travel insurance outside canada

Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024: Blue Cross Travel Study

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Out-of-province emergency medical expenses are not generally covered by your provincial medical plan and these expenses can be financially overwhelming.

For millions of Canadians, comprehensive emergency travel coverage offered by Blue Cross has become an essential part of their holiday plans.

As a recognized symbol of health care globally, being trusted, professional and familiar is what you need in your coverage provider when travelling out of province.

Travel Worry Free

Let Blue Cross travel coverage take care of any unexpected medical emergency costs so you can make the most of your trip.

Whether you travel frequently during the year, take regular sun destination trips or do only occasional short trips, there is a plan that’s right for you.

Blue Cross is a member of a trusted global network, including the American Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association and the International Federation of Health Funds.

Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024

The cost of travel is on the rise, but that isn’t stopping most Canadians from planning a vacation.

A ccording to a new study from Blue Cross , Canadians spent an average of $4,200 on their last vacation, and 94 per cent feel the cost of travelling is increasing .

H owever , the 2024 Blue Cross Travel Study also reveals that more Canadians are feeling optimistic about travel and are planning more trips this year.   

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We understand making the right choice for your benefits and coverage is important.

We’re here to help!

Please click below to be redirected to your local Blue Cross for more specifics, including local contact information.

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Manulife CoverMe ® Travel Insurance for Travelling Canadians

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Spend a little to save a lot in case of an emergency with Manulife travel insurance

When you’re travelling, unexpected expenses can result in a hefty bill on top of what you already paid for your trip. Travel insurance for Canadians can:

• Help pay for emergency health expenses if you were to get sick, fall and be sent to a foreign hospital
• Take your mind off “what ifs” and the financial consequences of flight delays or cancellations, misconnections, baggage issues, and more
• Minimize loss of non-refundable travel expenses when you must cancel for a covered reason, such as visa delays, or if a loved one gets sick and needs your care

Manulife travel plans for travelling Canadians

Single trip plans help protect you for one trip, either just for yourself or for your family. You can get these whenever you travel out-of-province or country.

Emergency medical plans

When you travel out of the country, you are responsible for all health-related expenses that could arise. Medical plans help you cover health care expenses such as physician services, ambulances, semi-private hospital accommodations, diagnostic tests, and more.

Single-Trip Emergency Medical

This plan helps protect you from emergency medical costs during one trip for the number of days you'll be away.

• Up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage, including COVID 19 related emergency medical costs*
• Save 50% when your travel is within Canada

Single-Trip TravelEase TM

This plan helps protect you from emergency medical costs, even if those costs are associated with a pre-existing medical condition.

• Medical underwriting required to cover pre-existing medical conditions

COVID-19 Pandemic Plan

This plan can help protect you even if the travel advisory for your destination changes to "Avoid Non-Essential Travel" due to COVID-19.

• Up to $1 million for COVID-19 related emergency medical costs (up to $5 million if vaccinated)
• Up to $5 million for non-COVID-19 related emergency medical coverage

Download a comparison chart for medical plans (opens PDF)

Non-medical plans

Life happens, and even the most carefully planned trip can still be negatively affected by circumstances outside of your control. We offer a range of protections for your trip, which can help you travel securely knowing that your prepaid travel costs are protected from cancellations, interruptions, baggage loss, and even changed plans.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption

Helps cover non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel, return early, or stay longer than planned due to a covered event.

• Select trip cancellation coverage amount based on your pre-booked trip expenses
• Select either $800, $1,500 or unlimited coverage to bring you home early due to a medical emergency or other covered events
• Up to $1,700 for misconnection and up to $1,500 for delay return coverage

Non-Medical All-Inclusive

Includes all benefits from the trip cancellation & interruption plan, and more.

• Unlimited trip interruption coverage for early return due to a medical emergency or other covered event
• Up to $2,700 for misconnection and up to $3,500 for delay return coverage
• Includes up to $1,500 coverage for baggage issues, $100,000 for flight accident, $50,000 for travel accident, and more

Download a comparison chart for non-medical plans (opens PDF)

All-inclusive plans

These comprehensive plans help protect you and your trip from the costs of unforeseen events and medical emergencies, so you can set out knowing that you’re prepared, and that we’re here to help in the event of the unexpected. 

Single-Trip All-Inclusive

The best of both worlds – this comprehensive plan protects you from both emergency health costs and unexpected travel costs.

• Unlimited trip interruption coverage to bring you home early due to a medical emergency or other covered events

Youth All-Inclusive

A discounted all-inclusive plan for travelers 29 and under.

• Up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage, including COVID 19 related emergency medical costs*
• Select trip cancellation coverage amount, up to $5,000 
• Economy flight to bring you home early due to a medical emergency or other covered events
• Same-class flight and up to $300 for accommodation and meals for misconnection and travel disruption coverage
• Includes up to $500 coverage for baggage issues, $25,000 for flight accident, $10,000 for travel accident, and more

Youth Deluxe All-Inclusive

A more comprehensive version of the youth all-inclusive plan, available at a discounted rate for travelers 29 and under.

• Up to $5 million in emergency medical coverage, including COVID 19 related emergency medical costs*
• Select trip cancellation coverage amount, up to $10,000
• Same-class flight and up to $1,300 for accommodation and meals for misconnection and travel disruption
• Includes up to $1,000 coverage for baggage issues, $100,000 for flight accident, $50,000 for travel accident, and more

Download a comparison chart for all-inclusive plans (opens PDF)

*This plan will cease to provide coverage for COVID-19 related emergency medical costs if the government changes the travel advisory to "Avoid Non-Essential Travel" for your travel destination due to COVID-19. 

For the seasoned traveler, these plans help protect you for unlimited trips within the year. They offer versatile and comprehensive protection that goes with you whenever — and wherever — you travel.

Multi-Trip Emergency Medical

Have more than one trip planned for the year? This plan helps protect you from emergency health costs for multiple trips in a year.

• Get covered for unlimited number of days when travelling within Canada
• Protects unlimited trips per year

Multi-Trip TravelEase TM

This plan helps protect you from emergency medical costs for multiple trips a year, including pre-existing conditions approved through medical underwriting.

Multi-Trip All-Inclusive

Comprehensive protection that covers emergency medical and unexpected travel expenses.

• Up to $1,500 or $2,500 per trip for trip cancellation, to a maximum of $10,000 per year
• Up to $2,700 for misconnection and up to $3,500 for delay return coverage per trip
• Includes up to $2,000 coverage for baggage issues, $100,000 for flight accident and $50,000 for travel accident insurance per trip, and more

Download a detailed comparison chart for multi-trip plans (opens PDF)

Have existing coverages through work or credit card? Did you know that these policies only protect you up to a certain number of days which might not be enough to protect you for the entire trip? You can top up your existing coverage to the full duration of your trip with the plan below. 

Emergency Medical Top-up

Top up your existing credit card coverage or multi-trip plan from Manulife or another insurer.

• Up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage
• Includes coverage for COVID-19 related expenses

Why Manulife?

As a top travel insurance provider, all our plans for travelling Canadians come with the following benefits:

• Access to Manulife’s Travel Assistance 24/7 – 365 days a year – wherever you are in the world
• Full refund for medical plans before your effective date if you change your mind
• 50% off when you travel within Canada for select plans

Ready to buy?

You can get a quote and purchase Manulife travel insurance online through Manulife CoverMe.

The cost of travel insurance for Canadian seniors varies depending on age, coverage level, duration and if you want coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, among other features and protections such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage loss. 

Typically, travel insurance for Canadian snowbirds requires longer duration coverage than other types of trips, since snowbirds tends to stay down south in the USA for longer periods to escape the Canadian cold. The best travel insurance plans for snowbirds offer flexibility for easy extension and comprehensive emergency health coverage. Manulife offers Canadian seniors and snowbirds the flexibility to easily extend their coverage if needed, and our medical plans for vaccinated travellers all contain up to $10 million in medical coverage. If snowbirds are travelling to the USA multiple times a year, they can also consider purchasing a multi-trip plan to cover all their trips within one year. 

Need assistance?

Want to talk through your options.

Have questions and want to speak to a licensed insurance advisor? We can help with that!

Submit a travel claim

Visit our dedicated travel portal to start a claim. First-time on the site? Simply register, activate your account, and sign in.

Explore other travel insurance products

Travel insurance for students.

Get help with medical expenses when studying away from home – either in Canada or abroad.

Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada

Get affordable coverage for medical expenses while visiting Canada. Meets the requirements for the super visa.

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Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans are designed to help protect you and your family wherever your travels take you. Speak to a Sun Life advisor to learn more.

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What is travel insurance?

Whether you’re headed outside your home province or to the other side of the world, traveling can be stressful.

Travel insurance can help protect you from the difficulties that come from unexpected medical expenses. 

If you’re traveling soon and looking for coverage, a Sun Life advisor can talk to you about your options.

Why do I need travel insurance? 

If you’re planning to travel, there are many reasons why travel insurance may be right for you:

• For the peace of mind. You’ll know you’re protected in case of an accident or sudden illness.
• To cover unexpectedly high bills. The cost of medical care can be much higher abroad than in Canada,
• To be supported by a team of professionals. They’ll make sure that you have access to medical care and arrange for you to come home if needed.
• For unexpected hospital visits. Some hospitals require that uninsured patients pay a deposit of several thousands of dollars before providing the necessary care. With travel insurance, you'll save money on any potential hospital charges.

What does travel insurance cover? 

When you’re traveling outside your home province, territory, or country, unexpected emergencies can cost thousands of dollars. 

Your government health care plans have limits on how much they’ll cover. You may be left with any potential bills.

Travel insurance can help you manage your way through difficult situations:

• Emergency medical care. Travel insurance can help when you need unexpected hospital, ambulance, and dental care.
• Theft or loss of documents. Insurance specialists can help you reach the Canadian embassy or your financial institution if your documents or cards are lost or stolen.
• Translation services. If you don’t speak the local language where you’re traveling, multilingual interpreters can help. In an emergency, these interpreters can help you communicate with local resources.
• Trip interruption. Travel insurance can help you arrange for your return home in the event you must cut your trip short due to a medical reason.

Keep in mind that your coverage may not include any pre-existing health conditions. A Sun Life advisor can talk you through your insurance options.

How to get travel insurance

Speak to an advisor about your travel insurance options .

Planning a trip? Make travel insurance a key part of your preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does travel insurance cover my expenses in case i get sick abroad, does travel insurance cover covid-19, does travel insurance cover covid-19 tests, does travel insurance cover cancelled trips due to covid-19 restrictions, does travel insurance cover accommodation during emergencies, what else should i consider before travelling.

Yes, travel insurance will typically cover you in case you get sick abroad. Some plans may exclude medical expenses incurred in places where a Level 4 Travel Advisory is in effect. 

Back to list

There are policies that may cover specific losses arising from sudden and unforeseeable circumstances related to COVID-19. 

Depending on your plan, COVID-19 tests may be covered. 

Travel insurance typically won’t cover canceled trips due to COVID-19 restrictions. This is because COVID-19 is a known event, meaning it’s not unexpected or improbable that circumstances may cause cancelation or interruption of your trip. Trip cancelation or trip interruption claims due to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 advisories will typically not be covered. 

Some travel insurance policies may cover accommodation during certain emergencies.  

You may have important reasons to travel in these uncertain times, such as for family or work. If you’re preparing to travel outside of Canada, consider the requirements of the country that you’re visiting. As with every trip, we recommend you review and follow  Government of Canada travel advisories .

Please note: This is general information about travel insurance. To learn more, speak to a Sun Life advisor.

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Travel Insurance for Canadians, Canadian Residents

Travel insurance outside canada – for canadian residents.

Not sure which plan to select? Scroll down for a quick summary and recommendation of the best travel insurance that Canada has available.

These Travel Plans are Good for:

• Plans below are for Travel Insurance Outside Canada – for Canadians and Canadian residents traveling outside of Canada
• Most cost effective medical travel insurance plans for Canadians not needing U.S. cover
• Medical, evacuation, political, terrorism cover, lost luggage, and many more benefits for your travel insurance request.
• Canadians needing long-term coverage overseas for 12 months or longer. Our career international medical insurance plans, at https://www.gninsurance.com/health/ , offer optional coverage including or excluding the U.S. and Canada.

We Recommended

Our recommended plan

IMG Patriot Travel Health Insurance for International Travel: Customizable add-on Benefits

International medical travel insurance with option to add personal liability coverage and enhanced accidental death & dismemberment.

Beacon Travel Insurance for Canadians and non-U.S. Residents

International medical travel insurance available for purchase even after your trip has commenced

IMG Outreach Travel Insurance for Canadians

A great plan for Canadians traveling as volunteers and charity

Special rates and travel insurance plans for Canadian residents

When shopping for travel insurance outside Canada, you have special options due to nationalized healthcare at home and the ability to include or exclude coverage in the USA. Above are a few selections and recommendations for our Canadian travelers. For additional recommendations and options based on your specific needs, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 1(480)813-9100 .

Below is a bit more about travel insurance and your different travel insurance plans:

International travel insurance plans are for business travel, tourism, charitable travel and missions work. They are also for social good and special interest travel such as art tours, cultural exchange, and community healthcare. We also offer group travel plans for those traveling together. These rates are available to groups (even as few as one or two travelers in case your group advertises a trip and only a few sign up!) and feature convenience as well as lower rates .

“Travel insurance” is used in different ways – To protect your finances and health and against accidental death overseas (as a type of international life insurance)

We offer policies that will protect you when doing adventure sports or when in high-risk areas with travel advisories due to instability, terrorism or crime against foreigners. Our policies also protect you in remote areas lacking medical facilities, whether young or over 65+ or those traveling for more than a year or two.

1.) Emergency travel medical insurance protects your health. It covers medical claims for accidents or illnesses suffered overseas. Travel health insurance plans all include many additional travel benefits such as lost luggage, repatriation of remains and AD&D coverage overseas. They even include personal liability and natural disaster benefits.

All of these policies also include emergency medical evacuation with up to 1 million dollars USD maximum. We recommend at least $250,000 depending on your location. We also offer emergency evacuation only policies which will transport you to the hospital of your choice back home. Note that emergency evacuation policies are not medical insurance and will not pay for medical treatment. They are to cover emergency evacuation transport only.

We offer Trip Cancellation plans for Canadians

This type of travel insurance is used to protect against loss of non-refundable trip deposits in case you cannot go on your trip or if your trip is cut short (Trip Interruption). Some trip cancellation plans offered by travel agents or online have poor travel medical benefits. Travel agents are not required to be licensed insurance agents to sell them. However, if you get a good trip cancellation plan, it will protect both your finances and your health with strong medical benefits.

Trip cancellation insurance costs more than travel medical insurance because it must also consider the replacement cost of your trip and the likelihood of you cancelling your plans. Trip cancellation plans usually limit you to cancellation due to a death in the family, loss of a job, or a doctor forbidding you to travel due to an accident or illness. We also have trip cancellation plans that include “cancel for any reason.”

Flight Insurance is also called travel insurance, but is usually a bad investment since flight insurance benefits (called “common carrier accidental death benefits”) are almost always included in all our travel medical insurance plans.

When buying a travel insurance policy, consider:

Consider if you need U.S. coverage in your travel plan. If you are not traveling to the USA, consider excluding the U.S. to save money. (We can give you some direction on the best plans to fit your budget and itinerary.) Your destination and whether a carrier has good direct-pay agreements with hospitals and doctor networks there. Consider if the insurance carrier offering the travel plan is well known and has good networks and history of paying claims promptly. Consider if you are at a higher risk due to poor medical conditions (esp. if volunteering in a remote area), or at higher risk due to instability, crime, kidnapping, etc. Your age: Some plans are better than others for those over 65+ both in terms of cost and benefits offered. Consider choosing a low or no deductible ($0 deductible) if traveling for 3 weeks or less. The overall cost will not increase more than $10 or 20. If you need to use your insurance overseas, you will save the $125 deductible or $250 deductible.

If you have questions about which policy is best for you and your family, for your destination, or your specific travel needs, give us a call or chat with us live.  In just a few minutes, we can eliminate the guesswork and recommend the best plan to keep you safe overseas from the dozens of plans available on the internet.

One of the advantages of Good Neighbor Insurance is personalized service.

We have ten to twelve different carriers and dozens of plans so you do not need to shop all over the internet. We also pre-select only those carriers that offer the best service and best prices so that you know they will be there when you need them.

Call  1(480)813-9100  or  live chat with us  and let us recommend a couple options that you can choose from.

Here at Good Neighbor Insurance it is very important for us to connect with you.

As an international service provider, we want to be sure that you are taken care of while you, your family, and your friends are traveling or residing around the world. It is our honor to serve you!

The Best Travel Insurance for Canadians: Short and Long-Term Options

Wanting peace of mind from unexpected costs, we always buy travel insurance when travelling outside of Canada.

I recently spent a lot of time researching travel insurance for Canadians, primarily for an upcoming four month long multi-destination trip.

It was a much longer process than I initially expected! This post provides a shortcut to the results of my research.

While the main focus is travel insurance options for Canadians , I will also share some travel insurance basics.

I also felt it was important to list some specific travel insurance considerations for Canadian travellers that I don’t often see mentioned.

Insurance is never going to be an exciting topic but I hope I can help reduce the amount of time you spend thinking about it!

Published February 2024 . There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase via one of these links, we may receive a percentage of the sale.

Travel insurance basics

Before delving into the specifics of travel insurance for Canadians, I’d like to quickly touch on some insurance basics.

If you’re new to buying travel insurance, the terminology can be a little confusing. And since there is a lot of small print involved with every policy, it’s essential to understand what you are actually purchasing.

When searching for insurance as a Canadian, you’ll soon notice two types of coverage:

• Emergency medical
• Trip cancellation, interruption, delays and lost baggage

As you may guess, the first type provides coverage for emergency medical expenses while travelling outside of Canada. I always buy a policy with at least $5 million of coverage.

Emergency medical policies usually also include coverage for medical evacuations to Canada and repatriation in case of death (the return of your remains).

The second type of insurance provides coverage in the event you need to cancel the trip, return early, or stay longer than planned.

This kind of insurance typically also includes coverage for baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip.

The cost of trip cancellation travel insurance is usually tied to the overall cost of your trip. It can be purchased separately or bundled together with an emergency medical insurance policy.

Single, annual/multiple-trip or long-term?

• Single-trip travel insurance covers one trip to a destination (or destinations) and ends when you return home
• Multi-trip travel insurance covers multiple short trips (usually 30 days or less) within 12 months. It is also referred to as an annual travel insurance policy. Multi-trip policies can be a money saver for people travelling twice or more a year
• Long-term travel insurance has a loose definition, but it generally refers to a policy that is between 30 days and 1 year in length (or longer)

Pre-existing conditions

Travel insurance providers usually exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. 

So if you have medical conditions or are currently going through a diagnosis process, be aware that you may not be able to claim for any potential medical costs related to your pre-existing condition .

Some insurers do cover pre-existing conditions, as long as there have been no recent changes (i.e. the condition being treated and is considered stable).

Policies that cover pre-existing conditions are usually more expensive than those that do not. Always contact the insurance provider if you’re unsure.

Depending on your age, you may need to complete a medical questionnaire when applying for travel insurance.

Deductibles

A deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay before the travel insurance provider will cover the balance of the claim.

The lower the deductible on a policy, the higher the initial purchase price. The ductible is sometimes referred to as an ‘excess.’

I prefer to buy insurance with the lowest deductible possible. We are lucky and have only ever had to claim for small amounts on travel insurance (less than $1,000). I like knowing that these ‘small amounts’ are covered as they can add up, especially on longer trips.

Important considerations: travel insurance for Canadians

There are some unique considerations to keep in mind when searching for travel insurance as a Canadian.

As a relatively new Canadian citizen, I would have no idea about these issues if I had not read the small print of travel insurance policies!

Provincial healthcare eligibility

Most Canadian travel insurance policies require you to have valid provincial healthcare coverage for the length of your intended trip.

If you do not have provincial healthcare coverage and purchase a travel insurance policy that requires it, it is unlikely that you will be able to claim for emergency medical costs.

Each province and territory has different eligibility criteria for provincial healthcare coverage.

For example, British Columbia requires residents ‘ to be physically present in BC for at least six months in a calendar year. ‘ There is the possibility to extend this time, but only on a limited basis (up to 24 months once in a five-year period).

If you are Canadian but primarily resident in another country (and hence not covered by the provincial healthcare system), I would suggest researching insurance providers in the country you currently live in.

Live in the UK or EU? Consider purchasing a policy with True Traveller . To buy a policy with True Traveller, you must have a residential address and the ‘unrestricted and unconditional right of entry’ to the country you currently live in.

Starting a trip from your home province

Another important condition featured in the ‘small print’ of most Canadian travel insurance policies is the requirement to start your trip from your home province.

For most Canadian travellers this clause doesn’t present any issue. The vast majority of people start their travel trip from home.

But if you plan to visit friends or family in another province or territory before leaving on your trip, be sure to find an appropriate insurance policy for you.

This is also important if you plan to fly internationally from a different province than the one you live in, especially if you need to travel a long distance to reach the airport (or stay overnight).

If you have already left home and didn’t purchase travel insurance, look for providers that sell ‘alredy travelling’ policies.

Quebec residents

Live in Quebec? Unfortunately, there are a significant number of insurance companies that are not able to provide coverage to Quebec residents.

I believe this is related to how medical services reimbursement works in Quebec.

Notably, Quebec is not part of the reciprocal agreement allowing doctors to bill their provinces for care provided to travelling Canadians.

Options for travel insurance for Canadians

Read on for my research into the best travel insurance for Canadians.

Before purchasing a policy, please research each company to ensure that the coverage is right for you.

Read the full policy wording to make sure that you are covered for your circumstances and intended travel plans.

Credit card insurance

Leaving Canada for a short trip? Check whether your credit card has included travel insurance coverage.

Many credit cards include coverage for emergency medical services and trip cancellation/interruption/delays/baggage.

There are, however, some things to keep in mind:

• Policies usually only cover very short single trips, often 15 days or less
• In most cases, a significant (or total) portion of the trip has to be purchased with a credit card to be covered
• The coverage limits, particularly for baggage, can be low
• There may be a cap on the total number of trips allowed per year
• Pre-existing conditions are unlikely to be covered (very important!)

To expand more on the last point, bank-provided travel insurance is usually very general. It assumes that the people covered on the policy have no pre-existing medical conditions.

Needless to say, be sure to check the small print of your credit card travel insurance policy before using it to travel internationally.

Some credit card insurers allow the trip length to be extended for an additional fee.

BestQuote are travel insurance specialists, partnered with some of the largest and most reputable insurance providers in Canada.

With BestQuote, it is possible to review multiple travel insurance policies at once. This saves a ton of time and effort when searching for travel insurance as a Canadian.

We used BestQuote to research travel insurance for our four month long trip.

The emergency medical policy we eventually purchased through BestQuote is underwritten by Manulife, one of Canada’s most popular travel insurers. This was a huge selling point for me since we’ve used Manulife before (and we had a successful claim).

The policy sold through BestQuote had lower medical coverage ($5 million vs. $10 million) than the one listed on Manulife’s website, but the price was significantly lower.

Since we were going to SE Asia (where medical costs are lower), I was fine with the reduced amount.

Long-term travel insurance for Canadians

• SafetyWing – single trips up to 1 year, 4-week subscription policy also available. Can only buy after leaving Canada. Note the low amount of medical coverage.
• HeyMondo – single trips up to 1 year, policies can be started from abroad, multi-trip policies are also available for up to 60 days. They claim to offer no out-of-pocket medical expenses
• World Nomads – single trips up to 1 year (purchase multiple for a longer trip), policies can be started from abroad. More than 150+ activities are covered as standard

Other insurers offering policies for Canadians

I have ordered these travel insurance providers from low to high cost, based on our own quotes.

• TravelGuard – single trips up to 1 year, multi-trip policies also available
• TuGo – single trips up to 1 year, multi-trip policies also available
• Blue Cross – single trips up to six months, multi-trip policies also available
• Manulife – single trips up to 1 year, multi-trip policies also available
• Allianz – single trips up to 1 year, multi-trip policies also available
• BCAA – single trips up to 1 year, multi-trip policies also available (BC residents only)

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Travel insurance for Canadian residents

Heading across the provincial or national border for a quick trip? Flying to the Caribbean for a week in the sun? Planning a longer holiday or business trip anywhere in the world? Travel insurance is imperative to help cover emergency medical costs if you get sick or hurt while you're away.

Protect one trip

Protect a year full of trips, top up with extra protection.

If you're only planning one trip this year, choose an affordable single-trip plan. You can get travel insurance protection for exactly the number of days you'll be away.

Emergency medical plans

All-inclusive plans, non-medical plans, single-trip emergency medical plan.

• Essential travel coverage outside and within Canada
• Up to $10 million in emergency medical benefits
• Premium savings of 50% compared to the standard Single-trip Emergency Medical plan when your entire trip is within Canada

COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan

• Essential travel coverage outside Canada
• Up to $1 million for COVID-19 related emergency medical benefits (up to $5 million if received full course of immunization for COVID-19)
• Up to $5 million for non COVID-19 related emergency medical benefits
• Trip interruption coverage

TravelEase ® for pre-existing conditions

• Call 1-855-583-7239 for a quote

Single-Trip All-Inclusive Plan

• Comprehensive travel coverage outside and within Canada
• Up to the covered amount for trip cancellation and unlimited trip interruption coverage
• Up to $1,500 for baggage loss or damage, or up to $500 for baggage delay
• Up to $100,000 for flight accident and up to $50,000 for travel accident insurance

Youth All-Inclusive Plan

• Comprehensive travel insurance for people 29 and under for trips less than 365 days
• Up to $1 million in emergency medical benefits
• Trip cancellation, up to the covered amount selected to a maximum of $5,000
• Economy airfare coverage for trip interruption
• Up to $500 for baggage loss or damage and up to $100 for baggage delay
• Up to $25,000 for flight accident and up to $10,000 for travel accident insurance

Youth Deluxe Plan

• Comprehensive travel insurance for people 29 and under for trips less than 365 days 

Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Plan

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, up to the amount you insured
• Get standalone protection in case you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for medical or other reasons

Non-Medical Inclusive Plan

• This plan provides trip cancellation & interruption insurance, baggage loss or delay, flight accident and more for people with existing emergency medical coverage
• Up to the covered amount for trip cancellation
• Unlimited coverage for trip interruption

If you travel more than once a year, save by getting travel insurance protection for an unlimited number of trips lasting up to 4 days, 10 days, 18 days, 30 days or 60 days.

Multi-Trip Emergency Medical Plan

• Trip duration options of 4, 10, 18, 30, and 60 days

Multi-Trip All-Inclusive Plan

• Up to $1,500 or $2,500 per trip for trip cancellation, to a maximum of $10,000 per year
• Unlimited trip interruption coverage
• Trip duration options of 4, 10, 18 and 30 days

Add extra days to your multi-trip plan or existing credit card coverage.

Emergency Medical Top-Up

• Top up your existing credit card coverage or multi-trip plan from Manulife or another insurer
• Save 50% on your premium costs when your travel is entirely within Canada only

Want to compare our travel plans?

Review our travel options side-by-side.

View comparison chart

Explore customer video reviews

See what our travel customers are saying about our plans.

  Download a Transcript (PDF)

Top 10 questions about travel insurance for travelling Canadians

Do you need travel insurance while travelling to the USA from Canada?

Although we share a border with the States, your provincial or territorial health plan may not cover your medical fees or may only cover a small portion when travelling outside of Canada. Whether you are planning a shorter trip or a longer stay, medical costs in the US can be very expensive and can add up quickly depending on the medical care required.

Do I need travel insurance if I'm travelling within Canada?

When you travel outside your home province or territory, even if you're still in Canada, there are limits on how much your government health insurance plan will pay. Costs that may not be covered include air and ground ambulance, emergency dental treatment and prescription drug expenses. Travel insurance can help with these costs, so it makes sense to have it whether you're visiting another part of Canada or another part of the world.

Do your travel insurance plans cover personal belongings?

Manulife CoverMe’s All-Inclusive Plan (Single Trip or Multi Trip), Non-Medical Inclusive Plan, Youth All-Inclusive Plan, and Youth Deluxe Plan contains Baggage Loss, Damage & Delay insurance. There are benefits available in the event that any item or set of items contained in your baggage is lost or damaged. Conditions, limitations, exclusions apply, please see the policy for full details. 

Do your travel insurance plans cover theft of baggage?

Manulife CoverMe’s All-Inclusive Plan (Single-Trip or Multi-Trip), Non-Medical Inclusive Plan, Youth All-Inclusive Plan, and Youth Deluxe Plan contains Baggage Loss, Damage & Delay insurance. There are benefits available in the event of baggage theft or lost/stolen travel documentation (passport, driver’s license, visa). It is important in these instances to be prudent and report any losses to the authorities so full documentation of the situation is recorded. Conditions, limitations, exclusions apply, please see the policy for full details.

Do your travel insurance plans cover flight changes?

Any plan containing Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance contains benefits for misconnection and travel disruptions resulting from common carrier schedule changes.

Do your travel insurance plans cover the cost if I need to cancel my accommodation?

If your hotel or accommodation needs to be cancelled due to a covered event, Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance may pay up to the covered amount for the prepaid unused portion, that is non-refundable and non-transferable to another travel date.

Is travel insurance necessary for Europe?

When you travel to Europe, your government health insurance plan may only provide limited coverage, which can leave you with unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Purchasing travel insurance can help ensure you have proper coverage in case of a medical emergency, trip cancellation or interruption.

Can I purchase travel insurance for an unaccompanied minor?

Travel insurance can be purchased for unaccompanied minors, given they meet the standard eligibility requirements. Please see the policy for full details.

How far in advance before my trip can I buy your travel insurance plans?

Emergency medical insurance plans may be purchased 180 days prior to your departure date. Plans containing any other type of insurance may be purchased up to 3 years prior to departure.

Can I purchase your travel insurance plans after booking my trip?

Yes, most plans may be purchased up to and including the date of departure. However, our Cancel For Any Reason Rider, which is an add-on available when purchasing a plan with Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage, must be purchased within 7 days of booking your trip.  

For Trip Cancellation and Interruption protection, we recommend maximizing your length of coverage and purchasing as soon as possible, in the event you need to cancel your trip. Same recommendation applies when purchasing our Government Health Travel Advisory Rider. This is so you are protected for emergency medical expenses related to a specific virus or disease if the government issues a “Avoid non-essential travel” advisory before your departure date. This add-on is available when purchasing a plan with Emergency Medical coverage. 

Discover more

Travel insurance for pre‐existing medical conditions

Defining pre‐existing conditions and how travel is still possible.  Explore now

What is trip cancellation and interruption insurance?

We explain the difference between them and why you should consider it.  Read more

Returning or travelling to Canada during COVID-19?

Guidelines to speed up the arrival process while staying safe.  See tips

mail us at [email protected]

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Travelling Canadians Plan Overview

Whether you are travelling outside your province or Canada, Manulife Financial Travel Insurance plans are designed to help protect you against the cost of unexpected emergencies that may occur before or during your trip.

Your government health insurance plans may only cover a fraction of healthcare expenses incurred outside Canada, and may only provide limited coverage if you’re travelling in another province. Unfortunately, Illness, accidents and other covered events are all-too-common and could cause you to disrupt your travel plans and leave you facing large unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses.

When travelling outside of Canada, Manulife ‘s COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan is designed to help protect you against the cost of unexpected emergencies that may occur during your trip. This plan provides protection against medical emergencies, includes coverage for Coronavirus (COVID-19), and includes interruption coverage.

TRAVEL TIP: If you are planning to travel outside of Canada, you may want to consider the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan which covers emergency medical care, includes coverage for COVID-19 and contains some interruption coverage.

Plans at-a-glance

• Single Trip

Single Trip Plan Options

We offer different plans so you can purchase the coverage you need. Carefully review the plans below to find the one that suits you best.

Single-Trip COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan

Planning on taking a trip outside of Canada? This plan can help protect you from unexpected emergency medical expenses and includes COVID-19 expenses. Trip interruption benefits are also available. The COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan offers up to $5,000,000 for non COVID-19 related expenses and up to $1,000,000 for COVID-19 related expenses.

Plus, if you have received the full course of immunization for Coronavirus (COVID-19) that is authorized by Health Canada before your effective date, you are offered $5M for expenses related to COVID-19.

Single-Trip Emergency Medical

Planning on taking a trip away from your province of residence or territory? This plan can help protect you from unexpected emergency medical expenses while travelling. While your government health plans may provide limited coverage for these expenses, this plan offers up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage. TRAVEL TIP: If your entire trip is within Canada, premiums are half the cost you'd pay if you were travelling outside Canada for the same length of time.

Single-Trip All Inclusive

If you're planning on taking a trip away from your province of residence, and you want comprehensive protection beyond just emergency medical coverage, this plan may be what you’re looking for. Benefits include:

• up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage.
• Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption
• Baggage Loss, Damage and Delay
• Travel and Flight Accident.

Single-Trip Travel Canada Emergency Medical

Travelling outside your province to see more of Canada? Even within Canada, your government health insurance plan may provide limited coverage for emergency medical care outside of your home province - this plan offers up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage. TRAVEL TIP: If your entire trip is within Canada, premiums are half the cost you'd pay if you were travelling outside Canada for the same length of time.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

You may already have emergency medical travel insurance but what if, due to an unforeseen emergency, you must cancel your trip? What if you unexpectedly need to return home early or, due to a medical emergency, stay longer than planned? Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage helps you protect the investment you made in your trip.

Emergency Medical Top-Up

If your trip is longer than the number of days covered under your Multi-Trip plan, this is the plan you’ll need to add. You can choose to add this coverage to one of our Multi-Trip plans or to a plan you purchased from another provider.

Multi-Trip Plan Options

If you plan on travelling more than once in the next 12 months, it may be less expensive to buy a Multi Trip plan. One premium payment can cover you for an unlimited number of trips. Choose a 4, 10, 18, 30 or 60 day plan and take as many trips as you want during the next 12 months. TRAVEL TIP: You may add Emergency Medical “Top-Up” coverage for a trip that is longer than the number of days covered by the Multi Trip plan you purchase. Just make sure you don’t go over your provincial residency requirements.

Multi-Trip Emergency Medical

If you're taking two or more trips within the next 12 months, this plan offers you the best value for emergency medical protection. Choose a 4, 10, 18, 30, or 60-day plan and take as many trips as you want throughout the year - all for one affordable premium. You Get:

• up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage

Multi-Trip All Inclusive

If you're travelling two or more times in the next 12 months and you want protection for more than just emergency medical costs, this plan offers great value! Choose a 4, 10, 18, or 30-day plan and take as many trips as you want throughout the year.You Get

• Trip Cancellation and Interruptions
• Flight and Travel Accident

TRAVEL TIP: You may add Emergency Medical “Top-Up” coverage for a trip that is longer than the number of days covered by your Multi-Trip All-Inclusive plan. Just make sure you don’t go over your provincial residency requirements.

Travel Insurance is currently not available for Quebec Residents.

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Already a Scotiabank customer?

Click on the link below to select your plan as a Scotiabank customer.

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Travel Insurance

The plan if things don’t go as planned

Top reasons to pack Scotia Travel Insurance

Consider a plan with All Inclusive coverage

Save on premiums if you only travel within Canada

Choose a plan that suits the way you travel

Emergency medical coverage includes 24-hour Medical Concierge benefit

Which insurance plan is right for you?

Travelling Canadians

Knowing you’re protected makes every journey more rewarding.

• Get up to $10 million CDN in emergency medical insurance
• Choose the coverage that suits you best: COVID 19 Pandemic Travel, Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation/Interruption or All Inclusive Plans.
• Get further savings if you are a family

Student Plans

Medical insurance coverage for those studying abroad or within Canada.

• Up to $2 million CDN in emergency medical insurance
• Great for Canadian students studying in another province or country
• Ideal for international students studying in Canada
• If your school has medical insurance requirements, a Student plan may meet these requirements

Visitors to Canada

Explore Canada knowing you and your loved ones are protected.

• Flexible covered amounts available
• Emergency medical insurance for those up to 85 years old
• Available for singles, couples and families 1
• Great for visitors coming to Canada for an extended period

Helpful tools and resources

Packing for Your Vacation

Once you have chosen your destination, the next question is "what should I pack?".

Plan a Trip

Usually travel involves months of planning but sometimes it can be a spontaneous, last minute decision. Make sure you are prepared.

Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

Before heading out, deter intruders with this collection of tips and suggestions.

Need advice selecting a plan?

Frequently asked questions, why does any canadian travelling out of country need travel insurance if a traveller gets sick when travelling, won't their government health insurance plan pay for their medical expenses.

Please refer to the Government of Canada website for their recommendation on this matter:  https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/travel-insurance

Is medical travel insurance necessary when travelling within Canada?

Government health insurance plans do have limits on the reimbursement of the emergency medical expenses incurred while in another province. For example, air and ground ambulance costs, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs might not be covered outside your province of residence. For maximum protection, purchase additional medical coverage even while travelling within Canada.

In the case of a medical emergency I am supposed to call the Assistance Centre. What if I don't get a chance to do that - will I still be covered?

We ask you to call our Assistance Centre ( 1-877-372-2988 ) so that we can confirm your enrolment under the plan, and, with the healthcare provider, manage the benefits in accordance with your policy. By calling the Assistance Centre, you may avoid out-of-pocket expenses. If you do not call the Assistance Centre, you will have to pay 20% of the medical expenses normally covered under this insurance. If it is medically impossible for you to call, please have someone call on your behalf. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Assistance Centre has been notified.

Can coverage be extended during my trip?

If you are already on your trip, you can extend coverage by calling Customer Service provided there has been no claim, no injury, sickness, or symptom has occurred that would give rise to a claim, or a change in your health. In addition, you must request the extension before your coverage expires and pay the appropriate premium. If you have a medical condition or pending claim, approval of the extension of your coverage is subject to approval.

If you have a Multi Trip Plan,  you must top up your coverage before you leave home by purchasing an Emergency Medical Top-Up plan for the additional number of days beyond the duration provided by your Multi Trip.

COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan [To be kept within the Travelling Canadians section] 

What is covered if I need to quarantine at location, duration of coverage, maximums?

Scotia Travel Insurance offers a COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan, which offers coverage in the event of quarantine outside of Canada. Coverage is for expenses such as your additional and unplanned commercial hotel and meal costs. You may receive:

1.            Up to $200 per day to a maximum of $2800 per person; or

2.           Up to $400 per day to a maximum of $5600 per family if you purchase family coverage.

These amounts are in Canadian dollars and coverage is provided for up to 14 days. 

Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan provide coverage with an “avoid non-essential travel" advisory, and if yes what happens if the Government changes it to a “avoid all travel"?

If on your departure date, an “avoid non-essential travel advisory” is in place for your destination, and your emergency or medical condition is unrelated to the travel advisory, you may submit your claim. Note: For claims due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) the “avoid non-essential travel advisory” does not apply.  Claims relating to treatment for Coronavirus (Covid-19) that you experience on a cruise, may be submitted if you are fully vaccinated. 

If the advisory changes to “avoid all travel”, and you departed prior to the date the travel advisory changed, you will continue to have medical coverage for COVID-19 and related complications for the full duration of your trip. Treatment for Coronavirus (Covid-19) that you experience on a cruise, may be submitted if you are fully vaccinated.

Are Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests that are required in destination or prior to returning home covered under the Pandemic Plan?

No, PCR tests, vaccines, immunizations, visas, passports, and other travel requirements are the responsibility of the traveller and are not covered under the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan.

Is there trip cancellation coverage prior to departing Canada within the COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan?

The COVID-19 Pandemic Plan does not have any trip cancellation coverage. This plan includes emergency medical benefits and trip interruption benefits. You may also consider purchasing a Trip Cancellation/Interruption Plan. 

Does Manulife, the underwriter of the Scotia Travel Insurance program, pay upfront for medical, and/or quarantine benefits?

In the event of a medical emergency, insured individuals must contact The Assistance Centre, who will arrange direct billing of covered expenses, where possible. If you choose to pay eligible expenses directly, the Assistance Centre will reimburse you subject to the terms and conditions of the coverage. 

Can coverage be extended during my time abroad?

If you already have coverage, simply call Customer Service. You may be able to extend your coverage, as long as:

a. your period of coverage does not extend beyond 365 days;

b. you remain eligible for insurance under this plan;

c. we have received the extension requests prior to the expiry date of your existing polcy issued by us; and

d. there has been no change between single or family coverage.

For policy extensions, no losses or expenses or benefits will be paid for any illness or injury which first appeared, whether diagnosed or not, or for which treatment may or may not have been received, prior to the effective date of the extension of coverage under this policy.  If you have a medical condition or pending claim, approval of the extension is subject to the approval.

Hospital and medical bills can easily run into thousands of dollars. Would I need to pay up front if I had an accident while travelling?

As outlined under your plan, it is essential that you contact our Assistance Centre prior to receiving medical treatment. The Assistance Centre has existing relationships with certain medical providers all over the world to help ensure emergency situations are handled as smoothly as possible. Our Assistance Centre will communicate with your medical provider, arrange direct billing where possible and coordinate payment for the emergency service received.

What is the maximum number of coverage days under this policy?

Under this policy, the maximum number of coverage days is 365 days. Upon expiry of a policy that has been in effect for 365 days (366 days in a leap year), you may purchase another student policy for the following term if you are eligible for coverage.

Why do I have to call the Assistance Centre prior to receiving any medical treatment?

The Assistance Centre will explain coverage, monitor care, pre-approve treatment and confirm enrolment to the service provider and explain the coverage to healthcare providers to help ensure that medical services are provided in accordance with the benefits of your policy.

How can an applicant fill out an application if he/she is not in Canada or available to complete the application?

To apply for coverage, an applicant or someone on his/her behalf may complete and sign the Visitors-to-Canada application. If someone other than the applicant completes the application, that person must ensure that he/she has full authorization to apply on behalf of the application and full knowledge of the applicant’s health information to complete the application accurately. Any incorrect statements on the application may make the policy null and void.

Are refunds available?

A refund is available if you cancel the policy at any time before the effective date of insurance (minimum $25.00). When you obtain Canadian government health insurance plan coverage from a Canadian province or territory, or return home before the scheduled return date as per the confirmation, and no claim has been initiated or reported or assistance services have not been provided, refunds are available for the unused days of the trip (minimum $25.00).

We ask you to call our Assistance Centre so that we can confirm your enrolment under the plan and, with the health care provider, manage the benefits in accordance with your policy. By calling the Assistance Centre, you may avoid any out-of-pocket expenses. If you do not call the Assistance Centre, you will have to pay 20% of the medical expenses normally covered under this policy. If it is medically impossible for you to call, have someone call on your behalf. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Assistance Centre has been notified. See your policy for details.

Travel Insurance

More coverage in more places ®.

Get out there and enjoy yourself knowing you have the right coverage and 24/7 access to a caring team who’s always on call—no matter how big or how small the emergency.

More Coverage In More Places™

• Coverage Types
• Submit Claim

Explore Your Coverage Options

Travel packages.

Coverage for the widest range of unexpected travel situations.

Travel Medical

Coverage to fill the gap left by my provincial health insurance.

Cancellation & Interruption

Coverage for non-refundable and/or non-transferable trip expenses if my trip is cancelled or interrupted.

Visitors to Canada

When visiting, immigrating to or studying in Canada and need emergency medical coverage.

Travel Insurance Advice by Trip Type

Choose from the topics below for some quick advice on the type of coverage that may be right for you:

Travel Insurance FAQs

Have a question about travel insurance? Get the answers you need here.

For questions about travel and COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 page.

• Eligibility
• Emergencies

Our goal is to make affordable travel insurance coverage available to as many Canadians as possible. In general, any Canadian resident can purchase some form of coverage with us. Factors such as where you are travelling, your health and the length of your trip may affect the specific coverage(s) available to you.

Note : Non-residents travelling to Canada, immigrants to Canada or foreign students studying in Canada may be eligible to purchase one of our Visitors to Canada Plans.

Generally speaking, no. While your age can affect your eligibility for certain coverages, we have packages and plans that cover all age groups. If you are age 65 or older, we may ask you to answer a few questions about your health to make sure you have the most appropriate coverage.

Yes, you may purchase a policy for your parents. Simply call us at 1-866-896-8172 , buy online , or visit an RBC Insurance Store . Depending on their age, they may be required to complete health questions in order to obtain coverage. If this is not a requirement, please keep in mind that all terms and conditions apply to your parents, therefore we recommend that you review the insurance with them prior to purchase.

Possibly. Depending on your age, medical condition and, if applicable, your answers to our health questions, pre-existing medical conditions are covered if they are stable for a certain time period (as specified in your policy) before your policy's effective date.

Note: Please refer to the policy document for complete coverage details regarding pre-existing conditions.

Your answers to the health questions (if applicable) will be used to help determine the benefits you are eligible to receive under your insurance policy.

When answering the health questions:

• Take your time. The questions may take up to 10 minutes to complete.
• You (the applicant) should complete and sign the Medical Questionnaire. (If you have someone else complete the Medical Questionnaire on your behalf, it is still your responsibility to make sure the answers to the questions are correct.)
• Read and answer each question carefully and accurately. Review your answers to confirm they are correct. Incorrect answers may lead to your coverage being voided or your claim denied.
• Have your prescriptions or a description of your medications nearby for reference.
• If you are unsure about any questions regarding your medical condition or medications, please speak to your physician.

If necessary, a family member or close friend can complete the questions on your behalf. Please keep in mind, however, that it is still your responsibility to sign the form and make sure the answers are correct.

Yes, it is recommended that you buy coverage for your spouse as well.

This answer depends largely on your child's age.

• If your child is under 2 years old and you are purchasing the Deluxe Package or a TravelCare ® Package, then your child receives emergency medical coverage at no extra cost.
• If your child is 2 or older , you'll need to purchase emergency medical coverage for him or her.
• No matter how old your child is , if you've purchased an airline ticket or made a separate trip deposit for him or her, consider buying a travel insurance package or trip cancellation and interruption insurance .

The right coverage for your trip depends on several factors, including (but not limited to) where you're travelling to, how long you’ll be gone, the kind of transportation you'll be using and, in some instances, your overall health. View all of our travel insurance products now.

An accident, illness or medical emergency can happen anywhere, anytime. If you need medical care or treatment in another country, your government health plan may cover only a portion of the costs. Travel insurance starts where these plans leave off.

Plus, with our emergency medical coverage, you have access to the multilingual representatives of Allianz Global Assistance.

Yes, if you are travelling outside your home province or territory. There are several reasons why it's important to get travel medical insurance when you're travelling within Canada. One reason is that accidents can happen anywhere. Another is that government health insurance plans do have limits on reimbursement of emergency medical expenses incurred while you are in another province. For example, the ambulance, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs might not be covered by some government health insurance plans.

You may extend your coverage if you extend your trip, subject to certain conditions of your policy.

If you've purchased a single trip plan, the following conditions apply:

• If you have not had a medical condition during your trip or while covered under your policy, you can request an extension by contacting us at 1-866-896-8172 before your original policy’s expiry date.
• If you have had a medical condition during your trip and while covered under your policy, you must request the extension by contacting Allianz Global Assistance before the expiry date of your original policy. Your extension is subject to the approval of Allianz Global Assistance.
• You must pay the required additional premium before your original policy’s expiry date.
• If we are unable to extend your particular policy's coverage due to the trip duration limits of your policy, you may be able to purchase a new policy from us.

If you've purchased a multi-trip annual plan, the following conditions apply:

You may purchase a top-up policy for the additional number of days beyond the duration covered by your multi-trip annual plan as follows:

• Before your effective date, you may contact us at 1-866-896-8172 to purchase top-up coverage.
• After your effective date and if you have not had a medical condition during your trip, you must contact us at 1-866-896-8172 before your original policy’s expiry date to purchase top-up coverage.
• After your effective date and if you have had a medical condition during your trip, you must contact Allianz Global Assistance before your original policy’s expiry date to request approval for and to purchase top-up coverage.
• The terms, conditions and exclusions of the new top-up policy apply to you.
• You must pay the required top-up premium on or before the effective date of the top-up period.

If you do NOT top-up your coverage for a trip, you will not be covered for any claims you make outside the period of insurance for that trip. If the top-up policy you are purchasing requires you to complete health questions, you must complete the health questions.

Please see the policy documents for complete coverage details regarding trip extensions.

It may, but not always. We recommend that you carefully review the travel insurance coverage provided by your credit card, as well as any special conditions or stipulations.

Do you have an RBC Royal Bank ® credit card?

To review the travel insurance coverage that comes with your RBC Royal Bank credit card, visit: www.rbcroyalbank.com/cards/documentation/index.html and click the "Insurance Certificate" link for your card.

We recommend that you carefully review your government health plan coverage. Government plans may not cover all emergency medical expenses once you leave your home province/territory and typically cover only a limited portion once you leave the country. In fact, the Canadian Government (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada) urges Canadians to purchase supplemental health insurance when leaving the country. They say:

Do not rely on your provincial or territorial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country health care can be costly, and your health plan may not cover any medical expenses abroad. It is your responsibility to seek information from your provincial or territorial health authority and to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. 2

Plus, government health insurance plans don't guarantee coverage for special care (air ambulance or emergency dental services, for instance).

Unlike government health insurance plans, our insurance offers you:

• Unlimited coverage for eligible medical expenses 1
• Up-front payment of eligible medical expenses whenever possible
• 24-hour, multilingual emergency medical assistance—one toll-free phone call puts you in touch with a multilingual professional who will refer you to a local doctor or facility in order for you to receive the care you need

Government health insurance plans also don't provide coverage for situations such as lost, damaged or delayed baggage or trip cancellation and interruption. Our travel insurance can provide these coverages and more.

Yes, you do need travel insurance to protect yourself against the unexpected, even if you are going to the United States for a few days. An illness or accident can happen at any time, whether you're on the road for a few days, or a few months. And remember, the cost of health care is very expensive in the United States and very little of this cost would be covered by your government health insurance plan, credit card or company benefits plan. For a short trip, the cost of travel insurance is minimal, and it gives you the protection you need.

If you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance, it will help pay for your expenses to return home in the event of a covered emergency. There are a number of circumstances that qualify as an emergency (for example, the death or serious illness of a family member). The cost of cancelling a trip prior to departure can be very expensive, as most trips are non-refundable and/or non-transferable, especially if you have to cancel just before leaving on your trip. Having to return early from a trip can also be very expensive. Either way, trip cancellation and interruption insurance is very important to protect your travel investment.

You must purchase coverage before departing on your trip. You may benefit from purchasing coverage as soon as you make your initial trip deposit, especially if you are purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance —either as stand-alone coverage or as part of one of our insurance packages .

If you were to book your trip 6 months in advance, consider the unexpected situations that could occur in that time.

If you purchase travel insurance from RBC Insurance, we will pay the eligible bills directly to the hospital or physician whenever possible.

There are a number of sports that are not covered during your trip. For more details, see the Exclusions section of the individual policy document.

You may purchase a top-up policy for the extra number of days beyond the duration covered by your multi-trip annual plan. Here are the conditions:

• After your effective date and if you have had a medical condition during your trip, you must contact Allianz Global Assistance before your original policy’s expiry date to request approval for and purchase top-up coverage.

Please see the policy document for complete coverage details regarding top-up coverage.

If you purchase one of our travel medical insurance plans—either Classic Medical or TravelCare ® Medical—you can, subject to certain conditions:

• If you are travelling for more than 183 days, you may purchase single trip coverage for up to 365 days provided that you are covered under your government health plan for the full duration of your trip.
• If you are 40-74 years of age , you must also answer a few health questions, which will determine whether you are eligible to purchase coverage for trips beyond 183 days.

Yes, if you are travelling with your spouse/partner and children or other family members, you could save money with our family plan pricing.

The cost of a trip can be a significant financial investment. A lot can also happen in the time between booking your trip and departing—if a medical emergency or other unexpected event prevents you from going on your trip, you could potentially lose some (or possibly all) of the money you paid.

With trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you're protected when certain situations prevent you from travelling as planned. Examples include:

• You can't travel due to an illness, job loss or immediate family member's medical emergency
• You need to return home earlier than scheduled because of a family emergency or medical condition

Note : We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance at the time you pay your initial travel deposit. Please see the policy document for complete coverage details, including terms and conditions.

Yes! Tell them about our Visitors to Canada Plans , which offer affordable emergency medical protection to visitors, immigrants, foreign students and Canadians without government health plan coverage.

We strongly recommend you do. Your insurance policy is a valuable source of information and contains provisions that may limit or exclude coverage. Please read it before you go, keep it in a safe place and carry it with you when you travel.

RBC Insurance has appointed AZGA Service Canada Inc. (operating as “Allianz Global Assistance”) as the provider of all assistance and claims.

Whether you have a new claim or questions about an existing claim, representatives will work with you to make things as easy as possible. Visit the Travel Insurance Claims page for more details about how to submit a claim.

It's our goal to settle every claim as quickly as possible. While every claim is different, there are things you can do to speed things up:

• If you require emergency care on your trip , call our emergency contact number immediately, or at the earliest possible opportunity (someone else can call if you're unable to). If you do not, your coverage may be limited and your benefits could be reduced.
• If you need to cancel your trip prior to departing , call your travel agency, airline, tour company or the carrier immediately to cancel your trip no later than one business day after the cause of cancellation. Call Allianz Global Assistance the same day.
• For all claims , carefully read the instructions for submitting your claim. Make sure you fully complete any required claims forms and submit all required documentation at your earliest possible convenience. For example, you may need to provide information on your past health history if you are submitting an emergency medical claim or a trip cancellation claim due to a medical condition.

The documentation you need to provide will depend on the type of claim, the type of plan you purchased and the province/territory in which you live. Visit the Travel Insurance Claims page for more details about how to submit a claim.

No matter where in the world you are, we’ll be here for you. If you have an emergency, you can call Allianz Global Assistance toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-947-1581 from the U.S. and Canada or (905) 816-2561 collect from anywhere in the world . Or as an alternative, you can email Allianz Global Assistance at: [email protected] . Disclaimer 3

The multilingual representatives of Allianz Global Assistance are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week when you have a medical emergency. You can rely on them to refer you or (when medically appropriate) transfer you to one of the accredited medical service providers within the Allianz Global Assistance network, so you can receive the care you need as quickly as possible.

Because the representatives are multilingual and have 24-hour access to real-time translation services, they can provide the help you need in your own language—and also have someone to communicate on your behalf with medical personnel who may speak a different language.

Whenever possible, Allianz Global Assistance will also request for the medical service provider within the network to bill the covered medical expenses directly to us instead of you—reducing stress and hassle.

Yes, as soon as medically possible. There are several reasons to call the emergency contact number first:

The multilingual representatives of Allianz Global Assistance are experienced experts in coordinating emergency care for travellers in foreign lands.

They're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you don't call Allianz Global Assistance first, your benefits may be reduced and your coverage may be limited. As stated in your policy, if you do not contact Allianz Global Assistance at the time of your medical emergency or you choose to receive treatment from a medical service provider outside the Allianz Global Assistance network, you will be responsible for 30% of your medical expenses covered under your insurance and in excess of your medical expenses paid by your government health plan.

You can call Allianz Global Assistance toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-947-1581 from the U.S. and Canada or (905) 816-2561 collect from anywhere in the world.

Of course, obtaining urgent care in an emergency is your #1 priority—and our representatives are here to help at our toll-free emergency contact number. However, if your medical condition Opens in new window prevents you from calling before seeking emergency treatment, then you must call as soon as medically possible.

Someone else (a family member, friend, hospital or physician's office staff, etc.) may call on your behalf–so it's a very good idea to carry your RBC Insurance travel insurance wallet card with you at all times.

They may call Allianz Global Assistance toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-947-1581 from the U.S. and Canada or (905) 816-2561 collect from anywhere in the world.

Or as an alternative, they can email3 Allianz Global Assistance at: [email protected] .

We will pay your eligible medical bills directly to the medical provider or hospital for you whenever possible.

Travel together. Save together.

Travelling with a group of 10 or more? Save with a group discount and enjoy all the benefits of RBC ® Travel Insurance.

Reasons to Love RBC Travel Insurance

Coverage available for all ages.

If you are travelling with your spouse/partner and children or other family members, you could save money with our family plan pricing.

Simplified Medical Questionnaire

Age 65 or over? Buying travel insurance is faster than ever – no long, complicated medical questionnaires.

Variety of Coverages

Whether you’re going on an overseas adventure, or a quick jaunt to another province or state for the weekend, a variety of packages and plans are available to cover your travels.

24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance

Experienced staff at the 24/7 assistance centre will provide:

• Caring, multilingual support
• Help finding local medical care
• Access to emergency air ambulances
• Access to expert medical professionals who will monitor your care
• Help with transportation to the nearest medical facility

For emergency medical and travel assistance

• See Emergency Contact Details

For questions about travel insurance or claims

• Speak to a Travel Advisor at 1-888-896-8172
• Get a Quote

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For Members

Find a plan, advice center, common questions, travel insurance for bc families and individuals.

Affordable travel starts with flexible protection from unexpected travel costs like medical emergencies, trip cancellation fees, baggage issues and more.

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Why British Columbians choose our Travel Insurance

Free for kids.

Only Pacific Blue Cross covers kids of all families for free when you buy Emergency Medical coverage.

Pre-Existing Coverage

Only Pacific Blue Cross offers $10 Million in travel insurance with just 7 days stability of your pre-existing conditions.

COVID-19 Coverage

Pacific Blue Cross Emergency Medical Insurance includes coverage for COVID-19 when you’re fully vaccinated.

You Save as a Member

Members always save an extra 10% and our family plans cover your children for free.

Always on Call

Our emergency assistance team doesn't take a day off.  They're available 24/7 should an emergency occur while you are travelling.

Recognized around the world

One of the most recognized symbols of health care in the world.  So you’ll be covered from Toronto to Thailand.

First Payer

If your employer provides you with benefits from Pacific Blue Cross, our plans protect your lifetime maximum.

A Proud Partner

We are the travel insurance partner of Make-A-Wish, helping make dream trips come true.

Choose one of our Travel Insurance plans below to get started

Emergency Medical

Comprehensive, flexible emergency medical care coverage for British Columbians while travelling outside of BC.

Why do I need this?

Trip Protection

Peace of mind coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, airline delays and baggage loss, damage or delay.

Visitors to Canada

Emergency health coverage for tourists, workers, new immigrants and students visiting BC.

— Pacific Blue Cross — Travel Health Check

Select the destination(s) you’ll be travelling to below

Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Advisories and Vaccinations

Travel Insurance and COVID-19

Travelling is a little different right now, so we’ve put together some helpful information to help you enjoy healthy travels.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance

Know before you go — testing, entry, borders, covid-19 coverage how it works, more questions our travel faq, a few frequently asked questions about travel insurance.

You should be aware that your provincial coverage may not pay for all health care costs you may incur while outside of the province, and the difference can be substantial. For example, B.C. pays $75 (CAD) a day for emergency in-patient hospital care, while the average cost in the U.S. often exceeds $1000 (US) a day, and can be as high as $10,000 (US) a day in intensive care. For this reason, you are strongly advised to purchase additional health insurance from a private insurer before you leave the province, whether you are going to another part of Canada or outside the country. You are advised to purchase additional coverage even if you plan to be away for only a day.

When you purchase Travel Medical insurance for one or two parents, each dependent child 21 years of age or younger who is subsequently added to your travel policy will receive free emergency medical coverage for up to $10,000,000.

An Annual plan provides the best value if you're taking two or more trips per year.

For example, at the 0-34 age group: Two 15-day Single trip plans: $86 One 15-day Annual plan: $52 Total savings with an Annual plan: $34

Plus, with an Annual plan, all of your trips under 15 days are covered within the year-- for even more savings.

Yes - Regardless of any existing conditions, we always advise members to still purchase coverage, as it will protect against all other accidents not related to that condition.

Travel insurance policies are designed to provide protection against unexpected emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption.

Depending on your age and the condition pre-existing medical conditions are covered if they are stable for a certain time period (as specified in your policy) before your policy's effective date.

It is important you review and understand any clauses or definitions in your chosen policy. Each travel insurance policy will uniquely define a pre-existing condition and there are many variations in wording. For example, policies may not cover conditions arising prior to the trip departure date:

• that are unstable
• where symptoms of an illness appeared
• that have been diagnosed or treated
• where medications have been changed

Travel policies will also specify a time frame, based on your age that relates to the evaluation of your pre-existing conditions. This time frame could be as short as 3 months but could be 1 year, 5 years or longer.

Some policies may provide coverage for your pre-existing conditions if you complete a more detailed medical questionnaire.

When purchasing our travel policy, we will evaluate pre-existing conditions for people 60 years and younger based on their health within the previous 3 months prior to the day their coverage begins. For people age 61 and over, we evaluate based on their health within 6 months prior.

It depends on the illness, its seriousness and its stability. Some illnesses are easily covered. Others require a three or six month stability period, depending on your age. Blue Cross offers the possibility of covering your illness with a medical questionnaire (available for persons aged 61 and over) filled out by your treating physician; Blue Cross’ medical team will then evaluate your condition. If authorized, you can travel worry-free: your chronic illness will also be covered.

When travelling internationally, you may be at risk for a number of diseases which are common in other parts of the world. You can learn more about Travel Vaccines on our Vaccination page .

Looking for other types of coverage?

Personal health insurance.

Our Personal Health Insurance plans providers coverage for people who are not covered by an employer group plan

Critical Illness Insurance

Our Critical Illness Insurance can help manage your ongoing financial obligations in the unfortunate scenario of recovering from a serious disease

Life Insurance

Ensure the financial health of your loved ones from one of the most respected Life Insurance brands in Canada

Plan Details

All of our plans include:

• Up to $10 million of emergency medical care
• 24/7 access to a team of professionals to contact you with local resources
• Direct Pay — We will pay any providers directly.
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions — As long as your pre-existing condition meets a minimum stability period, you can receive full protection.

Plan Highlights

• Emergency medical expenses
• Ambulance and taxi fees
• Repatriation costs
• Transportation to visit the covered person
• Medical Follow-up in Canada
• Subsistence allowance

Add-on Options

You can add the following individual benefits to your plan or choose a package and save:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption
• Emergency Return
• Air-Flight Accicent
• Baggage loss, delay or damage
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Call us if an emergency strikes

If you do experience an unexpected emergency while travelling, we are here to help.

During your trip, you can call our   Medi-Assist   service to determine your level of coverage and receive help:

• In Canada or the U.S., call toll-free:   1-888-699-9333
• Outside of Canada or the U.S. or where toll-free is unavailable, please call collect to   1-604-419-4487   and we will pay for the call.

Claims Process

Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Claims  — Four simple steps

Trip Cancellation / Baggage Claim Form — Form for claiming Trip Cancellations or Lost Baggage [pdf]

Visitors to Canada Travel Plan Claim Form — Form for claiming against a Visitors to Canada Travel Plan contract [pdf]

Pacific Blue Cross Travel Medical Insurance provides $10,000,000 in coverage for costs related to emergency medical care resulting from an accident or sudden illness while travelling outside British Columbia. An Annual plan provides the best value for snowbirds, frequent travellers and cross-border hoppers who make multiple trips outside BC each year. Plan coverage includes:

In addition to paying for you to return to your province or residence to receive immediate medical attention*, we will arrange to have your vehicle returned, your pet returned and your baggage returned. Should an insured person pass away, we cover the cost of repatriating the deceased.

*Requires the authorization of the attending physician and CanAssistance.

Trip Protection Options

You can add the following individual benefits to your plan, buy them separately, or choose a package and save:

Pacific Blue Cross Visitors to Canada Insurance provides coverage for costs related to emergency medical care resulting from an accident or sudden illness while visiting British Columbia. Plan coverage includes:

Hospitalization, Medical and Paramedical Expenses

Transportation expenses.

The following services must be approved and planned by Medi-Assist.

We’ve got you covered, even when travel advisories change

Pacific Blue Cross Travel Medical plans contain $10M in COVID-19 coverage for fully vaccinated travellers, no matter the travel advisory. So rest assured, your plan will continue to provide the protection you need in emergency medical situations, even if and when Canadian government advisories change. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, you can learn more about how changing travel advisories may impact your coverage in our Frequently Asked Questions .

Speak to someone to learn more about one of our TRAVEL insurance products

Contact us about your existing Pacific Blue Cross coverage or products

I’d like more information on your Travel Plans

• Medical Plan
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• Visitors to Canada Plan
• Seeking medical treatment
• How to file a claim
• Access Claims Portal
• Complaint resolution process
• Understanding travel insurance
• Choosing travel insurance
• Before your trip
• On your trip

Travel Tips

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Travel medical insurance

Key takeaways.

• Your usual health insurance may not cover you while you’re travelling.
• Travel medical insurance can help cover medical emergencies while you’re away.
• Travel medical insurance can be purchased as part of your other health coverage.

What is travel medical insurance?

When you travel outside of province or outside of Canada, the  health insurance coverage  you rely on when you’re at home (whether government or individual) may not cover you for accident or illness – and if you are covered, the amount may be much smaller.

This means that if you get hurt or become ill while you’re travelling, you’ll be responsible for any medical bills you incur. This can become very costly, very quickly, and some hospitals may even require upfront payment before they’ll treat you.

That’s where travel medical insurance comes in.

Travel medical insurance is different than trip cancellation insurance, which can cover the cost of your flight or hotel if you have to cancel.

When do you need travel medical insurance?

Anytime you’re leaving your province – even if it’s just for a day trip – you should consider getting travel medical insurance. This is because the second you cross that provincial border, you may no longer have the same coverage as you did at home. This means you need it when:

• You’re travelling outside your home province or territory 
• You’re travelling to the USA 
• You’re travelling internationally 

What do government health plans cover?

Canada has  13 provincial and territorial health plans  that provide basic health coverage to residents. What’s covered by these when you travel will depend on both where you live and where you’re travelling.

Travelling within Canada

In accordance with the  Canada Health Act Opens a new website in a new window  provinces and territories must extend medically necessary hospital and physician coverage to eligible residents when they travel outside that province or territory.

While specific cases may vary, this generally means that you can present an eligible health card when you receive treatment at a hospital or doctor’s office, and costs will be billed directly to your provincial or territorial plan.

This is to prevent Canadians potentially not being able to access medical care due to upfront costs, although in some cases, you may need to pay upfront for services and then claim reimbursement from your home provincial or territorial plan when you return.

Some health services, known as “additional benefits”, are usually not covered outside your home province or territory. Examples include:

• Ground or air ambulance services
• Prescription drug costs
• Dental care

If you’re planning to travel to a different province or territory, check your applicable  Ministry of Health website Opens a new website in a new window  to confirm what is and isn’t covered, and make sure to always carry your health card with you. Even if you’re travelling within the country, you may find it still makes sense to have some additional coverage in place.

Travelling outside of Canada

It is strongly recommended that when travelling outside of Canada, residents  have travel insurance prior to leaving Opens a new website in a new window .

This is because your provincial or territorial health insurance may not cover your medical bills while you’re outside Canada, or only cover a small portion of the total.

The Government never pays for medical bills outside of Canada upfront, meaning you’d need to pay for services at the time of treatment and then claim reimbursement.

Depending on where you’re travelling to and the type of medical assistance you need, this could potentially amount to hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Travel health insurance can help give you access to medical care in some countries where, if you’re unable to pay upfront, you may be denied treatment.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a  snowbird  or planning a special once-in-a-lifetime trip, buying travel insurance can help ensure that should something unexpected happen, you and your loved ones are able to receive the necessary medical treatment.

If you’re part of a Canada Life workplace benefit plan,  sign into your account  or speak to a health and wealth consultant to add travel medical insurance to your existing coverage. If you have personal health and dental coverage such as  Freedom to Choose , learn more about  adding travel insurance to your plan .

What does travel medical insurance cover?

It can vary between plans, but these are usually covered:

• Emergency care, like an injury or a sudden illness like heart attack or appendicitis
• Medical evacuation, either home to Canada or the nearest place with the right level of medical care
• Repatriation if you pass away
• Medical costs up to a maximum amount, which can vary depending on your plan 
• Pre-existing conditions, although pre-travel stability periods may apply

What doesn’t travel medical insurance cover?

Again, it varies but these are pretty standard exclusions:

• Injuries or death caused by high-risk activities, like skydiving or scuba diving
• Routine or elective care
• COVID-19, although some plans – like Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose™ health and dental insurance – may provide coverage 
• Certain destinations, particularly if the government has issued a travel advisory  

How do you get travel medical insurance?

There are a few different ways to get travel insurance:

• Your workplace or group benefits plan
• Your individual health and dental insurance plan, where it may be offered as additional coverage (For example,  Freedom to Choose  health and dental insurance allows you to purchase it as an add-on to your health insurance, often for just a few extra dollars a month)
• A credit card that includes travel insurance coverage
• A company offering single trip travel policies

What kinds of travel insurance can you get?

Annual or multi-trip medical insurance.

This can cover any trips you take over an entire year, and is a great choice for a frequent traveller

Single trip travel medical insurance

This is a plan that you buy for a specific time period, which means you’re only covered for the days on your policy

What's next?

• When you’re planning your next trip, make sure you’re covered for any health emergencies that aren’t covered by your usual insurance.
• If you have or are considering an individual health insurance plan, think about adding travel medical insurance as optional extra coverage.

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Related articles

Canada Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for canada: a guide for us travelers .

From exploring Banff National Park's breathtaking landscapes to experiencing Toronto's vibrant culture or the historic sites of Quebec City, Canada offers a wide range of popular locations and activities. However, before you dive into your adventure, there's a crucial detail to address: securing your travel insurance. 

Discover all the ins and outs of travel insurance for Canada in this guide.   We've got you covered with details on costs, requirements, essential coverage, COVID-19 restrictions, and some handy tips for your trip. 

What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Canada? 

How does travel insurance work for canada, do i need travel insurance for canada , how much does travel insurance cost for canada .

• Travel Insurance Requirements for Canada 

Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for US Visitors? 

Are there any required travel vaccinations for canada , traveling with pre-existing medical conditions , our suggested axa travel protection plan .

At a minimum, your travel insurance to Canada should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. Regarding international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage.   AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind.    

• Medical Coverage – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.    
• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.   
• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.   
• Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.   
• Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons.  Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders. 

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for Canada.

Let’s say you’re exploring Ottawa's stunning architecture or skiing down Banff's slopes with AXA Travel Protection. If you were to fall ill or face an unexpected travel hiccup, AXA Travel Protection steps in to help support you. Whether assisting in medical transportation or finding the best alternative for a trip delay, AXA Travel Protection ensures you’re supported in your time of need.  

How AXA Travel Protection Can Benefit Visitors to Canada 

Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can have access to with an AXA Travel Protection Plan: 

Medical Benefits: 

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees. 
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation. 
• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation : In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms.   

Baggage Benefits: 

• Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries. 
• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings.   

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits: 

• Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury. 
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions. 
• Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.   

Additional Optional Travel Benefits:

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft. 
• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy. 
• Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures. 
• Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.   

Americans aren't required to purchase domestic or international travel insurance to visit Canada. But it’s still highly recommended to have a travel insurance plan before embarking on your next trip.  

Why? There are several reasons: 

• Medical Emergencies: Your health is a top priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in Canada, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.    
• Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.   
• Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel insurance can help cover the costs. 

In general, travel insurance to Canada costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans: 

• Total Trip cost: The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc.   
• Age: Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals. 

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to Canada will be offered three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold , and Platinum . Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs. 

Travel Insurance requirements for Canada 

Travel insurance is not mandatory for US travelers coming to Canada, but having coverage for medical emergencies is a smart move. It's also worth checking if your visa, entry requirements, or tour operator call for extra coverage.   

As of October 2023, Canada has eliminated all COVID-19 entry requirements. However, it's crucial to be mindful of your health. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms before your trip, consider postponing your travel plans to Canada. Having Cancel for Any Reason as part of your travel insurance plan becomes invaluable in such a scenario. This optional benefit provides the flexibility to cancel your trip, even for a reason beyond standard coverage.   

Canada does not have specific vaccine requirements for travelers. However, due to COVID-19, travel requirements may change from time to time. Stay up-to-date on vaccine requirements and recommendations by consulting official sources such as the Government of Canada's website.   

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.   Our Gold and Platinum  plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.  The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons, 

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plans with a pre-existing medical condition , so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. We're here to ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation.   

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver Plan , Gold Plan , and Platinum Plan , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that Canadian hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.  

The Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the Canadian experience. " Cancel for Any Reason " offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the " Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver) " offers assistance when you're out exploring Canada's stunning landscapes in a rental car. 

Additionally, part of the Platinum Plan is the " Lost Skier Days " benefit, offering potential reimbursement if ski resorts unexpectedly close due to ever-changing snow conditions. These perks make the Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking comprehensive protection during their exciting Canadian adventures. 

FAQs about Canada Travel Insurance   

1. can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight .

Absolutely, travelers have the option to purchase travel insurance for Canada after they've booked their flights.  

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.)   AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip.   Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit. 

2. Do US citizens need travel insurance to Canada? 

Travel insurance to Canada from the USA is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. While Canada’s healthcare system is fantastic, it might not cover all your medical expenses as a non-resident and medical bills can add up fast.  

3. What type of medical conditions does AXA Travel Protection cover?  AXA covers three types of medical expenses: 

• Emergency medical expenses 
• Emergency evacuation & repatriation 
• Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation 

Emergency medical expenses are unexpected incidents that arise, such as broken bones, burns, unexpected illnesses, and allergic reactions.  Emergency evacuation and repatriation can cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.     Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation can cover evacuation assistance when you immediately leave a destination for non-medical-related events. These could be things like natural disasters or civil unrest.   

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions.  AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.  

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Travel Insurance For Canada: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Updated: Apr 30, 2024, 1:13pm

Table of Contents

Do you need travel insurance for canada, what type of travel insurance do you need, what does travel insurance for canada cover, what does travel insurance exclude, best travel insurance for canada, frequently asked questions (faqs).

From hiking trails in Ontario to traversing the slopes of the famous ski resort town of Whistler, there is no shortage of places to visit in Canada.

The vast North American country is a popular destination for travel-loving Aussies. In addition to a growing share of business travelers, more than 350,000 Australian tourists typically visit Canada each year.

While visitor numbers faded during the Covid-19 pandemic, the multitude of Australians heading to the Great White North has picked up in the last two years, particularly to experience the country’s stunning landscape.

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On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

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Cover-More Travel Insurance

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Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

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Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Travel insurance for Canada isn’t compulsory, but it’s highly recommended to cover for any lost or stolen baggage, the possibility of your trip getting cancelled due to an emergency, illness such as Covid-19 or bereavement, and to cover medical expenses.

The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website recommends that travellers purchase travel insurance before any overseas trip.

As in any foreign country, medical care in Canada can be expensive for visitors, with a visit to a doctor potentially setting you back by hundreds of dollars.

The Australian government won’t cover these costs, and there is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Australia and Canada, so you aren’t covered by Australian Medicare either.

In addition, given the large geography of the country covering a variety of destinations from beaches to mountains to national parks, it is wise to hold insurance cover for a multitude of events and a variety of potential risks including natural disasters, crime or other types of emergencies.

International travel cover for Canada is generally available in the following ways:

Basic travel insurance

This type of policy is broadly focused on cover for unlimited overseas emergency medical expenses, but also includes insurance for luggage, personal liability and other essential benefits. It is usually the cheapest option available and is suitable for those traveling on a budget or for single trips.

Comprehensive travel insurance

This type of insurance typically includes higher amounts of cover for the essentials benefits such as medical expenses, luggage, personal liability, and so on. In addition, it includes cover for travel delays, rental vehicle excess, loss of passports and credit cards, hijacking, disability, accidental death, and more, depending on your policy.

Some insurers offer variations of the comprehensive policy that are suitable for multiple trips within a 12-month period.

Optional add-on policies

Given the growing number of Australians heading to Canada for cruises, road trips or to the ski slopes, some insurers have come up with add-on policies specifically tailored for a variety of adventure sports and transport options available. These include cruise packs, winter sports packs and even higher cover for rental vehicles.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Most international travel insurance policies will cover medical and hospital expenses, ambulance transportation, repatriation flights, as well as personal liability if you injure someone, or damage property while you’re in the country.

Policies will also cover, within limits, lost or delayed luggage and possessions, the costs of trip delays, interruptions or cancellations, and lost or stolen travel documents.

Comprehensive policies usually offer a broader cover to include personal accident cover in case of an injury during your trip that leads to permanent disability or death, and insurance excess payment if your rental car meets with an accident.

If you are planning to take advantage of Canada’s vast offering of adventure sports and activities, make sure these are covered by your policy—or that there is an option to add it on.

Most comprehensive policies will include popular sporting and leisure activities such as hiking, surfing, kayaking, and so on. However, more extreme activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, snow skiing or snowboarding will generally require an additional adventure sports cover at extra cost.

Most travel insurance policies to Canada will not provide cover in the following cases:

• Illegal activities: Insurers will reject any claims arising if you knowingly act illegally or dangerously.
• If you are under the influence: Insurance cover is specifically void if you cause a disturbance through drunken behaviour or under the influence of drugs.
• Unattended luggage: Insurers will ignore any claim for loss if your luggage is stolen while it was left unattended in public.
• Pre-existing medical conditions: Insurers can avoid claims for any major medical conditions, if they have not been made aware of these before taking out a policy.
• Extreme sports: International travel insurance policies generally don’t provide automatic coverage for things like extreme sports, snowboarding or surfing. An optional add-on cover is required for these activities.

Most travel insurers in Australia offer insurance policies for travel to Canada. What policy suits you best will depend on your requirements including duration, age, and the type of cover.

It will also be determined by your specific needs, such as whether you are taking part in snow sports or other adventure activities.

An easy way to compare travel insurance policies is to use an online comparison tool, or read through our leading picks of travel insurance policies for Australians . However, always consider whether or not they include the extras you will require for your trip, and any pre-existing medical conditions you would require cover for.

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Do I need travel insurance to travel to Canada?

Travel insurance for Canada isn’t mandatory, but is highly recommended.

The Australian Government urges travellers to purchase travel insurance before any overseas trip, especially for medical cover.

Medical costs can be extremely expensive in a foreign country, especially if you have to visit a doctor, dentist or hospital in an emergency, so travel insurance is very handy.

Does my visa card have travel insurance?

Not every credit card comes with travel insurance. Complimentary travel insurance is typically offered on premium credit or rewards cards that have higher annual fees. In addition, this may not cover all circumstances or emergencies. By comparison, a travel insurance policy will offer more comprehensive coverage that includes emergency medical expenses.

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Prashant Mehra is a freelance journalist based in Sydney. He has more than 20 years of international experience covering financial news, including with Reuters and the Australian Associated Press (AAP). He writes about business, markets, the economy and investing.