Action:
You must conduct a through check of your predecessor’s Overseas Furniture Provision Scheme (OFPS) inventory and send a handover form to the BDLS. Where items are considered beyond use or missing you may submit for approval to replace the items within a defined cost limit. All forms are provided by the BDLS on request.
Info:
Whilst in Canada you will pay OFPS rent for the furniture provided (deducted automatically). Maintaining the OFPS inventory is your responsibility and replacements should occur when required rather than handing over a large amount of damaged or worn furniture to the next incumbent. Further details on the Overseas Furniture Provision Scheme (OFPS) -are contained in JSP 752, Chapter 9, Section 4.
Action:
Insurance in Canada.
Just as in the UK, you are strongly advised to obtain adequate insurance cover for your property and effects including the property of others for which you are the custodian e.g. OFPS furniture. Insurance is, of course, a personal matter, but you may wish to consider some of the worldwide policies offered specifically to accommodate the needs of Service personnel contained in the MOD Discount Brochure.
Household Insurance.
If you occupy a PMQ, you are held liable for any damage to, or destruction of that quarter, particularly by fire if it is proven to be caused by your negligence. CANSUREX, a policy sponsored by NDHQ for Canadian Forces, is available to exchange personnel occupying PMQs and a booklet should be available either from CANEX or your predecessor giving full details.
Insurance for Dependents.
You should check that your dependents are adequately insured before proceeding overseas. In the event of death, there is an entitlement for the remains of dependents to be returned to UK at public expense. However, MOD will not pay for remains to be returned to UK from countries outside Canada if death occurs whilst you are on leave.
Insurance outside Canada.
You are covered by the CF and your dependents are covered by the MOD for medical treatment whilst in Canada. If you go on leave within Canada you must complete a Canadian Forces leave pass. This will ensure that the CF pick up any expense as a result of your being injured. If you go on leave outside Canada you will not be covered by either the MOD or the CF. In these circumstances you are strongly advised to take out separate personal medical and travel insurance. The experiences of some EO’s and their families is that, when travelling to the USA, UK companies will not insure you as you are Canadian based, and Canadian companies will not as you may not hold a Canadian Blue Cross health card.
NOTE: Although we are not promoting, endorsing or recommending any specific insurers for visits outside Canada, here are a few suggestions from current and previous Exchange Officers:
Check your UK Bank. One EO found that they had travel coverage through their UK bank as they were UK residents temporarily, not permanently, posted overseas. It is also worth checking with your Canadian bank to see if you have any type of coverage with them.
One EO used Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from www.visitorscoverage.com.
You could also try the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance website at the following link www.olhi.ca. Select ‘Expatriates’ from the Insurance Types drop down menu and this will return a list of two insurance companies that may be helpful.
Pax Military on www.insurance.aon.co.uk/pax-insurance also covers serving members overseas. You would need to phone them for a quote.
Another EO has coverage from Forces Mutual www.forcesmutual.org: “We have an annual, go-anywhere policy from Forces Mutual. It covers us for global travel, including some extreme sports (e.g. skiing), whether we are quartered in the UK or abroad. If you pay by direct debit, you are deemed to have permanent cover so even something like a heart attack doesn’t become a pre-existing condition at your next renewal. It’s not the cheapest but for the convenience alone it’s worth it, especially when you factor in the savings if you take an annual skiing holiday.”
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