Before You Go: Snowbird Travel Insurance Advice from a Lawyer
Every year, countless Canadians look to leave behind the winter chill, seeking warmer weather for part of the year while still keeping their primary residence in Canada. These seasonal travellers, often known as snowbirds, usually head south to sunny states like Florida or Arizona.
But while basking in the warmth is enticing, spending extended time abroad comes with practical concerns. For Canadian citizens, securing reliable snowbird travel insurance is essential to cover medical emergencies or unexpected health issues while away from home.
In this blog, we'll walk you through the essentials of snowbird travel insurance so you can enjoy your time away with peace of mind.
Need more information on snowbird travel insurance? Share Lawyers can provide the answers you need.
Snowbird Travel Insurance: What You Should Know Before You Go
One of the most critical factors for snowbirds to consider before taking an extended vacation away from home is travel insurance, particularly travel medical insurance. This is because travel medical insurance can ensure they are covered for medical emergencies or unexpected health issues while spending extended time out of the country.
Here’s a breakdown:
Travel Medical Insurance Considerations | |
Emergency Medical Coverage | Travel medical insurance covers the cost of sudden illnesses or injuries while you're away. With healthcare costs notoriously high in places like the U.S., this coverage is essential for snowbirds to avoid unexpected expenses. |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions if they’ve been stable for a period before you head out. Each policy has its definition of “stability” and specific stability periods, so it’s worth understanding these details to make sure you're fully covered. |
Policy Duration | Snowbirds often need coverage for extended stays. You can choose between a single-trip plan for one long trip or an annual multi-trip one if you take several shorter trips in a year. Both options ensure you’re protected throughout your time away. |
Provincial Health Plan Limitations
Canadian provincial health insurance may offer some out-of-country coverage, but it’s usually minimal and won’t come close to covering the high costs of international medical care. For instance, Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides limited emergency coverage when you’re outside the province. Plus, to keep your provincial health coverage active, snowbirds need to spend a certain amount of time back home each year—Ontario, for example, requires residents to be in the province at least 153 days per calendar year.
The Bottom Line: If you plan to stay outside of Canada for an extended period, travel medical insurance is essential, and you should always have it!
Snowbird travel insurance is essential for keeping you healthy and giving you peace of mind. With it, you’re protected from high healthcare costs, letting you thoroughly enjoy those warmer climates without worrying about financial stress. However, like any insurance, there can be hurdles—insurance companies often find reasons to deny claims–even valid ones–when you need coverage most.
In those situations, it’s wise to consider getting experienced legal guidance to help you navigate the claims process and get the support you deserve.
How Share Lawyers Helps When Your Travel Insurance Claim is Denied
If your snowbird travel insurance claim is denied, try not to worry. While it may feel overwhelming, the insurer’s decision isn’t the final word, and there are ways to challenge it.
At Share Lawyers, we leverage decades of experience fighting insurance companies to take on the burden of handling your claim denial. Here’s how we do it:
Travel Medical Insurance Considerations | |
Review the Denial Details | We’ll review the denial letter closely, investigating the insurer’s reasons and any specific policy limitations they cited. This will help us pinpoint the best way to challenge the denial. |
Analyze Policy Terms | Insurance policies are often filled with complex terms and technical language. We’ll review the policy details carefully, focusing on any exclusions, stability periods for pre-existing conditions, or specific requirements that could impact your claim. We aim to ensure you were within your rights and coverage when the claim was made. |
Gather Essential Documentation | To support your case, we’ll collect all the necessary paperwork—from medical records to travel documents and receipts. We handle this for you, building a clear, compelling case that won’t add any extra stress. |
Contact the Insurance Provider | We’ll take over communication with your insurance provider directly, asking for detailed explanations and addressing any issues they bring up. Denials often happen due to minor documentation gaps, and we’re here to clear those up quickly and effectively. |
File an Appeal on Your Behalf | If an appeal is needed, we’ve got you covered. We’ll handle the entire process, meeting deadlines and ensuring your case is as strong as possible. We’ll do the heavy lifting so you don’t face the complexities alone. |
Explore Further Options if Needed | If the appeal doesn’t go through, we’ll explore other routes. We’ll manage all communication and next steps, continuously advocating for you. |
Our priority is to protect your rights and take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters—your health.
Share is There for You
With over 35 years of experience, the team at Share Lawyers has built a reputation as one of Canada’s most successful law firms. When your snowbird travel insurance claim is denied, we provide expertise and a compassionate shoulder to lean on.
We handle all the heavy lifting so you can breathe easily, but we’re also committed to keeping you informed every step. Transparency is critical—we ensure you’re in the loop because you’re our priority.
“The team at Share Lawyers has been amazing to work with so far. From the very first phone call I have felt heard, understood, and confident that this is the right law firm to help me with my case. They are clear, thorough, and very knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone needing legal help!” — Michelle A., Toronto |
Our free consultations are designed to find the best path forward. With our no-win, no-fee approach, you won’t owe us anything until you’ve won your case.
Dealing with a denial for your snowbird travel insurance? Share Lawyers can help you secure the benefits you deserve.
Contact Share Lawyers today and let our experience work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. Our legal team offers a free consultation and works on a contingency basis—there are no fees unless you win your case.
