Before one intends to spend some time in Canada, especially if it is a long stay like that of parents or grandparents for their children/residents in Canada, it is important that you get adequate health insurance. For such visitors, there are typically two options to consider: Super Visa Insurance and Travel Insurance. Both are used to get health coverage during a stay in Canada, but they are different by the sphere of coverage, price, and documents needed. The present article examines the differences between Super Visa Insurance and Travel Insurance, and more specifically, it provides an insight into the premium rates, the coverage of each product, and the characteristics that distinguish each one of them.
- Super Visa Insurance: What You Need to Know
Super Visa Insurance is an essential condition for obtaining the Canadian Super Visa, which is a visa created for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The Super Visa permits multiple entries for a period of up to two years without requiring renewal of the visa. An important precondition of the application is to provide proof of private medical insurance bought in Canada that satisfied certain requirements.
The policy has to include health care, hospitalisation and repatriation for not less than $100,000 and should remain valid for at least one year from the date of first entry into Canada. Due to such strict modalities, Super Visa Insurance is more costly than standard travel insurance policies. But this makes the policy a little bit expensive and this is because the policyholder is protected from any medical bills that may be incurred in the foreign country and these medical bills can run into very huge figures.
- Travel insurance: A brief understanding
Travel Insurance, on the other hand, is for short term trips and usually covers a person for a vacation or a business trip. This type of insurance pays for medical costs, cancellation of trips, loss of baggage, and other mishaps that may occur during the journey. Though there is a difference in the cost of Travel Insurance policies compared to Super Visa Insurance, they are not designed for long-term stays and may not meet the medical coverage requirements needed for a Super Visa application.
Travel Insurance often has lower coverage and although the optional medical coverage may be available, it does not compare to the coverage of Super Visa Insurance. Also, most of the Travel Insurance policies have a limited period, let’s say up to three or six months at most, which makes it unfit for those planning to stay in Canada for long.
- Comparing Premiums: What to Expect
The difference between Super Visa Insurance and Travel Insurance is the price of premiums. Premiums are slightly higher than standard visitor’s insurance because of the coverage and period to be provided for the applicants. The following elements influence the premium rates: the age of the applicant, the health state and the amount of desired coverage.
For instance, a regular cost of Super Visa Insurance Canada may vary between $1,800 and $5,000 per year depending on the client’s conditions and chosen insurance company. These costs are offset by the level of coverage that comes with the products, which entails medical emergencies, hospitalization and emergency repatriation, important factors to elderly travelers given their higher risk profile.
However, premiums for Travel Insurance are relatively cheaper; it costs between $100 and $500 for short term travel. However, the coverage is limited, and as such, the applicants are often unable to satisfy the minimum requirements for the Super Visa. While Travel Insurance is perfect for people who are planning on having a short holiday or business trip, for those who are planning to stay longer and want to have better coverage, Super Visa Insurance is what they need.
- Key Differences in Coverage
The two types of insurance are otherwise similar, but in regard to the area of coverage. Super Visa Insurance is intended to offer maximum health care coverage for visitors who are over 60 years of age and are likely to be in Canada for an extended period and will therefore need to cater for any health expenses they may incur in the country. This insurance provides a very broad coverage and includes medical expenses, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and even evacuation in some circumstances.
Travel Insurance, as the name suggests, has some medical benefits but is designed to mitigate risks associated with travel, including cancellation, loss of baggage, or missed/ cancelled flights. Its medical insurance is mainly focused on emergencies and does not cover treatments, hospitalizations, prolonged disease management, or severe pre-existing conditions. Also, most Travel Insurance policies are for a limited period, and this ranges between 30-90 days. This is not ideal for those wishing to stay in Canada for several months or years.
- Long-Term Security versus Short Term Solutions
To compare Super Visa Insurance with Travel Insurance, one has to make a distinction between the duration of the visit and the state of health of the applicant. Super Visa Insurance Canada is long-term and the policyholder is assured of being covered in case of any medical complications during the period of stay. This is especially important because the elderly visitors are likely to fall sick while in Canada, hence the need to have some form of medical cover.
Travel insurance, which is much cheaper, is designed for short-term journeys and does not have the same amount of coverage and security as Super Visa Insurance. Travel Insurance may be sufficient for those who are planning short visits, while for those who are applying for the Super Visa or are going to stay in Canada for more than six months, Super Visa Insurance Canada provides far more extensive health coverage and longer term assurance.
Conclusion
It is true that Super Visa Insurance and Travel Insurance have benefits, but each is designed for a specific type of traveler and serves different purposes and needs. Super Visa Insurance is for people wishing to live in Canada for a long time, whereas Travel Insurance is for less than that. In other words, think about the time you will be in Canada, your health, and the requirements that come with a Super Visa.
If you are searching for Super Visa Insurance that guarantees the security of your loved ones while they are in Canada, look no further than Parent Super Visa Insurance. We have a team of experts who can assist you in selecting a policy that offers the most effective protection while establishing the correct balance. Don’t wait now – call us!
