Travel Insurance for Canada

Canada draws travelers in with its dramatic national parks, lively cities, and rich cultural landmarks. Exploring Banff, touring Toronto, or walking through Quebec City’s historic streets creates unforgettable moments. However, before you dive into your adventure, there's a crucial detail to address: securing your travel insurance.  

Discover the ins and outs of travel insurance  Canada in this guide. We've got you covered with details on costs, requirements, essential coverage, COVID-19 restrictions, and some handy tips for your trip. 

1. What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Canada? 
2. How does Travel Insurance work for Canada?
3. Do I need Travel Insurance for Canada? 
4. How much does Travel Insurance cost for Canada? 
5. Travel Insurance Requirements for Canada 
6. Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for US Visitors? 
7. Are there any required travel vaccinations for Canada? 
8. Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions? 
9. Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan 

What Should Your Travel Insurance Cover for a Trip to Canada? 

Your travel insurance to Canada should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical expenses. Regarding international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage. AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these coverages in mind. 

• Medical Coverage – The priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality medical coverage and healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.    

• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected disruptions, such as trip cancellations and interruptions, can dampen the mood. AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.  

• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.  

• Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA Travel Insurance offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.  

• Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA Travel Insurance offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. This feature is Eexclusive to AXA Platinum Plan holders.  

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase travel insurance for Canada. 

How Does Travel Insurance for Canada Work? 

Let’s say you’re exploring Ottawa's stunning architecture or skiing down Banff's slopes with AXA Travel Protection. If you were to fall ill or face an unexpected travel hiccup, AXA Travel Protection steps in to support you. Whether assisting in medical transportation or finding the ideal alternative for a trip delay, AXA Travel Protection ensures you’re supported in your time of need. 

Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can  access: 

Medical Benefits:  

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your travel protection plan may offer coverage for emergency medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctors’ fees.  

• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for emergency evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation.  

• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your travel protection plan may cover non-medical evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms. 

Baggage Benefits:  

• Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your travel protection plan might offer reimbursement for luggage delay.  

• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your plan may offer reimbursement for stolen luggage, assisting you in replacing your belongings. 

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits:  

• Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement due to a sudden trip cancellation arising out of an injury or illness. 

• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions.  

• Trip Delay: If your flight faces a trip delays due to unforeseen circumstances, your plan may offer coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations. 

Additional Travel Benefits  

• Lost Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum policyholders, the lost ski days benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures. 

• Lost Golf Days: Exclusive to AXA Platinum Plan policyholders, the lost golf days optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.  

Optional Travel Benefits  

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum policyholders, this optional benefit gives travelers a rental car collision damage waiver against damage and theft.  

• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum policyholders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.  
   

Do I need Travel Insurance for Canada? 

Americans aren't required to purchase domestic or international travel insurance to visit Canada. But it’s still highly advised to have a travel insurance before embarking on your next trip.   

Why? There are several reasons:  

1. Medical Emergencies: Your health is a priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in Canada, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.   
2. Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel protection plans offer to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.  
3. Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel protection plans can help cover the costs. 

If your existing plan doesn’t cover certain activities, like extreme sports, or if you're looking to supplement your coverage, reviewing medical questions and the effective date is essential. Several factors affect your decision, including whether you’re a Canadian resident or not, and whether the plan includes service features like emergency travel assistance. A well-matched plan can help reduce the impact of baggage loss, health care costs, and other disruptions that might otherwise go uncovered. 

How Much Does a Travel Protection Plan Cost for Canada? 

In general, travel protection plan to visit Canada costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel protection plan  depends on two factors: 

• Total Trip cost: The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc. 
   
• Age: Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals. 

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to Canada will be offered  four tiers of protection plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individuals' preferences and travel needs.  

Travel Insurance Requirements for Canada  

Travel insurance is not mandatory for US travelers coming to Canada, but having coverage for medical emergencies is a wise move. It's also worth checking if your visa, entry requirements, or tour operator call for extra coverage.  

If you travel frequently, purchasing travel protection plans for multiple trips can be more practical than buying a new plan each time. Some plans offer coverage for multiple trips within a set period, helping travelers save money and avoid the hassle of repeated applications. Whether you're planning non-essential travel or business visits, a travel insurance policy that includes trip interruption insurance and emergency medical insurance for each journey can help you prepare more effectively. 
 

Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for US Visitors? 

As of now, Canada has eliminated all COVID-19 entry requirements. However, it's crucial to be mindful of your health. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms before your trip, consider postponing your travel plans to Canada. Having Cancel for Any Reason as part of your travel insurance becomes invaluable in such a scenario. This optional benefit provides the flexibility to cancel your trip, even for a reason beyond standard coverage. 
 

Are There Any Essential Travel Vaccinations for Visiting Canada?  

Canada does not have specific vaccine requirements for travelers. However, due to COVID-19, travel requirements may change from time to time. Stay up-to-date on vaccine requirements by consulting official sources such as the Government of Canada's website. 
 

Traveling With Pre-existing Medical Conditions 

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Insurance, we're here to support you during your trip.  Our AXA Gold and Platinum Plan offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The AXA Platinum Plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons. 

Before purchasing a travel protection plan, review any existing coverage you may have to see if it applies outside your home province or country. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing medical condition, as some plans may require completing a medical questionnaire. Canada’s government health insurance plan typically does not cover emergency medical needs for visitors, and Canadian travelers abroad may find that a territorial health plan alone isn’t enough if a covered event occurs outside their province. Travel insurance policies can help provide coverage for unexpected expenses, such as emergency medical coverage or urgent medical treatment. To support a travel insurance claim, keep detailed documentation of any medical care and stay informed of the latest travel advisories for your destination. 

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our AXA Gold and Platinum Plan with a pre-existing medical condition, so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. We're here to ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation. 
 

Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plans 

AXA Travel Insurance presents travelers with four travel protection plans – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that Canadian hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely suggest travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.   

The AXA Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the Canadian experience. "Cancel for Any Reason" offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans, and the "Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" offers assistance when you're out exploring Canada's stunning landscapes in a rental car.  

Additionally, part of the AXA Platinum Plan is the "Lost Skier Days" benefit, offering potential reimbursement if ski resorts unexpectedly close due to ever-changing snow conditions. These perks make the AXA Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking protection during their exciting Canadian adventures. 

FAQs About Travel Insurance for Canada 

1. Can you buy a travel protection plan after booking a flight?  

Travelers have the option to purchase a travel protection plan for Canada after they've booked their flights. 

It's advisable to purchase travel for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs)..)  AXA Travel Insurance offers coverage as soon as you purchase your travel protection plan. Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit. 

2. Do US citizens need a travel insurance policy to visit Canada?  

Travel insurance to Canada from the USA is not mandatory, but it is highly advised. While Canada’s healthcare system is fantastic, it might not cover your medical expenses as a non-resident, and medical bills can add up fast.   

3. What type of medical expenses does AXA Travel Protection Plans cover?  

AXA Travel Protection plans covers three types of medical expenses:  

• Emergency medical expenses  

• Emergency evacuation & repatriation  

• Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation  

Emergency medical expenses are unexpected incidents that arise, such as broken bones, burns, unexpected illnesses, and allergic reactions. Emergency evacuation and repatriation can help you with your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.   
 
Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation can arrange evacuation assistance when you immediately leave a destination for non-medical-related events. These could be things like natural disasters or civil unrest.