Travel insurance is essential for Canadians travelling outside their home province, and especially outside Canada. Provincial health coverage provides minimal or no coverage internationally, and medical costs in countries like the United States can be devastating without adequate insurance. This guide explains the types of travel insurance available to Canadians and how to choose the right coverage.
Provincial health insurance plans cover very limited out-of-country medical costs. OHIP (Ontario), MSP (BC), and similar plans typically cover at most $400–$1,000 per day for emergency hospitalization outside Canada — a fraction of actual costs. A single night in a US hospital can cost $100–$30,000. A medical evacuation from a remote location can exceed $100,000. Without travel insurance, these costs fall entirely to you.
Pre-existing conditions are a major consideration for travel insurance. Most policies cover "stable" pre-existing conditions — conditions that haven't required new treatment, medication changes, or hospitalization in a defined lookback period (commonly 90 or 180 days). Seniors and those with chronic conditions must carefully review stability clauses and may need specialized senior travel insurance.
Frequent travellers should compare annual multi-trip plans versus buying single-trip insurance each time. An annual plan with a per-trip maximum (often 15, 30, or 60 days per trip) may be more cost-effective for those who travel more than twice a year. Single-trip plans work better for infrequent or very long trips.
Travel insurance is sold through: insurance brokers, bank credit card travel benefits (check your cards carefully — coverage may be limited), travel agencies, employer group benefit plans (may include travel coverage), and direct insurers (Manulife Vitality, Blue Cross, Allianz, Tugo). Compare coverage limits and exclusions, not just price.
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