Tony Webster
Cruise America RV Rental
A rental RV on a highway in Custer, South Dakota
Words by Steve Fennell
As many Canadian RV snowbirds are finding new destinations to visit this winter due to non-essential cross-border restrictions, travelling south by air travel is still an option, providing a possible means to rent an RV, reserve a seasonal site or visit an existing property for the duration of the colder months.
While there are a lot of aspects to consider when visiting the U.S. these days, obtaining specific Covid-19 health insurance and choosing an RV park or RV community with optimal health safety measures are two top priorities for travellers this year.
Planning a southern destination for the winter isn’t a light decision. Although percentages of Canadian snowbirds heading south this season were not available prior to our publication date, what we can report are a few recent trends. For example, specific Covid-19 health insurance coverage is currently available and RV parks/communities like Sun RV Resorts, which owns a series popular Snowbird RV resorts throughout all corners of the U.S., are ramping up efforts to provide a safe haven for those visiting from the Northeastern U.S. and Canada.
Neal Herbert
Tower Campground
NPS / Neal Herbert
“Currently, all communities of Sun RV Resorts have strict COVID-19 protocols now in place, which are consistent with local and state mandates to keep guests safe during their stay,” says Nate Philippsen, Vice President of Marketing at Sun RV Resorts. “Guests can choose from family-friendly or age-qualified locations that offer spacious RV sites or vacation rentals, plus the option to buy their very own home-away-from-home.”
Sun RV Resorts has a long list of properties throughout the Sun Belt that contain several premium amenities and planned activities, including swimming pools, pickleball, lawn bowling leagues, creative crafts, hobby studios, even golf courses and wine tastings at select locations.
Philippsen explained that all of its properties also have high standards for hygiene and cleanliness with continued efforts of monitoring and implementing latest guidelines from health authorities and governmental agencies. Additionally, frequent communication to all communities and resorts, which include training and strict social distancing guidelines, are in place. All guests are also provided with amenity kits featuring supplies to help stay healthy during their visit.
Rusty Clark
Even with the current travelling restrictions, Sun RV Resorts has reported a steady increase of bookings for September and October, a 20 percent increase over the same period in 2019 with additional website traffic, call volume and reservations. Nonetheless, Philippsen explained that Canadian snowbirds should be aware of Canada’s local/national mandates before checking the state and local government’s orders of where they plan to visit.
“We strongly recommend that Canadians should confirm health insurance policy coverage with their carriers before travelling to the U.S. and determine any resort-specific restrictions and guidelines before travel,” says Philippsen.
Health Insurance Guidelines
Although having health insurance when travelling to the U.S. is important to carry for any Canadian in the best of times, it’s more pertinent than ever to understand specific Covid-19 coverage. According to Medipac Travel Insurance, an emergency travel medical insurance program that covers unexpected losses and treatment of illnesses in a medical facility or by a medical practitioner, specific Covid-19 health insurance is readily available with very straightforward guidelines.
Virgina State Parks
“We are still seeing a lot of Canadian snowbirds planning on going to the U.S. this winter,” says Christopher Davidge, President of Medipac International Communications Inc. “There are snowbirds that are going south this winter regardless of the situation, while others are waiting to see if the border opens up so they can visit the U.S. by land. Then there are those travellers that claim they are just staying at home.”
According to Davidge, Medipac Travel Insurance currently provides health insurance coverage to treat Covid-19-related illnesses like any other illnesses. If you’re under 55, all that is required to enroll in a program, is to provide your name, address, date of birth, and payment of the premium, and then coverage is available for the duration of your visit. It’s important to understand that, pre-existing medical conditions, stability conditions, and exclusions still apply.
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