Insurers confirm continued out-of-country health insurance coverage for commercial trucking industry
News Release
Release Date: 03/19/2020 Staff Reference: Kevin Dorse(Toronto, March 19, 2020) – Canada’s life and health insurers are confirming that group out-of-country medical coverage for commercial truckers will continue uninterrupted.
Concerns had arisen since the Government of Canada’s recent advisory that all Canadians “avoid non-essential travel.” Provisions in some group, or workplace insurance plans refer specifically to Government of Canada travel advisories as a limitation or exclusion for out-of-country medical coverage. Some commercial trucking employers offer plans with this exclusion.
Today, after hearing from its members, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has confirmed that commercial truckers with group insurance coverage will continue to have coverage for emergency out-of-country medical expenses as they bring goods across the US-Canada border.
“With restrictions to non-essential travel beginning in the coming days, Canada's insurers want to be clear that commercial truckers will not lose their group out-of-country medical coverage due to recent travel restrictions,” Stephen Frank President and CEO of CLHIA said. “The commercial trucking industry is providing crucial services to support Canadians with goods at all times, but particularly now.”
Insurers strongly encourage employers and employees to review their group insurance plan contracts, and contact their human resources staff or insurer directly if they need more information or advice.
About the CLHIA
The CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business. The industry provides a wide range of financial security products such as life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance to almost 29 million Canadians. It also holds over $850 billion in assets in Canada and employs more than 156,000 Canadians.
For more information:
Kevin Dorse
Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
(613) 691-6001 / kdorse@clhia.ca
