employers that don’t (my boyfriend is a plumber and his doesn’t pay for MSP), they offer a benfit called ‘extended cover’. This is includes free prescriptions and full to partial cover on dentists, specialists et. However- you can only get these benefits if you have MSP. I think there is a Canadian private provider that is valid but it’s unlikely any of ye over there would have anything but Irish insurance. There is no messing about claiming back in Ireland and getting euros etc if you just get MSP here. Sorry for the long posts but I really think this is important to know.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what to do now. I'm moving to Vancouver in late February with my bf and the thought of handing over 600 euro to go4less or another travel insurance place is a bit sickening if the cover isn't even adequate!

EDIT: Just read this on the moving2canada website:

"Note: To participate on the IEC program you are required to have insurance that covers the full duration of your work visa and insurance that will cover repatriation costs. Provincial healthcare in Canada and medical cover from your employment typically do not cover these items so you need to get separate travel insurance.

WARNING! We continually read in forums that not getting travel insurance for Canada is a great way to save money. It’s pretty rare that border officers will check for travel insurance for Canada but it’s important to understand the full scope of the issue. If you’re applying from Canada, then provincial health insurance is not a substitute to travel insurance as it does not cover repatriation costs (i.e. the costs of flying you home in the event of serious injury or death). We buy insurance in case the worst happens. Often, we feel that we are wasting money if that big event does not happen. As an adult, we encourage you to be responsible for your actions as your family would appreciate not being left with a $20,000 hospital bill in the event of serious injury or death and your subsequent repatriation home."

That clears it up a bit... Seems we need to have both travel insurance AND health insurance.

meelyb

EDIT: Just read this on the moving2canada website:

"Note: To participate on the IEC program you are required to have insurance that covers the full duration of your work visa and insurance that will cover repatriation costs. Provincial healthcare in Canada and medical cover from your employment typically do not cover these items so you need to get separate travel insurance.

WARNING! We continually read in forums that not getting travel insurance for Canada is a great way to save money. It’s pretty rare that border officers will check for travel insurance for Canada but it’s important to understand the full scope of the issue. If you’re applying from Canada, then provincial health insurance is not a substitute to travel insurance as it does not cover repatriation costs (i.e. the costs of flying you home in the event of serious injury or death). We buy insurance in case the worst happens. Often, we feel that we are wasting money if that big event does not happen. As an adult, we encourage you to be responsible for your actions as your family would appreciate not being left with a $20,000 hospital bill in the event of serious injury or death and your subsequent repatriation home."

That clears it up a bit... Seems we need to have both travel insurance AND health insurance.[/QUOTE]


Wow, that is interesting! Well I know my employer is good with their benefits. They offer 100% cover for any medical issue even when travelling outside of canada. I was made permanent straight away with benefits so I guess they are treating me as permanent citizen (though i am on a temp visa. I stretched the truth to say my boyfriends boss will be applying for our permanent residency next year, which he did offer to do but we haven't started the process). I was just thinking of us this time last year and how this information would have helped when I was researching what to do. Ultimately it is your decision. I wonder how Moving to Canada got their info- would be nice of the IEC to be a bit more informal and explain it clearer like they have.

armadillo86

meelyb wrote: »

Wow, that is interesting! Well I know my employer is good with their benefits. They offer 100% cover for any medical issue even when travelling outside of canada. I was made permanent straight away with benefits so I guess they are treating me as permanent citizen (though i am on a temp visa. I stretched the truth to say my boyfriends boss will be applying for our permanent residency next year, which he did offer to do but we haven't started the process). I was just thinking of us this time last year and how this information would have helped when I was researching what to do. Ultimately it is your decision. I wonder how Moving to Canada got their info- would be nice of the IEC to be a bit more informal and explain it clearer like they have.

What industry are you working in if you don't mind me asking?

meelyb

I work in finance. Just back office admin stuff here. I have an interview next week for a University. Again, just admin office stuff but in payroll dept. (I have zero finance qualifications just seven years experience from ireland). Both will pay my MSP. The finance benefits are great where I am now - no wait period at the start, kicked in straight away but the job is a bitch and I really really want to get out of banking. It is my plan for Canada to change career. I had a great job back in Ireland but I didn't like it so took the chance to emmigrate with himself. Came here as my BF was unemployed back home. I have to start at the bottom here so using it to make a fresh start career wise. So baby steps. I say this lightly. I was out of work for the first six months here in vancouver and inches away from going home with my tail between my legs. It's been pretty hard but I'm getting there. Baby steps as I said. I am still hoping it has all been worth it! I can say I gave it my best anyway. i have given up everything to go here. All my savings, my family, lifelong best friends. It nearly broke my relationship as he loves it here so I want to try and make it worth it for me personally. I turned 30 while we have been here so the idea of starting from scratch has been scary but hopefully it will fall into place : )

EI-DOR

6 Months out of work? Christ.. Can see why you near got on that plane. Hope everything works out for you and himself

Gonzo_Reporter

meelyb wrote: »

EDIT: Just read this on the moving2canada website:

"Note: To participate on the IEC program you are required to have insurance that covers the full duration of your work visa and insurance that will cover repatriation costs. Provincial healthcare in Canada and medical cover from your employment typically do not cover these items so you need to get separate travel insurance.

WARNING! We continually read in forums that not getting travel insurance for Canada is a great way to save money. It’s pretty rare that border officers will check for travel insurance for Canada but it’s important to understand the full scope of the issue. If you’re applying from Canada, then provincial health insurance is not a substitute to travel insurance as it does not cover repatriation costs (i.e. the costs of flying you home in the event of serious injury or death). We buy insurance in case the worst happens. Often, we feel that we are wasting money if that big event does not happen. As an adult, we encourage you to be responsible for your actions as your family would appreciate not being left with a $20,000 hospital bill in the event of serious injury or death and your subsequent repatriation home."

That clears it up a bit... Seems we need to have both travel insurance AND health insurance.

From the MSP website http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/faqas.html#whp



I’m on a working holiday program – what do I need to send to apply for coverage?

Persons on a working holiday program need to have:

a working permit valid for at least six consecutive months or more,
must be staying in British Columbia for at least six consecutive months, and
be working a minimum of 18 hours per week.
To apply for coverage, those with a valid working permit on a working holiday program must submit the Application for Enrolment form with both of the following items to determine eligibility:

Confirmation of employment in British Columbia with:
a copy of your employment contract indicating full-time status or the number of hours worked per week, OR
a letter from your employer stating the date employment started and expected to end, and indicate full-time status or the number of hours worked per week.
Departure date from British Columbia.

NewsMeQuick

Hmm I was under the impression that you needed to be in BC for 3 months to apply for MSP? I'll have to find out where I got that. Well, either way, that page clearly says 6 months if on a WH visa.

So, what do people think about the 2 year WH cover now? I don't want to pay money for something which is termed inadequate when I arrive and need a health service. Yikes. Though, the WH coverage does include travel, which the MSP doesn't.

Edit: OK in the details it says residents in BC for 3 months can apply. I read it said working holiday visa holders can be eligible for this in that time frame. I also found the blog where a foreign citizen on the working holiday visa was eligible within 3 months and applied:

http://marmitetomaple.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/msp-care-cards-and-healthcare-in-bc/#more-468

OK I just read that the above blogger (well known on Moving to Canada) says that it's a good idea to get the travel insurance in addition because of the extras that it covers.

Laura Gaf

Hey all, I am away to Canada this Thursday. I got my visa last year and only getting round to heading now :rolleyes: I did tonnes of research on insurance, reading this thread for starts.. and was going to go with the go4less policy as it was the best priced.

I went to go ahead and pay for it today but they said they are no longer offering cover to anyone who had not bought flights from them or used them for getting their visa... I was a bit raging after spending loads of time doing the research. Its seems there is some issue with Blue insurance who is partnered with them. It sounds like there will something sorted in the coming months probably for the 2014 visas when they are out. Coincidently Blue insurance are also partnered with www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie

I called backpacker travel insurance then and because I lived in the North for the past few years I would need to go through their UK site. This costs 275stg which is about 330eur.

I also called VHI and they cover anyone in the 32 counties and are around the same price as backpacker insurance. I have arranged to go with VHI@ 329.00 for the 2 years not including winter sports.

https://www.vhi.ie/info/MainServlet?action=backpackerHome
I just thought that VHI are better known and easily contactable, Backpacker travel insurance excess for the UK is 100stg whereas its 85eur for VHI.. and I a little suspicious of going with Blue insurance now.

Hopefully this might help.. particularly those living in the North.

armadillo86

Laura Gaf wrote: »

Hey all, I am away to Canada this Thursday. I got my visa last year and only getting round to heading now :rolleyes: I did tonnes of research on insurance, reading this thread for starts.. and was going to go with the go4less policy as it was the best priced.

I went to go ahead and pay for it today but they said they are no longer offering cover to anyone who had not bought flights from them or used them for getting their visa... I was a bit raging after spending loads of time doing the research. Its seems there is some issue with Blue insurance who is partnered with them. It sounds like there will something sorted in the coming months probably for the 2014 visas when they are out. Coincidently Blue insurance are also partnered with www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie

I called backpacker travel insurance then and because I lived in the North for the past few years I would need to go through their UK site. This costs 275stg which is about 330eur.

I also called VHI and they cover anyone in the 32 counties and are around the same price as backpacker insurance. I have arranged to go with VHI@ 329.00 for the 2 years not including winter sports.

https://www.vhi.ie/info/MainServlet?action=backpackerHome
I just thought that VHI are better known and easily contactable, Backpacker travel insurance excess for the UK is 100stg whereas its 85eur for VHI.. and I a little suspicious of going with Blue insurance now.

Hopefully this might help.. particularly those living in the North.

That's weird, I booked my insurance with go4less earlier today and had no problems. Did you try booking it from this link or was it over the phone? http://www.go4less.ie/insurance/index_canada.asp

NewsMeQuick

Hi Laura, thanks for the update.

Was backpackerinsurance also unavailable? That was the one I was aiming for.

Faith

I know that there's restrictions with travelling back to Ireland with many of the insurance policies, but what about travelling to other places? Can you do that as much as you like? Let's say the USA, for example.

Laura Gaf

Karbolt wrote: »

That's weird, I booked my insurance with go4less earlier today and had no problems. Did you try booking it from this link or was it over the phone? http://www.go4less.ie/insurance/index_canada.asp

Hi I tried that link but it wouldn't go through. We were living in Antrim and you can't pick that county. Thats why I called and then they told me about not being able to sell anymore policies so I went with VHI in the end.

Laura Gaf

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Hi Laura, thanks for the update.

Was backpackerinsurance also unavailable? That was the one I was aiming for.

Yes Backpackers is still available. But I would of needed to take out a policy in the UK as I lived in Northern Ireland the past few years. You should be able to buy through their Irish website if you have lived down south. Through their UK site (which was more expensive for some reason) the price works out about the same as VHI.

123DarcySt

Has anyone gone with USIT Insurance??? How are they??? I would either go for USIT or VHI. I am applying for my Insurance today however I would like some feedback on either companies.

shox000

I'm trying to get my insurance sorted at the moment too, heading over next month.
The basic VHI Canada cover for 330eu, without snow sports is in the very same ballpark as the others, Go4Less & Backpacker.
But the cheapest insurance I could find was with Go4Less, at 309eu, without snow sports.

I'm trying to find out if the Go4Less cover includes America, as i know the VHI Backpacker policy does not.

shox000

I'm trying to get my insurance sorted at the moment too, heading over next month.
The basic VHI Canada cover for 330eu, without snow sports is in the very same ballpark as the others, Go4Less & Backpacker.
But the cheapest insurance I could find was with Go4Less, at 309eu, without snow sports.

I'm trying to find out if the Go4Less cover includes America, as i know the VHI Backpacker policy does not.

Update:
Turns out Go4Less is worldwide cover. Great success.

ck24

shox000 wrote: »

I'm trying to get my insurance sorted at the moment too, heading over next month.
The basic VHI Canada cover for 330eu, without snow sports is in the very same ballpark as the others, Go4Less & Backpacker.
But the cheapest insurance I could find was with Go4Less, at 309eu, without snow sports.

I'm trying to find out if the Go4Less cover includes America, as i know the VHI Backpacker policy does not.

Update:
Turns out Go4Less is worldwide cover. Great success.

What does worldwide cover mean? If you leave canada, will Go4Less still cover you? I thought your insurance was void once you left canada for longer than allowed (usually only a couple of weeks)? Thanks.

Against

I got VHI 2 year cover and it's served its purpose, i.e. getting me through immigration with a 2-year visa. I guess having worldwide cover would be nice alright. I checked the VHI policy wording and it's fairly clear that it's only for Canada:

Geographical Limits: This policy is applicable to those travelling to Canada, except parts of Canada where the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised against travel, as specified on the Policy Certificate.

Haylcyp

Anyone know of a good place to purchase IEC insurance if you have already departed I am in the States at the moment but still want to activate my visa?\

Karlos_Macca

Haylcyp wrote: »

Anyone know of a good place to purchase IEC insurance if you have already departed I am in the States at the moment but still want to activate my visa?\

Hi....can't help you on your question....but out of curiousity.....did you have to get a B-2 USA Tourist Visa before you left? I want to travel a couple of weeks through the US first before arriving in Canada too for the IEC Visa, but I'm told that the Visa Waiver Program isn't accepted if you are ending your trip in Canada, as it will go over the 90 days in an adjacent country.

Haylcyp

I am working in the US so am on a working visa

Karlos_Macca

Hi all, sorry for raising an old thread but can't think of anywhere else better for my question...

I want to buy travel insurance for my IEC, which I begin in two weeks, but I want to purchase it in two separated 12 months blocks for a total of 24 months so I get the full visa. If the cooling period for cancelation is 14 days, and I have arrived at my destination within that period, can I cancel the second block of insurance?

I'm thinking as I'll have a separate Cert of Insurance with a date showing a commencement of travel in the future, that I should be able to....even though the policy states says I can't cancel it after journey has commenced.

Would this work?

circular flexing

Karlos_Macca wrote: »

Hi all, sorry for raising an old thread but can't think of anywhere else better for my question...

I want to buy travel insurance for my IEC, which I begin in two weeks, but I want to purchase it in two separated 12 months blocks for a total of 24 months so I get the full visa. If the cooling period for cancelation is 14 days, and I have arrived at my destination within that period, can I cancel the second block of insurance?

I'm thinking as I'll have a separate Cert of Insurance with a date showing a commencement of travel in the future, that I should be able to....even though the policy states says I can't cancel it after journey has commenced.

Would this work?

I seriously doubt that you will get an insurance company to quote and issue a policy that's not going to be effective until more than a year from now.