Canada Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for canada: a guide for us travelers .
From exploring Banff National Park's breathtaking landscapes to experiencing Toronto's vibrant culture or the historic sites of Quebec City, Canada offers a wide range of popular locations and activities. However, before you dive into your adventure, there's a crucial detail to address: securing your travel insurance.
Discover all the ins and outs of travel insurance for Canada in this guide. We've got you covered with details on costs, requirements, essential coverage, COVID-19 restrictions, and some handy tips for your trip.
What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Canada?
How does travel insurance work for canada, do i need travel insurance for canada , how much does travel insurance cost for canada .
- Travel Insurance Requirements for Canada
Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for US Visitors?
Are there any required travel vaccinations for canada , traveling with pre-existing medical conditions , our suggested axa travel protection plan .
At a minimum, your travel insurance to Canada should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. Regarding international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage. AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind.
- Medical Coverage – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.
- Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.
- Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.
- Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders.
In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for Canada.
Let’s say you’re exploring Ottawa's stunning architecture or skiing down Banff's slopes with AXA Travel Protection. If you were to fall ill or face an unexpected travel hiccup, AXA Travel Protection steps in to help support you. Whether assisting in medical transportation or finding the best alternative for a trip delay, AXA Travel Protection ensures you’re supported in your time of need.
How AXA Travel Protection Can Benefit Visitors to Canada
Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can have access to with an AXA Travel Protection Plan:
Medical Benefits:
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees.
- Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation.
- Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation : In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms.
Baggage Benefits:
- Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries.
- Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings.
Pre-Departure Travel Benefits:
- Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury.
- COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions.
- Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.
Additional Optional Travel Benefits:
- Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft.
- Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.
- Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures.
- Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.
Americans aren't required to purchase domestic or international travel insurance to visit Canada. But it’s still highly recommended to have a travel insurance plan before embarking on your next trip.
Why? There are several reasons:
- Medical Emergencies: Your health is a top priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in Canada, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.
- Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.
- Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel insurance can help cover the costs.
In general, travel insurance to Canada costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans:
- Total Trip cost: The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc.
- Age: Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals.
With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to Canada will be offered three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold , and Platinum . Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs.
Travel Insurance requirements for Canada
Travel insurance is not mandatory for US travelers coming to Canada, but having coverage for medical emergencies is a smart move. It's also worth checking if your visa, entry requirements, or tour operator call for extra coverage.
As of October 2023, Canada has eliminated all COVID-19 entry requirements. However, it's crucial to be mindful of your health. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms before your trip, consider postponing your travel plans to Canada. Having Cancel for Any Reason as part of your travel insurance plan becomes invaluable in such a scenario. This optional benefit provides the flexibility to cancel your trip, even for a reason beyond standard coverage.
Canada does not have specific vaccine requirements for travelers. However, due to COVID-19, travel requirements may change from time to time. Stay up-to-date on vaccine requirements and recommendations by consulting official sources such as the Government of Canada's website.
Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip. Our Gold and Platinum plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons,
What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plans with a pre-existing medical condition , so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. We're here to ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation.
AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver Plan , Gold Plan , and Platinum Plan , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that Canadian hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.
The Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the Canadian experience. " Cancel for Any Reason " offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the " Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver) " offers assistance when you're out exploring Canada's stunning landscapes in a rental car.
Additionally, part of the Platinum Plan is the " Lost Skier Days " benefit, offering potential reimbursement if ski resorts unexpectedly close due to ever-changing snow conditions. These perks make the Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking comprehensive protection during their exciting Canadian adventures.
FAQs about Canada Travel Insurance
1. can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight .
Absolutely, travelers have the option to purchase travel insurance for Canada after they've booked their flights.
It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.) AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip. Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit.
2. Do US citizens need travel insurance to Canada?
Travel insurance to Canada from the USA is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. While Canada’s healthcare system is fantastic, it might not cover all your medical expenses as a non-resident and medical bills can add up fast.
3. What type of medical conditions does AXA Travel Protection cover? AXA covers three types of medical expenses:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency evacuation & repatriation
- Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation
Emergency medical expenses are unexpected incidents that arise, such as broken bones, burns, unexpected illnesses, and allergic reactions. Emergency evacuation and repatriation can cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness. Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation can cover evacuation assistance when you immediately leave a destination for non-medical-related events. These could be things like natural disasters or civil unrest.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions. AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.
AXA already looks after millions of people around the world
With our travel insurance we can take great care of you too
Get AXA Travel Insurance and travel worry free!
Travel Assistance Wherever, Whenever
Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip.
By Lisa Jackson
Best travel insurance in Canada
Day Of Victory Studio / Shutterstock
You’ve packed your bags, mapped your itinerary, and set your “out of office” message – it’s vacation time! But what about travel insurance?
According to a 2024 study by Pacific Blue Cross , a British Columbia health benefits provider, 87% of Canadians recognize the risks of travelling without insurance, while 57% purchase a policy at least occasionally. However, younger generations remain rather hesitant about the need for this coverage when travelling abroad. Nearly half of Gen Z travellers (47%) who never purchase insurance say it is because they don't think anything anything bad will happen when vacationing. They also underestimate the actual cost of emergency medical care more than any other generational cohort.
As a professional travel writer, I find this rather alarming. Canadian health insurance is not valid outside Canada, and your provincial or territorial health plan may not cover all the costs even if you’re travelling domestically. If you suffer an accident or get sick abroad, unexpected medical bills can bankrupt you. It’s why the Canadian government advises all travellers to buy travel insurance, and I never leave the country without it. Whether you’re taking a two-week trip or a spending a year abroad, every one needs the best travel insurance offered to Canadians, regardless of age, health status, destination or length of vacation.
Best for thrill seekers: World Nomads
Designed for adrenaline lovers with wanderlust, World Nomads insures a long list of adventure sports, activities and volunteer or work experiences, as well as sporting equipment delay/loss/theft. You also get access to a 24/7 hotline that provides information that adventure travellers may need including weather reports and travel advisories, assistance locating the nearest trail and finding a gear shop.
The standard policy covers emergency medical expenses up to $5 million, emergency dental, trip cancellation/interruption/delay, baggage delays/theft/damage and more. The downside: You must be under 66 years of age to qualify.
Best for families: CAA Travel Insurance
A long-trusted Canadian institution, CAA travel Insurance offers flexible travel plans to suit every type of traveller and vacation, but its policies are particularly great for families. The stand-alone emergency medical policy of up to $5 million in health coverage is extremely comprehensive, even including medical repatriation, emergency dental and reimbursements for pet care and kennelling.
The Vacation Package Plan provides full cancellation/interruption insurance – ideal for prepaid, all-inclusive vacation packages – and family transportation and escort of children during emergencies. Anyone can buy CAA travel insurance but members get a 10% discount.
CAA’s emergency medical plans also now include coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses for vaccinated customers. Coverage is up to $2.5 million if partially vaccinated and up to $5 million if fully vaccinated.
Best for seniors and retirees: Blue Cross
Blue Cross has been around for more than 70 years, and 1 in 4 Canadians utilize its travel insurance. The company's emergency medical covers up to $5 million. It has special “snowbird” travel insurance packages designed for Canadians who head to warmer climates each year, making Blue Cross ideal for retirees.
Part of the package is the Flight Delay Service, a free perk that provides a range of benefits if including exclusive coupons for access to lounges or hotels (depending on the length of the delay). Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered.
Best for budget travellers: Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance
Starting at only $1.36 a day, Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance offers very affordable travel insurance packages. Yes, it’s geared toward students (e.g., you can swap your travel dates at no charge due to an exam schedule conflict), but anyone between 15 and 50 years of age can purchase a policy.
The standard package includes hospital and medical up to $1 million, dental care, air ambulance evacuation, flight accident, accidental death or dismemberment and trip interruption/cancellation insurance. Adventure and extreme sports are also covered.
Best for Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions: Manulife CoverMe
Manulife CoverMe offers highly comprehensive Canadian travel insurance packages and You access to the TravelAid mobile app, which provides directions to the nearest medical facility and local emergency telephone numbers.
However, the stand-out feature is arguably TravelEase – a special policy designed to cover fully disclosed medical conditions. For travellers with pre-existing conditions, it insures a bunch of expenses for health services and transportation. It provides up to $10 million in emergency medical benefits – a unicorn in the travel insurance world.
Best for emergency medical assistance: Medipac Travel Insurance
Medipac is one of the only travel insurance companies out there that is staffed by their own team of trained medical professionals, via its Medipac Assistance hotline. The company's medical professionals are your first point of contact in an emergency medical situation. This service is also helpful for dealing with foreign medical systems and helping prevent unnecessary expenses when dealing with a large deductible.
Medipac offers several competitive features for their travel insurance plans, including no age limits, a claim-free discount and a 90-day stability period for most pre-existing conditions. If your pre-existing medical condition isn’t covered by a standard Medipac insurance plan, the company also offers personalized, underwritten insurance policies to help you meet your needs.
Medipac provides coverage for up to $5 million USD, including COVID-19, in addition to its other benefits. Additionally, most new clients may be able to save 3-5% in their first year with the company's Claim-free Advantage discount.
Best for frequent travellers: Allianz Travel Insurance
Touted as a world leader in the Canadian travel insurance and assistance industry, Allianz Travel Insurance is a major provider of travel insurance, corporate assistance, and concierge services. It seeks to help its customers find solutions to various travel-related problems. Allianz Travel has partnered with many reputable companies, including travel agencies, airlines, resorts, websites, event ticket brokers, corporations, universities and credit card companies.
Allianz Travel Insurance is a great choice for anyone looking for travel insurance. Its single-trip plans are perfect for those leaving home and visiting another destination (or destinations) before going back home. Its parent company, Allianz Global Assistance, has five plans to choose from, all offering different levels of protection and coverage.
Allianz Travel Insurance’s annual/multi-trip plans are perfect for both personal and professional travelers who take multiple trips in a year. It offers four distinct options to choose from.
Will my provincial insurance be valid overseas?
No! If you get sick or injured overseas, the Canadian government will not cough up a dime to cover your medical costs. Here are the sobering facts:
- Canadian public health insurance is not valid outside of Canada.
- Foreign hospitals can be extremely expensive and may demand payment before treating you.
- The Canadian government will not pay a Canadian’s medical bills for an illness or accident suffered abroad. You’re on the hook for footing the bill!
Will my provincial insurance work in another province/territory?
Flash your valid provincial health card in another part of Canada and you’ll likely be covered for some of the same services insured by your home provincial plan. This is because the provinces and territories (except Quebec) signed an agreement whereby the host province foots the bill for any medically necessary health care services and gets reimbursed by the home province later.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of the woods. Depending on your destination, a slew of other services may not be covered such as an ambulance, hospital transfer, prescription drugs, transportation back to your home province and procedures not currently approved by your home plan.
Additionally, since Quebec wasn’t a signatory to the interprovincial billing agreement, you’ll likely be charged for any medical bills incurred there. For this reason, it’s recommended that you buy extra travel insurance (or verify your credit card’s travel insurance coverage ) to cover any uninsured health care services that may crop up during your trip.
What does the best travel insurance in Canada cover?
Every travel insurance policy is different and what’s covered depends on how much you’re willing to pay for coverage. Typical medical services that you can expect to be covered include:
- Emergency hospital and medical costs
- Ambulance and air ambulance costs
- Outpatient services
- Physician and laboratory costs
- Prescription drugs
- Direct payment to the hospitals and doctors caring for you
- Assistance with bringing a family member to your bedside
- Air ambulance or commercial repatriation home
- Return of your vehicle if you are ill and have to come home
Additional benefits may include:
- Trip cancellation for non-refundable monetary losses
- Trip interruption
- Baggage loss, rental car damage, out-of-pocket expenses
- Accidental death and dismemberment
How much coverage do I need?
Securing a policy with a $1 million as a maximum payable is a safe bet. But don’t just look at the numbers when choosing a policy – read the fine print. Every insurer has a list of situations in which coverage is not provided, otherwise known as “exclusions.” Check whether your provider includes coverage or has provisions for the following:
- Pre-existing medical conditions: According to the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, a pre-existing condition is “something that happened (or started to happen) before you were insured.” Some policies may cover claims relating to pre-existing conditions that are “stable and controlled,” but read the definitions carefully. If you don’t declare a condition, the entire policy could be invalidated!
- Medical evacuation: Ensure the policy covers medical evacuation to the nearest hospital and/or to Canada, as well as the costs of a medical escort to accompany you to your final destination.
- Repatriation in case of death: On the grim side, ensure that your plan covers the preparation and return of your remains to Canada.
- Adventurous Activities: If you plan on engaging in “high-risk” activities on your trip, you may need to shell out extra money for a more comprehensive plan. Many policies don’t cover “risky” activities, such as skiing or snowboarding “out of bounds,” skydiving, scuba diving, white-water rafting, mountaineering or participation in any rodeo activity. To cover your bases, ask questions and get specifics before purchasing a policy.
You may have to pay more to have these things included, but a few extra bucks may be worth it for peace of mind.
Should I buy “a la carte” travel insurance or get a travel credit card with free insurance?
A credit card with travel insurance is always a good thing to carry in your wallet. The best travel credit cards in Canada usually cover everything from emergency medical costs to trip cancellation/interruption to flight delay to rental car insurance, which could save you a wad of cash.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card has saved my butt a few times, and I’ve filed several travel-related claims through my card. I cancelled my trip to Portugal a few years ago due to a death in the family, and I got a full refund on my hotel deposit and flights for myself, my husband and my baby. It totally justified the $120 annual fee.
That being said, don’t rely on your credit card to take care of all your travel insurance needs. It usually includes a basic policy, meaning it offers low (or no!) travel medical insurance as part of the package. Like any travel insurance company policy, you’ve really got to read the fine print and understand the conditions of your policy to avoid sticky situations.
For instance, the Scotiabank Gold American Express ® Card requires a cardholder to have charged at least 75% of trip expenses to make a trip cancellation/interruption insurance claim. So if you book an all-inclusive vacation for $5,000 and then cancel due to illness, at least $3,750 must have been charged onto your AMEX to qualify for a claim. If you didn’t do that, you’re out of luck.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more. *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Can I still purchase insurance if i’ve already started my vacation?
The short answer: most insurance providers won’t cover you after your departure date. However, a handful of insurers (such as World Nomads) will allow you to purchase a policy while already overseas. Just know that it can come with sky-high costs and/or conditions: World Nomads has a 48-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in. The bottom line? It’s always best to buy travel insurance before leaving the country.
Can I get travel insurance for part of a trip?
Some plans offer insurance coverage options that will allow you to customize your coverage, but you’ll have to research to find one that works for your unique circumstances. Alternatively, you could take out an insurance policy for each destination and/or segment of your trip.
For instance, you could get a World Nomads policy for the two weeks you’re scuba diving in Australia, followed by a basic Travel CUTS Bon Voyage insurance to cover a month-long trip to Europe. However, when you buy Canadian travel insurance, you must select a trip start and end date – meaning you must know the exact dates for travelling to those places.
Should I carry a printout of my policy with me at all times?
I recommend carrying the travel insurance card in your wallet and locking it up in the hotel safe with other important travel documents like your passport. But don’t rely totally on paper: Wallets get lost or stolen, luggage can be delayed or M.I.A. and papers are easy to misplace when you’re on the road. My advice is to send a copy of the policy to your email and save it on your iCloud or another storage system that can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
Recommended reads
- What’s the Added Value of a Credit Card with Travel Insurance?
- The Best Travel Rewards Programs in Canada
- Aeroplan vs. AIR MILES vs. Avio n
Lisa Jackson is a freelance personal finance and travel journalist, editor, and blogger who contributes to various online and print media outlets in Canada and abroad, including The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Islands Magazine, Fodors, BRIDES, Huffington Post Canada, CAA Magazine, The Food Network, West Jet Magazine, NUVO Magazine, and many others. When she's not writing from her home office, she's busy globe-trotting to new destinations in search of her next story.
Latest Articles
How to decide which mortgage term is right for you, canadian income inequality reaches record high, how to choose: short vs long-term mortgage, toronto condo owners shocked by ‘special’ $70k fee, how much should a house renovation cost, 6 common retirement planning mistakes.
The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.
- Travel Insurance
The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive payment from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This comes from two main sources.
First , we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.
Second , we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles. These “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor.
While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
Do I Need Travel Insurance When Travelling Within Canada?
Published: Sep 22, 2023, 10:13am
Table of Contents
How does health insurance work in canada, what is not covered by my ghip, what is not covered when travelling within canada, what travel insurance do i need for travelling within canada, where can i get travel insurance for travelling within canada, how much does travel insurance for travelling within canada cost, the bottom line.
Maybe you’ve heard the horror stories of people who have travelled to far-flung destinations, gotten sick or injured and been saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a savvy traveller, you know it’s essential to have comprehensive travel insurance when going abroad, but what about a trip within Canada?
Whether you’re planning a month-long expedition across the country, a ski trip in Quebec or a leisurely tour of the east coast, if you think that your provincial health insurance will cover all your medical expenses while you’re in another province, think again.
Featured Partner Offer
World Nomads Travel Insurance Review
On World Nomad’s Website
Emergency medical
$5 million, $10 million
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
Baggage insurance (Maximum)
$1,000, $3,000
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario ( TICO ) recommends that Canadians should always protect themselves by purchasing medical insurance even when travelling within Canada. That’s because not all medical expenses are covered by your provincial or territorial government health insurance plan once you leave your home province or territory. Here’s what you need to know.
Canada has a universal health care system that provides public health insurance to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This is known as the Government Health Insurance Plan, or GHIP. Each province and territory has its own health plan; for example, in Ontario it’s called the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, or OHIP, and in B.C. it’s called the Medical Services Plan, or MSP.
In general, with public health insurance, you won’t have to pay for most health care services, including family doctor’s visits, lab tests, diagnostics including X-rays, and emergency medical and hospital services.
There are differences between provincial and territorial plans, so it’s important to know what your plan covers. For example, Manitoba Health covers up to seven chiropractor visits per year, while Ontario does not offer chiropractic coverage.
Here is list of provincial and territorial public health care plans:
- British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
- Saskatchewan Health Services
- Manitoba Health
- Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
- Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
- New Brunswick Medicare
- Nova Scotia Medical Service Insurance (MSI)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP)
- Northwest Territories NWT Health Care Plan
- Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)
- Nunavut Health Care Plan
While Canada’s public health insurance plan is comprehensive, it doesn’t cover everything. While the particulars differ between provinces, the following are examples of services generally not covered by public health insurance:
- Cosmetic treatments and surgery
- Certain prescription drugs and vaccines
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Medical appliances
- Private nursing
- Additional charges for a private hospital room
- Services provided by paramedical health providers, such as chiropodists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dieticians, etc., outside of a hospital
- Some medical supplies, such as syringes
- Routine dental care, extractions and procedures
However, your province may offer publicly-funded drug plans for students, youth and/or seniors. Your employer may offer employment-related health insurance or you can purchase your own private health insurance plan to cover any coverage gaps.
Emergency medical insurance is a must-have for any out-of-province travel, even if you’re still in Canada.
In general, if you are travelling outside of your home province or territory and you don’t have supplemental travel insurance and you are faced with with a medical emergency, the following costs may not be covered:
- Treatment provided by a health-care practitioner, such as a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, chiropractor or physical therapist
- Prescription drugs
- Medical supplies
- Ambulance services, by ground or air
- Dental emergencies
Fees can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Say you’re visiting Toronto from Winnipeg and you take a tumble down a flight of concrete steps. You’re taken by ambulance to the nearest local hospital and it’s discovered you fractured your femur. The ambulance ride alone will cost you. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health , visitors to Ontario who require ambulance services will have their costs fully covered only if:
- You are a visitor to Ontario from another province, and
- You are insured under your province’s health care plan, and
- A physician deems your ambulance service medically necessary, and
- You are transported between and Ontario hospital and a hospital in another province, or between two Ontario hospitals, and
- Your trip is for diagnostic or therapeutic services, and
- You are returned to the hospital of origin within 24 hours.
In all other cases you will have to pay a land ambulance service co-payment charge of $240. And if you need to be transported by air ambulance, you’ll be billed the actual cost. According to figures of Canadian hospital rates from August 2019 provided by Vancouver-based David Cummings Insurance Services, an air ambulance by helicopter in B.C. costs $2,746 per hour.
Most Canadian provinces and territories have reciprocal agreements with each other, except for Quebec, which means that if you are visiting Ontario from Nova Scotia and you need to visit the emergency department, the Ontario physician will bill their own provincial health care plan for insured services. The only exception is Quebec, where you’ll need to pay the health provider up front.
If you are required to pay out of pocket, you can typically submit a medical expense claim to your own GHIP when you return home. Keep in mind there may be a variation in billing rates between provinces and you could be on the hook for any difference.
Whenever you leave your home province, it’s important to get comprehensive emergency medical insurance in case of an unexpected illness or injury. In general, travel medical insurance pays for unexpected medical expenses during your trip, including:
- Ambulance services (ground and air)
- Physicians’ bills
- Hospital and operating room charges
- Diagnostics and lab tests
- Drugs and medication
- Emergency dental care
- Repatriation to your home province or territory
- Cost to bring a companion to your bedside if you’re hospitalized
- Childcare costs if you’re hospitalized
- Vehicle return if a hospitalization prevents you from returning your rental car
You can purchase travel insurance for travelling within Canada at the same place you’d buy travel insurance for any other trip. You can purchase travel insurance online, through a broker or a travel agent.
Some insurance companies, such as Scotia Travel Insurance , offer cheaper rates for travel within Canada. Others offer a bespoke Canada package. For example, RBC Insurance offers a comprehensive Travel Within Canada Package that offers emergency medical and trip protection for travel within Canada, while TuGo offers an Emergency Medical Within Canada package with $10 million in coverage.
Your travel credit card may also provide sufficient emergency medical coverage for trips within Canada. Before you leave home, check the fine print to ensure you’re properly protected.
The cost of travel medical insurance depends on several factors, such as your age, the duration of your trip, your destination and your health.
Using a sample quote of a 45-year-old healthy woman travelling from Toronto to Vancouver for eight days, here are some examples of the cost of emergency medical travel insurance:
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth spending that extra cash on travel insurance for a trip within Canada, consider it a small investment for extra peace of mind. Not having sufficient emergency medical coverage can ruin your vacation—and your bank balance.
- World Nomads Travel Insurance
- CAA Travel Insurance
- BCAA Travel Insurance Review
- TuGo Travel Insurance Review
- Goose Travel Insurance Review
- Travel Guard Travel Insurance Review
- Johnson MEDOC Travel Insurance
- Blue Cross Travel Insurance
- GMS Travel Insurance Review
- Medipac Travel Insurance Review
- Manulife Financial CoverMe Travel Insurance
- RBC Insurance Travel Insurance
- TD Bank Travel Insurance
- Tour+Med Travel Insurance Review
- Travelance Travel Insurance
- Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review
- TD Insurance Travel Insurance Review
- Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance
- BMO Travel Insurance Review
- Desjardins Travel Insurance Review
- How To Get Pre-Existing Conditions Covered By Travel Insurance
What’s the Purpose of an ETIAS Travel Authorization?
- Should You Buy Travel Insurance And Is It Worth It?
- How To Travel To The U.S. From Canada
- Credit Card Travel Insurance Vs. Separate Travel Insurance
- Travel Insurance For Trips To Europe
Do Canadian Travellers Need Schengen Visa Insurance?
- Guide To Pregnancy And Travel Insurance
- Why Travel Medical Insurance Is Essential
- 5 Top Tips For Handling Flight Cancellations Like A Pro
- What Does Travel Delay Insurance Cover?
- How To Get Reimbursement For A Travel Insurance Claim
- How Travel Insurance Works For Baggage
- Trip Cancellation Travel Insurance
$10 ETIAS Travel Pass For Europe Visits Pushed To 2025
- Top 10 Travel Insurance Tips For 2023
- Travel Insurance For U.K. Trips
- What Travel Insurance Does Not Cover
- How To Buy Travel Insurance For Cruises
More from
Bcaa travel insurance review 2024, pacific blue cross travel insurance review 2024, cumis travel insurance review 2024.
Fiona Campbell is a Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor Canada. She started her career on Bay Street, but followed her love for research, writing and a good story into journalism. She is the former editor of Bankrate Canada, and has over 20 years of experience writing for various publications, including the Globe and Mail, Financial Post Business, Advisor’s Edge, Mydoh.ca and more.
Courtney Reilly-Larke is the deputy editor of Forbes Advisor Canada. Previously, she was the associate editor of personal finance at MoneySense. She was also managing editor of Best Health Magazine and has contributed to publications such as Cottage Life and Blog TO. She currently lives in Toronto.
- Comprehensive travel insurance plans
- Emergency medical travel insurance plans
- Trip cancellation insurance and non-medical plans
- Annual comprehensive travel insurance plans
- Annual medical travel insurance plans
- Travel insurance for seniors
- Youth travel insurance
- Visitor to Canada and international student plans
- Seeking medical treatment
- How to file a claim
- Access Claims Portal
- Complaint resolution process
- Understanding travel insurance
- How to choose a travel insurance plan
- Before your trip
- On your trip
Travel Tips
- Get a quote online
Plan your trip with confidence
- Canadian Resident
- Visitor to Canada / Student
With a presence in 44 countries, Allianz Global Assistance has been helping Canadians safely explore the world for over 30 years.
Our goal is to make your travel insurance experience simple from end to end, so you can focus on enjoying your next adventure.
Our Promise to You : All travel insurance plans offered by Allianz Global Assistance include a 10-day "Free Look" period.
Are you a Canadian resident travelling more than once a year? Our annual plan options might be a better fit for you. Select two or more trips to view our plan options.
Each traveller aged 65 and older is required to complete a medical screening to purchase a policy. To obtain a quote, please call us at 1-844-310-1578.
Please enter all required fields.
With a presence in 44 countries, Allianz Global Assistance helps millions of travellers annually to travel safely and explore the world.
Minimum age for travellers is 15 days old. Maximum age is 49 years old.
Minimum age for travellers is 15 days old. Maximum age is 89 years old.
Helping people is at the heart of what we do
Why buy travel insurance.
- If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason , travel insurance may reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Without insurance, you may lose your vacation investment.
- If you experience a covered medical emergency abroad , travel insurance can help ensure you get the care you need and reimburse you for covered medical costs. Without insurance, any medical expenses outside of Canada will be your responsibility.
- If you have a covered travel delay , travel insurance may reimburse you for necessary, eligible expenses like hotels and meals. Without insurance, delays may be expensive.
- If you face an unexpected crisis , travel insurance gives you access to 24/7 Assistance Worldwide. Without insurance, you’re on your own.
Why choose Allianz Global Assistance?
Global Reach
Medical Team
Robust Operations
Travel resources to help plan your trip, travel insurance 101.
Destination Guides
Customer reviews
Online experience.
HelloSafe » Travel Insurance » health
What is Canada's best travel health insurance (2024)?
- The most competitive offer on the market
- Fast and efficient submission process
- Multilingual emergency assistance services available 24/7
soNomad travel insurance offers emergency medical coverage up to $5,000,000, including COVID-19 at no extra cost, and baggage insurance up to $1,500, all with no deductible. It stands out for its competitive rates and excellent value for money, surpassing competitors like Allianz and Manulife, which are often more expensive for similar coverage. The cancel-for-any-reason program, subscribed within 7 days of booking, provides additional security. Ideal for all travelers, including those with pre-existing medical conditions.
- Higher rates for the greatest coverage offered on the market
- Allianz offers are very comprehensive
Allianz travel insurance offers emergency medical coverage up to $5,000,000, including COVID-19 protection at no extra cost, and baggage insurance up to $1,000. Although its rates are higher, Allianz stands out for the quality and breadth of its coverage. Compared to soNomad and TuGo, Allianz offers a very comprehensive package but at a higher cost, making it an ideal choice for those seeking maximum and uncompromising coverage.
- Interesting formulas for trips lasting up to one month
- Important coverage
- Adapted to your basic needs
Manulife travel insurance offers a "COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Insurance Plan" providing emergency medical coverage up to $1,000,000 for COVID-19 related health issues, increased to $5,000,000 for fully vaccinated individuals. In case of unforeseen quarantine, it covers up to $200 per day per person (maximum $2,800) and $400 per day per family (maximum $5,600). Compared to other plans, Manulife stands out for its extensive coverage and specific quarantine benefits, offering increased security for vaccinated travelers.
After saving for the trip you've long dreamed of, picture yourself strolling through the enchanting streets of a foreign city, when suddenly, a medical emergency pops up. It's a scenario none of us want to picture, but it can happen to any of us.
That's where travel health insurance comes in. Travel health insurance or travel medical insurance covers medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellations/interruptions , and related unforeseen events while travelling. But how do you get the perfect policy?
We take you through the best travel health insurance policies from top Canadian providers, and their pros and cons. You can use our comparator to compare multiple travel health insurances and get free personalized quotes so you can pick a policy that truly suits you best.
Best travel health insurance Canada plans
- CAA Travel Health Insurance: Unmatched 24/7 Virtual Emergency Medical Assistance
- RBC Travel Health Insurance: Direct Payment of Emergency Bills for Ultimate Convenience
- Blue Cross Travel Health Insurance: Limited Pre-Existing Condition Requirements
- Manulife Travel Health Insurance: Specialized Packages for Students, Traveling Canadians
- TD Travel Health Insurance: Up to $5 Million Medical Coverage for Added Security
Our top 5 travel health insurance plans for 2024
Caa travel health insurance canada: unmatched 24/7 virtual emergency medical assistance.
With over 115 years of experience, CAA has been a trusted source for Canadians' safety, mobility, and protection. They are known to advocate for road safety, offer diverse services like Roadside Assistance, and CAA travel health insurance , and serve over two million Members in South Central Ontario and Manitoba.
CAA provides both Single Trip and Multi-Trip Annual travel medical insurance with coverage of up to $5 million for medical repatriation, medical and dental emergencies and Covid-19-related medical care . There is also a single-trip medical Canada plan to protect you while traveling across the country.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of their policies overall.
Pros of CAA travel health insurance
- Multiple vacation packages ranging from a single trip to multi-trip travels
- CAA health insurance travel coverage up to $100,000
- 24/7 virtual emergency medical assistance is available
- Access to a vast network of healthcare providers
Cons of CAA travel health insurance
- Medical Questionnaire required for travelers above 60 years of age
- Coverage might include limitations with a maximum of 4-30 days per trip
RBC Travel Health Insurance Canada: Direct Payment of Emergency Bills for Ultimate Convenience
As the insurance arm of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of the world's largest banks, RBC provides diverse solutions, serving individuals, businesses, and groups in areas like life, home, auto, RBC travel health insurance , and more.
RBC offers a range of travel medical insurance plans to suit various needs. The Classic Medical Plan provides unlimited emergency medical coverage, direct payment of medical bills, and 24/7 global assistance for travelers aged 0-64, with no health questions and coverage for stable pre-existing conditions .
The TravelCare Medical Plan caters to travelers aged 65 and up, with similar benefits but a few health questions required, and coverage for pre-existing conditions based on the TravelCare category. There is also the 4-Day Getaway Multi-Trip Annual Medical Plan for unlimited short trips for travelers aged 0-74 , with no medical questions and coverage for stable pre-existing conditions.
Here are its pros and cons.
- Essential coverage options for all ages, between 0-74
- Direct payment of emergency bills
- Family plan pricing is available
- Various plans including coverage for pre-existing conditions
- A maximum limit of $20,000 may be imposed without a valid government health coverage plan for the entire trip
- Direct billing does not guarantee that all medical expenses will be covered
Blue Cross Travel Health Insurance Canada: Limited Pre-Existing Condition Requirements
Blue Cross Travel Health Insurance offers comprehensive coverage and support for your well-being while traveling. With a focus on medical emergencies, hospital stays, and essential medical services , Blue Cross ensures you're protected no matter where your journey takes you.
This coverage includes protection for situations like injuries or illnesses during your trip. It also provides benefits for medical repatriation, paramedical services ($400), hospital allowance, emergency dental treatment ($2,000) , and pain relief due to dental issues, ensuring you have financial protection for unexpected health-related incidents while traveling.
- Free for kids medical insurance available
- Provides $10 Million travel insurance coverage with only a 7-day pre-existing condition stability requirement.
- Option to save an extra 10% as a member
- May not cover conditions when medications have been changed
- Potential limitations in coverage based on the destination of travel
Manulife Travel Health Insurance Canada: Specialized Packages for Students, Traveling Canadians
Manulife Travel Health Insurance serves as a prominent global financial services conglomerate, facilitating simplified decision-making and improved lifestyles for individuals. Operating under the name John Hancock in the U.S. and as Manulife internationally, the company offers a spectrum of financial guidance, insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions catering to individuals, groups, and institutions.
Manulife travel medical insurance also offers travel Emergency medical insurance for COVID-19 and related complications covered up to $5,000,000 if you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by a Health Canada-approved vaccine or for up to $1,000,000 for non-vaccinated policyholders.
- Packages available specific to students, traveling Canadians, and visitors to Canada
- Coverage of pre-existing conditions
- Up to $10 million in emergency medical benefits
- Medical questionnaire for those aged 60+
- If you are unable to call before seeking treatment you pay 20% of the expense out of pocket
You can now get a quote from Manulife Travel health insurance right here.
TD Travel Health Insurance Canada: Up to $5 Million Medical Coverage for Added Security
TD Insurance, a part of TD Bank Group, operates in the general insurance and life and health insurance sectors. They're a major player in home, auto, and critical illness insurance, ranking among the top groups in Canada. Their expertise extends to affinity marketing, collaborating with groups to offer insurance to members.
TD travel health Insurance is committed to transparently informing customers about compensation for licensed representatives through a disclosure document. Under its plans, it provides 24*7 medical assistance worldwide and up to $5,000,000 coverage in medical emergencies including physician's bills, diagnostic services, ambulance services, medical appliances, and even emergency return home.
Let's take a look at its pros and cons.
- Complimentary travel medical coverage for dependent child(ren) when two adults are covered under select family plans
- Medical coverage up $5 million on eligible costs
- Bedside companion benefit
- Fees (physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc.)
- Care for accidental dental injuries
- Fewer coverage options for single trips
- Limited to a maximum trip duration of up to 30 days
What is travel health insurance?
Travel health insurance or travel medical insurance covers medical expenses when you are outside your province or abroad. Your universal health insurance (provincial coverage like Ontario Health Insurance Plan or MSP in BC) may not fully cover accidents or illnesses that occur while traveling, leaving you responsible for potentially high medical bills.
Travel medical insurance is therefore designed to fill this gap and help you avoid unexpected financial burdens due to healthcare costs while traveling.
What is the difference between travel insurance and health insurance?
Travel insurance primarily covers trip-related issues like trip cancellation, luggage loss, and travel delays, safeguarding your travel investment and plans. In contrast, health insurance focuses on covering medical expenses within your home country (or province), ensuring access to healthcare services.
Travel health insurance, a subset of travel insurance, specifically addresses medical emergencies while traveling abroad, including unexpected illnesses, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. It is crucial for international travel to ensure you have financial support and access to medical care during your trip. To ensure comprehensive coverage, it's advisable to have both travel insurance and travel health insurance especially when planning overseas trips.
What does travel health insurance cover?
Travel Health Insurance typically covers:
- Emergency Medical Treatment : Coverage for unexpected illness or injury requiring medical attention while traveling.
- Hospitalization : Expenses related to hospital stays, surgeries, and medical procedures.
- Medical Evacuation : Costs of transporting you to a medical facility if local facilities are inadequate.
- Prescription Medications : Reimbursement for necessary medications prescribed during your trip.
- Emergency Dental Care : Coverage for urgent dental treatments due to unforeseen accidents.
- Repatriation : Arrangements and expenses for returning your remains to your home country in case of death.
- Trip Interruption : Reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs if you need to return home due to covered reasons.
- Lost Luggage : Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings.
- Trip Cancellation : Reimbursement for canceled trips due to covered reasons.
- Travel Assistance : Access to a 24/7 helpline for travel-related emergencies and information.
It's important to carefully review the specific policy details carefully, as coverage can vary between insurance providers and plans. If you'd like to explore the best travel health insurance options in Canada, you can do it right here using our comparator below. Compare multiple coverage and insurance companies and get tailor-made quotes in a few moments.
comparatorTitles.name
How much is travel health insurance ?
When considering the monthly premiums for your policy, several key factors come into play.
- Age : Younger travellers often pay lower premiums than older individuals.
- Duration of Travel : Longer trips may lead to higher insurance costs.
- Destination : Coverage costs can vary based on the country or region you're travelling to.
- Coverage Limits : Plans with higher coverage limits may come with higher premiums.
- Pre-existing Conditions : Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions can impact costs.
On average, premiums can range from a few dollars per day to more significant amounts for comprehensive coverage. However, it will also depend on your provider and your preferences.
So, how much does travel health insurance cost? The table below shows the premiums for different destinations to help you better understand the charges.
The costs mentioned are for more comprehensive packages while basic ones would be available for less than $100. Please note that these are just estimates, and actual travel insurance costs can vary widely based on the traveler's age, destination, travel duration, and pre-existing medical conditions . It is therefore essential to obtain a personalized quote to get an accurate cost estimate for your specific travel situation.
You don't have to look further to get quotes. Use our comparator tool below to compare coverages from the best providers and get free personalized travel health insurance quotes in no time.
Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!
How does travel health insurance work?
When you purchase travel health insurance, you're essentially buying a policy that provides financial protection against unforeseen medical expenses while travelling abroad. In case of a covered medical emergency, you can contact your insurance provider's 24/7 emergency assistance line for guidance on seeking medical care.
It is advisable to have your policy details and emergency contact information easily accessible during your trip.
Do you need health insurance for other Canadian provinces?
When traveling to another province in Canada, your government health insurance plan like the Ontario Health Insurance Plan or MSP in BC might not cover all medical expenses. While the Canada Health Act mandates coverage for emergency care within different provinces, each province has its time limits for coverage.
In most cases, medical bills are directly sent to your home province, except for Quebec, where visitors may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement. This is why it might be a good idea to get your private plan before you travel.
Do you need travel health insurance USA plans from Canada?
Travel health insurance from Canada to the USA is strongly recommended for several crucial reasons . Firstly, Canada's healthcare coverage does not extend to the United States, where healthcare costs are notoriously high. Without insurance, you could be left with exorbitant medical bills if you fall ill or have an accident while visiting.
Additionally, in emergencies, you might require costly medical evacuation, which travel health insurance can cover, particularly given that natural catastrophes like floods, cyclones, and wildfires are becoming far too common.
How to get travel health insurance?
- Research and Compare: Begin by researching reputable providers and comparing their policies. You can do this right here using the HelloSafe comparator.
- Select Your Coverage: Determine the type of coverage you need based on factors like your destination, trip duration, and specific requirements. Choose a policy that aligns with your travel plans, whether it's a single trip, multi-trip, or long-term policy.
- Apply and Provide Information: Fill out the insurance application form, providing accurate information about yourself, your trip details, and any pre-existing medical conditions if required. Be thorough in your disclosure to ensure your coverage is valid.
- Purchase Your Policy: Once your application is approved, pay the premium for your chosen policy. You'll receive a confirmation and policy documents, which you should keep with you during your travels for reference in case of emergencies.
Travel Health Insurance for seniors
Travel health insurance for seniors is tailored to provide essential medical coverage to meet the needs of older travellers. This insurance typically includes emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, surgeries, physician services, trip cancellation/interruption, medical evacuation, and prescription drug coverage. It also offers 24/7 assistance services to help seniors navigate local healthcare systems.
For those planning extended stays in warmer climates during winter, snowbird travel insurance is a tailored option. It includes all the benefits of travel health insurance with additional coverage suited for longer trips, ensuring comprehensive protection.
Coverage Includes:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Physician services
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- Medical evacuation
- Prescription drug coverage
- 24/7 assistance services
Good to know
Check out our guide on Snowbird Travel Insurance for the best plans. You can also get free quotes online.
Nishadh Mohammed is a seasoned news editor and financial writer, working with HelloSafe since May 2023. Nishadh has developed expertise in financial markets, insurance, and investment products, with a deep understanding of the Canadian financial landscape. He has honed his SEO skills and content marketing strategies while writing for Canadian publishing houses. Armed with a master's in Business Analytics and extensive journalistic experience, Nishadh uniquely combines data proficiency and thorough research to deliver comprehensive and accessible information.
Travel insurance
On this page.
Instruction: Change of selection promptly shifts the focus to a matching heading further down, on the same page.
Our travel insurance products
As one of the top insurance companies in Canada, Manulife offers a wide range of coverage options to best suit your travel protection needs. Whether you are snowbirds, seniors, students, or visitors to Canada, we’ve got you covered.
Travelling Canadians
Help provide Canadian residents with out-of-province or country coverage for unexpected travel expenses such as emergency medical and more.
Visitors to Canada
Get affordable coverage for medical expenses while visiting Canada. Meets the requirements for super visa.
Get help with medical expenses when studying away from home – either in Canada or abroad.
Travel insurance explained
Whether it’s to the beach, the city, or somewhere in between, travel gives us unforgettable escapes in beautiful places. But what happens when a trip doesn’t go as planned? A medical emergency or accident can have financial consequences that last far longer than your trip. That’s where travel insurance comes in. This short video explains:
- What’s included in travel insurance? What are the different types (travel medical insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, visitors to Canada insurance and student travel insurance)?
- How insurance can reimburse you for unexpected expenses while you’re abroad or in another province or territory, from hospitalization, to transportation, and more!
Download a transcript (PDF)
It’s easy! To get the plan best suited to your needs, you can get a quote and apply online or by calling 1-877-268-3763. Have your travel dates, contact information, health information, and credit card or bank information on hand.
Having insurance while travelling is strongly recommended. Based on a survey conducted by the Conference Board of Canada, 82% of Canadians traveled with travel coverage in 2022. This speaks volumes and shows that most Canadians think having protection for unplanned emergencies while travelling is a necessity.
Travel coverage can protect you not only from emergency medical costs, but also from flight delays/cancellations, baggage loss/damage, travel accidents, and unforeseen events. Depending on your policy, you could get reimbursed for incurred costs if a covered event caused you to cancel or rebook your trip.
Ready to buy?
You can get a quote and purchase Manulife travel insurance online through Manulife CoverMe.
Need assistance?
Want to talk through your options.
Have questions and want to speak to a licensed insurance advisor? We can help with that!
Submit a travel claim
Visit our dedicated travel portal to start a claim. First-time on the site? Simply register, activate your account, and sign in
For Members
Find a plan, advice center, common questions, travel insurance from bc's health experts.
Affordable travel starts with flexible protection from unexpected travel costs like medical emergencies, trip cancellation fees, baggage issues and more.
Get Covered Questions? Make a Claim
Why choose our travel insurance
The most coverage on pre-existing conditions.
Our optional Pre-existing Condition coverage protects you up to $10M as long as your symptoms don’t change seven days before you leave. Add it to your Emergency Medical plan for ultimate peace of mind.
No deductible, no surprises
Our $10M Emergency Medical plans cover claims from the first dollar. This means greater cost control and hassle-free care in the event of a claim.
Free for kids
As long as one adult is insured on your Emergency Medical plan, all travelling dependents aged 21 or under are covered for free under the same plan.
Healthcare with heart
As a BC's only not-for-profit health benefits provider, we support over 300 organizations improving health and wellbeing in our province each year — including Make-A-Wish.
Recognized around the world
As one of the most recognized symbols of health care in the world, you'll be confidently covered whether you're travelling to Toronto or Thailand.
Always on call
Get anytime help in over 100 languages should an emergency occur while you are travelling, whether you lose a passport or want to find the best medical care nearby.
Flexible work and play coverage
Build a plan to meet your needs, with optional Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, baggage protection and more. It's also easy to make changes to your Emergency Medical plan before you go.
Added value for members
Have health and dental coverage with us? Get travel with us too. Our travel plans are first payer, which protects the lifetime maximums on your health plan. Plus, members always save 10%.
Choose a plan below to get started
Emergency Medical
Comprehensive, flexible emergency medical care coverage for British Columbians while travelling outside of BC.
Why do I need this?
Trip Protection
Peace of mind coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, airline delays and baggage loss, damage or delay.
Visitors to Canada
Emergency health coverage for visitors to Canada, returning Canadians and new immigrants.
Trusted by 100K+ travellers per year
I appreciate the clear explanations of my coverage, especially while traveling with a pre-existing injury.
[Pacific Blue Cross] covered the cost [of my travel claim] in a reasonable time and the claims process was seamless!
I’ve bought travel insurance from Pacific Blue Cross before. It's easy to access, and their agents are informative…
The staff were excellent…I always feel confident traveling with [Pacific Blue Cross]!
I’ve purchased [from Pacific Blue Cross] for many years…applying is easy, the cost is reasonable, and the agents are always helpful.
— Pacific Blue Cross — Travel Health Check
Select the destination(s) you’ll be travelling to below
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Advisories and Vaccinations
A few frequently asked questions about travel insurance
You should be aware that your provincial coverage may not pay for all health care costs you may incur while outside of the province, and the difference can be substantial. For example, B.C. pays $75 (CAD) a day for emergency in-patient hospital care, while the average cost in the U.S. often exceeds $1000 (US) a day, and can be as high as $10,000 (US) a day in intensive care. For this reason, you are strongly advised to purchase additional health insurance from a private insurer before you leave the province, whether you are going to another part of Canada or outside the country. You are advised to purchase additional coverage even if you plan to be away for only a day.
When you purchase Emergency Medical insurance for at least one adult, each dependent child 21 years of age or younger who is subsequently added to your travel policy will receive free emergency medical coverage up to $10,000,000.
Annual plans cover you across an entire year of travel. They are the most convenient, cost-effective option if you travel more than once per year. Choose an Annual plan that will cover your longest trip outside of BC or Canada, and you’ll be covered for all the other ones in between.
Yes - Regardless of any existing conditions, we always advise members to still purchase coverage, as it will protect against all other accidents not related to that condition.
Travel insurance policies are designed to provide protection against unexpected emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption.
Depending on your age and the condition pre-existing medical conditions are covered if they are stable for a certain time period (as specified in your policy) before your policy's effective date.
It is important you review and understand any clauses or definitions in your chosen policy. Each travel insurance policy will uniquely define a pre-existing condition and there are many variations in wording. For example, policies may not cover conditions arising prior to the trip departure date:
- that are unstable
- where symptoms of an illness appeared
- that have been diagnosed or treated
- where medications have been changed
Travel policies will also specify a time frame, based on your age that relates to the evaluation of your pre-existing conditions. This time frame could be as short as 3 months but could be 1 year, 5 years or longer.
Some policies may provide coverage for your pre-existing conditions if you complete a more detailed medical questionnaire.
When purchasing our travel policy, we will evaluate pre-existing conditions for people 60 years and younger based on their health within the previous 3 months prior to the day their coverage begins. For people age 61 and over, we evaluate based on their health within 6 months prior.
It depends on the illness, its seriousness and its stability. Some illnesses are easily covered. Others require a three or six month stability period, depending on your age. Blue Cross offers the possibility of covering your illness with a medical questionnaire (available for persons aged 61 and over) filled out by your treating physician; Blue Cross’ medical team will then evaluate your condition. If authorized, you can travel worry-free: your chronic illness will also be covered.
When travelling internationally, you may be at risk for a number of diseases which are common in other parts of the world. You can learn more about Travel Vaccines on our Vaccination page .
Looking for additional travel wellness tips?
Leave prepared on trips over 30 days
Prevent up to $7,660 in avoidable travel expenses with our ten pre-departure musts every traveller should know.
Travelling with health changes?
Find out how this may impact your travel coverage.
Group vs. individual travel coverage
Is your group out-of-country travel coverage enough? Understand and compare coverage options for peace-of-mind travels.
Choose the right travel coverage for your family
Learn how Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance has your family’s best interest in mind when travelling outside of British Columbia or Canada.
Looking for other types of coverage?
Personal health insurance.
Our Personal Health Insurance plans providers coverage for people who are not covered by an employer group plan
Critical Illness Insurance
Our Critical Illness Insurance can help manage your ongoing financial obligations in the unfortunate scenario of recovering from a serious disease
Life Insurance
Ensure the financial health of your loved ones from one of the most respected Life Insurance brands in Canada
Plan Details
All of our plans include:
- Up to $10 million of emergency medical care
- 24/7 access to a team of professionals to contact you with local resources
- Direct Pay — We will pay any providers directly.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions — As long as your pre-existing condition meets a minimum stability period, you can receive full protection.
Plan Highlights
- Emergency medical expenses
- Ambulance and taxi fees
- Repatriation costs
- Transportation to visit the covered person
- Medical Follow-up in Canada
- Subsistence allowance
Add-on Options
You can add the following individual benefits to your plan or choose a package and save:
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- Emergency Return
- Air-Flight Accicent
- Baggage loss, delay or damage
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Call us if an emergency strikes
If you do experience an unexpected emergency while travelling, we are here to help.
During your trip, you can call our Medi-Assist service to determine your level of coverage and receive help:
- In Canada or the U.S., call toll-free: 1-888-699-9333
- Outside of Canada or the U.S. or where toll-free is unavailable, please call collect to 1-604-419-4487 and we will pay for the call.
Claims Process
Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Claims — Four simple steps
Trip Cancellation / Baggage Claim Form — Form for claiming Trip Cancellations or Lost Baggage [pdf]
Visitors to Canada Travel Plan Claim Form — Form for claiming against a Visitors to Canada Travel Plan contract [pdf]
Pacific Blue Cross Travel Medical Insurance provides $10,000,000 in coverage for costs related to emergency medical care resulting from an accident or sudden illness while travelling outside British Columbia. An Annual plan provides the best value for snowbirds, frequent travellers and cross-border hoppers who make multiple trips outside BC each year. Plan coverage includes:
In addition to paying for you to return to your province or residence to receive immediate medical attention*, we will arrange to have your vehicle returned, your pet returned and your baggage returned. Should an insured person pass away, we cover the cost of repatriating the deceased.
*Requires the authorization of the attending physician and CanAssistance.
Trip Protection Options
You can add the following individual benefits to your plan, buy them separately, or choose a package and save:
Pacific Blue Cross Visitors to Canada Insurance provides coverage for costs related to emergency medical care resulting from an accident or sudden illness while visiting British Columbia. Plan coverage includes:
Hospitalization, Medical and Paramedical Expenses
Transportation expenses.
The following services must be approved and planned by Medi-Assist.
We’ve got you covered, even when travel advisories change
Pacific Blue Cross Travel Medical plans contain $10M in COVID-19 coverage for fully vaccinated travellers, no matter the travel advisory. So rest assured, your plan will continue to provide the protection you need in emergency medical situations, even if and when Canadian government advisories change. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, you can learn more about how changing travel advisories may impact your coverage in our Frequently Asked Questions .
Speak to someone to learn more about one of our TRAVEL insurance products
Contact us about your existing Pacific Blue Cross coverage or products
I’d like more information on your Travel Plans
Our partner, Cigna, offers newcomers peace of mind. Get a free quote !
Find the best immigration program for you. Take our free immigration quiz and we’ll tell you the best immigration programs for you!
Travel Insurance for Canada vs Health Insurance for Canada: What’s the Difference?
Updated on September 25, 2024
Advertisement
When you leave your country of origin, even if it’s just for the weekend, it’s a good idea to make sure you have proper insurance.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering about the difference between travel insurance and health insurance. In Canada, they’re both important.
Each offers protection for a critical aspect of the travel experience and can mean the difference between spending thousands of dollars on unanticipated costs or paying a reasonable and expected daily, weekly, or monthly premium.
Today, let’s delve into the difference between health insurance and travel insurance for Canada and show you the situations where you may need to use each one.
What’s the difference between travel insurance and health insurance?
First, let’s define each of these types of insurance. While both travel insurance and health insurance are important, each covers a different type of trip.
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that’s designed to help defray unexpected costs that may arise if something goes wrong on your trip, or your itinerary doesn’t go as planned. This could include anything from a minor trip disruption like lost luggage to a major emergency like the repatriation of your remains if you were to pass away while on your vacation.
Health insurance is designed to cover the medical expenses of people who are in a new country. This could be anything from emergency medical care to something as simple as a prescription refill or annual checkup at a doctor’s office.
Both of these types of insurance are important, but they serve different purposes. While there may be some health coverage included as part of travel insurance, it’s designed to be used in emergencies only. Typically, travel insurance is recommended only for a maximum of 6 months.
Health insurance is something that’s designed for longer-term use. Many newcomers to Canada purchase health insurance before they arrive in the country, as many provinces require a waiting period of at least 3 months before they can access a Canadian health card. During this time, it’s a good idea to purchase private health insurance, which offers reimbursement for all covered medical procedures and costs.
When should you buy health insurance vs travel insurance?
There are a few situations where one type of insurance is more appropriate than the other.
You should buy travel insurance:
- If you’re going on a short visit abroad, like a vacation or business trip
- If you’ll be away from home for less than six months
- If you intend to return home after your trip
Related: Our Canadian travel insurance guide for newcomers travelling outside Canada .
You should buy health insurance:
- If you’re moving abroad for more than 6 months or permanently
- If you’ll be travelling back and forth from your home country to Canada frequently
- If you would like the security of being able to be flown or transported home in the event of a serious medical emergency
Key considerations when buying travel insurance for Canada
Now that you know the purpose of travel insurance, let’s talk about it in greater detail. There are a few key considerations and coverage details that you should be looking out for before you make a purchase.
Medical emergency
While it’s not technically health insurance, most travel insurance offers some coverage for medical emergencies. This cannot be used for routine care or any medical treatment related to a pre-existing condition.
Trip disruption
Anyone who travels frequently knows that trip disruptions are common. If you miss a connecting flight or have to deal with a flight cancellation, trip disruption insurance helps to cover things like a hotel for the night, food, or even a new flight.
Baggage and personal effects
No one likes dealing with lost baggage. However, having to pay out of pocket for these expenses is even worse. Lost baggage coverage typically offers a set amount of money for the replacement of your baggage if it’s lost, and can even help you purchase necessities if your baggage is delayed.
There may be other benefits offered by your travel insurance policy as well. Be sure to read through the policy carefully before you make a purchase to find a plan that works for your needs.
Buying the right health insurance for Canada
Making sure you have the right health insurance plan for your move to Canada is extremely important. After all, this insurance offers protection from having to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses, which can be extremely costly.
We recommend two companies to get started with when researching travel and health insurance:
- Cigna provides free quotes to newcomers looking for international health insurance. Get your free quote here .
- BestQuote compares health insurance and travel insurance options from multiple companies, all for free. Compare quotes for free here .
Here are some considerations you should keep in mind when purchasing private health insurance for Canada.
Extended healthcare
The key difference between the health coverage offered as part of a travel insurance plan and regular private health insurance is its extended healthcare benefits. Short-term travel insurance typically does not offer coverage for preventative or extended healthcare like prescriptions, medical supplies, and non-urgent doctor’s visits. This is one of the most important aspects of private health insurance coverage.
Evacuation and repatriation
Not all plans cover evacuation insurance, which provides reimbursement for emergency medical transportation costs, as well as repatriation if you need to return home for treatment. Some plans even cover compassionate visits, which means it won’t be as challenging for your loved ones to come see you in Canada if the worst occurs.
Vision and dental
Many provinces in Canada do not offer any reimbursement for vision and dental coverage. Having this as part of your private health insurance is so useful that you may want to keep it even after you get access to your Canadian health card!
Coverage area
Make sure to check your coverage area before you make a purchase. Many companies offer specific health insurance for Canada, while others sell plans with worldwide coverage. These are often more expensive, so make sure you do your research before you buy.
Whether you’re going on a quick trip to Montreal or Vancouver for a family visit or moving to Canada permanently, you should always make sure you have the right insurance before you go.
For tons more resources on moving to Canada, create a free account — it only takes a minute!
Related Content
Express Entry Draw 319: PNP Candidates Issued Invitations on October 21st
IEC 2024 Season Closing: Everything You Need to Know
Express Entry Draw 318: French-Speaking Candidates Invited on October 10
Express Entry Draw 317: 500 CEC Candidates Invited in an Express Entry Draw on October 9th
Popular topics.
Search results
results for “ ”
Immigration
Learn everything you need to know about Canadian immigration
If you need help with your immigration, one of our recommended immigration consultant partners can help.
Calculate your estimated CRS score and find out if you're in the competitive range for Express Entry.
Take the quiz
Your guide to becoming a student in Canada
Take our quiz and find out what are the top programs for you.
Watch on YouTube
This guide will help you choose the best bank in Canada for your needs.
Get your guide
News & Features
latest articles
Our Partners
Cookies keep our resources free for you, privacy overview.
- User Preferences: They remember choices you have made on the website, such as language, region, or font size, so you don't have to set them every time you visit.
- Enhanced Features: They enable enhanced features on the site, like remembering login details, so you don't have to log in every time you visit.
- Skip to main content
- Skip to site information
Language selection
Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !
Trip interruption and travel health insurance
If you plan to travel outside Canada—even for a day in the United States—you should buy trip interruption and travel health insurance before you leave.
On this page
Where you can get trip interruption and travel health insurance, why you should buy travel health insurance, choose the best insurance based on your needs, if you need to make a claim, if you live or work outside canada, if you need help while outside canada.
You can buy trip interruption and travel health insurance directly with an insurance company or through:
- a travel agent
- an insurance broker
- an employer’s insurance provider
- a credit card company
If you encounter a medical emergency while abroad, you should know the following:
- Your medical bills may not be paid by your personal Canadian health insurance
- Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad including a medical evacuation, if needed. It will never pay your bills up front
- Hospitals and clinics in other countries can be very expensive and may require immediate cash payment
- In some countries, hospitals and clinics will not treat you if you don’t have enough insurance or money to pay your bills
- The Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills
What your travel health insurance should cover
No matter where you’re travelling, your travel health insurance policy should always cover 3 things:
1. Medical evacuation
Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation to Canada or to the nearest place with medical care. The policy should also cover the costs of a medical escort to travel with you to your destination.
2. Pre-existing medical conditions
Ask the insurance provider to explain the definition of and the limitations and restrictions on any pre-existing conditions and tests and treatments you may have had:
- Make sure you get a written agreement that your insurance covers your pre-existing medical condition, otherwise you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
- no changes to your medical condition
- no new medical conditions, symptoms or medications during the stability period before your trip.
- a compassion clause saying that an inaccurate statement may not invalidate the entire policy
- a change-of-health clause.
3. Repatriation in case of death
Make sure that your plan includes everything to help your loved ones if you die outside Canada as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness.
Your insurance should cover:
- the preparation and return of your remains
- local cremation or burial outside Canada
- additional expenses if someone needs to travel to identify your body
Learn more about what to do if a Canadian dies outside Canada.
Why you should buy trip interruption insurance
Trip interruption insurance is different from medical travel insurance. Trip interruption insurance provides coverage for situations that lead you to have to cancel a part of your trip once you’ve departed. It will reimburse the unused portion of your trip if you must return early, due to an unforeseen incident.
It’s also different from trip cancellation coverage, which applies only when you cancel your trip before it starts.
Research your needs. Verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of your insurance policy before you leave Canada.
When assessing a travel health insurance plan, you should ask a lot of questions:
- Plans with 100% coverage are more expensive but may save you money in the long run
- Does the plan offer continuous coverage for the length of your stay outside Canada and after your return?
- Does the plan exclude or limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit?
- Travel health insurance rarely covers routine health checkups, non-emergency care or cosmetic surgery.
- It may not cover mental health disorders.
- Does the plan cover drug or alcohol-related incidents?
- Does the plan exclude coverage for activities such as mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving or extreme sports?
- Does it offer coverage that is renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay?
- Does the company have an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country?
- Does it pay for hospitalization for illness or injury and related medical costs at your destination?
- Does it pay your bills or provide cash advances up front, so you don’t have to pay them?
If you’re driving, make sure you have driver and vehicle coverage in case you have an accident.
If you’re flying, make sure you get insurance for trip interruption, lost luggage and document replacement. You may also want to consider trip cancellation insurance.
Meet the terms of your policy
It’s your responsibility to know and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Read the fine print and ask for help if you need it.
The information you provide must be accurate and complete. If you have any questions, contact the insurance company. Ask them to send you a written explanation.
Carry your insurance information with you and leave a copy with a friend or relative at home.
Get a detailed report and invoice from your doctor or hospital before leaving the country where you received medical treatment. Trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away can be frustrating.
Always submit the original receipts for medical services or prescriptions you received abroad. Keep a copy of the documents for your files.
Effects of travel advisories on travel insurance policies
Many travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel to regions where the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory to “avoid all non-essential travel” or “avoid all travel.”
The Government of Canada is not responsible for travel insurance policies nor how Travel Advice and Advisories may affect travel insurance policies. The Government of Canada does not issue its Travel Advice and Advisories for the purpose of travel insurance coverage or refunds.
Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories provide information and recommendations about safety and security conditions in destinations around the world to help you make informed decisions.
We issue travel advisories when the security or health situation in a country or region may pose a significant threat to the personal safety and security of Canadians travelling or living there.
As new information becomes available, we review the level of risk. A travel advisory for a destination may be issued, upgraded, downgraded or removed.
Before you book your trip and buy insurance, check the details of any insurance policy you’re considering and the travel advice and advisories for your destination.
Travel insurance is not intended to be used when you are living outside Canada for an extended period, or permanently.
If you live abroad or you’re planning to, consider your insurance needs. Local laws may require that you have medical insurance, and you may have to include proof of medical insurance with your visa application.
If you study outside Canada
If you study or plan to study outside Canada, contact your educational institution or program administrator for advice on the insurance coverage you need.
The Government of Canada is limited in the help it can provide you when you are outside Canada.
See the services available at our consular offices outside Canada.
Our travel advice and advisories provide recommendations about safety and security conditions outside Canada to help you make informed decisions. The decision to travel is yours and you’re responsible for your personal safety abroad.
Whether you are planning a vacation or living outside Canada, sign up for the free Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that we can notify you in case of an emergency outside Canada.
For help with emergencies outside Canada, contact the:
- nearest Canadian office abroad
- Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa
Related links
- Say yes to travel insurance
- Bon voyage, but…
- Well on your way
- A guide to travel health insurance (Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association)
- Guide to travel health insurance (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers)
- Tips for healthy travel
PolicyAdvisor LIVE 1-888-601-9980
- Life Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Group Benefits
Home / Travel Insurance / Learning Center /
The complete guide to travel insurance for Canadians
While travel insurance is not mandatory for Canadians travelling abroad, it is highly recommended. The cost of medical emergencies and other unforeseen events can be very expensive when you are outside of your home country. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind while you are away and financial protection from medical expenses in another country.
What is travel insurance?
- Why should you buy travel insurance for trips outside of Canada?
- What should travel medical insurance cover?
- Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Which is the best travel insurance company?
Who needs travel insurance, frequently asked questions.
Travel insurance offers several different types of protection to Canadians leaving the country. For example, if you have a medical emergency while travelling, travel insurance will cover the cost of your treatment. Additionally, if you need to cancel your trip due to an emergency, some travel insurance policies can reimburse you for any non-refundable expenses.
While travel insurance is not required by law in Canada, it is highly recommended, as the cost of medical emergencies and other unforeseen events can be very expensive when you are outside of your home country. Therefore, making insurance part of your travel plans can give you peace of mind while you are away.
Need insurance answers now?
Call 1-888-601-9980 to speak to our licensed advisors right away, or book some time with them below.
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that helps to cover the cost of medical care if you become sick or injured while travelling. It can also protect you from financial loss if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip.
What are the different types of travel insurance?
Canadians leaving the country or their home province have the option of getting two main types of travel insurance: travel medical insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Travel medical insurance
Travel medical insurance can help to cover the cost of medical care if you become sick or injured while travelling. It can also help to cover the cost of travel if you need to be transported to a hospital in another country. This emergency medical coverage is the most common type of travel insurance. It can sometimes be referred to as travel accident insurance or travel health insurance.
Trip interruption insurance (aka trip cancellation insurance)
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance can help to reimburse you for the cost of your trip if you have to cancel due to an unforeseen circumstance. This can include illness or bad weather, or other situations that may delay or cancel your trip (lost baggage, transportation delays, etc).
Some insurance providers also sell comprehensive travel insurance policies that include both of these types of coverage.
Learn more about the difference between travel medical insurance vs. trip interruption insurance .
Why should Canadians make travel insurance part of their travel plans?
If you plan to travel outside Canada ‒ even for a single day ‒ you should buy travel health insurance before your trip or vacation.
There are a number of risks you face when travelling, and travel insurance can help protect you from financial loss in the event of an emergency. If you need medical assistance while abroad, travel insurance can help cover the cost of your medical bills and care. And if your trip is cancelled or interrupted, travel insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses.
Travel insurance is an important consideration for any trip, and it’s especially important if you’re travelling to a country with high medical costs or risks.
Where can you get travel insurance in Canada?
Canadians can obtain travel insurance for a trip away from Canada through several different avenues:
- Travel agent The travel agent through which you booked your trip may have access to travel insurance plans as well. Most travel agents deal with a single provider so they don’t typically offer the most choice of plans.
- Employee or group insurance provider Your group benefits provider may offer the ability to purchase additional travel insurance through your group plan. Again, one downside to this approach is you are unable to compare the prices and plans of different carriers.
- Credit card coverage If you booked your trip on your credit card, you may also be entitled to some insurance coverage. Check the details of the policy before your trip so that you know of any limitations to your coverage. You typically cannot buy supplementary travel insurance through this plan, as it is an added benefit of your credit card agreement. Learn more about credit card travel insurance and its limited coverage.
- Insurance broker An insurance broker (like PolicyAdvisor ) can present you with several different choices of policies, providers, and premiums so that you can choose the coverage that would best suit your trip and budget. They can also offer insight into the claims process and guide you to which company would work best for the type of vacation or travel away from Canada you plan on making.
What should travel medical insurance cover for trips outside Canada?
No matter where in the world you are travelling, there are 3 basic medical expenses your travel health insurance policy should always cover: medical evacuation from your travel destination if required, coverage for any pre-existing conditions you have, and repatriation (covering the cost of transporting your remains should you pass away during your trip).
Every travel medical insurance policy is unique, as one has many options when applying for coverage.
Most travel medical insurance policies typically cover:
- Emergency medical treatment for illness or injury
- Prescription medications
- Emergency dental treatment services
- Essential medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, slings, braces, etc.)
- X-rays and other diagnostic laboratory procedures (bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc.)
- Required ground, air or sea ambulance services
- Follow-up post-medical appointments with health care providers
- Medical evacuation
- Ambulance travel to the nearest hospital
- Meal expenses and accommodations while waiting for medical care
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most travel medical insurance policies do not cover a pre-existing medical condition by default. One should always check the wording on their policy to see if a pre-existing medical condition may or may not be covered during trips outside of Canada.
In some cases, if you have shown no symptoms or diagnosis of a pre-existing medical condition for 180 days prior to the effective date of the policy and have not had treatment for the condition during that time, it will not be considered a pre-existing condition during your coverage period.
Some conditions may get excluded from your travel medical insurance coverage during the underwriting process. A pre-existing condition exclusion could include:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
They can also include relatively mild conditions for which you have taken prescription medication such as:
- sleep apnea
- anxiety and/or depression
- bipolar disorder
- other mental health conditions
Insurance providers will look at the specific state of your illness or condition to evaluate the risk associated with the pre-existing condition. They then make their decision accordingly for your travel insurance plan.
Some providers offer policies that will cover pre-existing conditions, though the premium will be higher to compensate for the added risk.
One should request an explanation of the limitations and restrictions on any pre-existing medical condition, tests, and treatments they may have had.
How do I ensure I keep my universal public health insurance if I am taking a trip outside of Canada?
Depending on the length of your trip and the province or territory you call home, a long absence from Canada can result in your universal public health coverage lapsing.
For instance, for Ontario residents, if one plans to be outside Canada for more than 6 months, your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) can lapse and you won’t regain your coverage until after you’ve spent several consecutive months in Ontario.
To ensure one retains OHIP status, they need to:
- Have a valid health card
- Make Ontario your primary residence
- Be physically in the province of Ontario for 153 days a year in the two years preceding your time away from Canada
The rules for medical plans in Canada’s other provinces and territories differ slightly but are generally the same. Check with your region’s territorial health authority to see what rules you need to follow to retain your provincial or territorial health plan status before you leave for your trip.
At PolicyAdvisor, we partner with the country’s best travel insurance providers to present you with the most choice and best option for your insurance needs. Whether you are vacationing abroad or sponsoring a super visa application for a loved one, we’re here to help guide you to the best provider.
Some of the best travel insurance companies in Canada include:
- Up to $10,000,000 CAD in coverage up to age 85+
- Several different plans for trips outside Canada or lower-cost options for trips within the country
- Robust options for multi-trip plan policies
- Can include Emergency Medical Insurance, Baggage Loss, Damage & Delay, Flight Accidents and Travel Accidents, and added discounts for a travel companion
- A Canadian travel insurance brand managed by iA Financial Group
- Does not require medical underwriting until age 60
- Offers Emergency Medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Non-Medical Packages, All-Inclusive Holiday Packages, and more options within those categories
Group Medical Services (GMS)
- Offers up to $5,000,000 CAD in coverage and up to $500,000 for COVID-related emergency medical expenses
- 24/7 worldwide support available in several different languages.
- Direct payments: GMS can directly pay service providers instead of you paying out of pocket
- Virtual medical services available for minor emergencies that don’t require in-person care
Allianz Global Assistance
- Allianz Global Assistance is one of the world’s largest travel insurers
- Largest network of global medical providers
- Can help you navigate healthcare options in several different geographic locations
- Offers up to $10,000,000 CAD in coverage
MSH International
- Canuck Voyage travel plan offers up to $7,000,000 CAD in coverage up to the age of 79
- Different plan options for visiting the US, international destinations, and within Canada
- Discounts for travel companion
- Partial refunds possible if you decide to voluntarily cut your trip short
Destination Canada
- Annual, Multi-Trip, and Daily Rated Plans available
- Up to $5,000,000 CAD in coverage up to the age of 74
- Accommodates return of vehicle for trips taken over Canada’s land borders.
Besides vacationers leaving Canada for trips abroad, some specific groups also require travel insurance.
Students attending school outside the country may need the protection of a travel medical insurance policy. Many colleges and universities (and student unions) provide access to extended medical care through their group benefit plans. However, this coverage is sometimes only in effect during the school year or fails to offer the same protection as an independently owned policy you can secure before leaving Canada. Learn more about travel insurance for students .
Amateur athletes leaving Canada for competitions or training should also secure an independent medical plan for the duration of their trip. Learn more about travel insurance for athletes .
Snowbirds are typically retired Canadians who spent the cold winter months abroad, or at the very least outside their home province. They should also ensure they have financial protection secured for the duration of their trip given the higher risk for medical emergencies at their age. Learn more about travel insurance for snowbirds .
Do I need travel insurance coverage for trips inside Canada?
As government health insurance plans vary among the provinces and may not provide emergency return home benefits, you should consider travel accident insurance for trips both inside and outside of Canada.
Provincial and territorial health insurance plans may have limits on the reimbursement of the medical emergency expenses incurred while in another province. For example, ambulance services, emergency dental treatments, and prescription drugs might not always be covered by insurance plans outside your province of residence, so you may need to pay out of pocket for these services.
To protect yourself from any unexpected medical emergency, illnesses, or injuries, you should always buy additional health insurance coverage for emergency medical even when you’re travelling within Canada.
What is the average cost of travel insurance in Canada?
The cost of travel insurance is determined by many variable factors including the type of insurance you purchase, your age, the duration of the trip, and the amount of coverage you are getting. A rule of thumb is travel insurance should typically cost 5% of your trip. Of course, these costs can elevate for extended stays outside of Canada, such as a long vacation, or if you are studying abroad or working for an extended period in another country.
Another way to save money on travel insurance is to purchase policies together if you have a travel companion. Some providers offer a 5% discount on policies purchased in tandem and even offer a family policy if you are travelling with your family as a group.
Can Canadians get travel insurance coverage for trips to the USA?
Yes, trips to the United States of America are one of the most common reasons Canadians purchase travel insurance. If you’re planning a trip to the US, travel insurance is a good idea. While the country has excellent medical facilities, travel medical insurance can help cover the cost of an unexpected medical emergency.
Some of the reasons to consider travel insurance to the USA are:
- The elevated costs of emergency medical coverage and procedures
- The high costs of prescription drugs
- There are no reciprocal agreements for healthcare between the USA and Canada, so your provincial government health insurance plan will not be accepted
- The cost of accommodations in major US vacation destinations. You or your travelling companions may need to spend time at your destination recovering before you are ready to travel home
Can I get travel insurance after I have left Canada?
Yes, it is definitely possible to find travel insurance options once you’ve left Canada. However, there may be exclusions on your plan.
Policies purchased after the start of a trip generally won’t take effect until 48 hours after you buy them. The waiting period is designed to prevent someone from purchasing and utilizing a policy after they have been injured or hospitalized with an illness.
Does travel insurance include COVID-19 coverage?
Most travel insurance policies cover aspects of medical emergencies and setbacks that may arise if you contract COVID-19 during your trip. This can include the cost of quarantining after contracting the virus or the cost of cancelling a trip because one has contracted COVID.
With that in mind, each policy is different and you should examine your policy documents before you make any assumptions about the virus’ effect on the trip that you are covered for.
Read more about travel insurance and COVID-19 .
Should I buy an individual policy for each trip I have planned or an annual travel policy?
If you travel outside of Canada often (more than twice per year) it may be worthwhile to purchase an annual travel policy. Many of the providers we partner with offer annual options for their travel medical insurance policies that grant policies for unlimited trips during the coverage time period.
This can help you in two ways:
- You save money on premiums
- You eliminate the need to arrange separate insurance policies for each trip you take or each leg of a multi-trip journey
Speak with our advisors to see if an annual travel insurance policy makes sense for your plans.
Read more about annual multi-trip travel insurance .
Can a travel advisory affect my travel insurance?
Typically, travelling from Canada to a destination that has a travel advisory will not be covered by travel insurance if the advisory is in place before you depart. If an advisory is placed by Health Canada or other governmental departments after you’ve arrived at your destination, your coverage will be intact.
- There are two types of travel coverage: travel medical and trip interruption/cancellation
- Travel medical insurance is considered more crucial as medical bills and expenses in a foreigh country can grow substantially during an emergency while you are abroad
- There are several comprehensive options for travel coverage from some of the biggest insurance providers in Canada
Find this informative? Share it with someone you care about.
The information above is intended for informational purposes only and is based on PolicyAdvisor’s own views, which are subject to change without notice. This content is not intended and should not be construed to constitute financial or legal advice. PolicyAdvisor accepts no responsibility for the outcome of people choosing to act on the information contained on this website. PolicyAdvisor makes every effort to include updated, accurate information. The above content may not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, termination, and other provisions of the policies described, some of which may be material to the policy selection. Please refer to the actual policy documents for complete details. In case of any discrepancy, the language in the actual policy documents will prevail. All rights reserved.
If something in this article needs to be corrected, updated, or removed, let us know. Email [email protected] .
Want more like this in your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter.
© PolicyAdvisor Brokerage (PAB) Inc., is an insurance brokerage licensed to sell life insurance products in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Not available in other provinces. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance company. Issuance of coverage is subject to underwriting by the respective insurance company. Please see policy documents for full terms, conditions, and exclusions. The logos and trademarks used here are owned by the respective entities. Refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service sections for additional information.
Language selection
- Français fr
Travel Health Checklist: Preparing to travel outside of Canada
Download in PDF format (525 KB, 1 pages)
Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Date published: October 18, 2024 Pub.: 240492
On this page
Research your destination, health care, items to pack, emergency contacts, planning your travel abroad.
- Check the health, safety and security risks for your destination(s) on the page for travel advice and advisories by destination .
- Make a list of healthcare facilities or providers at your destination(s), in case you need their services while you're there.
- Visit a healthcare provider or travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before travel.
- Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
- Ask about recommended travel vaccinations or medications specific to your destination(s).
- Check that any medication you take with you is legal in your destination(s) and that you have enough to last beyond your intended stay, in case of delays.
- Keep all medications in their original, labelled containers.
- Purchase travel health insurance, if you don't already have it.
- Make sure you choose insurance that covers your needs and read the fine print.
- Get more information on trip interruption and travel health insurance .
- Light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester for protection from insects and the sun, if required.
- Approved insect repellent.
- Sunscreen to protect against UV rays.
- A travel health kit with basic first aid supplies, medications and an emergency contact card.
- Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate in your destination country and for the Global Affairs Canada 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
- Get more information on assistance outside Canada .
- Sign up for Government of Canada's free Registration of Canadians Abroad service .
- This allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.
- Visit the travel and tourism page .
- Visit a health care provider.
- Purchase travel health insurance.
- Pack a travel health kit.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Learn why you need travel insurance for trips to Canada and what to look for in a policy. Compare plans and prices for trip cancellation, delay, interruption, medical and baggage coverage.
The best travel insurance for Canada will also cover costs associated with trip cancellation, delay and interruption. ... Travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is critical if ...
Blue Cross offers comprehensive emergency travel coverage for Canadians travelling out of province or abroad. Find the right plan for your needs and budget, and enjoy the confidence and peace of mind with Canada's #1 travel insurance provider.
Learn how to get travel insurance for Canada with AXA, including medical, trip cancellation, and COVID-19 coverage. Compare plans, prices, and benefits for your trip to Canada.
InsureMyTrip helps you find the right travel insurance policy for your trip, whether you are a Canadian travelling within or abroad, or a visitor to Canada. Compare plans from top providers, get live agent support, and read reviews from verified shoppers.
If you do experience an unexpected emergency while travelling, we are here to help. During your trip, you can call our Medi-Assist service to determine your level of coverage and receive help:. In Canada or the U.S., call toll-free: 1-888-699-9333 Outside of Canada or the U.S. or where toll-free is unavailable, please call collect to 1-604-419-4487 and we will pay for the call.
Compare the features, benefits and costs of different travel insurance providers in Canada for various types of travellers and trips. Find out which company offers the best coverage for adventure ...
Visitors to Canada travel insurance is highly recommended to prevent you from paying out-of-pocket for expensive health care services in case of a health emergency. Purchasing visitors to Canada travel insurance is mandatory if you are applying for super visa for parents and grandparents.
Learn why you should buy travel insurance when travelling within Canada, even if you have provincial health insurance. Find out what services are not covered by your GHIP and what travel insurance ...
Allianz Global Assistance offers travel insurance plans for Canadian residents and visitors to Canada. Compare plans, get a quote, and buy online with 24/7 assistance and global network.
Compare and choose from the top 5 travel health insurance providers in Canada, including soNomad, Allianz, Manulife, CAA, and RBC. Learn about their coverage, rates, features, and benefits for your trip.
Manulife offers travel insurance plans for Canadian residents, visitors to Canada and students. Whether you need emergency medical, trip cancellation or interruption coverage, you can get a quote and apply online or by phone.
Find the right travel insurance solution for your trip, whether you're visiting Canada or travelling abroad. Learn why travel insurance is important and how to get a quote online or from a financial representative.
Based upon our sample quotes from several insurance websites, the median price of travel insurance for Canada tends to average about $10 USD per day. However, visitor insurance cost in Canada varies greatly depending on factors such as the insurance company, your age, visit duration, and even on whether you have existing medical conditions.
Learn why travel insurance is recommended for visitors to Canada and how to find the best plan for your needs. Compare quotes from different providers and get tips on money, safety, and transportation in Canada.
Travelex offers two comprehensive plans for international trips, including Canada, with benefits like emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, and 24/7 assistance. Learn how to choose the best plan for your Canada vacation and get a quote online.
Learn how to choose the best travel insurance for your trip, whether you need medical, trip cancellation, baggage or car rental coverage. Compare different providers, plans and prices with Skyscanner's tips and tools.
Get flexible and affordable travel insurance from BC's health experts, covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, baggage and more. Choose from Emergency Medical, Trip Protection or Visitors to Canada plans, and enjoy free coverage for kids and members' discounts.
In this guide, we break down the differences between travel insurance for Canada and health insurance for Canada. Skip to content Answer this 5-minute survey & get a chance to win a $100 CAD gift card.
Learn why you should buy trip interruption and travel health insurance before you travel outside Canada and how to choose the best policy for your needs. Find out what your insurance should cover, how to make a claim and what to do if you encounter a medical emergency abroad.
Canada travel insurance comes in two different types - trip insurance and travel medical insurance. While travel medical insurance is designed to offer coverage for medical expenses for emergency health situations, trip insurance can offer vital trip-related protection such as trip cancellation and interruption.
Learn why travel insurance is recommended for trips outside Canada and how to compare plans and providers. Find out what travel medical and trip interruption insurance cover, how to get coverage for pre-existing conditions, and how to save money on travel insurance.
VisitorsCoverage: Best Medical Coverage. Among the internet's best-known insurance platforms, VisitorsCoverage is a pioneering Silicon Valley insurtech company that offers comprehensive medical coverage for travellers going abroad to Canada. It lets you choose between various plans tailored to meet the specific needs of your trip to Canada, including coverage for medical emergencies, trip ...
Check the health, safety and security risks for your destination(s) on the page for travel advice and advisories by destination. Make a list of healthcare facilities or providers at your destination(s), in case you need their services while you're there. Health care. Visit a healthcare provider or travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before ...
Compare life insurance costs across Canada's best insurance companies. Save up to 20% and get $10,000 in free coverage per child. Get coverage up to $5 million with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. An extra 10% discount for couples in the first year. 30-day grace period if you miss a payment & you can cancel anytime.