Driving in Canada

For individual American drivers, the only requirement is that we checked with our insurance companies to find out if they are willing to cover us in Canada. Insurance companies do have the right to reject that sort of coverage, though they very rarely do. If you can't find the information in your policy documents you can always contact your representative and ask directly.

Knowing Your Limits

The one thing to pay attention to if you're driving in Canada is the fact that limits remain the same. For example, if you purchased cheap car insurance that provides liability coverage only, that's all it will provide during your drive through Canada. If you should cause an accident that results in civil litigation against you, your policy will only pay up to its stated limits. Any other liability the court lays on you will have to be paid out of your own financial resources.

Likewise, how another driver's insurance covers you in terms of liability issues will be governed by Canadian law, not U.S. law. If you're at all concerned about this take the time to review and understand Canadian traffic law before you begin your travels. It may be appropriate for you to purchase a little bit of extra travel insurance if your circumstances warrant.

Length of Stay

When you do visit Canada make sure you understand their laws regarding your status as a visitor. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, you may travel in that country as an American tourist for up to six months without any problem. You must leave Canada before the expiration of those six months to avoid violating the law. If you remain after the six month point you are then in Canada illegally and your insurance policy is no good.

Under certain circumstances you might be able to file the necessary paperwork to extend your stay in Canada. But Canadian government suggests you make application at least 30 days out from the expiration of your six month visitor period. If you can file sooner, that's all the better. If your stay is precipitated by anything other than tourism you should also contact your car insurance company to find out where they stand. They may not be willing to cover you under your current policy if the purpose of your stay is to study or work.

Extra Travel Coverage

Should you decide that extra coverage is needed you can find pretty cheap car insurance from a company that specializes in travel insurance. Check with your current insurance provider first to see what kind of deal they are offering, but then check with some specialty travel insurance companies as well. Sometimes they will give you a better rate and include things like roadside assistance, lost luggage protection, short-term medical, and so on.

If you like the great outdoors Canada makes a great travel destination during the summer months. You might consider taking the family up north for a couple of weeks this July or August. Before you do, just make sure your car insurance is in order. It would be a shame for you to have an excellent while on vacation only to find out that you're not adequately covered.


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It's no secret that most people work to earn a living. It's how people pay their bills and enjoy their free time. It should also be no surprise that the majority of people will choose the job that pays the most for equal work.

This brings us to a discussion about Health Insurance Agents. They are after all human. And like most others, they work to keep the lights on. And since they work on commission, how much an agent earns is directly related to what their customers buy.

So how does an agent arrive at a recommendation for what's best for their customer? The answer is deceptively simple. There are five predominant qualifying factors most agents use in their determination:

Brand NameInsurance CommissionsPriceBenefitsProduct Qualification

Brand Name Recognition. Does the insurance company have good name recognition and a solid reputation? Brand names like Blue Cross and Blue Shield and United Healthcare have well established brand recognition in the market place and resonate well with customers. Consequently, when all other factors are equal, agents tend to recommend familiar Insurance Companies over names that their customers may not recognize.

Insurance Commissions. How much will the agent get paid once the customer enrolls in a particular plan? With all other factors being equal, an agent will almost always recommend the plan that pays them the most. This component is uniquely important because most health insurance agents do not receive any benefits or salary. The majority work exclusively on commission. It therefore stands to reason that an agent will consider how much an Insurance Company will pay them as part of recommending a particular plan.

Price. How much will the insurance cost the customer? Regardless of the agent's sales technique, price is almost always a determining factor in recommending a health insurance plan. With the other 3 factors being equal, the agent will almost always recommend the product that costs the least. Offering a cheap medical insurance plan is an easy way to ensure the customer will remain loyal. It can also help in preventing competing agents from offering a cheaper product down the road.

Benefits. What are the benefits of a particular plan and do they line up with the customer's needs and wants?

Product Qualification. Does the consumer qualify for the health insurance plan the agent is offering? Different companies have different guidelines for accepting customers. Considerations include current health status, health history, medications and more. Savvy insurance agents familiarize themselves with each company's requirements before they speak with their customers. They can then recommend the company that is most likely to approve the customer after the application process is complete.

In conclusion, understanding an insurance agent's motives can help buyers get cheap medical insurance that does not compromise quality.

Looking for a good health insurance plan at a great price? Follow this link and get Cheap Medical Insurance quotes today. Short Term Health Insurance quotes also available.

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