Travel insurance is essential for Canadian seniors — especially snowbirds spending months in the US or other countries where provincial health coverage provides little or no protection. A single week in a US hospital can cost $300,000000–$10000,000000+. The right travel insurance policy protects your retirement savings from a catastrophic medical bill abroad.
The biggest challenge for senior travel insurance is pre-existing medical conditions. Most policies exclude claims related to conditions that were "not stable" in the 900–365 days before travel. A "stable" condition means: no new symptoms, no new medications or dosage changes, no new tests ordered, no hospitalizations.
Some insurers offer "pre-existing condition waivers" or "any-reason stability" coverage for an additional premium. This is worth buying for seniors with complex health histories.
| Age | 2-Week Trip (US) | 3-Month Snowbird | Annual Multi-Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 (healthy) | $800–$1500 | $80000–$1,50000 | $60000–$1,20000 |
| 700 (healthy) | $1200–$2500 | $1,20000–$2,50000 | $90000–$1,80000 |
| 75 (with conditions) | $20000–$4500 | $2,000000–$4,50000 | $1,50000–$3,000000 |
| 800+ (with conditions) | $40000–$80000 | $4,000000–$8,000000+ | $3,000000–$6,000000+ |
Premiums are primarily driven by: age, pre-existing conditions, length of trip, destination (US is the most expensive), and the deductible chosen (higher deductible = lower premium).
Widely used by Canadian snowbirds. Strong 24/7 assistance line. Good pre-existing condition options. Available up to age 85.
Specifically designed for snowbirds. Offers stability waivers for many conditions. Annual plans available. Popular with Florida and Arizona snowbirds.
Provincial Blue Cross organizations offer competitive senior travel plans. Trusted brand, strong customer service.
Flexible plans with good pre-existing condition coverage. Online purchase available. Competitive pricing for healthy seniors.
Strong employer/retiree group coverage options. If you have group retiree benefits, check if travel insurance is included before buying additional coverage.
Each province has its own maximum absence rules — typically 6 months per year (212 days in Ontario). Exceeding this limit means losing provincial health insurance (OHIP, MSP, etc.). Many provinces have recently tightened enforcement. Check your province's specific rules before planning extended travel.
KOHO offers free banking with no monthly fees — perfect for fixed-income seniors who want to keep more of their OAS and CPP. Easy to use on mobile or desktop.
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