Help a Canadian travel with peace of mind!

November 1, 2009 11:29 PM

I'm a Canadian abroad with expired health insurance. What options do I have for a new policy?

I need private health insurance for a 6 week trip to India, departing from New Zealand. I've been out of Quebec, Canada since October 2008, and I'm returning in December 2009. My private health insurance (bought through Travel Cuts) has expired, and they will not sell me a new plan without being in Canada.

I was then going to book through World Nomads, which does allow policy purchases after leaving Canada. However, they require Canadians to confirm that they are still covered under provincial health insurance. Since I have been out of Quebec for more than 183 days this year, and did not obtain a letter of extension before departure from Canada, apparantly I am no longer covered. So I can't get the World Nomads insurance.

All the policies I have looked at require booking before the trip, or being out of Canada for less than six months. I have seen this question asking about good travel insurance in Quebec, but it doesn't seem to address what to do without having a valid extension from Quebec health.

Help!! Do I have any options?? My main concern is having coverage for major medical emergencies.

Thanks in advance!

posted by exquisite_deluxe to travel & transportation (2 comments total)

Can you not get insurance through a company in New Zealand? During my extended stay in Argentina I was able to get local health insurance. They weren't concerned with my residence status and it included a degree of travel cover.
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 3:17 AM on November 2, 2009

Hmm...

A google search gave this..

http://insstate.com/articles/2009/10/06/how-does-a-canadian-buy-travel-insurance-outside-of-canada/

I would actually talk to one of the major insurance companies. They may not give you a policy but may give further ideas.
posted by simpleton at 3:23 AM on November 2, 2009