I am a Canadian living in Lausanne, Switzerland and will be here until the end of March 2011. I have just discovered I need medical attention but have no international health insurance.
Does anyone know of a good company that would have insurance that would kick in immediately that I could buy???

Also I will be returning to Canada as of April 1st and will need to buy insurance there as well. So perhaps a worldwide company would be best for a 6 month plan.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

If you are 'living here', then presumably you are not a tourist but a resident, and thus require swiss medical insurance.

Not sure if an international insurance will cover you at this stage, as usually it is something arranged before you travel.

Anyhow, Lausanne, like most major cities has what is called a 'permanence', like a simple walk in medical clinic. Google Lausanne and permanence to find the one nearest you. I would not go to them for a serious illness, but if you need basic medical care with no insurance they should be able to help you. You may need to pay upfront.

Thanks runningdeer.
I will check into that.
However, since I am only here a few months, I believe I am considered a tourist.

interesting. :d

Wow Verbier...you have a lot of time on your hands. Must be a dull life for you!

I think you need to learn a bit more about the general concept of "insurance".

There are many very attentive members here.

Usually, tourist insurance is only for up to three months.

One exception that applies in the EEC is if you have been posted to Switzerland by your employer back home. In this case your home medical cover should apply. I don't know how this applies to Canadians.

I hope that your condition is not serious. Be prepared for a bill for treatment.

Ummm Insurance is something you buy before something happens. Buying insurance after an accident would be considered fraud.

If you are here legally for more than three months e.g. with a permit you must have health & accident insurance - if you don't sign up the authorities enroll you in one automatically.

If you are here illegally e.g. sans permit I think you'll find buying insurance rather difficult....

Hmmmm .... stable doors and bolting horses, methinks.

If you happen to need a medical attention now, without insurance, I would in your situation consider hopping over to France.

Well you did join in 2008

So if I were you I would stop being rude, and then I would go and sort it out instead of sitting on my ass waiting for someone to help you. It is your fault you don't have health insurance. Don't go and con them. It is because of people like you that people like me can't claim on lost luggage without ridiculous amounts of evidence. And secondly, don't expect us to use our tax to help you.

Insurance fraud just pushes up the premiums for the rest of us and makes legitimate claiming more difficult for the rest of us, too

EXACTLY see what i said

I don't think so, but I am no expert. I don't think you can now get insured with a preexisting condition, being here so long, and without a permit. The only thing you can do is get treated and pay cash. Either here or in France.

Sometimes that happens

But Hungary is still Schengen.

Yes, well, she seems to have some kind of grip on the visa situation, but if required medical care is going to be out of pocket it will be much cheaper there!