Travel Insurance - 1 year - What did you do?

Faye
New Member


My life's just waiting for me to catch up!

Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Canada

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:02 am

 

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I'm facing some uncertainty now that I'm down to my final weeks in Canada. I want to make sure I'm 100% prepared and everything is taken care of before I go. Insurance is something I know very little about and have no idea how to approach. I'm going to Aus on a 1 year working-holiday visa with about 6 days in the states before flying over. I don't think that Canada is a part of the reciprocal health program with Australian Medicare. And it's going to be like $400-$600 for a year through a company like TIC which seems to be the only one that can give quotes for up to 365 days.

What happens if I decide to stay on in Australia. At what point am I able to start medicare? Do private insurance companies insure foreigners? Should I use my VISA's (the credit card company's) insurance for the maximum (180 days) and then only buy additional insurance for the remainder? Can I start insurance after I've left the country?

I have so many questions and I can't seem to find answers - so if anyone has gone through this let me know. What did you do?

Thanks so much,
Faye
(Arriving in about 3 weeks!)

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jimbodandy
New Member


Moving to New Zealand

Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Niagara Falls

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:03 pm

 

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Hello,

I am moving to new zealand next week (working holiday as well(, and the insurance my wife and I got was through our private insurance broker (ING) it was $830 for both of us for 365 days with medical/travel/cancellation insurance. You will have to put your Provincial Health Card on hold for the year or else you will have to renew it when you get back and that takes 3 months. Also it might be a stipulation on your working holiday visa that you need to provide adequate insurance before they give you your visa, as well as sufficient funds in a bank statement. For us its $4200 NZD each.

Good Luck with everything
Jim

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Faye
New Member


My life's just waiting for me to catch up!

Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Canada

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 2:32 pm

 

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Oh I already have my visa- electronically anyway. are you saying if I don't provide these things when I arrive into Sydney they will disapprove/unapprove it?

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cherieboberry1
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Location: Dandenong North,Melbourne AUS

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm

 

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I went through BCAA (if you are not in B.C. there would be an equivalent automobile agency) I did a lot of research on medical coverage and that was the best option. For a bit more money you can add on your 6 days in U.S as well. Good luck!

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Faye
New Member


My life's just waiting for me to catch up!

Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Canada

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 5:11 pm

 

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I don't drive though. I know my mom is a member with CAA. I've contacted a broker and he'd great to talk to on the phone and seems very eager to help. I think the ballpark will be about $800 for 12 months. Does this sound reasonable?

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_betty_
New Member



Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Location: vancouver

Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:44 pm

 

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has your visa already been approved?
did you click yes to having health insurance that would cover your trip when you applied?

i'm scared if i check no, my visa will get denied. but i dont want to spend $400+ on insurance before i get a visa. i wish there was a box so i could write that ha.

anyways,
i was told with bcaa you can get insurance for $1/day
im not sure if that still holds true at the moment but i do beleive you need to be a member to get that rate.

[edit]
i totally didnt clue in caa and bcaa were the same thing ha.

but i would think $800/yr is a little expensive. considering the person above said they got 1 yr for 2ppl for that amount.
i'd say look around at other insurance agencies. sometimes banks offer insurance.

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jase
New Member



Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:00 pm

 

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Hi,
I am in the same position as well. I will be leaving for Australia in 3 weeks on a working holiday visa and I am looking for travel insurance. BCAA only provides insurance for a max of 183 days.

Previously, I went abroad to Japan for a year and got travel insurance from Travel Underwriters but it seemed quite expensive and I am looking for alternatives. I paid about $1100 for 1 year.

Any suggestions?

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_betty_
New Member



Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Location: vancouver

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:42 pm

 

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i just came across a pretty good travel insurance place.
it's $1.15/day (under 30yrs old. if older it's $1.45/day) and you can do upto a full year and it seems to have good coverage. i need to review it with my dad just to make sure ha. but my sister used it when she went to LA for week and was pretty happy.
but you can add on baggage insurance ect.

but a full years insurance for under $500 is pretty good

travelinsurance [dot] ca

check to see if there's somewhere in your provience that offers it.

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