Insurance in Canada

Canada has a public Health Insurance system that provides free health care for medically necessary expenses to permanent Canadian residents at a public hospital. In recent years there has been growing public concern about the quality of state run health care, long waiting lists, and rationing of health care by the state. Private facilities by law can only perform non necessary medical expenses such as cosmetic plastic surgery, and many employed Canadians obtain private insurance to cover these as well as prescriptions.

Permanent residents, including refugees who are given permanent residence, are eligible three months after arrival in Canada. There are other public health insurance programs offered by the provinces, with varying availability. For example, Ontario's program also covers treatment in Ontario to all foreigners living and working in Canada including clergy, in addition to their spouses or partners and dependents under the age of 19.

Other insurance products are available from many insurance companies in Canada, such as Home Insurance, Property and Auto Insurance, Business Insurance, Casualty and Life Insurance, Farm insurance, Travel Insurance, etc. Proof of Auto Insurance is required to drive in Canada. While a US policy is good for tourists, many US insurance companies can issue policies that are specifically good for Canada.