Plenty of Canadians assume their health card goes with them. It mostly doesn't. Provincial plans pay little or nothing toward emergency care outside Canada, and hospital bills abroad, especially in the United States, can run into tens of thousands of dollars within days. Travel medical insurance is what pays them.
This matters just as much when you're flying home to see family as when you're on holiday. A visit to India, Pakistan, the Philippines or anywhere else is still travel outside Canada, and your provincial plan won't pick up the hospital bill there either.
Which kind of policy do you need?
| Policy | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip | One trip a year, of any length | Priced on your age and the number of days away |
| Annual multi-trip | Two or more trips a year | One price covers every trip up to a set length, such as 15 or 30 days each. More on multi-trip plans |
| Long-stay or snowbird | Winters in the U.S. or long visits home | Check how long you can be away and still keep provincial coverage |
| Trip cancellation | Expensive, pre-booked trips | Pays back prepaid costs if you have to cancel for a covered reason |
What emergency medical travel insurance covers
- hospital stays, doctors and surgery for a sudden illness or injury
- tests, prescriptions and ambulance for the emergency
- getting you home for treatment, when the insurer arranges it
- 24-hour assistance to find a hospital and handle payment
What it doesn't cover is just as important. Read common travel insurance exclusions before you go.
Travelling with health conditions
Most claims that are refused involve a pre-existing condition that wasn't stable, or wasn't disclosed. The same rules apply as for visitor insurance: a condition usually has to be stable for a set period before you leave. What counts as stable explains it, and the checker on that page helps you see where you stand.
Travelling over 60
Premiums rise with age, and many plans ask medical questions from around 60. Expect to answer them carefully, and compare a few insurers. Travel insurance for seniors goes into the details.
Buy travel insurance online
Common questions
Does OHIP cover me outside Canada?
Only for very limited services. OHIP doesn't cover most emergency hospital and doctor costs abroad, so you need travel medical insurance for any trip outside Canada, including trips to visit family.
Is a single-trip or a multi-trip policy cheaper?
If you travel twice or more a year, an annual multi-trip plan often costs less than separate single-trip policies. For one long trip, single trip is usually the better fit.
Does my credit card's travel insurance cover me?
Some cards include travel medical cover, but limits, trip lengths and age cut-offs vary from card to card, and cover can stop at a certain age or trip length. Check the card's certificate before relying on it, and top it up if the trip is longer than the card allows.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Before you leave Canada. Many policies can't be bought once you're already abroad, and trip cancellation cover is best bought when you book.