Travel insurance for Canadians is essential—your provincial health plan provides little or no coverage outside Canada. A medical emergency in the United States or overseas can cost $100,000 or more. This guide covers travel medical insurance, trip cancellation, COVID coverage, and how Canadians can stay protected abroad.
Why Travel Insurance Matters for Canadians
Canadian travel insurance protects you when OHIP, MSP, RAMQ, or other provincial plans do not. Provincial health coverage typically provides minimal or no coverage for:
- Emergency medical care outside Canada
- Hospital stays abroad
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Ambulance services in foreign countries
A single emergency room visit in the United States can exceed $10,000. Surgery or hospitalization can reach $100,000 or more. Travel insurance for Canadians is not optional—it's essential.
Types of Travel Insurance for Canadians
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance covers emergency healthcare when you're outside Canada. It typically includes:
- Emergency hospital and doctor visits
- Diagnostic tests and prescription medications
- Ambulance and emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation to Canada if medically necessary
- COVID-19 coverage (subject to each insurer's terms and stability periods)
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you if you must cancel your trip before departure due to covered reasons (illness, family emergency, etc.). Trip interruption insurance covers additional costs if you must cut your trip short.
Annual vs. Single Trip Travel Insurance
- Single trip travel insurance: Covers one specific trip—ideal for occasional travelers
- Annual travel insurance (multi-trip): Covers unlimited trips within a year, often with per-trip length limits—best for frequent travelers
Canadian travel insurance providers offer both options to suit your travel habits.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Travel Insurance in Canada
Many travel insurance policies have exclusions or special requirements for pre-existing conditions. Each insurer defines a medical stability period—the time a condition must be stable before coverage applies.
For example, if you had knee surgery four months ago and have been stable for two months, you need an insurer with a stability period of two months or less. Insurance by Mira helps Canadians find travel insurance that covers their health profile—disclosing your medical history is essential to avoid claim denials.
Provincial Health Coverage: What Canadians Need to Know
Canadians traveling abroad must maintain valid provincial health coverage. If you plan to travel for more than 212 days, contact your provincial health office before departure to extend coverage—otherwise you may lose both provincial and private coverage.
COVID-19 and Travel Insurance for Canadians
COVID-19 coverage is available under many travel insurance plans' emergency medical benefits, subject to exclusions based on pre-existing conditions and each company's medical stability period. Always confirm COVID coverage with your insurer before traveling.
How to Choose Travel Insurance in Canada
- Assess your trip—length, destination, activities
- Compare travel insurance quotes from multiple Canadian providers
- Disclose pre-existing conditions and understand stability periods
- Verify coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation
- Check trip cancellation limits if you've invested in non-refundable bookings
Conclusion
Travel insurance for Canadians protects you and your family when provincial health plans do not. Whether you need travel medical insurance for a weekend in the U.S. or annual travel insurance for frequent trips, the right coverage provides peace of mind.
For personalized travel insurance quotes and coverage tailored to Canadians, contact Insurance by Mira at (647) 705-7443 or insurancebymira@gmail.com.
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