When do you think the border will reopen?

[ilovetotravel1977]

Not exactly: Canada Life (formerly Great West Life) through my employer has no exclusions for either Covid or travel advisories. And I have that in writing. Sunlife, who covers government of Canada employees, also doesn’t have coverage restrictions, as per information they have released publicly. For those of us with benefits through work, coverage is likely there (though check with your carrier). The issue will be for people who buy one off or multi-trip plans through travel insurance providers. They will have difficulty arranging coverage.

My work plan is with Medavie Blue Cross. I called them about it and they specifically said no covid coverage.

If your work plan covers you, that is great! However, you would be a minority then.
I don’t think it would be just one-off travelers who wouldn’t be able to get coverage. It would be most insurance providers having that exclusion.

 

[Lizardsoccernut]

My work plan is with Medavie Blue Cross. I called them about it and they specifically said no covid coverage.

If your work plan covers you, that is great! However, you would be a minority then.
I don’t think it would be just one-off travelers who wouldn’t be able to get coverage. It would be most insurance providers having that exclusion.

Sunlife and Canada Life (GWL) are 2 of the top 3 group insurance providers in Canada, so I wouldn’t say that puts me in the minority. I just checked Manulife too (the other of the big 3) and Covid is covered by them as well. So again: this is more an issue for people who need to buy travel insurance, not those of us with group benefits coverage. Your group coverage may not respond but it seems like the bigger plans will.

That being said: the lesson here is to call your insurer and get them to send you the wording that says Covid isn‘t covered or that travel advisories nullify coverage.

 

[wdwmom3]

Sunlife and Canada Life (GWL) are 2 of the top 3 group insurance providers in Canada, so I wouldn’t say that puts me in the minority. I just checked Manulife too (the other of the big 3) and Covid is covered by them as well. So again: this is more an issue for people who need to buy travel insurance, not those of us with group benefits coverage. Your group coverage may not respond but it seems like the bigger plans will.

That being said: the lesson here is to call your insurer and get them to send you the wording that says Covid isn‘t covered or that travel advisories nullify coverage.

I would still be careful. Travel insurance companies are famous for finding reasons not to cover things.

 

[Lizardsoccernut]

I would still be careful. Travel insurance companies are famous for finding reasons not to cover things.

Yes, but this isn't travel insurance (though people often confuse the two) - this is an out of country extension of your group medical coverage. All of the major carriers have put out bulletins confirming if they are covering or not, so just get confirmation in writing that you will be covered and you will be OK.

 

[wdwmom3]

Yes, but this isn't travel insurance (though people often confuse the two) - this is an out of country extension of your group medical coverage. All of the major carriers have put out bulletins confirming if they are covering or not, so just get confirmation in writing that you will be covered and you will be OK.

Yes I know what type of insurance you are talking about. And they still play games around covering things.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Not exactly: Canada Life (formerly Great West Life) through my employer has no exclusions for either Covid or travel advisories. And I have that in writing. Sunlife, who covers government of Canada employees, also doesn’t have coverage restrictions, as per information they have released publicly. For those of us with benefits through work, coverage is likely there (though check with your carrier). The issue will be for people who buy one off or multi-trip plans through travel insurance providers. They will have difficulty arranging coverage.

Interesting. My wife’s travel coverage thru work (don’t recall if it’s GWL or Manulife) sent out a notice after pandemic status was declared saying that Covid coverage would be terminated two weeks later - to allow time for employees who were on vacation or working outside Canada, to get back into the country.

 

[pigletto]

Interesting. My wife’s travel coverage thru work (don’t recall if it’s GWL or Manulife) sent out a notice after pandemic status was declared saying that Covid coverage would be terminated two weeks later - to allow time for employees who were on vacation or working outside Canada, to get back into the country.

My husbands work did the same . We are with Greenshield.

 

[sweethannah]

FWIW, I checked my work's Manulife policy regarding group benefits and Covid 19 illness potentially related to traveling. Here is a snip of their policy updated as of June 18th:

 

[vegs1]

FWIW, I checked my work's Manulife policy regarding group benefits and Covid 19 illness potentially related to traveling. Here is a snip of their policy updated as of June 18th:
View attachment 505104

You’ll note that the terms say “subject to the terms of your contract”.
Many group policy contracts differ. Please call them if you are planning to travel out of country to make 100% sure you’re covered. It’s too risky to assume anything based on what someone says their policy indicates. You need to know what YOUR policy states.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

If anyone of you collect air miles and have had to talk to a rep, you'll know that you could get a difference answer depending on who you are talking with! lol

 

[ottawamom]

Broadway has just cancelled all shows in New York until 2021. That doesn't look good for anyone who is still hoping of heading south for a holiday this year. Just watching the news and the whole of the states is in deep doodoo.

 

[wdwmom3]

Broadway has just cancelled all shows in New York until 2021. That doesn't look good for anyone who is still hoping of heading south for a holiday this year. Just watching the news and the whole of the states is in deep doodoo.

Agreed. I was watching a bit on (Canadian) news yesterday. They had an infectious diseases doctor from one of the Toronto hospitals on. He was saying that given the amount of cases and spread in the southern states, if they imposed the strictest measures now (think lockdown with only necessities open) it would take them months to get things under control.

The way the US is going in don’t see the border opening up for the next few months and then a strict 14 quarantine after that.

 

[TammyLynn33]

Am so glad my big kid decided stay home one more year before heading off to TO area for school that said I’m peeved at said school for not allowing him to Defer his acceptance a year based on they had no clue what was happening and he has underlying health conditions. Sigh . I feel for all
You parents not knowing and the kids .
Im still praying the border stays closed for awhile and that we don’t get a hub city . Ex is still I’ll sneak down for a couple days if we are quarantined in Toronto.. sigh
hope all is well

 

[hdrolfe]

I am wondering if Canada will open to other areas before the US. I just would like to head south this winter Doesn't have to be to the US or even on a cruise, we've never done an all inclusive so I'd be open to that depending on where and how things are going. I think I will be avoiding the US until after the election and then we'll see.

 

[wdwmom3]

Am so glad my big kid decided stay home one more year before heading off to TO area for school that said I’m peeved at said school for not allowing him to Defer his acceptance a year based on they had no clue what was happening and he has underlying health conditions. Sigh . I feel for all
You parents not knowing and the kids .
Im still praying the border stays closed for awhile and that we don’t get a hub city . Ex is still I’ll sneak down for a couple days if we are quarantined in Toronto.. sigh
hope all is well

If your ex breaks quarantine just report them. I think people can be fined.

 

[22Tink]

I am wondering if Canada will open to other areas before the US. I just would like to head south this winter Doesn't have to be to the US or even on a cruise, we've never done an all inclusive so I'd be open to that depending on where and how things are going. I think I will be avoiding the US until after the election and then we'll see.

I was thinking the same. A relaxing all inclusive beach vacation sounds so nice right about now. We also will likely be avoiding the US for the remainder of the year

 

[starvenger]

I am wondering if Canada will open to other areas before the US. I just would like to head south this winter Doesn't have to be to the US or even on a cruise, we've never done an all inclusive so I'd be open to that depending on where and how things are going. I think I will be avoiding the US until after the election and then we'll see.

I can see that happening. I really would like to get away somewhere, because that would at least make things feel like they're getting back to normal. But of course I don't want to rush things.

 

[bcwife76]

I am wondering if Canada will open to other areas before the US. I just would like to head south this winter Doesn't have to be to the US or even on a cruise, we've never done an all inclusive so I'd be open to that depending on where and how things are going. I think I will be avoiding the US until after the election and then we'll see.

I would really love this to be the case. My dh wants us to go away in October for a week at an all inclusive (usually we go to Mexico but at this point I'm open to any destination with an all inclusive). That 14 day quarantine though man.....ugh.

 

[badiggio]

Yes I know what type of insurance you are talking about. And they still play games around covering things.

They sure do and you don't want to be the one to find out.Sunlife,for one,has been on Marketplace.

 

[Lizardsoccernut]

They sure do and you don't want to be the one to find out.Sunlife,for one,has been on Marketplace.

In most cases people just weren't aware of what's excluded in their policy: pre-existing conditions, medical conditions that are not considered stable, etc. Like with anything, it is very important to read your policy wording to know exactly what you are covered and not covered for. The onus is on you to do the research to protect yourself, and not on anyone else. I have and I'm confident my policy will respond should I get sick while traveling. If you're not confident, don't travel.

Since the air border is already open to many countries like Europe and Mexico, I think we'll see greater travel this winter to destinations other than the US until people feel more confident traveling there. Cancun is already opening up so that's my goal for October!