If you’re a Canadian traveler with a health condition, you might wonder, “Can I get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions?” or “Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?”. Getting the right travel insurance with pre-existing conditions in Canada can feel overwhelming. Many policies have fine print about “stable” conditions (also called stability periods), exclusions, or limited coverage — especially when it comes to chronic illnesses or high-risk health conditions. In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down what to know about travel insurance for chronic illness in Canada, how stability periods work, and details about coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition in Travel Insurance?
- How Insurers Assess Pre-Existing Conditions
- Travel Insurance Providers in Canada with Optional Pre-Existing Conditions Add-on
- What to Look for in a Policy
- What Happens If You Need to Make a Claim Abroad? (A Brief Overview)
- Practical Steps to Find the Best Coverage for You
- Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition in Travel Insurance?
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition you’ve had before your policy starts — including chronic conditions (like diabetes or asthma), past surgeries, or any diagnosis or symptoms for which you’ve received treatment.
Policies usually require these conditions to be “stable” for a set time period (typically 90 to 180 days) before departure. If a condition is not considered stable, insurers may deny coverage for related medical emergencies abroad.
Conditions vary widely, and while this guide covers general pre-existing conditions, specific situations like pregnancy have their own unique travel insurance considerations. Consult our dedicated guide if you are traveling while pregnant.
How Insurers Assess Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions
Each insurer has different rules, but common factors include:
- Stability Period: Has your condition been stable (no changes in symptoms, medication, or treatment) for 90–180 days before departure?
- Medical Underwriting: Some plans require health questionnaires or doctor reports.
Stability Period – What is a Stable Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
The stability period is the time your condition must remain unchanged before you travel. Most Canadian travel insurers require your medical condition to be unchanged for 90, 120, or 180 days prior to departure. This includes no new symptoms, no medication changes, and no hospitalizations. Understanding how each company defines this period is essential when comparing policies.
How to Choose Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
When comparing policies, pay attention to:
- Stability requirement: How long must your condition be stable?
- Prescription drug coverage: Are your medications included?
- Medical evacuation: Will they cover airlift or transport?
- Benefit limits: Some plans have a cap coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Coverage for chronic conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, mental health?
- Exclusions: Look for clauses that could deny coverage.
It’s important to manage expectations regarding cost. Travel insurance covering pre-existing conditions is generally more expensive than standard travel insurance, as it accounts for the higher potential risk. Premiums will vary significantly based on your age, health status, the specific condition(s), the stability period met, your destination, and trip duration.
Travel Insurance Providers in Canada with Optional Pre-Existing Conditions Add-on
Below is a list of Canadian travel insurance providers that provide add-on pre-existing condition coverage for people with pre-existing conditions that doesn’t meet the usual stability requirements.
| Provider | Type of Coverage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Blue Cross (Detailed Booklet) | Optional Pre-Existing Condition Benefit | Unlimited coverage for related eligible emergency expenses (must be stable 7 days prior to departure) |
| Manulife (CoverMe) (Call 1-855-583-7239 for more information) | TravelEase Insurance Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions | Cover fully disclosed medical conditions, up to $10 million in emergency medical benefits |
| CAA (Detailed Booklet) | Optional Pre-existing Condition Coverage | $200,000 coverage for unstable pre-existing condition subject to a 7 day stability period |
| Medipac (CALL: 1-877-888-5259) | Special Underwritten Application for Pre-existing Condtions | May provide coverage to over 70% of those applied |
What Happens If You Need to Make a Claim Abroad? (A Brief Overview)
Finding coverage is key, but it’s also helpful to know what to expect if you actually need to use your travel insurance during your trip.
- Contact the Emergency Assistance Number Immediately: This is crucial! Most policies require you or someone with you to contact their 24/7 emergency assistance team before seeking medical treatment, unless it’s a dire, life-threatening emergency. They will guide you on where to go for treatment and what steps to follow.
- Follow Their Instructions: Adhere to the advice given by the assistance centre regarding approved medical facilities and procedures.
- Keep Records: Keep detailed records of all medical visits, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and original receipts. You will need these when submitting your claim.
- Submit Your Claim: Follow the insurer’s claims process upon your return home, providing all required documentation. Be prepared to potentially provide access to your medical records.
Remember: Your policy terms and conditions, including the pre-existing condition clauses you reviewed before purchasing, will determine whether the claim is approved.
Practical Steps to Find Travel Insurance with Pre-existing Conditions
- Confirm your condition’s stability with your doctor (and get documentation).
- Compare benefit caps for pre-existing conditions.
- Use an insurance broker or advisor familiar with health conditions.
- Review the exclusions: Don’t assume all policies cover the same things.
- Get quotes from multiple providers. Ex: Blue Cross, CAA, Medipac and Manulife.
Use a licensed insurance broker specializing in travel insurance with medical conditions: This is often your most valuable resource. Brokers work with multiple insurers and have expertise in navigating complex medical situations. They can help you understand your options, compare policies based on your specific health profile, ask the right questions of insurers on your behalf, and guide you toward finding coverage that truly fits your needs – effectively doing much of the comparison work for you.
As part of your pre-trip health preparation, ensure you’re up-to-date on all recommended or required vaccinations for your destination. Consult our Travel Vaccine Guide for more information. In addition, ensure you have all the essentials packed. Check out our Travel Kit Guide before you finalize your packing list.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Skipping the fine print: Always read the stability clause. This is a common trap when searching for high-risk travel insurance in Canada.
- Assuming your credit card covers everything: Most do not cover pre-existing conditions.
- Letting a gap happen when transitioning from a work plan: Consider a replacement policy.
- Not disclosing your condition: This can void your policy.
Traveling Uninsured or Underinsured: While finding coverage can be challenging or expensive for some, understand the severe financial risks of traveling without adequate medical coverage, especially outside of Canada. If you cannot find suitable insurance, carefully consider the potential costs of medical emergencies in your destination and perhaps reconsider your travel plans, destination, or duration.
Conclusion
Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is absolutely possible for Canadians — but choosing the right policy takes careful comparison. Your best bet? Talk to a licensed advisor and compare at least three quotes. It’s worth the peace of mind.
If your trip is a cruise, be aware there are some additional insurance considerations – find out more in our detailed Cruise Travel Insurance Guide.
Note that this guide focuses on travel insurance for trips of typical vacation length. If you’re planning on living abroad or traveling long-term, you may need a different type of coverage like Nomad Insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: While it’s not legally mandatory for Canadians traveling abroad (unless required by the destination country for visas), it is highly recommended. Your provincial health plan offers minimal to no coverage outside of Canada.
A: No, not adequately. Provincial plans cover very limited costs, and only a fraction of what medical care actually costs in other countries (especially the U.S.). That’s why travel insurance is essential even for Canadians covered by provincial health plans. If you’re wondering, “Does OHIP cover medical abroad?” — the short answer is: not nearly enough. Travel insurance is essential to cover the large gap.
A: You must notify your insurer. A change in your condition before departure usually means you no longer meet the policy’s stability requirements, and the coverage for that condition (and potentially your entire policy) may be invalidated for that trip. You may need to be re-underwritten or explore other options. Not notifying the insurer will almost certainly result in a denied claim.
A: If your condition met the stability requirements at the time you departed and becomes unstable during your trip, most policies will still cover related medical emergencies that occur after the change in stability, as long as you followed all other policy terms (like contacting emergency assistance). However, you should still inform the insurer or assistance center as soon as is reasonably possible about the change.
A: This is often very difficult. Many policies have specific exclusions for terminal illnesses or conditions from which death is expected within a certain timeframe. You would need to consult directly with insurers or a specialized broker to see if any limited coverage options might be available, but prepare for this possibility to be challenging.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional financial or insurance advice. Always consult a licensed advisor.