Since 2011, the Canadian super visa program has helped to connect Canadian citizens and residents with their foreign parents and grandparents. And the unique health insurance plan for visitors to Canada on this kind of visa, also known as super visa insurance, has helped keep them covered in case an emergency happens during their stay.

However, there has been some confusion about super visa insurance payment options. The rules about how you can pay for it have changed a few times since the program was rolled out. In this article, we’ll clarify the issue and provide some details on what kind of payment options are available.

Can I pay for super visa insurance monthly?

Yes, you can pay for super visa insurance either monthly or yearly. Just be aware that only certain providers offer monthly payment plans right now. Most providers only allow you to pay annually.

But either option is accepted by the Canadian government. They only require that the medical insurance plan for visitors with this kind of visa be paid by the time that person arrives in Canada, either:

• Paid in full for a 12-month period
• Deposit paid for a monthly payment plan

Note that the government will not accept just quotes for a payment plan. The insurance policy must be paid according to the requirements listed above.

Can I switch to paying for super visa insurance monthly?

Yes, you can change from a yearly to a monthly payment plan for your super visa medical insurance coverage, if your provider has that option. Remember, only a few providers offer monthly payment options.

If you’ve already paid in full for the full year of health insurance for your super visa, you may have to wait until your current plan ends before you can switch to a monthly payment plan.

Or, if you’re already in Canada and you want to stay longer by extending your visa, you can ask for a monthly payment plan when you renew your health insurance.

Which Canadian providers offer monthly payment plans for super visa insurance?

Some of the best Canadian insurance companies allow super visa insurance payments to be made monthly, including:

• 21st Century
• Travelance
• Secure Travel

We work with all of these providers at PolicyAdvisor.com, so contact us if you’re interested in getting a monthly payment plan. Our team would be happy to go over some coverage options with you!

Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents started their life in the country as immigrants. They may put down roots to build their new life, like buying their first house or starting families. But they also often want their parents or grandparents to come visit them.

Thankfully, the Canadian government has special programs to help families stay together for long periods of time. One of those programs is the Canadian super visa.

In this article, we’ll go into detail about the super visa insurance that’s required as part of that program.

What is super visa insurance?

Super visa insurance is a specific type of travel medical insurance. It helps to pay for emergency medical attention if the visa-holder gets sick or hurt while they are in Canada.

This kind of insurance is designed to meet the needs of the super visa. Having enough insurance is an important part of having a super visa. This kind of insurance makes sure visa-holders tick the box.

What are the super visa insurance requirements? 

The minimum requirements a super visa insurance policy has to meet are:

• Must be valid for at least one year from the date the visa-holder arrives in Canada
• Must have at least $100,000 CAD in coverage
• Must cover emergency medical care, possible hospitalization, and repatriation
• Must be active and available for review by an immigration official each time the visa-holder enters Canada
• Must have been bought from a Canadian insurance company

Do you need super visa insurance?

Yes, visitors who come to Canada on a super visa need super visa insurance. A major part of the super visa program is making sure that visitors aren’t a financial burden on public healthcare. Or on the family member sponsoring them. You need this insurance to prove that you have enough coverage in case a health emergency happens during the years-long visit.

How much does super visa insurance cost?

Super visa insurance can cost between $100 to $200 per month for each parent or grandparent visiting Canada. But the exact cost of Canadian super visa insurance fees can vary, depending on factors like:

• Age
• Health & medical history
• Policy length
• Amount of coverage
• Deductible

Originally, super visa insurance had to be paid in full at the time of purchase. But as of December 2022, there are options to pay in monthly installments instead. Someone can also sponsor their parents or grandparents and buy the super visa insurance on their behalf. Read more about super visa insurance payment options.

The below table shows how much Canadian super visa insurance might cost at different ages.

Super visa insurance premiums based on age

What is the deductible for super visa insurance?

The deductible of your super visa insurance policy is the amount of money you decide to pay for medical care before your coverage kicks in. Different insurance companies offer different deductible amounts. Some deductibles can be zero, which means you don’t have to pay anything. Others can be thousands of dollars.

You can save money on your insurance costs based on the deductible options you choose. The chart below shows how choosing a higher deductible can make your insurance premiums lower.

How much can you save on super visa insurance with deductibles?

One of the pros of choosing a higher deductible is that you will pay less monthly or annual costs for your insurance coverage. On the other hand, choosing a lower deductible is the opposite.

When you have a zero-dollar deductible, you don’t have to pay anything upfront for medical expenses. But you’ll have to pay a higher premium each month. Some people decide to pay a deductible, so their premium is lower. They then pay for smaller medical expenses, like prescription drugs, when they need to.

Here’s how different deductibles affect super visa insurance premiums with some of Canada’s top insurers.

Super visa insurance premiums based on deductible

What does super visa insurance cover?

Most super visa insurance policies typically cover:

• Emergency medical treatment for illness or injury
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental services
• Essential medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, slings, braces, etc.)
• X-rays and other diagnostic laboratory procedures (bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc)
• Required ground, air or sea ambulance services
• Follow-up post-medical appointments
• Ambulance travel to the nearest hospital

While most policies cover these basic areas, each super visa medical insurance policy is unique. Travellers have multiple options when applying for this kind of coverage.

What does super visa insurance NOT cover?

Most super visa insurance policies do not cover:

• Routine doctor visits
• Planned vision or dental care (like cosmetic surgeries)

Remember, this is a type of medical travel insurance for visitors to Canada. It’s meant to help if something unexpected happens and you need medical assistance.

Does super visa insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, supervisa insurance will cover pre-existing conditions or medical conditions that you already had before you applied if they are stable. Stable means your condition has not:

• Gotten worse
• Caused new symptoms
• Caused you to need new medication or treatment
• Cause a new diagnosis

Most Canadian providers say that your pre-existing health issue has to meet these conditions for at least 180 days (about 6 months) to be considered stable and included under your health insurance plan for the Canadian supervisa.

But note that this can be different for different providers. The amount of time your condition has to be stable, also called a “minimum stability period”, can be anywhere from 90-180 days.

Some providers may charge you more to include pre-existing conditions in your supervisa health insurance plan.

If you’re looking for supervisa health insurance and you have a pre-existing health matter, you should speak with one of our licensed advisors. We work closely with some of Canada’s top insurers so we can help you find the right plan for your needs.

Can I buy super visa insurance on behalf of my visiting family?

Yes, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can purchase a super visa insurance policy on behalf of their parent(s) or grandparent(s). In fact, most do!

With a supervisa, the person who sponsors their family’s stay in Canada is responsible for their expenses during their visit. This includes any medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance. Since sponsors are already responsible for the costs of their guests, many of them decide to buy their super visa insurance too. This helps them make sure they have the right coverage and get additional coverage if they need to.

Are there alternatives to super visa insurance?

No, there are no alternatives to super visa insurance. A hard rule for the visa to be approved is having proof of medical insurance coverage. A super visa medical insurance policy is the only option to meet this requirement.

But there are other visitor’s visas and immigration programs that do not need super visa insurance. They include:

• The 6-month standard visitor visa
• The electronic travel authorization (eTA) for travellers from eligible countries
• A passport for travellers from visa-exempt countries
• The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP). This program lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada.

Canadians can also consider regular travel insurance for parents or grandparents if they plan on visiting for a shorter period of time. They may not need as much coverage as insurance for super visa, so they can save on costs by getting a regular plan instead.

Do you need to purchase a super visa insurance policy in Canada?

No, you do not have to physically be in Canada to buy super visa insurance. You just have to buy it from a Canadian insurance provider. But you can buy the policy whether you are in Canada or elsewhere. You can only apply for the visa itself from outside of Canada, though.

Can you get a discount if you buy several super visa insurance policies?

Yes, most insurance companies will give you a discount if you buy more than one super visa insurance policy at once. Each company has its own special offers and deals. Ask about the multi-policy discount to find out how you can save!

Do you need to take a medical test for super visa insurance?

No, you don’t need to go through a medical exam or do labwork to get super visa insurance. You will only be asked some questions about your health when you apply.

Be sure to only give honest and accurate answers to each question during the application process. If you give false information, your policy could be cancelled. And if that happens, you risk losing your visa on the whole.

Can you get a refund for super visa insurance?

Yes, you can get a refund for super visa insurance. But only in some circumstances. For example, if you apply for a policy and get approved but your super visa application is denied. In this case, you can get a full refund for your supervisa insurance policy.

Can you cancel super visa insurance?

Yes, you are allowed to cancel super visa insurance. But it doesn’t happen often because this kind of insurance is mandatory for the visa itself.

Let’s say your super visa application was accepted and you’re now using that visa to stay in Canada. You wouldn’t be able to cancel the insurance because that would also cancel your visa.

But let’s say you have to leave Canada earlier than expected, and you haven’t used your insurance plan. In that case, you can cancel your insurance policy and get some money back. But you might have to pay a cancellation fee.

Can foreign workers in Canada get super visa insurance for their families?

No, the parents and grandparents of foreign workers in Canada cannot get a super visa or insurance for super visa. It’s only available to the relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Foreign workers, like international students, are considered temporary residents in Canada. But their visiting relatives can still get standard travel insurance.

Does super visa insurance cover dental treatment or dental emergencies?

Yes, supervisa insurance covers emergency dental expenses. Depending on your policy, super visa insurance can provide thousands of dollars in coverage for dental emergencies and expenses. Note that it does not cover planned dental treatment, like cosmetic surgery.

Can I get supervisa insurance for my parents and/or grandparents during the COVID pandemic?

Yes, you can still buy super visa medical insurance for visiting family even if there are COVID-related concerns. There are no restrictions about this right now. The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer considers COVID a global health emergency. So, many insurance companies have removed their rules about it.

But one thing to note is that the insurance plan usually does not start until the insured person arrives in Canada. If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19, or if they’re coming from a country with travel restrictions, it could delay their arrival. This could delay their medical coverage until they formally arrive and are accepted by Canadian customs.

Read more about COVID-19 and travel insurance.

How long does super visa insurance coverage last?

Super visa insurance coverage lasts for up to 1 year at a time. Its bought in 1-year increments, so the super visa holder needs to get a new policy every year they remain in Canada.

Also keep in mind that if the visitor leaves Canada and comes back again, they will need to have new, valid super visa insurance coverage.

Which providers offer super visa insurance?

You can get a parent/grandparent super visa insurance policy from some of the best insurance companies in Canada, like:

• Manulife
• Tugo
• Group Medical Services (GMS)
• Allianz
• 21st Century Travel Insurance Limited
• Destination Canada
• and more!

The different providers each have different packages. Connect with one of our agents to find out which would be best for you and your family today!

If you’ve ever shopped around for a credit card, chances are you’ve seen this before: a shiny new card offering travel benefits like insurance coverage in case your trip goes awry. But is it really comparable to a policy you could buy on your own?

There are key differences between travel insurance coverage offered through your credit card company and what a separate insurance policy you own offers. The question of which is better comes down to your own needs and the kind of trip(s) you’re taking.

What is credit card travel insurance?

Credit card travel insurance is a type of coverage included as a benefit with certain types of credit cards. Similar to standard travel insurance policies purchased from an insurance company (or through a brokerage like PolicyAdvisor), a travel plan provided through your credit card is meant to cover you in the event of an emergency either before or during your trip away from home.

Travel insurance in general can help with unexpected expenses that may arise along your journey, and the coverage provided through your credit card is no exception.

What kind of travel insurance can I get through my credit card?

Credit card providers can offer several different types of insurance, although they are almost exclusively for purchases made through that specific credit card. Of those many different credit card insurance options, the most common ones related to travel can include:

• Trip delay, cancellation, and interruption
  Provides coverage for some prepaid and non-refundable expenses. For example, if you have to unexpectedly cancel your trip before you leave Canada, or if an emergency happens and you have to cut your trip short. It also covers you if you encounter travel delays. Most often this means flight delays or cancellations where you miss a connecting flight, extra bills for unexpected hotel nights and meals, or any additional costs that arise.

• Baggage and personal effects
  Covers you if your bags or other personal belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged somewhere along your journey.

• Travel accident
  Travel accident insurance acts similarly to accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. It provides a lump sum payment in case the insured (usually the cardholder) has an accident resulting in death or a severe physical injury like loss of limbs, paralysis, etc.

• Emergency medical
  One of the most common forms of travel insurance, emergency medical covers unexpected health costs. This usually includes medical care, hospitalization, ambulance services, evacuation, prescription medication, and a host of similar costs.

• Rental car
  Provides coverage if you rent a car during your trip and that car is damaged or stolen. Some plans also extend coverage to your personal belongings that may have been inside the rental car and stolen.

• Emergency roadside assistance
  This can help if your car (rental or otherwise) breaks down during your trip, gets a flat tire, or otherwise runs into issues leaving you stranded. It’s particularly useful for road trips.

• Hotel burglary
  Covers you if your personal belongings are stolen out of your hotel room while you’re checked in. This coverage may extend to other accommodations like motels and Airbnbs as well, but it’s best to speak with an insurance advisor to find out for certain.

However, keep in mind that while these are possibilities, not all credit cards will include all of these coverage options. And you often don’t have much flexibility to pick and choose your coverage like you would with a separate travel insurance plan.

How does credit card travel insurance work?

Card benefits usually come with a suite of complimentary travel benefits as part of the card’s package, including some travel insurance coverage. This is especially the case for cards that offer other premium rewards and cost an annual fee. These credit card benefits are basically the company’s way of trying to entice you to sign up for their services.

Because of these advertised travel benefits, credit card travel insurance can be extremely appealing to people who travel frequently, such as on short business trips.

In some cases, travel insurance is not automatically included. But in those cases, cardholders may be able to purchase plans like emergency medical coverage or trip cancellation/interruption insurance through their card provider at an extra cost.

While credit card coverage is often the easy, go-to option for Canadians fortunate enough to have it included, those plans can vary significantly depending on the provider and the level of coverage you opt for. Further, credit card travel insurance is notorious for including restrictions in the fine print.

You should be cautious when deciding whether to rely on your credit card travel insurance coverage. Be careful not to go on a trip thinking you have coverage only to find out that your plan doesn’t actually cover everything! It’s important to find out exactly what you’re covered for ahead of time, or speak with one of our experts for more guidance.

Requirements for credit card travel coverage

Every credit card issuer will have specific eligibility requirements for the coverage options they offer. In most cases, the main condition is that you must purchase the entire trip on your card.

Companies may also require you to have an annual income above a certain amount to be eligible for a card with travel benefits.

Age is another consideration. Many credit card providers will end travel insurance coverage for anyone over the age of 65. But there are some exceptions that offer premium credit cards with optional add-on coverage for those above that age.

What is individually-owned travel insurance?

Individually-owned travel insurance is a policy that you purchase directly from an insurance company or broker like PolicyAdvisor. It is separate from the travel insurance coverage offered through your card issuer.

There is a wide range of travel insurance options to choose from, and coverage can overlap with your credit card travel insurance benefits. But individual travel insurance often provides more coverage and higher coverage limits.

It is also primary coverage, which means that it will pay out first if you make a claim.

What does travel insurance normally cover?

As with a credit card provider, insurance companies also offer several different types of travel insurance coverage. For the most part, plans are some variation or extension of the major two:

• Travel medical insurance
  Covers emergency health-related costs, including medical care for emergencies, ambulance transportation (including air ambulance), emergency evacuation or repatriation of remains to Canada, prescription medication, hospitalization (including due to COVID-19), and other emergency medical services.

• Trip interruption/cancellation insurance
  Covers prepaid, non-refundable costs related to your trip. It also covers unexpected costs if you have to cancel your trip before leaving or if you have to end your trip early (including for COVID-19-related reasons).

Read more about travel insurance coverage for COVID-19.

What does travel insurance not cover?

Of course, no insurance policy is a free-for-all. While individually-owned travel insurance does generally provide more coverage than credit card travel insurance, there are some things even those plans would not cover.

The major exclusion is travel to destinations with active travel advisories, or travel when Canada’s government advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel. In these instances, an insurance provider may decline to provide travel coverage.

Further, most travel insurance plans, no matter where they are purchased from, will not cover certain sports that are considered to have a high risk of injury. These include skydiving, bungee jumping, parachuting, hang gliding, motorbike or car racing, mountain climbing, and similar sporting activities.

What are some differences between credit card coverage and owned coverage?

Cost differences

In particular, the difference in cost between individual travel insurance and credit card travel insurance may surprise you. Although many card plans include free travel coverage, some plans might actually cost more than individually-owned travel policies, depending on the kind of coverage purchased.

Some credit cards with travel plans can cost you anywhere from $200 to upwards of $600 in annual fees. Conversely, individually-owned travel insurance can be as low as around $25 per trip. That’s not quite as low as $0, but it’s certainly a fair amount considering the extent of coverage you could be getting. At the same time, some individually-owned annual travel insurance plans can cost upwards of $100 per year, again depending on several factors.

In terms of which option of the two provides the best overall value, that answer necessarily depends on your unique needs.

Here are some major factors that would determine which is the best option for you:

• What kind of travel insurance plan you buy
• How much coverage you need
• How many travellers need to be covered under the plan
• Any extra coverage needed (like for extreme sports)
• Pre-existing health issues
• How often you plan on travelling

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance if my credit card already has it?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Credit card coverage may be perfectly adequate for the type of traveller who is going on a short, casual trip and does not have any additional needs.

On the other hand, travellers who may be embarking on more specialized trips will likely need to purchase supplementary travel insurance that provides more comprehensive coverage.

For instance, some travellers who would need a more comprehensive travel insurance plan than what a credit card issuer would provide could be:

• Athletes travelling abroad to participate in competitions
• Snowbirds travelling overseas for months on end
• Travellers planning to do “adventurous” activities like bungee jumping
• Visitors to Canada on years-long super visas
• Foreign workers or work permit holders in Canada

The complete details of your travel insurance policy would indicate exactly what is covered and what isn’t, and thereby give you a better idea of what kind of plan you need.

Is it worth it to get travel insurance?

Having insurance coverage for medical emergencies or unexpected expenses during your travel can come in handy, whether it’s provided for free as part of your credit card package or provided through an insurance company. And there are dozens of affordable travel insurance options to choose from.

There’s nothing like expecting to take a quick vacation but ending up having to book extra hotel nights due to cancelled flights. Or having to go to the hospital in another country and finding yourself out of pocket for those extra costs.

When deciding which option to go for, compare your policy’s details of coverage with your needs for the trip(s) you have planned.

If you’re unsure, you can always speak with your provider directly, or speak with one of our expert advisors for personalized advice on which type of policy would be best for you.

Where can I get my own travel insurance?

If you decide to opt for your own travel insurance separate from your credit card issuer, you have a few options for where to look.

If you booked through a travel agent, they will normally be able to offer you some travel insurance options at the same time.

But, depending on your employment status, you should also double-check your employee benefits. Sometimes group insurance packages offered through your employer will provide some level of travel insurance, especially if business trips are common.

Of course, one of the most direct ways to get travel insurance is by speaking with an insurance broker like PolicyAdvisor. We work with more than 30 of the best insurance companies in Canada, so our advisors can help you find the absolute best travel coverage for your needs and help you shop around if you’re looking to travel on a budget.

Having family come to see you in Canada from abroad can be exciting, especially if you haven’t seen them in a long time. The last thing you’d want is for your family members to incur costly and unexpected expenses during their visit.

People can forget about this during the excitement of travelling, but it’s important that your guests have adequate insurance coverage for their trip before they hop on a plane. You can help them out by making sure they have the travel insurance plan they need.

Can I buy insurance for my visiting parents?

Yes, you can buy insurance for parents visiting Canada or for anyone else coming to see you. A lot of people do this to make sure that the people coming to visit won’t have to pay extra, unexpected costs in the event of an emergency. And most travel insurance plans are so affordable that it’s well worth the peace of mind.

Why should I buy travel insurance for my parents? 

Travel insurance is an easy, affordable way to make sure your parents don’t have to pay out of pocket for any unexpected issues that may happen when they come to see you in Canada. It’s a way for you to help give them financial protection and ensure they enjoy their trip with peace of mind.

A major reason to get travel insurance for visitors to Canada is to cover unexpected healthcare. A lot of people say that Canada has “free healthcare”, but that’s not true. Visitors aren’t covered by Canadian government health insurance plans. If your parents need to see a doctor while they’re here, they could be stuck paying a huge medical bill. A visitors health insurance plan, or travel medical insurance, helps them avoid that. Other types of travel insurance also help make sure they don’t have to pay for things like flight delays or baggage issues.

Canada has long been immigration-friendly. It’s no surprise that we welcome tens of thousands of foreign workers and work permit holders to our shores every year. It’s exciting to have landed a great new job in Canada and left your home country to start a new life up north!

But did you know that Canada’s famed “free” public health care doesn’t actually apply to newcomers right away? The onus falls on you to pay for any medical care you need for the first few months after arriving in Canada. Private health insurance options (like visitors insurance) help cover emergencies that come up during that time frame.

Visitors insurance

Travel insurance can help give visitors to Canada peace of mind during their travels. For newcomers, in particular, you will already have a lot on your plate to deal with when moving to an entirely new country and culture. Having travel insurance will mean one less thing you have to worry about while settling in.

Depending on their status, visitors to Canada have several different options for travel insurance. The main options are:

• Travel medical insurance
  Insurance that covers the medical costs incurred from any medical emergencies you experience on your trips, including hospital stays, ER visits, cost of prescription drugs, medical transportation, and more.

• Travel insurance for trip-related incidents
  Insurance that covers things like flight delays, trip interruption, trip cancellation, hotel stays, lost baggage, etc.

Learn more about travel medical insurance vs trip interruption insurance. 

Visitors travelling to Canada on an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) issued by the government can legally stay in the country for as long as six months. During this time, they are not covered under Canada’s universal health care plan, so they must rely on private visitors insurance for any medical costs that may arise during their trip.

But there are three additional types of foreign nationals who travel to Canada and have particular needs: study permit holders/international students, super visa holders, and work permit holders/temporary workers.

These categories are distinct in that their stays in Canada are usually for a much longer period of time than most visitors.

Learn more about super visa insurance for parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents and super visa insurance payments. 

What is a Canadian work permit?

There are two general types of work permits offered in Canada:

• Open work permit
  This type of permit allows a foreign national to live and work in Canada with no restrictions on who they can work for. But in some cases, they are only allowed to work in a specific job category. Open work permits are valid for up to two years, with the option to be renewed or extended.

• Closed work permit
  Under this type of work permit, foreign nationals can live and work in Canada but only for one specific employer and in the specific role outlined in the conditions of their work permit. This means that if they want to seek a new job in Canada, they would have to submit an entirely new work permit application. This type of work permit is also usually valid for up to two years but can be extended.

Do work permit holders have insurance?

Foreign workers in Canada will often be covered under the government health plan of the province they are working and living in, like OHIP in Ontario. Their family members who moved to Canada with them are usually also granted provincial or territorial health coverage.

But work permit holders have to meet specific eligibility requirements to be covered, including:

• Be employed full-time in the province
• Maintain that province as their primary place of residence
• Physically be in that province for a specific number of days

How long a temporary resident has to be in their province of residence varies throughout Canada. In Ontario, for instance, they have to physically be in the province for at least 153 days within a 12-month period to be eligible for OHIP.

On top of public universal health care, foreign workers may also get additional health insurance coverage with employee benefits provided through their employer (or as part of a group package through their job). This coverage varies based on different employers and different jobs, but will typically include benefits like vision and dental insurance on top of emergency medical coverage.

In most cases, once a foreign worker retains their employment, they are able to use the benefits provided to them through that job.

Why do foreign workers need travel insurance?

To start, newcomers to Canada, for the most part, do not have immediate access to health care through their provincial public health insurance.

In most provinces, newcomers have to wait three months before they can get public health coverage. In some cases, open work permit holders may have to be employed full-time for at least six consecutive months before they are eligible for public health coverage.

During that three-month waiting period (or longer), a foreign worker would be responsible for any medical attention they receive. This is where a private health insurance plan comes in handy.

A travel medical insurance plan in particular would help cover any unexpected emergencies that crop up during the time they wait for a provincial health plan to kick in.

What does travel insurance for foreign workers cover?

The exact coverage your plan provides varies based on what kind of policy you buy and what provider you choose, among other factors. But most travel insurance policies cover:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Emergency dental treatment
• Travel accidents
• Ground and air ambulance transportation
• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation of remains
• COVID-19-related medical care

What insurance do I need to travel to Canada?

In general, foreign nationals do not need to purchase private insurance before coming to Canada, although it is strongly recommended.

Some visitors, like super visa holders, and some foreign workers are required to have a private health insurance policy or travel insurance policy before they arrive in Canada and for the duration of their stay.

The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Visa is one such example. This is an open work permit that allows individuals from over 30 countries to live and work in Canada for up to two years. Like with the Super Visa, foreign nationals who hold this visa are legally required to purchase private insurance that covers:

• Medical care
• Hospitalization
• Repatriation

The Canadian government also requires that these work permit holders purchase private insurance before they leave their home country to move to Canada. Otherwise, they can be denied entry into the country.

But the Canadian government advises that you only purchase this insurance once you receive a letter of acceptance into the program.

I’m new to Canada. How do I apply for coverage?

You can access insurance coverage by speaking with a Canadian travel insurance broker like the experts at PolicyAdvisor. We can help you assess your unique circumstances and find the best plan that fits your needs.

As a note, you may want to avoid relying solely on travel insurance coverage offered through your credit card provider during this time. While many premium credit cards include benefits like travel insurance and other perks, these are likely insufficient for the level of coverage you need.

With credit card travel insurance, In most cases, you would only be covered for less than a month. This means you would still be left hanging while waiting three months or more for your Canadian health insurance card. Plus, the travel plan may not recognize certain medical issues as emergencies they would cover.

Learn more about credit card versus owned travel insurance.

Once your Canadian health insurance comes into effect, and you need travel insurance to cover other travel, you can also check your employee benefits. Many employers or group benefits packages include some measure of travel coverage that may be adequate for your needs.

If in doubt, it can’t hurt to speak with us to find out exactly what you’re covered for, if anything, and whether you need additional coverage to make sure your policy hits all the important notes.

As border restrictions ease, Canadians are travelling again. In March 2022, the number of Canadians visiting countries abroad increased over 500% from the previous year (source: Statistics Canada).

While it’s becoming safer to travel, we need to remember the other risks that were present before the pandemic. For example, what if you’re hospitalized while in another country? Or, what if an unexpected situation forces you to cut your vacation short?

Travel medical insurance and trip interruption/cancellation insurance are policies that can protect you before and during your travels abroad. They can reimburse you for non-refundable trip expenses and unexpected medical or non-medical incidents in another country.

We dive deeper into travel medical and trip interruption coverage and their differences in this article.

What is travel medical insurance? 

Travel medical insurance can cover emergency medical treatment when you’re in another country. Otherwise, a sudden illness could lead to a hospital bill in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if you’re in the U.S. or another destination.

Not every country has free health coverage. Even if a country does, you might only be eligible for a free medical visit if you’re a resident of that country. Travel medical coverage prevents the need to pay unforeseen medical expenses out of pocket while travelling.

Learn more about travel insurance.

Do I need travel medical insurance? 

Travel medical policies provide peace of mind when you travel. You’re able to relax knowing that an accident or bout of nausea won’t result in an out-of-country doctor visit that is not covered by government health plans.

Having sufficient travel medical insurance also means you don’t need to delay a hospital visit if something goes wrong. Remember, you’re covered, so there’s no need to endure an illness or injury you have until you return home.

You can also look into multi-trip annual plans if you frequently leave the country. Some yearly plans provide travel medical coverage for unlimited trips throughout the year so you’re always protected. In short, you wouldn’t have to worry about purchasing insurance every time you hop on a plane.

Learn more about annual multi-trip travel insurance. 

Who can benefit the most from travel medical insurance?

Those who may be travelling for longer periods of time than normal or who may plan to participate in certain sports (like recreational or professional athletes) can benefit from travel medical insurance. For this type of traveller, having enough coverage for emergency situations can be especially critical.

Additionally, annual plans with medical coverage are great for “snowbirds” who regularly leave the country during the winter months. Snowbirds also tend to be retirees in their later stages of life. As a result, they are more likely to require medical care, especially in an unexpected emergency.

Foreign workers and work permit holders who are new to Canada can also benefit from travel medical coverage. They usually have to wait at least three months before they are eligible for “free” healthcare, so having a private travel insurance plan can come in handy.

But, anyone travelling for extended periods will find benefits in emergency medical coverage. These extended excursions can lead to a greater likelihood of foreign hospital visits. And you don’t want to be caught off-guard by emergency medical expenses.

Do I need travel medical coverage for trips within Canada? 

Travel medical coverage has its benefits even when taking a quick trip within Canada. Your provincial or territorial health plan may not pay all your medical fees if you’re outside your province of residence and suffer a medical emergency.

Services like an air or ground ambulance, emergency dental procedures, or prescription drugs might lead to out-of-pocket expenses unless you have some form of private coverage. As such, having some form of additional health insurance for your travels is recommended.

Is travel insurance different from travel medical insurance? 

Travel insurance refers to a broad category of policies that aim to absorb unexpected extra costs while you’re travelling.

It includes travel medical insurance, but also policies like trip interruption and cancellation insurance. It also covers potential damages to personal effects/equipment and car rentals, baggage loss, and unforeseen events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, like emergency quarantine — barring any government travel advisories.

Learn more about COVID-19 travel insurance coverage.

Essentially, you can expect travel insurance policies to mitigate losses whenever you trek outside your home province or country.

What does travel medical insurance cover? 

Most travel medical policies cover issues such as:

• Motor vehicle accidents resulting in broken bones or other injuries
• Heart attacks or strokes
• Emergency dental treatment
• Travel accidents
• Emergency transport like ambulances or helicopters
• Medical evacuation
• Prescription drug expenses
• Emergency in-patient hospital care
• Repatriation (returning your remains to your home country in a worst-case scenario)

Numerous other situations could also count as a medical emergency, and your insurance company can cover these incidents up to your travel policy’s limit.

But travel medical insurance won’t cover planned medical treatments during a trip abroad. For example, a travel medical policy won’t cover the costs of a planned root canal procedure in Mexico. Most policies require that the medical procedures be unexpected.

What is trip interruption insurance? 

Trip interruption insurance reimburses you for the unused portion of your trip if an unexpected event forces you to return home early, as well as some related extra expenses.

For example, you book a seven-day trip to Hawaii. But on day three, a family member ends up in the hospital and you must return home. In this case, your trip interruption policy may reimburse you for the cost of days three to seven of your trip as well as your flight home.

Depending on your policy, your insurance plan could cover 100% to 200% of your trip’s cost. This covers not only your pre-paid expenses like hotel and flights but also any related additional cost to rush home or cancel the remainder of your vacation.

What does trip interruption insurance cover? 

There are two main types of fees that trip interruption travel plans cover:

• Non-refundable travel expenses. This could include flight tickets, hotel accommodations, activities, and more. If you could otherwise receive a refund, you can’t receive compensation from the policy.
• Additional costs. An unforeseen scenario might mean additional meal expenses, hotel stays, transportation, and more. Your policy could cover these fees on your behalf, up to the policy limit.

Here’s a breakdown of some scenarios that are covered and examples of what they can look like.

• Personal medical emergency or injury: Let’s say you suddenly faint and get rushed to a nearby hospital during your stay in Barcelona, so you don’t make it to your itinerary in Lisbon, but you’re unable to receive a refund on your accommodations at your destination.
• The emergency of a family member: This could be a scenario where your child is seriously injured in an accident and you book last-minute plane tickets to get home.
• Missed connecting flight: For instance, if your plane arrives late and causes you to miss your flight to Santorini, but you’re unable to receive a refund for the night you missed there.
• Travel host’s hospitalization or death: In this example, it could be that you plan to visit and stay with your friend in Peru. However, he suddenly ends up in the hospital and you need to change or cancel your travel plans.

Your trip interruption insurance would cover these scenarios so you won’t need to worry about emergencies cutting your trip short. These travel insurance plans let you focus on what’s essential, claim compensation from your policy, and rebook the remainder of your trip for another day.

Limitations

However, you should understand the limitations of any travel policy you purchase. Your travel coverage may be void or limited if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are at a certain age, or visit certain destinations that have government travel advisories issued against them.

Having a pre-existing condition may affect whether you’re eligible for certain travel medical insurance plans. A particular illness may mean you don’t qualify at all or only qualify for a certain amount of coverage. Additionally, pregnancy-related healthcare may be excluded if you were already pregnant before you got the policy.

Additionally, travellers over 60-65 years old will likely be asked to complete a medical questionnaire or exam. Those medical results could impact how much coverage you can get and how much insurers will charge you. But most policies do not have an official age limit for when you can apply for travel insurance.

Another thing to note is that passport and travel visa delays can be excluded from coverage under trip interruption insurance. For example, let’s say you’re travelling to Japan but service delays mean you won’t have your passport or visa ready by your departure time and your plane tickets are non-refundable. This would not be covered under most trip interruption travel insurance policies. But some trip cancellation policies may cover it under an optional add-on called “cancel for any reason”.

Travel insurance specialists (like the ones at PolicyAdvisor) can shed some light on the eligibility requirements and other fine print of your policy and help find the coverage that works best for you.

Buying travel insurance is always a good idea if you are visiting another country. But does it provide sufficient coverage for athletes travelling for sporting events? The answer varies depending on the type of sporting event and whether the event is sanctioned.

In this article, we look at common exclusions in traditional travel insurance — like extreme sports — and why athlete travel insurance could be a better option.

Does Canada’s healthcare program cover visitors?

If you are travelling to Canada from abroad, the country’s healthcare program will not provide you with coverage. Each province has its own healthcare system that offers many free services to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you are a traveller in Canada, you will be treated and receive care in a medical emergency, but the costs of this care will not be paid by the healthcare system.

For this reason, it is a good idea to protect yourself with travel health insurance. Travel insurance will cover the costs associated with emergency medical care, including prescription medication, hospitalization, and emergency transportation (like land or air ambulance services).

What is visitors insurance?

Visitors insurance refers to several different kinds of coverage you can purchase for a trip to Canada. These can include travel insurance that covers trip-related delays, emergency medical coverage, super visa insurance, and other types of comprehensive coverage.

Learn more about visitors to Canada insurance.

Some of the most common types of visitors insurance include:

• Travel insurance for trip-related incidents
  Insurance that covers things like flight delays, trip interruption, trip cancellation, hotel stays, lost baggage, etc.

• Travel medical insurance
  Insurance that covers the medical costs incurred from any medical emergencies you experience during your trip, including hospital stays, ER visits, cost of prescription drugs, medical transportation, medical evacuations, and similar unexpected medical bills.

• Super visa insurance
  This insurance is very similar to travel medical insurance but is tailored to fit the parameters of Canada’s super visa program. The super visa allows parents or grandparents of Canadian residents to visit for up to five years, with the option to apply for a two-year extension (as of July 4, 2022). Learn more about super visa insurance and super visa insurance payments. 

What is athlete travel insurance?

Athlete travel insurance policies are similar to traditional travel policies, only they can be broader in scope, providing coverage for specific sporting activities. This type of insurance takes into account the health and safety risks of certain sports and may consequently have higher premiums. Athlete travel insurance can also provide coverage for sporting competitions as well as coverage for lost or stolen luggage and trip cancellation.

For this type of plan, it is vital you disclose all the activities you plan to participate in. If you sustain an injury playing a sport not covered under your travel plan, medical payments will have to be made out of pocket.

Where can you get travel insurance in Canada?

You have several different options for purchasing travel insurance:

• Travel agent
  The travel agent through which you booked your trip may have access to travel insurance plans. But most travel agents deal with a single provider, so they don’t typically offer the most choice of plans.
• Employee or group insurance provider
  Your group benefits provider may offer the ability to purchase additional travel insurance through your group plan. Again, one downside to this approach is you are unable to compare the prices and plans of different carriers.
• Credit card coverage
  If you booked your trip on your credit card, you may also be entitled to some insurance coverage. Check the details of the policy before your trip so that you know of any limitations to your coverage. You typically cannot buy supplementary travel insurance through this plan, as it is an added benefit of your credit card agreement. Learn more about credit card travel insurance and its limited coverage.
• Insurance broker
  An insurance broker (like PolicyAdvisor) can present you with several different choices of policies, providers, and premiums so that you can choose the coverage that would best suit your trip and budget. They can also offer insight into the claims process and guide you to which company would work best for the type of vacation or travel away from Canada you plan on making.

Does travel insurance cover international athletes travelling to Canada for sporting activities?

For some athletes, a traditional travel policy may be enough to cover their needs while in Canada for a sporting activity. For instance, if you decide to participate in a running event while on holiday in Canada or play basketball for leisure, a standard insurance plan should cover the costs of any medical care if you are injured.

But other sports — including extreme sports and contact sports — may not be covered by a conventional travel insurance plan. This is because they come with a higher risk of accident or injury.

Additionally, traditional travel insurance rarely covers athletes travelling to Canada for a paid sporting competition. In other words, if there are monetary prizes to be won in your sporting activity, traditional travel insurance will rarely cover the risk. A professional athlete who is paid for their sport may also have to deal with certain policy exclusions.

In these cases, you will require specialized coverage designed for athletes, which includes broader coverage and often higher premiums.

Does a Canadian athlete travelling to another province for a sporting competition need insurance?

Canadian athletes travelling within Canada for a sporting competition do not necessarily require travel medical insurance. Under the Canada Health Act, all Canadian citizens can receive medical services across the country if they are considered necessary.

That being said, provincial health plans (like OHIP in Ontario) do have limits, and not all costs will necessarily be reimbursed. For example, provincial healthcare may not fully pay for ambulance services or transportation, medical devices, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, or a medical evacuation flight if needed.

It can therefore be helpful to buy additional travel insurance when travelling within Canada. This insurance can cover emergency medical bills not covered by a government health insurance plan, as well as provide protection should something happen to your baggage or sporting equipment or if your trip is cancelled.

However, as with all insurance policies, it is critical to read the fine print as some insurance companies will have exclusions based on sporting competitions. In some instances, insurance companies will actually refuse to pay out claims for injuries that result from training for or participating in professional sporting activities.

If ever in doubt, speak with your insurance provider or one of our expert advisors for help with making sure you have the right coverage for your specific needs.

Does travel insurance cover extreme sports?

Travel insurance plans have different coverage criteria when it comes to athletic activities and especially extreme sports. Coverage comes down to a few factors: the insurance provider, where you are playing the sport, whether specialized equipment is needed, and what the sport is.

Some insurance companies do offer optional coverage for extreme sports to an extent and at an additional cost. Exactly how much more extreme or “adventure” sports coverage will cost you depends on the sport and whether your insurance is for a single trip or multi-trip, annual plan, among other factors.

Does athlete travel insurance cover athletes participating in a non-sanctioned sporting event?

In Canada, many athlete travel insurance policies will only provide coverage for sanctioned sporting events. Sanctioned sporting events are organized by an authorized group and have been formally approved by regulatory bodies. It is therefore important to check the policy’s fine print if you plan to participate in a non-sanctioned sporting event.

In some cases, sanctioned sporting events and authorized sporting associations will themselves provide insurance coverage to athletes if they are injured during an event. For example, professional athletes can often receive insurance coverage through their sanctioned professional associations.

While most travellers can benefit from some form of travel insurance, those who require extra coverage — like athletes or snowbirds — should pay particular care to make sure they have enough coverage for their needs.

If you need to make sure your plan covers you, or just need guidance on what’s available for your needs and within your budget, chat with one of our advisors. We can help to point you in the right direction.