To provide proper coverage for interprovincial travel, SSQ will assume that COVID-19 is a sudden and unanticipated illness within Canada. Therefore, a person insured under contract Y9999-R who travels within Canada will be covered for COVID-19.
This provision applies solely to travel within Canada, to compensate for the fact that the travel cancellation insurance does not recognize COVID-19 as a valid reason to cancel a trip to another province. In addition, the provision is consistent with the current Canadian Government travel notice, which states that Canadians must avoid non-essential travel outside Canada but does not specify whether or not travel within Canada should be avoided.
This is what SSQ Insurance’s FAQ section has to say on the subject:
Am I covered if I have planned a trip to another Canadian province?
Yes, you are now covered for all medical expenses and emergency medical expenses, regardless of whether you are sick as a result of COVID-19, for another reason or because of an accident.
Can I cancel a planned trip to another Canadian province because of COVID-19?
No, you cannot cancel a trip within Canada because of COVID-19, because Canada has not issued a travel notice regarding travel to another Canadian province.
Travel Cancellation Insurance / Interprovincial Travel
People insured under Contract Y9999-R can travel abroad despite the Canadian Government’s notice to avoid all non-essential trips. Once abroad, the contract’s provisions only require you to come back to Canada because of war or an act of war.
However, the contract states that costs are admissible provided they are incurred by the insured person “following a death, an accident or a sudden and unanticipated illness that occurs while the insured person is temporarily outside his or her province of residence and requires emergency care.”
Since COVID-19 is now a known, anticipated illness, expenses incurred in connection with it are not admissible.
It is equally important to note that this is the current opinion of SSQ Insurance, and that it may change as the pandemic evolves. Therefore, before undertaking a new trip in the fall of 2020 or later, we encourage you to contact Can-Assistance for information on the applicable provisions at the time of departure.
Please also note that it may be especially difficult for non-residents to obtain hospital services in some countries during the pandemic.
Important message: Travel insurance coverage for Y9999-R contract-holders
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Registration on the list of ACR subscribers
The ACR would like to obtain the e-mail addresses of insurance participants in order to send out communications by e-mail.
A newsletter will be published in the near future, and we would be delighted to count you among the subscribers.
This guide is designed to enable Quebecers to make the best possible decisions to protect their health and the health of their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic: Self-care Guide - COVID-19
Gouvernement du Québec - Covid-19 - Self-care Guide
If you have questions about the travel Insurance, please visit the Home page of the CanAssistance : Home page CanAssistance
Request a trip cancellation: Forms associated with different situations
CanAssistance - Travels
If you have questions about the coronavirus and your travel insurance options? Find the answers in our Frequently Asked Questions! : Coronavirus FAQ
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Moving and change of address
The ACR does not keep a contact information database for insurance participants. SSQ Insurance sends out all documentation concerning your insurance plan by regular mail. Consequently, you must notify the insurer, and not the ACR, if you change your address.
You can easily contact the insurer via the Customer Centre on the SSQ website, or by calling 1 888 651-8181 (toll-free).
Use the insurer’s mobile application to make your claims!
If you use SSQ’s mobile application for certain types of claim, you will receive your reimbursement within 48 hours.
However, you must be registered for SSQ’s Customer Centre, and for the direct deposit service.
If you would like additional information, please contact SSQ’s Customer Service Department by calling 1 888 651-8181.