5 Travel Tips

Vacations are more than a luxury today – they are a well-needed break for families caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here are 5 travel tips to help you jumpstart your best vacation yet:

1. Keep everyone entertained. The ride to your travel destination is what is usually the most boring part, have some activities ready for your kids and you to make this time as a family fun time. Pack whatever you need – magazines, ipods, and games to keep the family entertained.
2. Have important documents handy. This includes your passport, records of travel insurance, and list of medications you take. In fact, a good tip is to take a photo of your travel insurance so that you have the contact information if needed.  Also, reading what your travel insurance covers beforehand can help you make informed decisions when you partake in risky activities during your trip. Having travel insurance not only gives you peace of mind, but gives your loved ones peace of mind to let you travel.
3. Give a copy of your contact information to someone you trust in Canada if they need to contact you – including numbers and addresses of where you are staying and your ticket details. It’s also a good idea to find out where the closest Canadian embassy is in where you are traveling.
4. Pack your medication and any refills you need. If you have a drug plan, order enough supply of your medication before you need. It’s a good idea to visit your doctor before you travel and get any vaccinations you may require before you leave.
5. A wise rule of packing for vacations is to pack only half of what you want to pack. People usually over pack clothes – this is just extra luggage to carry around. Pack all your necessities and leave everything you don’t think you will use behind.

Enjoy, have a good time and have a great vacation!

Visiting the Cottage or the US?

Are you planning to visit the cottage this summer or traveling outside of Ontario? One question you may have asked is, do you need travel insurance if you are traveling within in Canada?

For the most part – you are in good hands. We are lucky to live in a country that has great health coverage. Many of the same expenses are covered province to province, and you are most likely to reimburse of your medical costs albeit a few exceptions (i.e. ambulance).

However, traveling outside Canada is another story, even if you are just visiting the States. Say you get injured, break a leg and have to stay the night in the States hospital that can easily be $5000. OHIP will only reimburse you for about $200.

Canadians take 29 million trips annually outside the country, and when they travel to the States, many don’t always think of travel insurance, but it is important. Travel insurance is inexpensive, but it offers many benefits.  But mostly, having traveling insurance offers you peace of mind that lets you really enjoy your vacation.

Types of Super Visa Insurance

Last week we spoke about insurance being a pre-requisite for entry through Super Visa, but navigating what insurance is offered sometimes can be tricky. We’ve broken it down for you. There are two main types of Super Visa insurance: Emergency Medical and Expatriate Health Plans. 

Emergency Medical

You can think of this insurance almost like travel insurance for Super Visa entries. This insurance covers unforeseen medical emergencies – and cover he initial emergency medical care, and a limited number of follow up consultations after a person has been declared able and medically fit to return to their country of origin. 

Expatriate Health Plans

The second type of insurance is the one that is best for ailing parents with medical concerns. These plans cover both initial medical care, plus medically necessary continuing care until the term of the policy and eligibility. 

It is important to get clarification on what you policy covers and get pre-approval. Some plans offer no coverage of pre-existing conditions, while others offer coverage for stable chronic conditions. The cost of insurance is dependent on the existing medical condition, and anticipated needs. If your parent of grandparent has pre-existing medical concerns, it is important you choose to purchase an insurance that will cover their treatment and give you both the best peace of mind. 

Applying for a Super Visa?

It’s great to be able to have parents or grandparents visit and stay with you in Canada for an extended period of time – often times, a trip of 1 or 2 months is not enough time. The new Canadian Super Visa however, can change that by allowing your parents or grandparents to remain in Canada for 24 months at a time, without renewing their status. This visa is valid for 10 years. 

One of the key requirements for obtaining the Super Visa for Canada is insurance. Since many of the times parents and grandparents are elderly, the cost of medical care and hospitalization can be pricey. This is why Super Visa applicants must submit proof that they have purchased private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for a minimum of one year and offers a minimum of $100,000 in coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation. Regardless of it being mandatory, the need to purchase this insurance to protect your elderly loved ones is important in an event of needing medical care. 

For more information about applying for the Super Visa, visit the Government of Canada website.