[Blog] Types of Insurance That You Must Have Upon Retirement
Retirement can bring about a shift in lifestyle, so it's wise to think of the types of insurance coverage you may need at this time. It's essential that you have adequate health, car, home, travel, and life insurance in place when transitioning to your post-professional life. Researching the best types of insurance now allows you to focus on enjoying the things you love most.
Getting Health Insurance After You Retire
Provincial coverage provides a solid foundation for your health needs, but it may not cover all your bases. Private health insurance can supply coverage for medical costs not included in public plans and give access to supplementary services, including:
- Dental care, including routine check-ups, cleanings, and procedures such as fillings, crowns, and bridges.
- Vision care, including eye exams, prescription glasses or contacts, and corrective surgeries like LASIK.
- Prescription drugs that are not covered by the government-funded healthcare system, including newer or more expensive medications.
- Extended or specialized healthcare services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or psychological counselling.
- Medical transportation, such as ambulance services or air evacuation in case of a medical emergency.
- Travel health insurance when travelling outside of Canada, as medical expenses can be expensive when abroad.
- Long-term care insurance or critical illness insurance.
When evaluating private health insurance for retirement, there are several elements to contemplate. To make the best decision, you should assess which type of coverage is most suitable for your needs.
Car Insurance After Retirement
Car insurance for seniors is a must-have, especially after retirement. Seniors should make sure to have proper car insurance coverage, as their driving abilities may be impacted by age-related issues such as slower reflexes and reduced alertness.
When shopping around for the best car insurance, look for policies that offer discounts specifically tailored to senior drivers. Many providers will offer lower rates if you drive fewer miles each year or maintain a clean driving record. Additionally, some companies provide specific coverage options geared towards senior citizens such as medical expense coverage in the event of an accident.
Home Insurance After Retirement
Post-retirement, your home insurance may need to be adjusted depending on how you utilize the residence and what sort of protection is in effect. For example, many people choose to downsize their homes after retirement, in which case it's essential to update your policy to be more compatible with the loan terms for your new house.
When seeking home insurance post-retirement, it is essential to contemplate a variety of elements. Examine if further coverage is needed apart from the present policy beyond what's currently offered. If so, look into adding endorsements or riders that provide extra protection against specific risks such as floods or earthquakes. Check your policy's exclusions to guarantee they won't impede any potential future claims.
Seniors who own older homes should evaluate whether replacement cost coverage is included in their policy. This could be especially beneficial due to the faster depreciation of such properties over time. Furthermore, it is essential to consider if rental income generated by renting out part of their property would be covered under their policy; most insurers mandate renters' insurance for tenants living on-site which provides extra protection against theft and damage caused by them during occupancy.
Travel Insurance After Retirement
Travel insurance is an important consideration for seniors who plan to travel after retirement. For elderly travellers, a variety of travel insurance policies can be obtained to safeguard against unexpected costs while abroad.
Coverage from traveller's insurance may include:
- Emergency medical transportation: coverage for emergency medical transportation out of a foreign country
- Medical expenses: Doctor's fees and other medical expenses accrued in other countries are unlikely to be covered by provincial healthcare.
- Trip cancellation or interruption: coverage for non-refundable expenses if a trip is cancelled or interrupted due to a covered reason, such as illness or injury.
- Unexpected death while abroad: coverage for making arrangements for people who pass away while travelling outside of Canada.
When shopping around for travel insurance, make sure you read the fine print carefully and understand what is covered and what isn’t. Different policies may be applicable based on where you're headed, your age, your health condition, and other elements like pre-existing medical issues. It’s also important to consider whether you need single-trip coverage or multi-trip coverage depending on how often you plan to travel in a year.
Life Insurance After Retirement
Life insurance after retirement is perhaps the most important consideration for retirees who want to guarantee financial security for their loved ones. When selecting a policy, consider the type of coverage you need.
Term life insurance provides coverage for a set period of time and can be adjusted as needed; permanent policies last your entire lifetime and also build cash value over time. Term life insurance usually offers lower premiums, but many people find that merging the two provides the best coverage.
Is Your Insurance Ready For Retirement?
Retirement is a time of change, and it's important to make sure you have the right insurance in place. When considering your retirement plans, take some time to research different types of insurance for retirement. With the right coverage in place now, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are covered no matter what.