When should I apply for health and dental insurance?

There are several ideal times to apply for health and dental insurance. Here are the key instances when you should consider it:

• When you are young and have relatively little health history.
• When you turn 21 and are no longer a 'dependent' under your parents' plan. This could extend to age 25 if you were a full-time student attending post-secondary (depending on the plan your parents have).
• When you become a Canadian citizen and are covered by a provincial government health care plan.
• When you leave your employer and lose your employee group benefits (applying within 60 days is best).
• When you separate from a spouse and need to find your own plan.
• When you decide to become self-employed.
• When your employee group benefits are insufficient, and you wish to supplement with your own plan.