About TIF
TIF is published by Milan Korcok, a long time advocate for Canadian snowbirds and out- of-country travelers. It is designed as an independent, unbiased resource for Canadians wanting to make informed choices when buying travel insurance.
Milan Korcok, veteran medical journalist and lecturer is a leading authority on international healthcare and travel insurance. Chief North American correspondent for the International Travel Insurance Journal (ITIJ), a long-time contributor to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, and author and publisher of consumer travel guides, Milan is a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen who has been covering the evolution of health insurance systems in Canada and the United States since the late 1960s. Milan was a founding editorial team member of The Medical Post, Canada’s first newspaper for doctors, contributing editor for American Medical Association publications, author, editor and publisher of professional publications for health professionals in the United States. Since 1991, Milan has been a staunch consumer advocate for Canadian senior travelers and was instrumental in the founding of the Canadian Snowbird Association (a consumer advocacy group representing senior travelers) as well as the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (a professional organization representing travel insurers and supporting industries). In addition, Milan has been providing ombudsman services, reviewing and resolving claims disputes between consumers and travel insurers since 1997.
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Hi Milan
Read your most recent column with interest. I am looking at renewing a policy with TD Life Insurance (World Travel Protection) and wondered if you had any comments on this organization in terms of the quality of their coverage?
Thank you.
Shaun
Hello Milan
I am a superannuate reriree and I am medically covered for the first 40 days of travel outside of Canada. Which insurance plans would take my first 40 days into consideration for additional coverage up to 180 days? I am aware that Medipac does. Any other onesm that you would recommend?
Don
Don:
Topping Up Superannuates Plans
Most Canadian travel insurers can top up your initial 40 says of superannuate coverage but you must tell them you have those days. Don’t just start other coverage from day 41 without telling the top up insurer. And be aware of a few contingencies: It’s always best to deal with the same insurance company that underwrites your initial pension/retiree policy but that’s not always possible. When you get a top up there is always the chance that if you sustain a medical emergency that showed its first symptoms on on Day 39, the top up insurer may consider that a pre-existing condition and you might not be covered for it. Discuss that with your top up insurer. Also many pension/employer plans do not have the same extensive coverage that single trip travel insurance plans have so make sure you know what you have in that initial plan. Also, some have lifetime caps on medical coverage and each time you draw down that “bank” of benefits (say $100,000), it is not replenished. Ask your administrator for details of how much coverage you have in that plan. Most single trip travel insurance plans have at least $1 million of coverage. Many pension plans don’t come close to that. In a case like this it’s always best to work with a broker to get the plan that best dovetails with your initial plan.
But ask that agent about the points I have raised. Sometimes it is worth while to leave the initial 40 day plans for future use and start fresh with a single trip plan from Day 1. Manulife, etfs, Travel Underwriters, TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators, are among travel insurers who offer top ups to superannuates. If you have any other questions, let me know.
Milan
Milan Korcok
Publisher, Travelinsurancefile