5 Travel Insurance Tips When Visiting Canada
Canada is consistently among the top 10 most popular international tourist destinations among Americans, and for good reason. Visiting our neighbors to the north is a great way to experience jaw-dropping scenery, unique cultures, and endless adventure without having to travel halfway around the world.
Canada’s popularity is only increasing, too. From 2023 to 2024, the amount of U.S. travelers purchasing insurance for trips to Canada increased more than 8%.
As you prepare for a Canadian escape of your own, you may be considering purchasing a travel insurance policy for some much needed peace of mind. Follow along as we share some valuable tips to securing the best protection for trips across our northern border.
Squaremouth’s Top 5 Tips for Insuring a Canadian Vacation
While Canada is known as a safe and welcoming nation, there’s still no such thing as a risk-free trip. Travel accidents can occur at any time, regardless of how much you plan ahead. Without the proper protection, even the smallest inconveniences can lead to hefty unexpected expenses.
By deploying the following strategy, you can join the hundreds of thousands of travelers that have used Squaremouth to protect their Canadian vacations.
1. Understand What Travel Insurance Covers (And What is Doesn’t)
Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events that disrupt a trip. This can include everything from flight delays to serious medical emergencies that require immediate care.
The vast majority of travelers visiting Canada opt for comprehensive coverage, a type of single-trip plan that includes the following insurance benefits:
- Trip Cancellation: Coverage for up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason.
- Trip Interruption: Coverage for eligible unused travel expenses if you’re forced to cut your trip short for a covered reason.
- Emergency Medical: Coverage for unexpected medical expenses, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor visits, and other medical bills. Exclusions and deductibles may apply.
- Medical Evacuation: Coverage for emergency evacuation services to the nearest hospital to receive adequate medical care.
- Travel Delay: Reimbursement for food, accommodation, and transportation expenses in the event your flight to or from Canada is significantly delayed.
- Baggage Loss: Reimbursement for the actual cash value of personal belongings that are lost, stolen, or damaged during a covered trip.
- 24 Hour Emergency Assistance: A service offered by your travel insurance company that can help accommodate referrals for medical treatment, emergency cash transfers, and more.
It’s important to note that travel insurance is not all-encompassing, and does not cover every scenario under the sun. Financial loss that stems from a known or preventable travel accident are often excluded from coverage.
Other common exclusions include medical costs related to a pre-existing medical condition and trip cancellations due to events that were known at the time a policy was purchased.
2. Factor in Your Canadian Itinerary
From the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec to the natural beauty of British Columbia, Canada has something in store for everyone. Having said that, your travel plans play a large role in determining what type of coverage is right for you.
Referencing your itinerary when looking for trip insurance can help you prioritize benefits and identify any potential risks that require specific attention.
Take a look at a few examples of how coverage may differ depending on various Canadian vacation types:
City Sightseeing
Visiting world famous cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver can be a big investment. Especially when you factor in the cost of flights, hotels, and any tours you plan ahead of time. On top of that, you’ll likely pack some of your favorite outfits so you can explore the city in style.
With that in mind, it’s important to make sure your trip costs and personal belongings are protected. We recommend a policy that includes Trip Cancellation coverage and high reimbursement limits for Baggage Loss and Delay benefits.
Some travel insurance plans also include coverage for Rental Car Damage protection if you plan on using a rental vehicle during your stay.
Epic Outdoor Adventure
Canada is a mecca for all things outdoors, whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for world-class skiing or a nature lover wanting to explore any of their 37 national parks. However, with adventure often comes an increased risk of injury. If you plan on participating in adventure sports while abroad, it’s essential you find a policy that accommodates your plans.
Many travel insurance providers offer policies specifically with adventurers in mind, extending medical coverage to travelers that are hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and other activities commonly excluded from coverage. Many Adventure Sports policies also cover any equipment you choose to take with you.
Grand Canadian Road Trip
If you live in a northern state, or just really enjoy driving, you may elect to save money and take your car along for the journey. Canadian road trips can also offer more flexibility since you’re not confined to pre-determined flight times.
If you’re taking a road trip and you don’t have too many prepaid expenses, it’s possible Trip Cancellation coverage may not be necessary. In that case, you can opt for a travel medical insurance policy, a type of trip protection that foregoes cancellation benefits for cheaper premiums and often stronger medical coverage.
3. Determine What Travel Insurance Coverage You Already Have
It’s possible you already have some form of travel insurance without knowing it. Many travel credit cards nowadays offer a variety of travel-related benefits to cardholders.
While this protection is not a direct replacement for travel insurance, understanding what coverage you already have will make it easy to know what type of protection you still need.
For example, your travel credit card may offer Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay, and Baggage Loss protection, but not offer medical coverage. Armed with this knowledge, you can find an affordable medical plan to fill in those coverage gaps.
4. Compare Travel Insurance Plans From Multiple Providers
There are hundreds of travel insurance products on the market today. While it’s good to have options, it can be hard to decide which plan is right for you. That’s why it helps to take your time and compare plans.
Using a comparison site, like Squaremouth, can help you see how single trip and annual plans compete when it comes to cost and coverage. As a rule of thumb, we recommend comparing policies from at least 3-4 different insurance providers before making a decision.
5. Keep Track of Receipts & Other Important Documents
If you experience financial loss as a result of an unforeseen trip disruption that occurs after your plan’s effective date, you may be entitled to reimbursement. However, in order to successfully file a claim, you’ll be required to provide receipts, booking confirmations, and other relevant documentation that provides proof of your loss.
That’s why it helps to stay organized and proactive when traveling with insurance. If possible, we recommend making electronic copies of important documents in the event something happens to the originals.
Answering Common Canada Travel Insurance FAQs
Get answers to other common questions regarding Canada travel insurance.
Is Travel Insurance Required When Visiting Canada?
No, insurance is not an entry requirement when U.S. citizens and residents planning non-essential travel to Canada. Typically, a U.S. passport is the only mandatory document you’ll need when entering the country. However, some independent tour operators may require customers to purchase medical insurance ahead of their trips.
As with any international destination, entry requirements are always subject to change. Be sure to check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest Canada visitor information and travel advisories.
Do U.S. Health Insurance Policies Provide Coverage in Canada?
No, U.S. health care policies, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored policies, typically do not provide medical coverage in Canada. And while Canadian residents benefit from universal health care, those perks do not apply to foreign visitors.
Unless you have travel insurance, you’ll be financially responsible for any medical bills you rack up during your trip. Fortunately, affordable travel medical coverage is just a few clicks away.
How Much Does Canada Travel Insurance Cost?
In 2024, the average Canada travel insurance policy cost $259, roughly 16% lower than the global average premium for international destinations. The cost of travel insurance depends on a wide-range of factors, including your age, trip costs, trip length, and coverage needs.
Pricing can range widely from one insurance provider to the next even if the coverage they offer is similar, which is why using a comparison site can be helpful.
Before You Go
While it may not be mandatory to purchase travel insurance before heading to Canada, it is highly recommended. No matter how detailed your itinerary, it’s not possible to 100% rule out common disruptions like an airline mishandling your luggage or falling victim to food poisoning.
Travel insurance can help mitigate your financial responsibility when it comes to unexpected expenses that arise during your trip. The tips outlined above are designed to help you easily find a plan for your Canada trip so you can head north with peace of mind.