Medical insurance south of the border

[luckyd]

We live in BC, use Blue Cross as our "extended and dental"
provider. They have all our records from the provincial MSP.
We found them to be cheaper and because they are also in
our home province, easier to deal with.
I had an aortic aneuryism rupture in 2006.
They asked if it was repaired and they have no issue with it.

We asked about "pre-existing conditions" and were told that
neither one of us had anything that would affect a claim.

Nice knowing they have all the info BEFORE buying insurance.

[moisheh]

BCAA does not underwrite their own travel insurance. They use a few different companies. I wonder how they handle claims. There are 2 things to consider: The price is always important to Canadians. But how they handle claims and the questionnaires are more important. Manulife might have a good price but if they deny a valid claim that price is very high. TIS has a good reputation. If only there was a good website that compared some of these companies. My business group plan covers us but due to age we only get 60 days. I top up with TIS. I have used RBC in the past and at that time they were great. Others have posted that the banks are also denying claims for ridiculous reasons.

[sirpurrcival]

I do put some faith in BCAA. Even if they don't underwrite their travel insurance, they are a pretty big account and any insurance company would probably be loath to deny claims for spurious reasons. There is some leverage in numbers and BCAA has always done of pretty good job for me. I have been a member since the early 80's, I don't think they would want to hear that I was getting denied a claim without a mountain of good reason. The last time I asked about a pre-existing condition (a kidney stone), they basically told me that at least in that instance if I was removed three months from any treatment, that it would no longer be considered as pre-existing (apparently, if you have had one, you are at a slightly higher risk for getting another).

[montana4two]

Originally Posted by Moxy

for those heading south I can refer you to a dependable trustworthy insurance agent who works for one of Canada largest Insurance Company, PM or post for details, I am told the rates are really good.

Moxy

Please send me the info. Thanks

[Excell]

I would like the info please .

[norml]

I use Medipac travel insurance through the Canadian Snowbirds Association and the Canadian Legion. Two years ago a friend was returning from Texas when he woke up at midnight with chest pains. His wife called Medipac and by 3AM he was in surgery. Medipac handled payment of the hospital stay and getting them, there vehicle and pet home when he was released from the hospital.

There was no cost to them.

[Stillwater]

We have used Medipac insurance for a number of years now. It is endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Assoc as well as the Legion. Although there was a large increase this year it is due mainly to the state of the Canadian Peso.
Medipac's forms are straight forward and don't contain any ambiguous questions. You are also dealing directly with Medipac and not through a third party broker. Contrary to others opinions brokers are not the best way to go. Their job is to sell insurance and they have no skin in the game if they don't answer questions as accurately as they need to be for travel insurance. This was borne out by a segment done on Marketplace. Hidden camera applications for insurance quite often showed brokers just telling the client to say no to a question which could lead to serious issues later.
A second tripping point is that people need to be acutely aware of what is written in there medical files. There may be information in them that you are not aware of but you can be sure the insurance company will check them. Even though you were not aware of something in your file it can be cause for denying a claim. If your doctor seems a little evasive or unconcerned when you ask him or her what exactly is in your file then look for yourself! This issue was also a Marketplace segment about an unfortunate couple in Gold River BC. A specialist had made a minor comment on the man's medical record which they had no knowledge of but was enough to deny coverage because he wasn't truthful. I don't even think the comment had anything to do with the issue where he needed insurance for.
Finally there are many people who foolishly lie on the forms to get a better rate. Not a good way to go.

[roadster27]

I buy mine from AMA in alberta (CAA) on a yearly deal (quite reasonable)
can also buy from GOOD SAM club

[montana4two]

We use Alberta Blue across. I guess the issue is that you never really know how they will handle a claim....until you need them. Let's hope we never have to test the waters