cheap travel insurance canada reddit

• Best overall
• Best for trip cancellation
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for reputation
• Why you should trust us

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of June 2024

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In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plans

• Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for trip cancellation:  Aegis General Travel Insurance
• Best for medical-only coverage:  GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

How we rate the best cheap travel insurance »

Compare the Best Cheap Travel Insurance

The best travel insurance meets your needs at a price you're willing to pay. Sometimes, you're just not willing to pay that much. The following companies offer decent coverage for low prices. To determine which companies made this list, we compared quotes across the travel insurance industry for the same trip, making a note of which companies offered particularly good coverage in certain areas and which companies were well reviewed.

Here are the best affordable travel insurance companies picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best overall: HTH Worldwide

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

The HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Economy plan offers the most comprehensive coverage across major categories of all the providers in this guide.

You'll have some peace of mind with up to $75,000 of financial protection for eligible medical emergencies, and up to $500,000 per person for medical evacuation costs. For more everyday expenses, you can also relax with baggage loss and delay, trip interruption, cancellation and delay coverage that will help you recoup many, if not all, of your costs.

However, this plan falls short on missed connection benefits and accidental death coverage, both of which are not available under most circumstances (missed connection coverage only applies to cruises, and will only cover up to $500 per person after a three-hour delay).

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip cancellation: Aegis General Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a CFAR upgrade add-on on certain plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comprehensive insurance plans include generous coverage for baggage loss, plus protection from hurricane and other intense weather-related issues
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive pricing
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Online complaints about claims not being paid and non-responsiveness
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all more expensive plans include CFAR coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Dropping rating with AM Best
• Annual and multi-trip plans available
• All plans include pandemic coverage for COVID-19
• Coverage for weather-related delays, cancellations and other incidents

The Aegis General Travel Insurance Trip Cancellation Plan is exactly that: a cost-effective plan that offers protection in the event that your trip is canceled for a covered reason. The plan we priced out for our hypothetical trip cost just 1.16% of our total travel expenses — a very small amount of money to pay for the guarantee of our money back in the right circumstances.

The benefit is that this plan can supplement other coverage you already have, or give you a little bit of protection for a trip where you might not otherwise have opted for insurance altogether. On the downside, you won't get any protection for medical emergencies, trip interruption or delays or lost bags from this plan.

Read our Aegis Travel Insurance review here.

Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

GeoBlue Travel Insurance is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance. Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums. A 30-year-old from California would pay as low as $20.55 for a policy that covers a two-week trip. 

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs.

Read our GeoBlue travel insurance review here.

Best value: Nationwide

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a well-rounded alternative to HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Economy. This plan offers solid protection for both travel-related snafus as well as situations that might call for emergency medical and evacuation, making it a good choice for trips where you have cause to worry about potential interruptions or delays. However, it does not offer protection for missed connections or accidental death.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here

Best for reputation: Trawick

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

The Trawick International Travel Insurance Safe Travels Explorer plan has been purchased by more than 36,000 travelers since 2020, and it has great reviews to boot. And no wonder: Trawick offers generous trip delay coverage of up to $2,000 per person, although hopefully you won't need to reach that reimbursement amount because the daily limit is $150.

You'll also be able to rely on a $200 reimbursement per person for lost baggage - one of the higher amounts amongst these affordable plans, although this amount pales in comparison to the baggage loss coverage offered through the best travel credit cards .

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

This type of insurance offers extensive protection, covering everything from medical issues to trip cancellations. While it's more expensive up front, it can save you a lot in the long run.

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on medical emergencies, dropping trip cancellation coverage and travel inconvenience coverage. It's a cost-effective option for travelers who are primarily concerned about health-related expenses.

Evacuation and Repatriation

In extreme cases where you need to be evacuated due to a medical emergency or a natural disaster, this coverage ensures that you can return home safely without incurring huge costs.

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

Cheap travel insurance can significantly reduce your travel expenses, ensuring that you're not overpaying for coverage you might not need.

Adequate Coverage for Less

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's lacking. Many affordable policies offer substantial coverage, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

No single travel insurance plan will meet the needs of every single traveler. By nature, we are diverse and evolving meaning travel insurance should be equally so. Travel insurance for a week-long trip to a big city shouldn't be the same as the coverage for a backpacking expedition in the mountains. A splurge to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage may also be worth it for international ventures or other large expenditures.

In most cases, the cost difference between a basic and comprehensive travel insurance plan isn't as significant as you might think. Regardless, it's generally a good idea to choose a trusted travel insurance provider known for exceptional customer service and coverage. (For this roundup, we looked at traveler reviews shared through the travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth .)

• Assessing Your Travel Needs: Consider the nature of your trip, the destination, and your own personal needs when choosing a policy. This ensures that you're not over-insured or underinsured.
• Comparing Different Policies: Don't settle for the first policy you find. Compare different options, looking at their coverage and prices, to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
• Reading the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what's covered, what's not, and the process for making a claim.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Cheap Travel Insurance

To determine the best insurance plan for travelers on a budget, we evaluated dozens of products using a hypothetical trip to Australia for a single traveler, age 26, with a total cost of $2,500 for flight, hotel and other incidentals. We then compiled the plans that covered the essentials at the lowest costs.

Of note: All of these plans include COVID-related medical coverage and 24-hour assistance, and pay at least 100% of your trip cost for eligible trip cancellations. None include rental car coverage.

The four winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the average cost of comprehensive travel insurance , which can range between 4%-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or " cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection . So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

Each of the plans in this list include 24-hour assistance worldwide from reputable insurance providers. And despite being on the lower end of insurance plans, each of these options includes refunds for up to 100% of your total trip cost for eligible reasons. Each of these plans also includes medical coverage for COVID-related issues that may arise during your travels, which may come in handy as the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide.

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

The cheapest travel insurance plan will rarely cover every scenario that could go awry on your trip. However, each of these plans can at least help you get your money back in the event that your travel is canceled for an eligible reason, and most of them include travel medical insurance if you incur emergency medical bills while traveling. We also factor in what travelers are most concerned about now. 

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance FAQs

You can reduce the cost of travel insurance by opting for simpler coverage or choosing higher deductibles on travel medical insurance. You can also consider annual travel insurance , which will save you money in the long run if you take multiple trips over one year.

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs. You can find our guide on the best international travel insurance here.

Travel insurance is relatively cheap because it only covers you for a set period of time, and depending on your plan, the level of coverage you get may not be particularly high. However, even with high coverage limits and extras like cancel for any reason coverage , travel insurance is relatively affordable. 

The average cost of travel insurance is 4%-8% of your trip's cost. This usually translates into a premium between $89 to $399. That said, many companies offer premiums far below average costs.

If you just want trip cancellation protection, go with the Aegis Trip Cancellation plan. For more robust coverage that won't break the bank, consider HTH Worldwide's TripProtector Economy, Trawick's Safe Travels Explorer, or Nationwide's Essentials plan.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

We're all looking forward to traveling again, or some of you might already be traveling now for work. We all know how important it is to get travel insurance, and especially now that we've been through a pandemic. If you are leaving the country then getting extra protection is smart, and some countries even require you to have travel insurance before entering.

Booking your vacation probably took some preparation; you probably took a lot of time looking up great flights, reviewing the best hotels, restaurants, and experiences. And now you want to find the best travel insurance for your trip! The right travel insurance can protect you at every point during your holiday. We specialize in providing Canadians with a fast and easy online process.  We can help you find just the right fit for your situation through our multiple carriers, talk to a Surex Advisor today.

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Travel Insurance FAQs

Is getting travel insurance a good idea.

Travel insurance helps protect against the unexpected. A primary incentive to get travel insurance can be for emergency medical assistance. Without these benefits, you can easily spend over $5,000+ out-of-pocket for treatment and transportation expenses if something were to happen when you were out of the country.

Travel insurance can cover disruptions to your trip that may end up costing you a small fortune such as delayed flights, or an emergency trip home. You could lose the money you've already paid for the trip, and would have the added costs of paying for new bookings that having insurance could help with. It is even highly recommended if you go across the border for the weekend or even one day.

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance (typically) will not cover you if try to make a claim resulting from a sport or activity that isn't covered by your policy. This can apply to cover for injuries and illness (medical), as well as equipment loss/damage and any personal financial losses. Make sure you go over your policy especially if you plan on doing some excursions or other outdoor activities that you think the insurance coverage might be questionable on.

How do I choose travel insurance?

• Never buy from a travel agent, tour operator or airline speak to a licensed insurance advisor - like us! 
• Decide on the cover you need before shopping around and we can help you determine what you need.
• Be sensible about the excess.
• Check what is already covered by your home insurance policy or bank.
• Choose annual cover if you travel more than three times a year, as this is typically less expensive.

Do I need travel insurance when I travel within Canada, between provinces?

Yes, it is always recommended to get extra travel insurance. Provincial government health plans recommend additional travel insurance for out-of-province expenses they don't cover. You might be covered for some of the same services, but most likely not all of them . And, as a precaution, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Canadian provinces and territories have an agreement where the "host" province foots the bill for any necessary medical health care services and then gets reimbursed by the home province later - except in Quebec. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't get your own extra travel insurance, because depending on where you are, some services are simply not covered at all. Such services as: ambulance, hospital transfer, prescription drugs, transportation back to your home province and procedures not approved by your healthcare plan at home may not be covered. So, to be safe, it is recommended that you buy extra travel insurance even traveling within Canada because you just never know!

What factors can affect your travel insurance?

There are four important factors that can contribute to increasing your travel insurance premium. They include your age and health, the destination and length of your trip.

What does travel insurance typically cover?

Like home and auto insurance, every insurance policy is different and what's covered depends on the product and how much insurance you want to buy. Here is what medical services would typically be included:

• Emergency hospital and medical costs
• Ambulance and air ambulance costs
• Outpatient services
• Physician and laboratory costs
• Prescription drugs
• Direct payment to the hospitals, whenever possible
• Assistance with bringing a family member to your bedside
• Return of your vehicle if you are ill and have to come home

These additional benefits may be included, but its best to check with your provider first, otherwise, it could be extra and not included:

• Trip cancellation for non-refundable monetary losses
• Trip interruption/disruption
• Baggage loss, rental car damage, out-of-pocket expenses
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Car rental insurance

How much coverage do I need?

Everyone is different and each policy is too, which is why it's important to know what you have coverage for. This will help you to avoid large expenses such as hospitalization and medical treatments needed outside of Canada. Here are some things you can check to see if your coverage includes, or has provisions for:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation in case of death
• Adventurous and Extreme Activities: this is a tricky one as you may need to get more comprehensive coverage if you plan on taking part in high-risk activities while on your trip. Many policies don't cover "risky" activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, mountaineering or rodeo activities. It's best to check with your insurance provider if you plan to do any of these things.

So, it all depends on what you are traveling for and what you plan to do that would determine the amount of coverage you need. Talk to a Surex insurance advisor who can help you choose what is right for you and make you sleep easier at night knowing you are covered while away from home.

Where can I get travel insurance?

There are many different insurance providers and some are better for certain things, such as CAA being a good choice for families, or Blue Cross is good for seniors and retirees. You can generally go to your bank, CAA, Blue Cross or your credit card may offer travel insurance. Contact a Surex insurance advisor, we also offer travel insurance, so if you are already a client we can look into bundling it with your other services to save you more money.

You can buy travel insurance through your:

• travel agent
• insurance broker
• employer’s insurance provider
• credit card company

Is travel insurance on your credit card a good idea?

It's always a good idea to carry a credit card in your wallet for emergencies and most credit cards in Canada have some form of basic travel insurance coverage but it most likely won't be enough if anything were to happen. Different credit cards vary in what they cover, so you'd have to inquire about what they offer. It may only be for trip cancelation/disruption or lost luggage. That being said, it's best to get separate insurance for all your travel insurance needs (mostly coverage that includes medical because again, it's highly unlikely that your credit card has any sort of medical travel insurance coverage) and keep your credit card insurance as extra bonus. It's advised to not rely solely on your credit card to take care of all your travel insurance needs. Talk to a Surex dedicated insurance advisor who can get you the right coverage for your next trip!

Some credit cards, for example, only offer coverage when you pay for your trip on your card, or charge a certain percentage of trip expenses to the card for them to take action and consider a claim. Always read the fine print to be sure what you are getting before you leave on your trip.

How often should I check for travel advisories?

It is recommended that you check the trace advisories website at least twice - when you are planning your trip and just before you go. But, if you have booked a long way in advance, it is always good to check again in between for any changes! (for example, if you booked 12-months in advance check every few months as well). Your insurance company will not pay for any medical claims if the government has issued a travel advisory for your destination.

COVID-19 and travel insurance, what should I know?

If you have to travel abroad during the pandemic, it is best to check with your insurance provider to go over your coverage as many rules and regulations have changed to reflect the Covid-19 situation that we are facing right now. Things will continuously change and be edited, so make sure to stay current with the travel regulations on an ongoing basis while you travel during this time. Here are some items you can go over and check off your list:

• Make sure you are covered for Covid-19 related medical expenses (as well as other non-covid-19 emergency-related expenses.
• Trip interruptions
• Find out if you are covered for the entire length of the trip, that there are no limitations after departure (could have extended costs)
• Find out if you are covered for any quarantine costs if you happen to get infected with the virus while on your trip
• Find out if you are covered for extended stays outside of Canada - if something were to happen and you couldn't leave at your original date

*And always be aware at this unstable time that there are limited flights should you need to return to Canada for medical care.

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Best travel insurance in Canada

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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.

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.

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11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in June 2024

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

If you don't have sufficient travel insurance coverage via your credit card , you can supplement your policies with third-party plans.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers.

Top credit cards with travel insurance

Methodology

Best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
• Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
• Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
• Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
• Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at nearly all plan levels. 

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

• Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
• Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
• Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
• Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

World Nomads

• Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
• The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
• Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
• No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
• No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

Seven Corners

• Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
• Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
• Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

» Jump to the best cards with travel insurance

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Offers direct billing.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

• In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
• Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
• Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
• Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

• Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
• Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
• Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

HTH Travel Insurance

• Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
• Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
• A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
• No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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The country’s leading travel insurance broker

Canadians are choosing PolicyAdvisor to help them with all their travel insurance needs. Whether vacationing abroad or visiting Canada temporarily, our advisors can help you find the right coverage.

Travelling Canadians

Cover unexpected medical expenses when you travel abroad

Visitors to Canada

Comprehensive emergency medical coverage for a visit to Canada

Super Visa Insurance

Coverage that fits the requirements for those applying for a Canadian super visa

Cover your time away as you escape from Canada's winter

International Students

Coverage for international students attending school in Canada or Canadians studying abroad

Foreign Workers

Coverage for those working in Canada before they are eligible for provincial health plans

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What is travel insurance?

There are two main types of travel insurance: travel medical insurance and trip cancellation/interruption 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 is the most common type of travel insurance.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance can help to reimburse you for the cost of your trip if you have to cancel due to an unforeseen circumstance, such as illness or bad weather, or other situations that may delay or cancel your trip (lost baggage, transportation delays, etc).

If you are planning a trip from your home in Canada, or planning on travelling to Canada, it is important to ensure you have travel insurance before you depart. This will help to protect you from unexpected costs if something goes wrong on your trip and give you peace of mind such accidents or delays will not be a financial burden.

Learn more about travel insurance

Call 1-888-601-9980 to speak to our licensed advisors right away, or book some time with them.

Who needs travel insurance?

There is a wide array of insurance needs for both those visiting Canada, and travelling away from it. They include:

Inbound travellers

• Visiting Canada from another country
• Super visa applicants
• International students studying in Canada
• Foreign workers or work permit holders working in Canada
• Amateur athletes competing in Canada

Outbound travellers

• Snowbirds (seniors vacationing away from Canada for the winter)
• Canadians vacationing abroad

What are the different types of travel insurance available in Canada?

Depending on where you call home, and the reason and length of your travel, there are several different kinds of travel insurance available.

Residents of Canada need travel insurance for trips abroad. While you public healthcare or group health insurance covers medical emergencies at home, an accident or medical emergency while you are out of country can be very costly.

Those visiting Canada from outside the country also need travel medical insurance. While Canada does have a robust public healthcare system, these services do not extend to non-residents of the country. If you are ill or injured during your trip to Canada, you will be responsible for the costs of doctor's visits, emergency care, prescription, and more.

Super visa insurance

Parents and grandparents or Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a special Canadian visa called the super visa. This visa allows them to enjoy an extended stay in Canada for as long as 2 years. A mandatory stipulation of super visa approval is holding a medical insurance policy to cover and illnesses or accidents that can occur during this trip. Super visa insurance is a widely available insurance policy that caters to the specific needs and requirements for super visa eligibility.

Snowbirds are retired Canadians who spend the winter season abroad to avoid Canada’s colder months. As a snowbird, it’s important to make sure you have the right travel insurance in place before you head south for the winter, as you will not qualify for public health insurance at your destination.

International students often need emergency health insurance wherever they choose to complete their studies. This includes both Canadians studying abroad and students completing their education in Canada. Emergency travel medical insurance ensures one can focus on their studies knowing they won’t have to deal with an unforeseen medical bill.

Foreign workers visiting Canada for temporary or permanent employment will not have immediate access to public health care. Travel medical insurance will cover you if you get sick or injured while working in Canada.

25 Companies, 20,000 Options, 1 Way to Compare and Save

Who offers the best travel insurance in Canada?

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, visiting Canada for an extended trip, or sponsoring a super visa application for a loved one, we’re here to help guide you to best provider.

Some of our partners include:

• Tugo (iA Financial Group)
• Group Medical Services (GMS)
• 21st Century Travel Insurance Limited
• Destination Canada

Get instant quotes from Canada’s top travel insurance companies

Why should you buy travel insurance?

Whether for a vacation abroad or a visit to Canada, travel medical and health insurance is very important.

For Canadian travelling abroad

• Canadian public health care or your provincial health insurance plan may not cover medical expenses while you are outside Canada
• Your work or group benefits health plan may not cover, or only cover a portion, of the costs of your medical bills abroad
• Foreign medical facilities are generally expensive and often require immediate payment
• Some hospitals and clinics in foreign countries will refuse treatment if you do not have enough insurance coverage or funds to pay for your treatment

For those visiting Canada

• You are not covered under any of Canada's public healthcare plans
• Treatment for medical emergencies and prescriptions may require cash payments
• Your home country's public health care offering generally does not cover trips abroad
• Travel medical insurance can cover a broad range of potential situations, including emergency room visits, transportation back to your home country, and prescription drug and dental costs

Frequently asked questions

How much does travel insurance cost?

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 increase for extended stays like super visa insurance , insurance for snowbirds, and insurance for students or foreign workers.

Can't I just use credit card travel insurance?

While knowing there is a built-in insurance component to your credit card provides great peace of mind, it sometimes falls short of comprehensive travel coverage. Insurance from credit cards usually has a cap on the amount of coverage it provides and is not intended to cover you for medical emergencies that may occur on an extended trip. Moreover, credit card travel insurance is also limited in that its coverage typically only extends to those parts of your trip you paid for using that credit card.

An independently purchased travel insurance policy ensures you are covered for your entire trip and whatever may happen during its duration.

Does travel insurance cover pre existing conditions?

Most travel medical insurance policies do not cover a pre-existing medical condition by default.

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.

As well, some conditions may get excluded from your travel medical insurance coverage during the underwriting process. A pre-existing condition exclusion could include a heart condition, kidney condition, form of dementia,

Lastly, some providers offer policies that will cover pre-existing conditions, though the premium will be higher to compensate for the added risk.

Can you get a refund for travel insurance?

You can typically get a refund for a travel insurance policy as long as you cancel the coverage before the departure date of your trip.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

Most travel insurance is not mandatory, though encouraged as foreign medical expenses can add up quickly. Without travel medical insurance you are personally responsible for any medical expenses you incur during your time away from your home country.

Some travel insurance policies are mandatory. For instance, super visa insurance is mandatory for super visa applicants to get approved for their policy, and an in-force policy is compulsory for the duration of your stay in Canada using the super visa.

Does provincial healthcare cover you when travelling abroad?

No, a public healthcare plan from your province or territory does not cover medical emergencies that happen outside of Canada. Much like how Canada’s public healthcare does not cover those who do not reside in Canada, the healthcare in countries outside of Canada has no reciprocal agreement to treat travelers. Canadians are expected to pay out of pocket for any health or medical procedures they need when outside of Canada.

Thus, it is important to have an in-force travel medical insurance policy when travelling outside of Canada and your home province.

Can I get travel insurance after I have left Canada?

Yes, it is possible to get some coverage, though there will most likely be exclusions on your policy. Many providers in Canada or abroad will offer you emergency medical travel insurance if you have already left Canada but wish to purchase coverage.

However, the policy generally will not be active until 48 hours after you purchase the coverage. This waiting period is designed to prevent someone from acquiring a policy after they have been injured or hospitalized with an illness.

Should I buy an individual policy for each trip I have planned or an annual travel policy?

If you travel abroad often (more than twice per year) it may be worthwhile to purchase an annual travel policy. Many providers offer annual options for their travel medical insurance policies, which can save you money on premiums and eliminate the need to arrange separate insurance policies for each trip you take or each leg of a multi-trip journey. Many Canadians travel during winters to warmer climates ( snowbirds ), it is advisable to buy multi-trip / annual travel insurance for such needs. Speak with our advisors to see if an annual travel insurance policy makes sense for your plans.

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Travel Insurance in Canada

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SecuriGlobe

• Emergency medical travel insurance
• Travel insurance for visitors to Canada
• All-inclusive travel insurance

SecuriGlobe is one of the largest travel insurance brokers in Canada. We work in partnership with a network of more than 1,000 active partners across Canada and represent a variety of recognized insurers.

With a wide variety of travel insurance products, you can customize the type of coverage you need for your peace of mind. Select from plans for young and old, within Canada and abroad, and for Canadians and international visitors.

• COVID-19 coverage available
• Family plans covers children for free

When it comes to travel insurance Blue Cross has a wide range of plans available. You can purchase emergency medical insurance and trip interruption individually or combine both coverages into on policy.

Blue Cross travel offers insurance plans for emergency medical coverage, trip interruption or cancellation, and coverage plans for visitors to Canada. Only Blue Cross covers kids of all families for free when you buy travel medical insurance(Family Plan).

• Multi-trip coverage available
• Family and student coverage available
• Get cover for travellers of any age

Manulife is a great option for those looking for affordable travel insurance. You can get special offers depending on your situation: Canadians travelling domestically, Canadians going abroad, or visitors and students.

Manulife is one of Canada's largest insurance providers. Their travel insurance plans are flexible offering various levels of coverage. All-inclusive plans cover most major travel risks including emergency medical care, cancellations, and lost luggage.

Green Shield Canada

• Take unlimited trips on the same plan

Green Shield Canada (GSC) is a health benefits provider in Canada offering health and dental coverage at affordable prices. If you have one of their health plans, you can get optional emergency medical travel insurance.

With your Green Shield Canada (GSC) emergency medical travel insurance you'll receive cover up to $5,000,000 per incident, per eligible participant with no deductible or co-pay needed. Get covered in the event of unexpected injuries or illnesses that require immediate medical attention while travelling.

• Several disounts options available
• Competitive insurance premiums

Tour+Med is a travel insurance product dedicated to Canadians of all ages. They offer discounts for several cases, such as Loyalty, for purchasing for two travelers at once, and even for buying your insurance early!

To make your policy more affordable, Tour+Med let's you pick what you need and leave what you don't. You can add a COVID-19 rider, or optional exclusions onto your policy to make it suit your needs.

Here’s how it works

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Access the best rates in Canada

Getting the best travel insurance deals is easier than ever with Comparewise. Simply apply for free online and get your pick of the lowest rates available on the market. Travel insurance is an important step in making sure you are prepared if something unexpected happens during your tip.

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Best Travel Insurance in Canada

There’s no better time to include travel insurance in Canada in your travel plans. Why? Not just because it saves you money and time but also protects your trip investment in the case of an emergency.

Travel insurance is an insurance plan that protects your investment on vacation. It covers expenses like lost luggage, emergency medical care while travelling, emergency evacuation, and damage to a rental car. It also covers financial losses from cancelled trips or trips cut short.

There are various types of travel insurance. It’s either purchased separately or as an addition to other travel-related purchases, such as flights.

Keep reading this article as we have gathered all the necessary information regarding travel insurance in Canada.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance, commonly referred to as trip insurance or trip protection, is a type of insurance that will compensate you if you need to postpone or cancel your trip.

Should you get sick or have an accident while travelling, it may also pay for your medical expenses if you have to pay them out of pocket.

Most travel insurance policies are sold for single-trip plans, meaning that only the events that occur within your trip’s predetermined dates are covered.

However, annual or multi-trip plans will provide coverage for you over a longer period of time, making them the best option for regular travellers.

Pros and cons of travel insurance

This section contains the benefits and drawbacks of travel insurance, so before you make any decisions, you should know them.

Pros of travel insurance

Compensation for lost items.

You’re probably going to bring some pricey accessories on vacation, such as your wallet, camera, phone, and others. Your travel insurance policy may help to defray some or all of these costs if these items are misplaced or stolen.

Guarantees peace of mind

The provision of security is the main reason for the purchase of travel insurance. The fear of what could possibly go wrong prevents you from making the most out of your trip.

You’re sure of peace of mind when you have travel insurance, even in the worst situations. You should be able to maintain your attention while travelling, whether it’s for work or family vacations, without worrying about unforeseen circumstances.

Covers medical expenses

Illnesses and accidents can set in at any point. However, there is a high risk of contracting an illness when travelling.

This is because of the weather, food, drink, and time zone changes. You should have a strong strategy in place to deal with medical issues when travelling abroad because healthcare can be rather expensive.

In addition, travel insurance will cover all of your medical expenses if you get sick or have an accident while travelling.

Cons of travel insurance

Comes with a few loopholes

There are shortcomings in every travel insurance plan. Some expenses are rejected even though they weren’t excluded. For instance, your insurer won’t pay for your fee if you twist your ankle while ascending a hill.

Since “falling from a height,” even if it only involves taking a wrong step that causes a sprain, is regarded as an exciting or sporting action, most insurers do not offer coverage for such activities.

It might be costly

The price of purchasing travel insurance is a major disadvantage. A travel insurance policy may be expensive because it covers a variety of things. However, since you might never need it, many people see it to be a waste of time and money.

As mentioned, having that peace of mind is sufficient for most people to make up for the expense. Additionally, unplanned costs like medical care for sickness and injuries could cost a lot if you don’t have insurance.

Might not cover pre-existing illnesses

Most travel insurance plans only provide coverage for unexpected medical costs incurred while travelling. Any pre-existing medical disorders you might have are not covered by them. Those that do frequently result in a significant price rise for a plan.

The best travel insurance in Canada

There are various companies in Canada that provide travel insurance. Here are a few best picks for you:

Manulife CoverMe

This is the best Canadian travel insurance for those who have an existing medical condition. It offers a robust type of travel package if you’re travelling as a family.

If you’re a student or on a visit to Canada, you also have access to these packages. With this, you’re also able to access the TravelAid mobile app, which provides local emergency phone numbers. Asides from that, it gives the direction to the closest medical facility.

A major feature is TravelEase, a unique policy made to take care of disclosed health conditions. The TravelEase feature covers many transportation and health service costs for those with pre-existing conditions. With a provision of emergency medical coverage of up to $10 million, it’s one of the best travel insurance in Canada.

Pros of Manulife CoverMe

Being one of the biggest travel insurance in Canada, Manulife offers a range of benefits to travellers, some of which include:

• Availability of multi-trips
• Options that are easy to understand
• No age restrictions
• Coverage for family and student
• Covid19 travel plan

Cons of Manulife CoverMe

Although Manulife travel insurance has some really nice benefits, there are some downsides to it also. They are:

• Hotel burglary insurance is unavailable
• Absence of 24/7 support
• There is no rental car insurance

TD insurance travel insurance

At TD Insurance, you get up to $5 million of emergency travel medical benefits. With all expenses paid, you can do nothing but feel good about your next trip. They run a 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance. Therefore, you can reach out to them if there’s an emergency during your travel.

In addition, for dependent children, travel medical coverage is added at no extra cost. This is only available on plans with the family coverage option. TD Insurance offers a number of travel plans, such as:

• Single-trip medical plans
• Multi-trip medical plans
• Multi-trip all-inclusive plans
• Trip cancellation and interruption plans.

Pros of TD travel insurance

• There is a return for pets and dependent children.
• They offer trip cancellation and interruption plans.
• It covers hospital accommodation, emergency transportation and emergency medical.

Cons of TD travel insurance

• There is no hotel burglary insurance
• There’s no coverage for flight delays or travel accidents.
• No rental car insurance.

CIBC travel insurance

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, or CIBC, is a global provider of banking and financial services.

They offer travel insurance that safeguards you and your family when you travel outside your province or internationally. Co-operators Life Insurance Company and The Sovereign General Insurance Company jointly underwrite CIBC travel insurance.

Pros of CIBC travel insurance

• It is a reputable insurance company.
• $10,000,000 worth of emergency medical coverage.
• Wide-ranging dental insurance.
• Travel assistance is available 24/7
• Quote and purchase available online

Cons of CIBC travel insurance

• Medical health questionnaire for those over 60.
• There is no distinct coverage for students or snowbirds.
• You must let the company know before getting any medical care.

Allianz travel insurance

In the travel insurance world, Allianz is a big name when it comes to Canada travel insurance. They provide a range of services such as concierge, corporate assistance, and travel insurance.

Besides this, they help provide solutions to customers with travel issues. Haven partnered with various reputable organizations; they’re an excellent choice for you when it comes to travel insurance in Canada.

Some of their partner organizations include

• Universities
• Travel agencies
• Credit card companies
• Corporations
• Event ticket brokers

Allianz insurance offers both single and multi-trip plans, while its sister company, Allianz Global Assistance, offers five different plans you can choose from. All of which provide different coverage and protection.

Its single-trip plan is great for travellers looking to leave their home for another destination(s) before returning home. On the other hand, if you take multiple trips throughout the year (personally or professionally), then the multi-trip plan works best.

Pros of Allianz travel insurance

• Single- and annual multi-trip plans are available.
• Provides coverage for you and your household even if you aren’t travelling together.
• Different types of policy that suits various needs

Cons of Allianz travel insurance

• The limit for emergency medical transportation.
• There is no coverage for extended travel time.
• Per-trip limit on some annual plans.

Medipac travel insurance

The Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion support Medipac Travel Insurance. It has up to $5 million in coverage, including COVID-19. Additionally, Medipac has the medical tools to effectively serve its clients during a medical emergency.

From the time you apply until you receive assistance, Medipac Assist offers dedicated emergency assistance lines manned by on-site medical professionals.

Medipac rates are frequently less expensive than those of other plans; its Claim-free, Loyalty, and other incentives help many customers save up to 28% annually. Plus, it is the ONLY business that provides a 5% COVID-19 vaccine discount.

Pros of Medipac travel insurance

• Emergency support is available 24/7.
• A range of options for travel insurance.
• Up to $5 million in coverage, which also includes COVID-19.
• Plans that are best suited for extended stays.

Cons of Medipac travel insurance

• Before receiving medical care, you must get in touch with Medipac to be eligible for the highest compensation.
• You might need to fill out a medical questionnaire if you are above 60.
• There is no coverage for lost luggage, trip interruption, and trip cancellation.

RBC travel insurance

One of Canada’s biggest banks, the Royal Bank of Canada, abbreviated as RBC, is a major international financial organization.

Purchasing RBC Travel insurance entails receiving protection from a reputable company. You can choose the appropriate level of coverage for your travel and medical requirements from a selection of policies.

Pros of RBC travel insurance

• Unlimited access to health care.
• simple online application
• Theft, loss, damage, and delays are all covered for your possessions as well.
• 24/7 international phone support.

Cons of RBC travel insurance

• If you don’t have an active government-sponsored health insurance plan, your unlimited emergency medical coverage is limited to $20,000 per year.
• The Emergency Medical Insurance Coverage offered by RBC is exclusively available to Canadian citizens.
• Covid-19 coverage was less liberal than that of many rivals.

Blue Cross travel insurance

For over 70 years, Blue Cross has been around to help out with anything travel related. We can say that 1 out of 4 Canadians finds this travel insurance really helpful. They provide emergency medical care of up to $ 5 million, plus Blue Cross travel insurance is ideal for retirees and seniors.

There’s a special travel plan tagged “Snowbird,” specifically for Canadians who travel to warmer regions each year. One feature of this package is the “serenity service,” which offers benefits when you have a delay in your flight schedule. This comes with access to an airport lounge or hotel, which usually depends on the delay’s length.

Pros of Blue Cross travel insurance

• Coverage of up to $5 million in travel insurance, deductible or not.
• Solutions for flexible and affordable travel insurance.
• Online free quotes are available.
• Irrespective of where you travel, there is travel support available 24/7 for any emergency.

Cons of Blue Cross travel insurance

• Pricing not available online: To find out the cost of your coverage, submit an application for a quote or contact a Blue Cross agent.
• Provincial coverage: Since each province has its unique insurance offerings, you’ll need to decide which Blue Cross branch to get insurance
• Exclusions: Some policies may have specific exclusions, so you should carefully study your policy to know what it covers.
• Seniors may be charged higher costs and be asked to fill out a more thorough medical questionnaire if they are 65 years of age or older.

BCAA travel insurance

BCAA travel insurance is a flexible and affordable travel insurance in Canada. It provides a total of $10,000,000 for unexpected medical costs. It has a robust trip protection coverage that caters to travel delays, trip cancellation and interruption costs, baggage and other coverages.

Among its many features comes the 24/7 online care center where you can get whatever help you want, no matter your location. Just like the other travel insurance, BCAA offers single-trip and annual multi-trip travel options.

Pros of BCAA travel insurance

• No age limit when applying for this travel insurance
• You have access to extra discounts on your travel insurance when you’re a member of BCAA.
• Installment payment is allowed in cases where you have a tight budget.
• You can buy an optional coverage of $200,000 in the case of an unstable pre-existing medical condition.
• Their plans are budget-friendly.

Cons of BCAA travel insurance

•  Special travel insurance discount is restricted to members only.
• If you’re above 60, you’ll need some medical examinations and questionnaires.
• Extreme sports and adventure activities have no coverage.

GMS travel insurance

Group Medical Services (GMS), a non-profit provider of health and travel insurance, provides coverage for a wide range of medical expenses that are not covered by government or other private benefit plans.

GMS was established in 1949 in Saskatchewan and currently provides services all over Canada.

Pros of GMS travel insurance

• A reputable health insurance company
• Online applications and queries are made easy on the website.
• Include up to six dependent minors under 16 without charge.

Cons of GMS travel insurance

• At the time of evaluation, TravelStar trip cancellation plans were suspended.
• At the time of review, student plans were suspended.
• The maximum amount of medical costs associated with a positive Covid-19 diagnostic is $500,000, which is less than some rivals.

BMO travel insurance

One of Canada’s top providers of banking and financial services is BMO or the Bank of Montreal. They are a well-known insurance company with policies that include 24/7 travel assistance. This gives you access to a network of qualified travel and medical insurance experts.

Pros of BMO travel insurance

• A reputable insurance company
• Affordable insurance with high-quality coverage.
• Information on the plans and coverages available.
• Offers insurance for both single and annual trip plans.

Cons of BMO travel insurance

• Coverage may only be purchased online or over the phone, not in a bank office.
• Trips less than 10 or 23 days are covered under multi-trip travel arrangements. This might not apply to all travellers.
• Medical expenses related to Covid-19 are not covered if there is a travel warning in effect for the area you will be visiting during the dates you will be there.

World Nomads

For individuals seeking adventure, World Nomads makes a good insurance provider. There is coverage for assaults, terrorist attacks, medical repatriation, international medical and dental care, and baggage and equipment.

Athletics, water sports, snow sports, high-adventure events, aircraft, and motorsports are all covered under the upscale Explorer Plan. There are more than 200 listed activities, many of which other insurers don’t include in their policies.

A single 35-year-old would spend approximately $200 for a month in Thailand under the Explorer Plan, depending on factors such as state of origin, which is reasonable due to the plan’s extensive cover.

It also has a Standard Plan that costs $100 for the same trip, but if you think something might not go right, it’s better to select higher coverage levels.

It has a $100,000 limit for emergency accidents and illnesses, a $500,000 maximum for emergency evacuation, and a $10,000 limit for trip cancellation (or interruption). Although it doesn’t have the same insurance standing as some other insurance providers, it collaborates with trustworthy companies.

Pros of World Nomads

• Wide coverage with higher limits for medical and emergency evacuation.
• When travelling, safeguards your bags, computers, and sporting goods.
• Its Explorer plan covers Adventure sports.

Cons of World Nomads

• Not all insurance plans cover adventure.
• Only one travel option is available.
• Pre-existing conditions are often not covered.

Reasons you should get travel insurance in Canada

There are a number of reasons you should have travel insurance in Canada. Some of these are

• There is a high chance of losing so much money in non-refundable deposits if you cancel the trip. Trip cancellation is what you need for such a trip. In the event of cancellation, for any of the specified reasons, any payments made in advance will be refunded in full.
• Travelling outside of the country without proper medical coverage may be quite costly. Healthcare services acquired outside of Canada are sometimes not covered by insurance plans or are subject to high out-of-network deductibles. Check what your health plan specifies to discover what it offers. In this case, travel medical insurance fits best.
• You’re travelling to a remote area. If you are far from any reputable medical facilities, even a little mishap might quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation. Medical evacuation insurance will pay for your journey to a clinic or hospital.
• You need support in an emergency. You may get assistance with a wide range of travel-related issues by calling the 24-hour travel support hotlines that are included with travel insurance. These hotlines can direct you to pharmacies, provide language assistance, help you replace a lost passport, and much more.

How to choose travel insurance

Follow these easy steps to locate and choose the best travel insurance policy for your requirements:

• To avoid spending money on unnecessary travel expenses, determine your specific needs.
• Check the insurance to see if travel to the location you want is covered.
• Check to see if the policy you’re thinking about has medical coverage if you have a pre-existing medical condition. You might need to get extra coverage if it isn’t.
• Find out what kind of assistance the travel insurance provider will offer if your belongings are stolen.
• Before purchasing, read the policy’s fine language to be sure that the activities you have scheduled for your vacation are covered.
• Select a policy that offers emergency help services.
• Before making a decision, compare a number of quotes

What does travel insurance in Canada cover?

There are multiple beneficial features in any comprehensive travel insurance coverage . You can also purchase policies that simply pay for medical costs or trip cancellations.

All you need to do is select coverage levels that suit your budget and travel requirements with the variety of policies offered. The following are the top coverage options for travel insurance in Canada:

Travel medical insurance

Ambulance service, hospital fees, medications, X-rays, doctor, lab work, and other medical costs incurred while travelling is covered by travel medical insurance.

Some travel insurance policies offer high coverage limits of up to $500,000 per person, but you may decide that lower levels of coverage are sufficient for your requirements.

The best travel insurance for seniors includes medical insurance because, with few exceptions, Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad. However, many travel insurance policies do not all cover covid. So be sure to check to see if your policy covers Covid before purchasing it.

Trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance is useful coverage if you have to shorten your trip due to an event covered by the policy.

It can pay for the non-refundable components of your trip that you skip, such as a resort stay or a swimming class. In case of an emergency, it can also be used to purchase a last-minute one-way trip home.

Trip cancellation insurance

Cancelling a trip isn’t the main aim of planning it in the first place, but unforeseen medical issues and accidents can result from it. Plans may need to be rescheduled due to factors such as jury service, illness in the family, or other commitments.

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for the full amount of any prepayments or non-refundable deposits lost if you are compelled to cancel your trip for an eligible cause.

If you’re worried about contracting Covid before your vacation, you may get coverage that would reimburse you if you have to cancel. It’s a good idea to insure the full amount of any deposits that aren’t refundable or paid in advance.

Don’t bother insuring things like airline tickets that may be returned for a full refund because you can’t file a claim if something happens to them.

Baggage delay insurance

Despite the possibility that your baggage may take a diversion of its own, what should you do while you wait? While you wait for your luggage, this coverage pays for your necessities.

For instance, you could need a coat, hat, and basic toiletries if you’re in Canada. Policies often stipulate that there must be a delay of at least six hours before baggage delay coverage becomes effective.

Emergency medical evacuation coverage

Foreign travellers should also purchase this insurance, particularly if they are going to a remote area where finding high-quality medical care may be challenging.

The emergency medical evacuation will cover your movement to the nearest medical facility, plus there is plenty of $1 million per person insurance available.

Travel delay insurance

If you have travel delay insurance, your expenses are compensated If your schedule is delayed and your travel insurance policy covers it. Travel delay insurance, for instance, can pay for essentials like food and toiletries if severe weather leaves you stranded all day in an airport.

If the delay takes long, travel delay benefits can pay for an Uber, food, and a hotel stay, and food. Travel delay insurance has a set waiting period (for instance, 6 or 12 hours) before benefits kick in, as well as a daily maximum and an overall maximum per person.

Baggage and personal effect coverage

An entire trip can be ruined by lost luggage. At least a small financial relief can be achieved with baggage coverage. It can pay you back for the shoes, bags, and clothes that never show up.

Although, the refund is just for the depreciated value of the things, not the original price of purchasing new ones. In addition, it makes up for items that have been stolen.

Cancel for any reason coverage

Find a travel Insurance that can upgrade your trip cancellation insurance to “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) Travel Insurance. This is if you’re looking to call off your trip at any time. Trip cancellation is available with CFAR for any cause that your policy doesn’t cover.

You could, for instance, postpone the trip if you no longer feel like travelling, provided you do so at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure.

Instead of the 100% that is available under the base trip cancellation coverage, repayment under a CFAR claim is limited to 75% or 50% of your trip expenses. The amount of insurance plans is increased by CFAR by around 50%. You should keep in mind that not every provider of travel insurance provides CFAR upgrades.

What travel insurance doesn’t cover

The most typical exclusions from travel insurance include the following:

• Health issues that were present before.
• Severe sport-related injuries.
• Theft or loss of jewelry, electronics, and other personal things.
• Conditions related to pregnancy.
• Injuries sustained while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even if doing so is permitted where you are going.

Best travel insurance in Canada conclusion

Having travel insurance in Canada is important, as going on a trip to another state can be very expensive. You must have a financial strategy in place in case you require urgent medical care while travelling.

Although it is unpleasant to consider, having travel insurance is essential when you are away from home. It ensures that you will be able to obtain and pay for healthcare, should you require it. Additionally, it can be of assistance if something goes wrong with your flight or you lose a piece of luggage.

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FAQs about travel insurance/span>

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Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs and losses associated with traveling. It is useful protection for those traveling domestically or abroad. Many companies selling tickets or travel packages, give consumers the option to purchase travel insurance, also known as travelers insurance. Some travel policies cover damage to personal property, rented equipment, such as rental cars, or even the cost of paying a ransom.

Travel insurance is a good idea for anyone going on a trip for business or leisure. Different insurance plans are available depending on the length and location of your trip.

Travel insurance works just like any insurance plan. You let the provider know when and where you’re doing and they’ll give you a quote based on how risky your trip is. Once you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you’ll be able to file a claim if you need assistance due to a situation covered by your policy.

Plans for travel insurance in Canada might range in price. Common price factors include the number and age of travellers, the location, the duration of the trip, and the type of coverage. Typically, policies that cover trip cancellation and interruption will cost you 4% to 10% of the total amount you pre-paid for the trip, which is non-refundable.

Each traveller's travel insurance coverage is different, plus it also depends on the trip plan paid for. Emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delays, medical evacuation, and luggage coverage are some common available coverage options.

You may be eligible for complete COVID-19 (coronavirus) coverage through a few travel insurance policies. In order to find the trip security you need, compare travel insurance policies and opt for the most complete COVID-19 coverage.

One issue that frequently arises when traveling is the potential for unplanned mishaps. A last-minute cancellation, unanticipated medical costs, lost baggage or an airplane tragedy could happen at any time. It's essential to safeguard yourself, and getting Canada travel insurance is the simplest method to do so.

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