Can You Buy Travel Insurance After Leaving Canada? (2024)

This article has been updated from a previous version.

The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, but many Canadians are already eager to travel abroad. If you count yourself among them, getting a travel insurance policy before jetting off to your destination has never been more important.

That fact appears to be resonating to a degree, as a RATESDOTCA-BNN Bloomberg survey conducted in May 2021 found 52% of Canadians say they’ll purchase a travel policy before leaving home. An earlier survey conducted by Leger in February 2020 found only 40% of Canadians who travelled abroad between 2017 and 2019 bought a policy.

But what if you’ve already departed Canada and neglected to buy a travel policy? Is it too late? Or can you buy a travel policy even if your travels are already underway? The answer is “yes,” you can still get some coverage, but there are exclusions.

Many providers will offer you emergency medical coverage if you are already outside of Canada but wish to purchase travel insurance. But be advised it could be subject to a delay of typically 24-48 hours before the policy is active. The reason for that delay is to prevent someone who has been injured or hospitalized from acquiring a policy after the fact. Plus, know that you won’t be able to buy trip interruption or cancellation coverage as part of that policy if you’re already outside of Canada.

How expensive is a travel insurance policy?

It is a common misconception that a travel insurance policy is too expensive to be worthwhile. That isn’t the case. For example, the cost for a week’s worth of all-inclusive insurance coverage (a bundle of emergency medical, trip cancellation, and baggage protection coverages) to the U.S. for a 45-year-old male who doesn’t smoke and has no pre-existing conditions is approximately $40.

In comparison, if you visit the U.S., break your arm, and are treated in a hospital but don’t have a travel policy with emergency medical coverage, you may end up with a medical bill of US$25,000 or more.

Think about that $40 investment in a travel policy this way: the average retail price for a medium-sized cup of coffee in Canada is approximately $1.79 before tax. If you were to buy a cup of joe every day for a month, you’d be spending $53.70 (pre-tax).

Can You Buy Travel Insurance After Leaving Canada? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Buy Travel Insurance After Leaving Canada? ›

Can you buy an insurance plan after leaving Canada? Yes. Canadian citizens can buy travel insurance from private insurance providers or companies in the US after leaving Canada. Travel insurance plans are widely available and are highly recommended for domestic and international travel.

Can I get travel insurance after I have left Canada? ›

The answer is “yes,” you can still get some coverage, but there are exclusions. Many providers will offer you emergency medical coverage if you are already outside of Canada but wish to purchase travel insurance. But be advised it could be subject to a delay of typically 24-48 hours before the policy is active.

Can travel insurance be bought after departure? ›

The short answer is: Yes you can. Many insurers provide policies that you can buy after you've left home for your trip. Just remember that travel health insurance that you buy after departure won't cover anything that happened before you bought the plan.

Can you get travel insurance if you have already left the country? ›

With True Traveller, you can take out insurance to cover you if you've already started travelling and already overseas.

Is there a time limit to buy travel insurance? ›

In general, you can buy coverage any time before the date of your trip. That said, it's always best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you'll be protected and the more benefits you may be eligible to receive.

What is the average cost of travel insurance in Canada? ›

The Breakdown: The Average Travel Insurance Cost Based on Coverage Type
Coverage TypeAverage Cost (CAD)
Basic (Trip Cancellation & Interruption)50-100
Comprehensive (Including Medical Expenses)120-250
Medical Only70-150
CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) Add-onAdditional 40-60% on Base Premium
Mar 7, 2024

Why is travel insurance to Canada so expensive? ›

Lack of a Regulatory Body for Healthcare

Unlike India and other European countries, the countries such as the US and Canada do not have a nationally regulated medical body. They do not have a government hospital in each city. Thus, private hospitalisation, consultation, and care procedures in US and Canada are costly.

What's the latest you can get travel insurance? ›

It can be bought right up to the day you travel, with policies available online even from the airport or departure port. However, keep in mind that booking last minute means you'll miss out on the cancellation benefits that could have been available earlier.

Can I buy travel insurance after arrival in US? ›

When you purchase the insurance, you can choose to start coverage as early as the next day or any future date you specify. While you can certainly buy the insurance after your parents arrive in the U.S., there are several disadvantages to waiting until they arrive.

Can you buy travel insurance in the middle of a trip? ›

The short answer is: Yes, you can. However, timing is everything when it comes to buying travel insurance — and some options won't be available if you wait too long.

Can I buy visitor insurance after arrival? ›

Insurance providers understand that travel plans can change, emergencies can happen, and visitors might forget to arrange coverage in advance. Therefore, they often allow travelers to buy insurance even after they have arrived in the country. However, it is always recommended to buy coverage before coming to the US.

Can my insurance cover me in another country? ›

You might be able to get some emergency coverage abroad to an extent, but you won't be able to visit a doctor for a routine procedure or buy prescription medication and expect a reimbursem*nt. Private insurance might or might not offer coverage overseas, but again, it depends on the plan you have.

Should you buy travel insurance separately? ›

It could be particularly useful if: You've spent a lot on prepaid, non-refundable expenses. You're traveling internationally where your health insurance won't apply. You're traveling to a remote area.

Can you buy travel insurance after you leave? ›

Yes! You can easily buy travel insurance after departure.

What to do if you forgot to buy travel insurance? ›

If you find yourself on your trip and realize you forgot to buy travel insurance, you're in luck. You can still buy travel insurance. However, at this point, you'll want to look for an international medical policy, also known as a travel medical plan.

Is it too late to add travel insurance? ›

As long as you haven't yet departed, it's not too late—but your plan choice may be limited. When you get an online quote for travel insurance and enter today as your day of departure, you'll see just a few plans that are available for last-minute travel. Your single-trip plan option is OneTrip Emergency Medical.

Can I travel outside Canada and come back? ›

If you have a single-entry visitor visa

You can ask to return to Canada on your original single-entry visitor visa only if: you'll only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and. you'll return to Canada before the end of your approved stay in Canada.

Can you use Canadian health insurance in the US? ›

Your Canadian health insurance is almost certainly not valid outside of Canada. Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover nothing or only a very small portion of the costs of medical care abroad, and never up front.

Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight Canada? ›

You can purchase travel insurance any time before the date of your departure. However, your plan choice may be limited if you wait until the last minute.

Is travel insurance mandatory Canada? ›

Is travel insurance essential for visitors to Canada? You don't have to have travel insurance when visiting Canada, unless you are applying for a super visa.

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