Super Visa Medical Insurance - FAQ

What is Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance?

Emergency medical travel insurance is the most affordable coverage for unforeseen expenses on your trip. Emergency medical travel insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies only it does not cover routine visits to a family doctor, annual check-ups and prescription drugs. The current super visa requirement is $100,000 of coverage for a period of one year from a Canadian insurance company with a repatriation benefit. Save time and money by using Stone-Hedge Financial Group Inc. to get the best coverage at the best price.

Why should I use a broker to buy travel insurance?

Insurance brokers are unbiased insurance professionals that provide advice and can shop with multiple insurance companies saving you time and money. When buying insurance directly from an insurance company you are only buying their policy without shopping for the best policy at the best price. Using a broker does not cost you a cent since you will pay exactly the same rate regardless of the channel you use to purchase your insurance coverage. If you buy insurance from a travel agent, bank teller, credit union or tour operator you are getting advice from a non-licensed insurance professional.

What are the Government of Canada requirements to apply for a Super Visa?

The super visa requirements are as follow:

1. Meet the income threshold requirement for the super visa and provide proof of income which can be your notice of assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on your last tax return.

2. A letter of invitation to invite your parents and/ or grandparents to visit you in Canada.

3. Mandatory minimum of $100,000 emergency medical travel insurance for a period of one year for each parent and/or grandparent.

4. Complete a visitors to Canada application and submit with all of the above.

What is the difference between Visitors Visa and a Super Visa?

A visitor's visa is a single entry visa valid for a visit of up to six month.

Starting on February 6, 2014 (00:01 EST), all visa applicants will automatically be considered for a multiple entry visa. The visa officer reviewing your application may be able to give you this type of visa even if you applied for a single entry visa.

A multiple entry visa allows visitors to come and go from Canada for six months at a time, without having to reapply each time. It can be valid for up to 10 years, or one month before your passport expires, whichever is earlier. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa.

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

A super visa is a multiple entry visa valid for ten years for up to two years for each visit.

Can I apply for a Super Visa if my parents and/or grandparents are already in Canada?

Yes, you can apply for a super visa if your parents and/or grandparent are in Canada. The requirements are the same except the super visa application is submitted in Canada to the Calgary office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 

Are there any age restrictions to apply for a Super Visa and/or Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance?

There are no age restrictions to apply for a Super Visa you can apply for your parents and/or grandparents up to any age. For super visa emergency medical travel insurance we offer insurance from companies that can also insure up to any age. The majority of insurance companies do not offer coverage for ages 80 and older, as a result you will have fewer insurance companies to choose from. A medical questionnaire is required from some insurance companies for ages 80 and older. 

Is Emergency Medical Travel Insurance mandatory when applying for a Super Visa?

Yes, it is mandatory to purchase a minimum of $100,000 of emergency medical travel insurance for one year (365 days).

Can I purchase Emergency Medical Travel Insurance from a Non-Canadian Insurance Company?

One of the super visa requirements is that emergency medical travel insurance has to be purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

Can I pay the premium monthly?

Monthly premiums are not acceptable for the mandatory emergency medical travel insurance for super visa applicants. The annual premium has to be paid up from in one lump sum payment.

What are my coverage options?

For super visa applicants the only coverage that can be purchased to submit with your application is emergency medical travel insurance. Additional benefits can be purchased once your super visa is approved. In order to purchase trip interruption and cancellation the plane ticket for the flight of your parents and/or grandparents has to be purchased in Canada. Super visa applicants can also purchase inpatriate emergency medical travel insurance that includes additional benefits, they are annual medical examination, annual eye examination and vaccins.

What does Emergency Medical Travel Insurance Include?

Expenses incurred due to a medical emergency only. Each policy has its own definition of benefits provided, please refer to the insurance policy of each insurance company.

What additional optional Non-Medical benefits can I purchase after my Super Visa is approved?

1. Trip Cancellation

2. Trip Interruption

3. Baggage

4. Accidental Death & Dismemberment

5. Flight Accident

6. Car Rental Insurance 

What if my Super Visa is denied can I get a refund?

Yes, all insurance companies we deal with will offer a full refund if your super visa application is denied. The approval rate has been approximately 80% and the majority of applications denied are due to not meeting the minimum income threshold requirements, not purchasing mandatory emergency medical travel insurance, purchasing emergency medical travel insurance from a non-Canadian insurance company and application not completed in good order. Please note some insurance companies charge an administration fee.

Can I get a partial refund for any unused coverage?

The majority of insurance companies offer partial refunds for any unused coverage once your parents and/or grandparents return to their country of origin. Partial refunds are subject to the terms and condition of the insurance policy of each insurance company. Please refer to the insurance policy for exact terms and condition for partial refunds, an administration fee may apply.

I do not know the date of arrival of my parents and/or grandparents what effective date do I use when purchasing Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance?

Proof of emergency medical travel insurance for a super visa is a mandatory requirement. The emergency medical travel insurance policy must be purchased and submitted as part of the super visa application. Since the date of arrival is not known at the time of the application for the emergency medical travel insurance policy we recommend you select an effective date of 90 days or longer. Once the super visa is approved you will need to change the effective date to coincide with the departure date. If for whatever reason you still do not know the actual departure date prior to the effective date of the policy, you will need to notify the insurance company and extend the effective date until the actual departure date is known. Your policy is on hold, you only pay for insurance coverage you use when traveling not waiting for your super visa to be approved and issued.

Can I renew my Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance after one year?

To renew your coverage for an additional year, you must make a request before the expiry date or the date you were scheduled to return home. If you do not have a new medical condition or pending claim from the application date of your emergency medical travel insurance policy, you can renew your policy. If you have a new medical condition or pending claim, the renewal is subject to approval by the insurance company. Insurance policies have limits on age and maximum number of days of coverage. We can accomodate these situations; we offer super visa emergency medical travel insurance for all ages. Please refer to the exact terms and conditions of your policy.

Can I travel to other countries with my Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance?

Yes, except the destinations where the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Government has issued a warning to avoid all travel and non-essential travel to that city, region, or country. The majority of time of the visit has to be spent in Canada. Insurance policies also have limits on the amount of days covered per trip outside Canada. Not all policies include coverage to all destinations the majority include U.S. and Mexico. American insurance companies operating in Canada do not provide any coverage to Cuba. Expenses incurred in your country of origin will not be covered. Please refer to the policy for exact terms and conditions.

What happens to my Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance if I need to return home to my country of origin for an emergency?

The majority of polices we deal with have added a right of entry benefit allowing your parents and/or grandparents to travel back and forth between Canada and their country of origin within the policy period. No coverage is provided while your parents and/or grandparents are in their country of origin. In addition if there is a change in health while your parents and/or grandparents are in their country of origin the insurance company has to be notified and the policy has to be approved prior to your parents and/or grandparents returning to Canada, otherwise the insurance policy is null and void.

What are exclusion?

All travel insurance policies contain exclusions and limitations of coverage. Exclusion is what the travel insurance policy does not cover, hence is excluded from insurance coverage on the travel insurance policy. The most common exclusions are as follows:

1. Pre-existing medical conditions that are not stable.

2. High risk activities such as sports, stunt activities.

3. Traveling to destinations with advisory warnings – including acts of war, terrorism, kidnapping, strike, riot or unlawful visit to any country. For advisory warnings please visit Government of Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for a list of destinations where a warning has been issued to avoid all travel and non-essential travel to that city, region, or country.  

4. Losses while sane or insane – depression, self-inflicted injury, suicide attempt, emotional, mental or nervous disorder.

5. Pregnancy, childbirth or complication thereof, including high risk pregnancy.

6. Death or injury while under the influence of alcohol, prohibited drugs or any other intoxicant, non-compliance with prescribed treatment or misuse of drugs.

7. Air travel other than a passenger on a commercial aircraft.

Can I buy additional coverage to cover the exclusions?

You can buy insurance to cover exclusions not all exclusions are insurable. In some cases coverage for exclusions will have to be purchased as a separate policy.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Means a sickness, injury or medical condition: 

1. for which you exhibited signs or symptoms; or

2. for which you required or received medical consultation ie treatment including medications; and 

3. which existed prior to the effective date of your coverage.

Can I buy insurance to cover my pre-existing medical conditions?

We offer emergency medical travel insurance from insurance companies that include coverage for stable pre-existing medical conditions. In order for stable pre-existing medical conditions to be covered insurance companies require a stability period of 90, 180, or 365 days. Refer to the policy wording for exact definitions of pre-existing medical conditions coverage, exclusions and limitations. The majority of claims being denied are due to unstable pre-existing medical conditions. We are insurance brokers not medical practitioners. Consult with your doctor to determine if the policy will cover your stable pre-existing medical conditions and if your health permits travel. Traveling against the advice of your doctor automatically makes you ineligible to purchase emergency medical travel insurance.

What if my pre-existing medical conditions are uninsurable?

Not all pre-existing medical conditions are insurable. You can still purchase emergency medical travel insurance without coverage for the uninsurable pre-existing medical conditions..  

Is there any medical test required before we can buy Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance? 

There is no medical test or examination required to purchase super visa emergency medical travel insurance. You can buy the policy online or over the phone from a Stone-Hedge Financial Group Inc. licensed insurance broker and get the policy issued and delivered to you the same day by email.

What is not covered and how to avoid having your claim denied?

In order to purchase super visa emergency medical insurance the insured has to meet the eligibility requirements to be eligible for coverage. At time of claim the insured will be required to provide medical information to the insurance company, this is referred to as post claim underwriting. When eligibility requirements are met the insured is eligible to pay the premium. After the premium is paid the coverage will be in force. The majority of visitors to Canada emergency medical travel insurance policies are underwriten at time of claim.

If you're medical condition has changed between the application date and the effective date which is your departure date you must notify us to have the policy approved for the new pre-existing medical conditions. This may be a new prescribed medication, change in dosage of your existing medication or just a consultation with a doctor. Non-disclosure will automatically make the policy you purchased null and void. Please refer to your policy for terms and conditions.

What is a high risk activity?

High risk activities include but not limited to heli-skiing, ski jumping, skydiving, sky-surfing, scuba diving, white water rafting, street lugs, skeleton activity, mountaineering, rodeo activity, and other sports activity.

Can I buy insurance to cover high risk activities?

You can purchase coverage for certain sports activities.

What is a Deductible?

This represents the amount of eligible medical expenses that must be paid by the insured before the insurance company begins to reimburse for covered expenses. There are two different kinds of deductibles, per-claim and per-policy period. A per-claim deductible means that the insured must pay a new deductible for each separate claim. A per-policy period deductible means that the insured must pay the deductible only once during the policy period.

How do I fill out the Super Visa Application and purchase mandatory Super Visa Emergency Medical Travel Insurance if my parents and/or grandparents are not in Canada?

The same way you have to fill out the super visa application on behalf of your parents and/or grandparents you will also need to purchase mandatory emergency medical travel insurance. When completing the application for insurance on behalf of your parents and/or grandparents you must ensure that you are aware of your parents and/or grandparents medical history, pre-existing conditions and prescription medications. This information must be accurate and is required to determine eligibility for coverage and to ensure the policy meets your parents and/or grandparents medical insurance requirements.  Any incorrect statements on the application will make the policy null and void. An online application or over the phone application with an insurance broker is the same as a paper application you fill out when purchasing travel insurance from a bank, trust company, credit union or travel agent. The only difference is with Stone-Hedge Financial Group Inc. we shop with multiple insurance companies, compare policies and save you time and money. You do not need to sign a physical paper application.

What payment options are available?

The only payment option available for travel insurance online or over the phone purchases are credit cards. If you don’t have credit cards please contact us directly and we will arrange for an alternate payment method. Some insurance companies accept cheques.

How do I get my policy delivered to me?

After we complete your purchase online or over the phone your policy is instantly issued and delivered to you by email. You can save your policy on your computer or smart phone and print it.

What do I do with my policy?

Please read your insurance policy and confirmation of coverage.  If you made an error contact us to correct the information. Keep a record of your policy in more than one place, you can print it, leave a copy at home and take one with you. Make sure you send it to someone who can be contacted in case of emergency.

What do I do with my wallet card?

Please carry it with you at all times. If you require medical attention please call the emergency assistance hotline number on your wallet card.

Disclaimer: The FAQ  information provided is for general purposes only, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. Each Insurance Company Policy contains the actual definitions, eligibility requirements, benefits, exclusions and limitation on their respective policies. Insurance Policies are subject to change without notice by the Insurance Companies. If there is a discrepancy between the information provided in the FAQ and the actual insurance policy/certificate of the Insurance Company, the policy /certificate of Insurance Company will override. The information provided does not constitute any insurance, accounting or legal advice please use at own risk.