Travel medical insurance for Americans cruising in Canada

[mfujio]

In summary: Looking for travel insurance plans while cruising BC this summer.


We are a family of four (two adults, 4yo, and 2yo), American, based out of Washington state, and are planning to be in British Columbia, Canada on our sailboat for almost two months this summer. Our primary health insurance plan does not cover out of country emergencies, so we need to get a good travel insurance plan that would cover emergency medical visits and evacuation. I've bought travel insurance plans before for normal land travel, but I'm not sure if plans will typically cover you if you're living and traveling by boat.


I'd be grateful for any advice or specific insurance companies you'd recommend! Thanks!

[GordMay]

If you have private US health/medical insurance, you can check with your provider, to see if you have, or they can provide [rider?], coverage, while abroad.
Otherwise, such as your case:
Google “Travel (health/medical) Insurance for Visitors to Canada”, for providers, including:
➥ https://manulife.safevisit.ca/home_v...SAAEgLE2PD_BwE
➥ https://allianz.tripcover.ca/home_vi...iAAEgITvfD_BwE
Traveling by boat shouldn't affect coverage - but, ask.

[cemdev]

Afaik, travel by boat shouldn't matter, but read the fine print. I've used world nomads and seven corners, have claimed a few times on worldnomads and they've always paid, and been relatively low hassle on the claims as well, which is about as good as you can hope for. Typically you pay and they reimburse, but when I had a kitesurfing accident and was not conscious, they dealt directly with the hospital.

[dannc]

We have used TravelEx(https://www.travelexinsurance.com/) for years but have not had any overseas claims, thankfully. We have had two claims with TravelEx for travel in the US that they handled without issues. They have a good rating the last time we checked.

[Time2Go]

I have used GeoBlue for years
but never had to file a claim
I travel 3 or 4 times out of the US every year
so I have an annual plan
Cheers
Neil

[wrwakefield]

We subscribe to DAN Boater services for medivac, etc. services.

It isn’t supplementary health insurance, but they are by far the bast medevac service going for US cruisers in US and internationally- and very cheap. (US$100/yr for a family of 5…) The family members are included in any evac, as well as return to the scene of the evacuation.

24/7/365 medical hotline, etc.

Yes, we- and other cruising friends we have recommended DAN Boater to- have 1st hand experience. [unfortunately…]



In case it is of interest.

Wishing you a great journey.

Cheers, Bill

[patja]

I have a friend who just last week had Tugo (Canadian travel insurance company) pay out a large claim for a transcontinental medical flight. There was some quibbling and negotiation, but they did approve and pay for the flight. I don't have experience with them but am thinking of buying it for our trip to BC this summer.