Living in Canada, whether you are an international student or a parent accompanying a student, you need to be well-prepared for potential medical issues. Medical expenses in Canada can be quite costly for many people. However, if you have suitable insurance, most or even all of these expenses can be reimbursed. Let’s first look at a comparison of hospital and clinic fees between residents with insurance and those without insurance.
For non-residents, whether it’s an emergency room visit or a hospital stay, you will have to pay high fees. According to the latest data from Providence Health Care in BC, the emergency room fee is CAD 955, the daily fee for a hospital room is CAD 4,430, and if you need to be admitted to the intensive care unit, the cost can be as high as CAD 12,390.
This is why insurance is so important for international students and accompanying parents. Many newcomers to Canada, both students and their accompanying parents, often feel lost when it comes to insurance. Today, Jiaxin Wealth Management is here to answer your questions. We understand the importance of insurance and are committed to providing you with one-stop insurance purchase and claims services.
Who Can Purchase International Student Insurance
In most insurance policies, international students enrolled in elementary school, high school, university, or other educational institutions recognized by the local government, as well as accompanying family members, can purchase international student insurance. “Family members” include the student’s legal or common-law partner, parents, and unmarried children living with the student.
In most provinces in Canada, the government provides basic health insurance for international students. For example, in BC, residents living in the province for more than six months must register for MSP (Medical Services Plan), except those who already have insurance from another Canadian province or territory. There is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. Therefore, students must check their school’s website for the insurance start date. If you arrive in Canada before the coverage starts, you can purchase student insurance, and once MSP becomes effective, remember to pay your MSP fees on time.
For parents accompanying students on a visitor visa, they are not eligible for the public healthcare plan. Therefore, it is even more necessary for them to purchase accompanying parent insurance to ensure they have medical coverage during their stay in Canada.
Coverage of International Student Insurance
There are several companies in Canada that provide insurance for international students and accompanying parents. TuGo’s International Student Insurance offers coverage up to CAD 2 million with a wide range of benefits:
- Emergency Medical Services: Includes emergency room visits, hospitalization, X-rays and lab tests, ground, air, or sea ambulance, emergency air evacuation, a one-way economy ticket to return to the home country for immediate treatment, emergency dental care, private nursing, fracture treatment, up to 5 follow-up visits within 14 days after an emergency, prescription drugs for up to 30 days after an emergency, and more;
- Routine Care: One annual doctor’s visit and one routine eye exam per year, vaccinations, physiotherapy, acupuncture, psychological counseling, maternity services, and other routine medical services.
- Accidents: In the event of accidental death or dismemberment, whether with an airline/public carrier or 24-hour accident coverage, up to CAD 100,000 is provided.
Click below to download the detailed coverage information for TuGo International Student Insurance:
TuGo insurance also offers thoughtful services—even if you have a pre-existing condition, as long as it has been stable for 90 days prior to the effective date, it can still be covered. TuGo can even cover your travels outside Canada as long as you spend most of your time in Canada and your travel destination is not your passport country, among other conditions. Note that each benefit has a maximum limit, so please confirm the details with your insurance broker. You are also welcome to contact Jiaxin for our professional advice and services.
Those purchasing TuGo insurance must meet the following requirements:
- For international students studying in Canada, including full-time and part-time students, you must be 69 years of age or younger at the time of application, and not be traveling against a physician’s advice or diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- For family members of international students studying in Canada, you must be at least 15 days old and no older than 59 at the time of application. You must live with the student during the student’s enrollment period, and the student must be covered under a TuGo student insurance policy or meet the eligibility requirements of TuGo’s student policy.
Claims and Purchase Methods
International student insurance can be purchased online or through an agency. Note that TuGo’s accompanying parent insurance cannot be purchased online, but other companies such as Manulife allow it. You are also welcome to scan the QR code below to contact Jiaxin’s insurance advisors for professional consultation.
TuGo International Student Insurance offers multiple claims methods, including online claims and traditional phone or email services, making the process as simple as possible.
- Online Claims: Typically for emergency medical services, you first log in to the TuGo website, create an account, and fill out the claims form. You then provide relevant documents such as receipts and medical forms. Finally, mail or email the signed documents.
- Phone or Email Claims: Call 1-800-663-0399 or email claims@tugo.com to start your claim, then fill out the claims form, provide all itemized bills and receipts to the claims department, and send the signed documents by mail or email.
Please note that all claims must comply with the terms and conditions in the policy. If you have any questions or need further assistance at any stage, please contact your insurance advisor.
If you are only visiting Canada for a short period of travel or family visits and are not eligible for international student insurance, you can consider Visitor to Canada Travel Insurance: [Visitor to Canada Insurance Article]. Jiaxin Wealth Management will always be by your side to protect your study and accompanying life in Canada.
*The information provided in this article is for reference only. As markets and policies may change at any time, we recommend consulting a professional insurance advisor before making any decisions to obtain the latest and most accurate information. Jiaxin is not responsible for any loss resulting from reliance on this content.
