Health Insurance

Health Insurance
GuardMe FAQs


It is important that you take care of yourself during this busy time in your life. This means keeping healthy, getting the rest you need, eating well and organizing your time efficiently in order to reach your personal and academic goals.

Health Insurance

International students paying international student fees and studying at Algonquin College are required to have health insurance coverage. Health Insurance is included in your tuition. Your health insurance provider is GuardMe.

GuardMe will send you an email to your personal email account, containing the instructions on how to create your GuardMe account and how to download your policy. For post-secondary students, you will receive this email either the first week of September, first week of January, or first week of May (depending on what term you start with Algonquin). For EAP students, your insurance starts the first day of your program, which means you will receive an email from GuardMe a few days after your program starts.

If you plan to arrive early and wish to purchase GuardMe Early Arrival Insurance, please click GuardMe and choose Early Arrivals.

For more information about your coverage, please go to www.guard.me/algonquin.

For general inquiries about your policy, please contact GuardMe directly, or email iecinsurance@algonquincollege.com.

As a post-secondary international student studying at Algonquin, you are covered under the GuardMe More Canada – Enhanced plan. The insurance premium for 12 months (September 1-August 31), is currently $753.75. 8 months (January 1-August 31) is $502.56 and for 4 months (May 1-August 31), it is $251.28. GuardMe insurance is mandatory unless you have OHIP. If you wish to opt out of the GuardMe insurance, please send an email to iecinsurance@algonquincollege.com, including a copy of your OHIP card or OHIP confirmation letter.


GuardMe FAQs

How do I receive my health insurance policy?

International students are automatically enrolled in the GuardMe plan. For students enrolled in academic programs, your insurance will start the beginning of the month (September 1, January 1 or May 1). For students in the English for Academic Purposes program, your insurance begins on the first day of class. You will receive your policy card & information from GuardMe via your personal email account provided to Algonquin College. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your junk mailbox.

What medical services are covered by GuardMe?

Please refer to the GuardMe brochure or visit their website.

Where can I go to see a doctor or a nurse?

To book an appointment with Algonquin’s Health Services, please call 613-727-4723 ext.7222, or visit online https://www.algonquincollege.com/healthservices/ to make an appointment. To find a clinic off campus, use the Find a Clinic on the GuardMe site.

How do I find out if a test or prescription drug is covered under the GuardMe Insurance policy?

Send an email to claims@guard.me.

How do I add my spouse or dependants to my policy?

You can add a dependant on the GuardMe site. You will need your policy number to purchase coverage for dependents.

How do I submit a prescription or medical receipt for reimbursement?

You can submit a claim online using the GuardMe website. If you visited the Emergency Department at a hospital (Queensway/Ottawa Hospital) and did not have your GuardMe card, email iecinsurance@algonquincollege.com.

More Questions about GuardMe Health Insurance?

Use the live chat feature on GuardMe to speak with their customer service department in your preferred language. You can also send an email to iecinsurance@algonquincollege.com.


Dental Insurance

Please note, that dental insurance is not included in your GuardMe medical coverage. International Students who would like to have access to preventative dental coverage can choose to opt into the domestic student health plan under the “Dental Focused Plan” in addition to their coverage with GuardMe. Information about the Students’ Association health plan can be found here.

The opt-in process can be found here including the application.