Dreaming of a beach escape in Mexico or a long-awaited European getaway? If something goes wrong — a sudden illness, accident, or unexpected cancellation — it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars without proper travel insurance. That’s why finding the best travel insurance in Canada isn’t just smart — it’s essential.
Yet many Canadians assume their provincial health plans — like OHIP, MSP, or RAMQ — will cover them abroad. The truth? These plans offer little to no coverage once you leave the country, leaving you fully responsible for emergency care, air ambulances, or even repatriation.
This guide isn’t here to sell you a specific plan. It’s here to help you cut through the jargon, compare top-rated providers, and understand what really matters — so you can choose the best Canadian travel insurance for your health, budget, and peace of mind.
What to Look For in the Best Canadian Travel Insurance (2025 Checklist)
Navigating the world of travel insurance can feel like deciphering a foreign language. To help you evaluate any policy, here are the critical factors to consider:
- 1. Emergency Medical Coverage Limit: This is arguably the most crucial component. Look for policies with high limits (e.g., $5 million to $10 million or more). Medical emergencies abroad, especially involving hospitalization or air ambulance, can quickly rack up costs that exceed $1 million.
- 2. Deductibles: This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. Plans with lower deductibles typically have higher premiums, and vice-versa. Decide what you’re comfortable with.
- 3. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Coverage: This is a major area of concern for many Canadians. Most policies require a “stability period”—a period of time (e.g., 90-180 days) during which a pre-existing condition must not have changed or required new treatment before your departure. Always read the fine print here.
- Further Reading: If you have pre-existing conditions, delve deeper into our guides:
- 4. Trip Cancellation & Interruption: This covers non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled before you leave (e.g., due to illness, family emergency, or natural disaster) or interrupted while you’re away (e.g., you have to return home early).
- 5. Baggage Loss, Delay, and Damage: Provides compensation if your luggage is lost, stolen, delayed, or damaged during your trip. Check the per-item limits and overall maximums.
- 6. COVID-19 Coverage: While many restrictions have eased, ensure your policy explicitly covers COVID-19 related medical emergencies and, ideally, trip cancellation/interruption if you test positive before or during your trip.
- 7. Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: Covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest adequate medical facility or, in tragic circumstances, returning your remains to Canada. This is often an overlooked but vital aspect.
- 8. 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Does the provider offer round-the-clock support in case of a medical emergency? This team can help you find hospitals, arrange direct billing, and coordinate care.
- 9. Specific Activity Coverage: If you plan on adventure sports (e.g., skiing, scuba diving, mountaineering) or taking a cruise, verify if these activities require special riders or if they’re explicitly excluded.
- 10. Age-Related Limitations: For senior travelers, coverage options can change significantly with age, with higher premiums and stricter stability clauses.
- Further Reading: See our guides on travel insurance for seniors:
- 11. Exclusions to Watch For: Every policy has them. These can include things like pre-existing conditions that aren’t stable, travel to high-risk zones, alcohol/drug-related incidents, and sometimes even specific sports.
- Further Reading: Don’t get caught off guard: Travel Insurance Exclusions: 7 Things NOT Covered (How to Avoid Denied Claims)
Compare the Best Travel Insurance Providers in Canada (2025 Table)
To give you a practical overview, we’ve analyzed some of the leading travel insurance providers in Canada. This table provides a snapshot of their typical offerings, but remember that exact prices and coverage details will vary based on your age, health, destination, trip length, and chosen plan.
Important Disclaimer: The “Cost Est.” values below are illustrative examples only based on a hypothetical healthy 37-year-old Canadian traveling internationally for 14 days in 2025. You must get a personalized quote for accurate pricing.
| Provider | Best For | Typical Medical Limit | Trip Cancel/Interruption | Pre-Existing Covered? | Cost Est. (14-day International trip) | Notes | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife | Overall Comprehensive, Wide Range of Plans | $10M | ✅ Add-on or Included in All Inclusive | Yes (stability period of 3 to 6 months) Optional Individual Medical Underwriting Plan for any age | $60 CAD | Offers various plans, good for diverse needs. | [Link to Manulife Travel Insurance] |
| Blue Cross | Seniors, Snowbirds, Flexible Regional Plans | $10M | ✅ Add-on or Included in All Inclusive | Yes (stability period of 3 to 6 months) Optional Pre-existing Condition Coverage | $75 CAD | Strong regional presence (e.g., Ontario Blue Cross). Known for tailored senior plans. | [Link to Blue Cross Travel Insurance] |
| Allianz Global Assistance | Robust Coverage, Emergency Assistance | $10M | ✅ Add-on or Included in All Inclusive | Yes (stability period of 3 to 5 months) | $60 CAD | Excellent global emergency assistance network. | [Link to Allianz Global Assistance] |
| TuGo | Pre-Existing Conditions, Adventure & Unique Trips | $10M | ✅ Add-on or Included in All Inclusive | Yes (stability period of 7 days for <59yrs and <35days, 90 days for >35days, 180 days for >=60yrs) | $45 CAD | Often more flexible for complex medical histories or specific adventure sports. | [Link to TuGo Travel Insurance] |
| RBC Insurance | Bank Customers, Convenient Package Deals | Unlimited | ✅ Add-on or Included in All Inclusive | Yes (stability period of 90 to 365 days) | $65 CAD | Easy for RBC banking clients to combine. Offers various package options. | [Link to RBC Travel Insurance] |
Disclaimer: This table is for informational purposes only and is not an exhaustive list. Policy details, terms, conditions, and prices are subject to change. Always refer to the official policy wording from the insurer before purchasing.
Real-Life Scenarios: How to Choose the Right Policy
Let’s look at how different Canadian travelers might approach choosing a policy:
- The Snowbird Couple (65+ years old, planning 4 months in Florida):
- Priority: High medical coverage, comprehensive pre-existing condition stability clauses, easy access to emergency assistance.
- Recommendation: Blue Cross or Manulife often have strong senior-focused plans, including specific options for snowbirds. They would need to ensure their pre-existing conditions meet the strict stability requirements and consider an annual multi-trip plan if they take multiple trips a year (which also saves money).
- Related Reading: Best Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance in Canada: How Plans Compare
- The Family with Young Kids (Two adults, two toddlers, one-week all-inclusive to Mexico):
- Priority: High medical limits, good trip cancellation/interruption (kids get sick!), and coverage for emergency medical supplies.
- Recommendation: An Allianz or RBC Insurance all-inclusive plan could be a good fit, offering medical, cancellation, and baggage coverage in one package. They should specifically check for coverage for any common childhood illnesses.
- Related Reading: Ensure your first aid kit is stocked: The Practical Travel Medical Kit Checklist (2025): Pack Like a Pro.
- Don’t forget: Travel Vaccines for Mexico: What You Actually Need (2025 Guide).
- The Healthy Solo Backpacker (30s, 6 months in Southeast Asia, on a budget):
- Priority: Affordable emergency medical coverage, 24/7 assistance, and flexibility for long trips.
- Recommendation: While traditional Canadian insurers offer long-term plans, a plan like SafetyWing (while not Canadian-specific, it’s popular with nomads) might offer basic medical coverage at a lower cost, suitable for digital nomads. They would need to weigh the cost against coverage depth.
- Related Reading: Compare options: Best Budget Nomad Insurance 2025: Compare the Top Cheap Plans and A Practical Guide To The Best Digital Nomad Insurance (2025)
- Don’t forget: Essential Vaccines for Vietnam 2025.
- The Weekend Warrior (45, hiking trip in the Rockies, within Canada):
- Priority: While within Canada, provincial plans might not cover all medical costs outside your province (e.g., ambulance fees, prescription refills). Consider if your health plan provides any coverage outside your home province or if a basic in-Canada emergency medical plan is advisable.
- Recommendation: A basic in-Canada medical plan or checking the specifics of their provincial health coverage for out-of-province travel.
FAQs About Canadian Travel Insurance
While your provincial health plan covers you for most emergency medical services in other Canadian provinces, there can be gaps. Ambulance fees, prescriptions, and some specialist services might not be fully covered. For full peace of mind, some Canadians opt for inter-provincial medical insurance.
Very little, if anything. For example, OHIP may only cover a tiny fraction of the actual cost of out-of-country medical care (e.g., hundreds of dollars for what could be thousands). It is never enough for a significant emergency.
Generally, no. Most travel insurance policies require you to purchase coverage before you depart from your home province/country. There are very few exceptions, and those policies are often more expensive and come with significant limitations.
A stability clause is a period (e.g., 90, 180, or 365 days) immediately preceding your departure during which your pre-existing medical condition must not have changed, worsened, or required new or increased medication/treatment. If you break this clause, your claim related to that condition may be denied. Always read this carefully!
A single-trip policy covers one specific trip for a defined duration. An annual multi-trip policy covers multiple trips within a 12-month period, often with a maximum duration per trip (e.g., 15, 30, or 60 days). If you travel more than 2-3 times a year, an annual multi-trip plan often saves you money.
Related Reading: Best Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance in Canada: How Plans Compare
Credit card travel insurance can be a great perk, but it often has significant limitations (lower coverage limits, stricter age limits, fewer benefits, more exclusions) compared to dedicated policies. It’s usually best for supplementary coverage rather than primary. Always review the credit card’s certificate of insurance carefully!
Related Reading: Credit Card Vs. Travel Insurance In Canada – How to Pick
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart, Not Sorry
Choosing the best travel insurance in Canada isn’t about picking the most expensive policy — it’s about finding the right coverage for your needs, your health, and your trip. Whether you’re concerned about medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, or extreme sports, the key is knowing what to look for and what you’re actually covered for.
While comparing providers may feel overwhelming at first, you don’t need to overpay — but you shouldn’t travel without proper protection. A few dollars now can save you thousands (and a ton of stress) later.
→ Ready to compare?
Click through the links in our comparison table to get a personalized quote directly from top-rated Canadian travel insurance providers.
💬 Help other travelers out
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