How Much is the Quote?

Look at the quotes you’ve received for each plan.  The plan with the lowest quote will cost you the least amount of money, right?  Not so fast.  The quote you receive from the insurance carrier or broker is only for the monthly premium you must pay to maintain your coverage.  It does not include a variety of other costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance that are often associated with dental insurance plans.  A plan with a lower premium may have a higher deductible and/or copayments, making it a more expensive plan overall, while a plan with a higher premium may have a lower deductible and/or coinsurance, making it a less expensive plan overall.  Consider all of the costs associated with the dental insurance quote before making your choice.

What Services are Covered?

A Canada dental insurance plan helps offset the cost of dental care by paying for a portion of the covered services.  But different plans cover different services.  Some may pay for the entire cost.  Some pay for part of the cost.  And others don’t pay for certain services at all.  Be sure to find out if the services covered under the plans you’re considering meet your needs.

What is the Maximum Amount the Plan Will Pay for Covered Services?

While a dental insurance plan helps reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by paying for covered services, most plans won’t pay an unlimited amount toward your treatment.  Policies have maximums that cap the amount they will pay.  For example, a plan with a maximum of $1,500 for basic services such as exams, cleanings, fillings and X-Rays will pay up to that amount for those services, in accordance with the Provincial Dental Fee Guide in your province.  After that, you are responsible for all additional costs incurred.  Plan maximums vary from policy to policy.  Make sure you choose a dental insurance quote with plan maximums that fit your budget.

Is There a Waiting Period?

Some dental insurance plans have a waiting period before you are eligible to receive benefits.  The waiting period may apply to certain types of services or all services covered by the plan.  If you choose a policy that has a waiting period and need treatment before the waiting period is up, you are responsible for covering the entire cost of any treatment you receive.