GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Product Update - Super Visa

GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Product Update

Late last year, we announced a set of changes to our Immigrants & Visitors to Canada product. At that time, a new “Super Visa option” was added to allow users to purchase annual coverage. In addition, the Immigrants & Visitors to Canada daily plan was expanded to allow applicants under the age of 80 to purchase a maximum of 365 days of coverage.

Since then, there has been some confusion around which coverage clients should be purchasing. There have also been some concerns regarding the refund policy for clients who have purchased a plan using the “Super Visa option”. In order to provide clarification, we have revisited the changes that became effective December 19th, 2011 and made some further updates that will become effective February 1st, 2012.

Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan
On February 1st, the “Super Visa option” will be changed to the “Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan” to better reflect the intention of the plan. This plan provides uninterrupted coverage while in Canada for 365 days and allows for an unlimited number of return trips back to a client’s country of origin during the policy year —no need to re-apply. The annual plan is perfect for clients under 80 years of age who are frequent travellers to Canada, or for those who are planning longer term stays, including Super Visa holders. Refunds will be restricted with this plan.

Daily Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan
A client who only needs coverage for a specified number of days can purchase a Daily Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan. Clients under 80 years of age can purchase coverage up to a maximum of 365 days. With this plan the policy ends as soon as the policyholder returns to their country of origin. If they wish to return to Canada they will need to re-apply for coverage.

The policy wording that will become effective on February 1st, clearly defines how the Annual and Daily Immigrants & Visitors to Canada plans apply to your clients. The key differences between the policy that became effective December 19th, 2011 and the policy that will become effective on February 1st are:

1. Policy Effective Dec 19th - The "Super Visa option" only provides a refund when a visa application was denied.
   Policy Effective Feb 1st - The "Super Visa option" has been re-named the "Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan" and a refund can be obtained if the entire trip is cancelled before the effective date of the policy.
2. Policy Effective Dec 19th -The "Super Visa option" was only available to Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants.
   Policy Effective Feb 1st - Any client can purchase an Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan.

Additional updates that will be included in the February 1st policy wording include:

• The policy will clearly define when refunds for an annual and daily plan are available.
• The effective date and end date of annual and daily plans will be clarified.
• Clients can re-apply for coverage after 365 days, provided they are currently covered by GMS, and have not required more than $5,000 in medical treatment in the prior 12 months. All other eligibility requirements must be met.
• Changes to the effective date may be made prior to the policy taking effect.
• The definition of a claim will include administration and consultation costs. These costs are associated with setting up a case file at the GMS assistance firm, regardless if a payment is made for any medical services.
• Any reference, including definition, of Super Visa holder will be removed.
• For clarity purposes, exclusion 10. under Exclusions to Coverage has been split into two exclusions (6. & 7.).

In light of the changes taking effect February 1st, we will allow people who purchased their plan under the “Super Visa option” between December 19th, 2011 and January 31st, 2012, to convert to the Daily or Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan. We encourage you to make any changes through our online Travel Change Request Form using the comment section at your earliest convenience.