"The First Wealth

is Health"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

We specialize in Snowbirds, Visitors to Canada and Students travel insurance. Our recommendations include coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, such as heart, lung, diabetes, stroke, cancer in remission, etc. For Snowbirds, Unstable conditions may also be covered with our customized $10 Million rider, if eligible (conditions and extra premium applies). Other policies on the market have fine print, which would either cancel the contract, increase the premium and not cover any pre-existing conditions, which have become Unstable prior to departure based on the insurer's definition (not your doctor's opinion). Our assessment is based on the safety and quality of an insurance contract and whether it offers innovative features and options to the consumer not readily available in the marketplace. Another key factor of our evaluation is the level of service provided by the insurance company. Our recommended plans also include the COMPASSION CLAUSE to mitigate the possibility of a complete claim denial from an honest error on the medical questionnaire. Errors are the main cause of claim denials whereby insurers typically declare the entire policy Null and Void ("Misrepresentation Clause"). With the Compassion Clause, the penalty is capped at $15,000 usd. The insurer pays the rest of the claim. $10 Million COVID benefit included regardless of vaccination.

EMAIL: info@firstrateinsurance.com

TELEPHONE: 1(800) 884-2126

FAX: (613) 842-8809

First Rate Travel Plans

SNOWBIRDS Trip over 70 days

Travelling over 70 days? Ask for your customized quote and Save up to 30% in your second year and every year thereafter with our “Double-End” plan aka “Snowbirds’ Dream” plan. To qualify, trip must be 70 days+ and premium at least $1,000 (total). Includes COVID 19 Benefit regardless of vaccination status

SNOWBIRDS Trip under 70 days

Travelling under 70 days? Select the yearly plan, which best match your typical trip duration. Note: All plans can be extended, if needed when longer trips are planned . Select from: 2-day, 5-day, 10-day, 15-day, 20-day, 35-day, 60-day. Includes COVID-19 benefits regardless of vaccination status.

Trip Cancellation Interruption

Choose to insure all or a portion of your trip costs with this versatile Trip Cancellation/Interruption. This plan has no time cap and can be purchased anytime after booking a trip (72 hour waiting period applies).

• No medical questionnaire

• Only 60-day stability required prior to purchase

• Policy NOT invalidated if purchased post cancellation penalties

* Covers if become sick or test positive for COVID.

FAMILY

Coverage available for up to two individuals 59 years and under and up to six dependent children. Individual(s) named in the Family & Friends plan do not have to be the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the dependent children. Includes COVID benefit regardless of vaccination status.

• Dependent children can be on a Family & Friends plan without an adult.

• All insureds must be named in the Policy declaration and will be covered under one Policy.

• Insureds on the Family & Friends plan do not need to be travelling together.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Emergency Medical available to INBOUND students under 69 years old and OUTBOUND students under 40 years old as well as their accompanying family members.

• $2 Million Emergency, $10,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment can be increased with Optional Coverage up to $100,000 and $25,000, 24-hour Accident.

• Covers Pre-Existing Conditions stable 90 days before effective date.

• International Students can travel worldwide during the period coverage is valid as long as the majority of the period of coverage is spent in Canada.

VISITORS TO CANADA

Option to select up to $300,000 of coverage including up to $25,000 Accident Benefit – No age limit.

• Perfect for a Foreign Worker, International Student studying in Canada with valid legal status in Canada, an Immigrant awaiting provincial/territorial government health care coverage or a Canadian returning to Canada from an extended leave.

• If 59 years old and under, pre-existing conditions covered IF stable 120 days prior to effective date. • 60-69 years old, pre-existing conditions covered IF stable 180 days prior to effective date.• 70 years old and over pre-existing conditions covered IF stable within 365 days prior to effective date

LATEST NEWS!: "Travel Insurance Post-COVID-19"
Isabelle Beaudoin, July 2022 - Canadian MoneySaver - CLICK HERE

Safety Checklist

SAFETY CHECKLIST: When shopping for travel insurance, perform a safety-check. Assess the safety of a policy’s terms and conditions based on our checklist. Otherwise, certain policy clauses could defeat a claim leaving your own assets at risk.

Example: Misrepresentation Clause

In the event of an inadvertent inaccuracy on the medical questionnaire, does the policy contain a Misrepresentation clause whereby the insurer may VOID the entire policy even if the misanswered question may be unrelated to the medical claim incurred on the trip? Unless the policy includes a contractual “Compassion Clause”, move on.

Testimonials

NOVEMBER 18TH, 2022|

“

We have for many years worked with Isabelle at Firstrate Insurance to organize our Travel Medical, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Policies with TuGo whether we travelled within Canada or overseas and registered with TuGo’s MyFlyt App. We have made claims on all three policies and received MyFlyt reimbursement. We are very pleased with the politeness and attention to detail from both, as emails and phone calls are always promptly answered and if there is an uncertainty more information is researched and forthcoming quickly. March 2019 Lillian was out of province and sustained a broken leg for which all Medical claims were covered. In early 2020 a trip was cancelled as Lillian needed unexpected surgery.

2022 has been our catch up year of travel for several trips that were booked 2 and 3 years ago. We donned our masks and packed our patience as we embarked on two trips overseas being aware of the doomsday forecasting of crowded airports, delayed baggage and flight delays. We experienced all of these and a hiking injury was added to the mix. TuGo’s MyFlyt was a welcome text at the Dublin airport in June where within 15 minutes past the 2hr. flight delay we received the message $80.00 had been deposited into our bank account. It sure came in handy as our delay ended up over 6 hours. Our second trip was to France for a prepaid 2 week hiking adventure that moved to a new location every 2-3 days and Lillian sustained an injury on Day 1. We phoned TuGo for advice and explained we did not want to return home as Larry was still able to hike and Lillian was mobile enough to go by bus or train to meet up with the group. Once home we claimed under the Trip Interruption Policy the expenses for the additional transportation costs as well as an additional hotel and meals that was needed to get back to a major city for medical attention and we have been fully reimbursed. With all claims TuGo was quick to respond to phone calls and give advice of what was required. Our two tips are always phone TuGo as soon as possible from wherever you are and to keep all your receipts. If possible always pay with a credit card as your statement is a backup and will have the currency changed to CAD.”

Lillian and Harry Hall,Ontario

MAY 30TH, 2020 |

"My wife and I recently submitted a claim for trip interruption as a result of an accidental injury that my wife suffered during a trip to Mallorca, Spain, in February

2020. Despite the fact that the injury was only fully diagnosed after we returned to Canada, TuGo accepted our claim in full. Related to the same injury, TuGo also accepted our later claim for trip cancellation for a trip to Central Europe planned for in April 2020. TuGo also accepted another trip interruption claim related to delayed/changed flights and resulting hotel accommodation en route to Mallorca. Although part of the latter claim was initially denied, it was later accepted after we provided further information and explanation. We were more than satisfied with TuGo’s service, including acceptance of all our claims and promptness of payments."

John and Sally, Guelph

JULY 23RD, 2019 |

“March 2019 I was on a winter hiking trip with friends near Jasper, Alberta and broke my leg. Due to attending a recent talk at the Toronto Outdoor Show about travel medical insurance advising that one organize insurance when out of province I contacted FirstRate Insurance to organize with TuGo a one week coverage. I always get insurance for out of country but hadn’t thought of within Canada. I kept TuGo informed from the beginning by using the ability to send an email as I waited in the Emergency at Jasper Hospital. As no surgery or hospitalization was required TuGo and myself continued correspondence by email and phone contact once I was back in Ontario. TuGo always responded quickly to any of my inquiries by email or phone within a few hours as did Isabelle from FirstRate. TuGo was timely and fair with the reimbursements. TuGo covered the accident in Alberta and as I had Trip Cancellation Insurance for a bicycle trip in Europe for May my husband and I were also fully covered when we sadly had to cancel our plans. One piece of advise the TuGo representative gave me was to get absolutely everything in writing from the doctor including the need for an airplane seat with extra room as the insurance adjudicator may require that when deciding on reimbursement. I had paid for everything by credit card thus all my submissions (payments and credits) were matched to an entry on the credit card statement. TuGo’s phone representatives and mailed instructions were most thorough. I will always choose FirstRate and TuGo”.

Lillian Hall, ON

“When travelling across the world, we take our own advice and insure our dreams with a reliable, quality travel insurance plan including Emergency Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption. I had to personally claim on several occasions and my insurance coverage came through each time for: a bug bite in Thailand, accidental fall in Kauai, and on March 16th 2020, for my family’s missed connection flights when returning from Portugal to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic . As a broker, I witnessed first hand how invaluable Emergency medical, Trip Cancellation and Interruption plans were to many of our clients during this unprecedented time. I strongly encourage Canadians to purchase emergency medical when travelling within or outside of Canada. Don’t forget that you are not fully covered by your provincial/territorial government health plan so don’t take a chance with your assets.”

Isabelle Beaudoin

Travel Insurance Broker

Advocacy

What sets us apart: At First Insurance, we not only offer personalized advice but we’re also a powerful advocate on behalf of the consumer for the Urgent Need of Improved Regulation. Please refer to our submissions to CCIR below.

CCIR SUBMISSION: “The Urgent Need For Improved Regulations”

Bruce Cappon – March 17th, 2014

“It is a singular and troubling fact that most insurers neither provide nor wish to collect data on the rate of such denials. Post facto denial of claims follow a pattern: clients are refused their right to coverage as having been ineligible for insurance at the price paid; or due to inaccurate responses on the application. “

CCIR SUBMISSION: “Contract Voidability, The Urgent Need For Improved Regulations”

Bruce Cappon – March 7th, 2015

“Despite recent efforts of regulators, it must be conceded that serious problems regarding travel insurance contract voidability remain; and this is the focus of this brief to provincial regulators”

CCIR Final THI Position Paper May 2017 CCIR

May 31st, 2017

“In response to the growing concerns over public confidence in the market and the manner in which travel health insurance (THI) is manufactured and distributed, the CCIR formed a working group on THI at its fall 2014 meeting (the “Working Group”)…with a mandate to promote harmonization in regulatory approaches…identify practices that are causing harm…”