Insurance-nothing seems to fit

audiopod

Does anyone have any ideas which might help please...

I am intending to travel to Canada very soon to look after a poorly relative, and could be staying for anything from a few weeks up to 6 months. I won't be skiing or backpacking, scuba diving or leaving bags in hotel rooms. It will be about the lowest risk trip possible, but clearly I need medical/repatriation insurance, and possibly flight/personal property cover too.

So far, I can only find travel insurance policies which cover for 31 days only (no good) or long term ones which require a fixed return date (not possible). The medical insurance I've looked into is astronomical (despite the fact that I'm fit, healthy and in my 30s).

Does anyone have any tips please? I can't possibly be the first person in this position, but I simply can't find the answer.

Thanks folks.

Incapuppy

Do you *have* to be backpacking to take backpacking type insurance?

audiopod

Thanks Incapuppy - its a good suggestion. I don't think you have to be backpacking (alhtough if I reported a missing 'suitcase', perhaps they'd be suspicious) however, from what I can see, you do have to have a booked return date, or an 'open' ticket. I can't do the former, and the latter is very rare these days, and certainly not possible on the flight I need to take. So only having a 1-way ticket seems to rule out backpacking insurance.

Unless anyone knows one that doesn't require this. The search continues...

withabix

Audiopod: Be careful what you say at Canadian Immigration at the airport. You may find yourself on the next flight back if you are vague about your leaving date.

A one-way ticket doesn't look good to the border guards.

You need to contact an insurance broker to get the policy you are looking for. No internet off-the-shelf policy will cover you.

audiopod

Thank you withabix. I know they don't like one-way tickets, but hopefully they will understand my reasons - they can check with my Grandmother's doctor if they want confirmation of my purpose. I'm going with the intention of only answering whatever I'm asked, but telling the truth. I'll probably be featured on Canadian TV's 'Customs' programme!

Just another good reason for having insurance. But where to get it...

hollydays

Don't rely on being understood,they are doing their job,I doubt they will ring anyone.Heed withabixs advice!

ajb69

it's a tough one - you could perhaps look into buying single trip insurance, with your return date being a year after inception (they won't care if you come back early). This will cost a fortune though - 400 quid or more.

Another thought, if medical is your primary concern, is looking into an international healthcare plan targeted at ex-pats (BUPA International is one, sure others do it). Never looked at this though and no idea of the cost. If you already have private health insurance in the UK, they may well also have a travel product too.

But yes - find a broker and ask them, as this may need their knowledge of insurers to come up with a custom product for you.

Good luck

Drew

withabix

If you haven't already booked the ticket, get a return and miss the return leg. With many airlines, there will be no cost and it may even be cheaper.

claire16c

Have you looked at endsleigh and sta? And just buy a 6 month policy?

They are tailored to backpackers but you dont need to actually be carrying a backpack, you can have a suitcase if you like!

knightstyle

I think some airlines do a return where you can change the return date for no charge. Certainly this was the case with BA from France a few years ago. So book the return for a long way ahead and change it when you are ready to return.
Oh and this type of return ticket was cheaper than one way, we needed to go next day.

audiopod

Thanks everyone. STA turned out to be the winner, as they distinguish between Canada and the USA, so I'm now insured. whoop! On the subject of Canadian immigration, for anyone who wants to know in the future, don't even bother trying to contact the High Commission in London - its a hopeless cause. I managed to get phone numbers for departments in Canada and spoke to real people over there. Real and HELPFUL people. They have a very straightforward attitude to who's welcome and who's not and gave me good advice, so I'm getting everything in order to satisfy them on arrival. Thanks again