Best Visitors Insurance Companies in Canada for Emergency Medical Coverage (2024)

Best travel insurance for comprehensive coverage: Manulife

Visitors who want a travel insurance plan that covers all their bases can trust that Manulife will be one of their best choices. Or, if you’re not sure exactly what you need and you just want to get general travel insurance coverage that has a little bit of everything, their comprehensive plan is well-rounded enough to do that for you too.

With Manulife, you can get travel medical insurance by itself or as part of a package with trip interruption protection. They’re one of the only Canadian insurance companies that lets visitors do this. You can also use their travel insurance for your Super Visa. Plus, all of their plans cover things like stable pre-existing health conditions, side trips, travel accidents, and more.

There’s a reason why Manulife usually gets high ratings from us. They’re one of Canada’s oldest and biggest insurance companies, and they have really good insurance plans to fit people’s needs!

Product Name: Emergency Medical Plan for Visitors to Canada

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa + optional trip interruption

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $150,000

Age Range: 30 days to 85 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable

Deductible Range: $0 – $5,000

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions: Tugo

If you’re coming to Canada and you already have a health condition, we strongly suggest that you get an insurance plan with Tugo. Like Manulife, Tugo is another well-known Canadian company that sells travel insurance. And they have the best plans for people who may have health concerns.

A pre-existing medical condition is a health issue that you already had before you got travel insurance. It refers to things like cancer, heart conditions, high blood pressure, obesity, and others.

Some Canadian providers can cover pre-existing conditions as long as they’re stable. This means that it hasn’t gotten worse, needed a new diagnosis, or caused new symptoms in 90-180 days, depending on your insurance company’s rules. Tugo goes the extra mile. They have additional travel plans for visitors that can cover a pre-existing condition even if it’s not stable. This is an extremely rare insurance option for visitors to Canada.

Plus Tugo has some of the best coverage options. They’re one of the few that let visitors get non-medical forms of insurance for things like trip cancellation insurance. And they have a unique MyFlyt service that can compensate you for flight delays.

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance, Visitors to Canada Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance, Visitors to Canada Trip Interruption Insurance

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa + trip cancellation/interruption + trip interruption + optional sports & adventure activities, accidental death & dismemberment, and unstable pre-existing conditions

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $500,000 or $2,000,000 for international students

Age Range: 15 days to 90+ years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes + optional coverage for unstable conditions

Deductibles: $0 – $10,000

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for international students: Allianz Global Assistance

Many international students in Canada get their own travel medical insurance policy to cover anything their school’s health plan doesn’t cover. This means things like covering them for winter and summer holidays, or for any side trips they take outside of the province or country too. And Allianz travel insurance is the best choice.

Allianz has the best plans for international students in Canada. They actually have a unique package just for international students. And they have the highest coverage amount for students too — they’ll cover up to $5 million for medical emergencies. Their plans can be a little pricey, but they’re a reputable company and their plans are worth it.

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Plan, International Students to Canada Travel Insurance

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $100,000 or $5,000,000 (international students)

Age Range: 15 days to 84 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Limited; up to age 59 only, if stable

Deductibles: $0

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: No

Best travel insurance for Super Visa: Group Medical Services (GMS)

GMS is our top recommendation for people who are travelling to Canada on a Super Visa. (Read our guide to Canadian Super Visa Insurance to learn more about the program.) Its plans meet the requirements of the program, and it has well-rounded coverage options.

Their Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Insurance covers stable pre-existing conditions and has excellent coverage for seniors. It also has a fair range of deductible options and decent coverage amounts if you need something a bit more than the $100,000 limit. And their rates are affordable too!

Product Name: Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Insurance

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $150,000

Age Range: 0 to 80 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable

Deductibles: $0 – $1,000

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: No

Best travel insurance for monthly payment plans: Travelance

Travelance is one of the few Canadian companies that lets you pay for Super Visa insurance monthly instead of paying for everything at once. And, as far as we’re concerned, it’s best if you want a plan specifically to pay monthly.

The reason we recommend Travelance so highly is in the details. It lets you get 3 follow-up doctor visits within a 30-day period, covering up to $3,000 worth of related costs. Most providers don’t cover follow-up visits this much. It also has great coverage for prescription drugs and really high deductible options.

This is fantastic health insurance for visitors to Canada if you do end up needing medical attention during your trip. And you don’t even have to pay for the entire thing upfront!

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance (VTC) Essential Plan or Premier Plan, International Student Travel Insurance (ISP) Smart Plan or Smart-Plus Plan

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $150,000 (visitors) or $2,000,000 (international students)

Age Range: 14 days to 86 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Limited; up to age 69 and only with premium plans, if stable

Deductibles: $0 – $10,000

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for long stays: 21st Century

If you plan to stay in Canada for long periods of time, we recommend that you get a visitors insurance plan with 21st Century. They have a rare upgrade feature that lets you extend your insurance plan for up to 2 years while keeping the exact same price. This makes it a great deal if you have long-term travel plans.

Their 2-year extension is perfect for people who apply for the 2-year extension for their Super Visa. Plus, 21st Century is another one of the few providers who lets you pay for Super Visa insurance monthly. They offer different levels of insurance to cover your trip, and you can choose higher or lower deductibles.

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Insurance Basic Plan, Standard Plan, or Enhanced Plan

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $200,000

Age Range: 0 to 111 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable (Enhanced Plan only)

Deductibles: $0 – $10,000

Free Look: No

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for convenience: Destination Canada

Destination Canada is a nice and simple option for visitors to Canada insurance. It’s the kind of insurance plan you can buy quickly without worrying too much. It will cover the basics for emergency medical — stable pre-existing conditions, Super Visa insurance, etc. And it can give you a lot more coverage than normal. It can even cover travellers who are over 86 years old. So, it’s a good click-and-buy choice.

On the downside, it doesn’t have the most comprehensive travel insurance policies. So, if you’re looking for things like trip cancellation insurance or coverage for extreme sports, this isn’t the best choice for you. It also has fairly low deductible options, only going up to $500 — and that matters because deductibles affect the price of travel insurance.

Product Name: Canada Visitors to Canada Plan, International Student Insurance

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $300,000

Age Range: 0 to 86+ years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Limited; up to age 79 only, if stable

Deductibles: $0 – $500

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for side trips: MSH

An MSH plan is the perfect travel insurance for international frequent flyers. Many Canadian insurance companies cover side trips once most of your time is spent in Canada. But they won’t cover trips outside of Canada more than 30 days at most. MSH doesn’t have this limit.

MSH doesn’t have restrictions on outside trips, so even if you spend an extended period of time in countries outside of Canada, you can still get coverage. Its plan also gives you a LOT of coverage and some of the highest deductible options around.

Product Name: Discover Canada Insurance, Patriot Travel Plan

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $1,000,000

Age Range: 15 days to 90 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Limited; up to age 80 only, if stable

Deductibles: $0 – $25,000

Free Look: No

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for companion discounts: 21st Century

The 21st Century travel insurance is a good choice if you’re not travelling alone. In Canada, many insurance companies have plans for families, which means you can get lower prices if you’re going on a trip with your close family or other dependents. 21st Century does that too, but it also gives discounts if your travel companion might not be in your family. So, if you and a few friends want to visit Canada and save money while making sure you’re protected, this insurance plan would be a smart option.

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Insurance Basic Plan, Standard Plan, or Enhanced Plan

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $200,000

Age Range: 0 to 111 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable (Enhanced Plan only)

Deductibles: $0 – $10,000

Free Look: No

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for customizable deductibles: Secure Travel

Visitors to Canada who want more deductible choices should think about getting a travel insurance policy from Secure Travel. A deductible is the amount you pay upfront before insurance pays for the rest. A higher deductible makes your insurance premium cost less, and vice versa. Secure Travel lets you customize a deductible up to $3,000, and that can help if you’re looking to lower the cost of travel insurance.

They also have a high travel medical insurance coverage limit. And has 2 tiers of plans, so you can decide how enhanced or how basic you want your travel insurance to be. You can get all of this plus good standard coverage for things like Super Visa insurance, pre-existing conditions, side trips, travel accident, and more.

Product Name: Visitors to Canada Insurance Standard or Enhanced Plan, Super Visa Insurance, International Student Insurance Standard, Enhanced, or Premium Plan

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical + Super Visa

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 for international students

Age Range: 15 days to 89 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable

Deductibles: $0 – $3,000

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for medical coverage: Alberta Blue Cross

Alberta Blue Cross offers one of the best health insurance for visitors to Canada with emergency medical coverage, including hospital stays, physician services, prescription drugs, and emergency dental services. It also covers medical evacuation, trip interruption due to medical reasons, and 24/7 travel assistance.

Product Name: Travel Insurance  

Types of Coverage: Emergency medical care, medical expenses if you test positive for COVID-19 during your trip, Accidental death and dismemberment, Baggage loss coverage

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $5,000,000

Age Range: 31 days to 74 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable 90 days before departure

Deductibles: $0 – $1,000 

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Best travel insurance for travel delays: RBC Insurance

RBC Insurance provides extensive travel delay coverage, reimbursing expenses incurred due to delays, including accommodation, meals, and transportation. 

Product Name: TravelCare, Travel with Canada 

Types of Coverage: Unlimited emergency medical care, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, damage and delay, flight and travel accidents, hotel/motel burglary insurance, auto rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance

Maximum Amount of Coverage: $5,000,000

Age Range: 31 days to 74 years

Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Yes, if stable  

Deductibles: $0 – $1,000 

Free Look: Yes, 10-day

Family Plans: Yes

Tips to purchase visitor insurance for Canada

Here are some tips you should bear in mind:

• Assess your specific needs including medical coverage, trip cancellation, and baggage protection based on your travel plans
• Compare multiple insurance providers to find the best coverage options at competitive rates
• Read the policy exclusions carefully to understand what is not covered, such as pre-existing conditions or specific activities
• Ensure travellers have visitors to canada insurance before arriving to avoid gaps in coverage due to waiting periods
• Consider separate policies for two travellers to potentially benefit during claim or refund processes
• Opt for a policy with a small deductible to lower costs, focusing on major financial setbacks rather than minor incidents

How to choose the best visitor’s travel insurance policy in Canada?

To choose the best travel insurance for visitors to Canada, follow these steps:

• Assess your needs:
  • Determine the length of your stay to choose a policy that covers the entire period
  • Consider any pre-existing medical conditions and ensure the policy covers them
  • If you plan on engaging in high-risk activities (e.g., skiing, scuba diving), ensure these are covered

• Compare coverage options:
  • Ensure the policy offers sufficient coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and outpatient services
  • Check if the policy covers medical evacuation to the nearest medical facility or back home
  • Look for coverage that reimburses non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to covered reasons
  • Ensure coverage for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
  • Check for compensation for expenses incurred due to travel delays
  • Look for policies that offer round-the-clock assistance for medical emergencies, travel issues, and other support

• Check the policy limits and exclusions:
  • Review the maximum payout limits for different types of coverage to ensure they are adequate
  • Understand what is not covered by the policy, such as certain medical conditions, activities, or regions

• Speak to our advisors 
  • Compare quotes from multiple insurers to compare premiums and coverage details
  • Ensure you’re comparing similar coverage levels and policy features

• Read the fine print:
  • Carefully read the policy documents to understand all terms and conditions
  • Ask questions if any part of the policy is unclear to ensure you fully understand what you’re purchasing

Who should buy Visitors to Canada (VTC) insurance?

Visitors to Canada insurance is essential for several groups of people to ensure they have adequate coverage for medical emergencies and other unforeseen events while in Canada. Here are the primary groups who should consider purchasing VTC insurance:

• Tourists and vacationers: To cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other travel-related issues
• International students: To cover healthcare costs not included in their school’s insurance plan
• Parents and grandparents: Especially those under the Super Visa program, which requires proof of medical insurance
• Business travellers: To cover any medical emergencies during their stay
• New immigrants: To cover the interim period before provincial health coverage takes effect
• Returning Canadians: If not immediately eligible for provincial health coverage
• Temporary foreign workers: To cover medical expenses and protect against high healthcare costs
• Event attendees: To cover medical emergencies while attending conferences, sports tournaments, or cultural festivals

Choosing the best visitor health insurance policy in Canada

When preparing for a visit to Canada, securing medical insurance for visitors is a crucial step to protect yourself from the high costs of healthcare. It not only serves as a financial safety net against inflated medical bills but also guarantees access to necessary medical care when needed, offering peace of mind throughout your trip.

However, choosing the right visitor health insurance for your unique needs can be tricky! This is where PolicyAdvisor and our vast array of experience and grip over the market comes in. Speak with licensed advisors at PolicyAdvisor to explore budget-friendly plans tailored to your needs, so you can enjoy your trip to Canada stress-free and focus on creating memorable experiences.

Frequently-asked questions

Is travel insurance essential for visitors to Canada?

Yes, it is essential as it covers potential medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and unforeseen events, ensuring financial protection during your stay.

When does travel medical insurance coverage begin and end?

Coverage typically begins on the departure date specified in the policy and ends on the return date when you are back in your home country.

Can you extend your Visitors to Canada insurance coverage?

Yes, most insurers allow you to extend coverage if the request is made before the original policy expires, often subject to certain conditions.

What is a waiting period?

A waiting period is the initial time after the policy start date during which certain medical conditions or treatments are not covered.

How do you submit a travel insurance claim?

To submit a claim, contact your insurer, complete the claim form, and provide all necessary documentation, such as medical reports and receipts.

How do you apply for travel insurance to visit Canada?

You can apply online through an insurer’s website or via an insurance broker by providing your personal details, travel information, and payment.

Which company offers the best medical insurance for travel to Canada?

Manulife, TuGo, Destination Canada, and RBC offer comprehensive and affordable medical insurance for travel to Canada. However, we advise speaking with our advisors to choose the best visitor’s travel insurance policy for you.