Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (2024)

Compare Canada Travel Insurance Companies

CompanyAverage Plan CostCFAR CoverageCOVID-19 CoverageBBB RatingVisit Site

Our Top Pick

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (5)FayeGET QUOTE

$298Yes, up to 75%YesNot RatedGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (6)TravelexGET QUOTE

$212Yes, up to 75%YesA+GET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (7)Nationwide Travel InsuranceGTE QUOTE

$175Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedA+GTE QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (8)Seven Corners Travel InsuranceGET QUOTE

$216Yes, up to 75%YesA+GET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (9)Trawick InternationalGET QUOTE

$212Yes, up to 75%YesBGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (10)Generali Global AssistanceGET QUOTE

$255Yes, up to 60%YesA+GET QUOTE
$227Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedA+GET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (12)HTH Travel InsuranceGET QUOTE

$221Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedA-GET QUOTE
CompanyBBB RatingAverage Plan CostCFAR CoverageCOVID-19 CoverageVisit Site

Our Top Pick

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (13)FayeGET QUOTE

Not Rated$298Yes, up to 75%YesGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (14)TravelexGET QUOTE

A+$212Yes, up to 75%YesGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (15)Nationwide Travel InsuranceGTE QUOTE

A+$175Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedGTE QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (16)Seven Corners Travel InsuranceGET QUOTE

A+$216Yes, up to 75%YesGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (17)Trawick InternationalGET QUOTE

B$212Yes, up to 75%YesGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (18)Generali Global AssistanceGET QUOTE

A+$255Yes, up to 60%YesGET QUOTE
A+$227Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedGET QUOTE

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (20)HTH Travel InsuranceGET QUOTE

A-$221Yes, up to 75%Yes, limitedGET QUOTE

No results were found.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

20

Companies Reviewed

500

Quotes Collected

36

Rating Factors

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Canada?

There are no requirements for U.S. citizens to have travel insurance coverage as a condition of entry to Canada. However, most Canadian hospitals do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare. Travel insurance can help cover unexpected health care costs while traveling to Canada, along with unexpected trip cancellations.

Whether you’re mountain biking in Quebec or enjoying winter sports in Alberta, adventure activities are popular on Canadian vacations. Travel insurance includes emergency medical coverage for injuries or accidents, including up-front medical costs. Some tour companies may require travelers to have medical insurance to participate.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Standard travel insurance includes trip interruption coverage to recoup costs in the case of an unexpected cancellation or delay. But policies limit cancellation coverage to predetermined reasons, such as the death of family members, hospitalization or other emergency circ*mstances.

With cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, canceling a trip is at your discretion. For example, say you booked a flight and hotel to attend an event hosted by a Canadian resident, friend or family member. If the host cancels the event, CFAR coverage allows you to claim compensation for prepaid and nonrefundable costs (like your flight).

Most travel insurance providers offer CFAR coverage as an add-on to your standard policy, and it’s subject to rules that vary by plan. You typically have to purchase CFAR coverage within a set number of days from booking your trip, and claim eligibility may depend on limits such as canceling within 48 hours of your departure date.

Gear Theft Protection

For all-inclusive vacations that include ski resorts in Whistler or wildlife photography journeys in Banff National Park, many travelers choose to bring equipment to Canada. For a Canadian trip, you may wish to take the following gear:

  • Professional camera equipment
  • Cellphone
  • Laptop
  • Sports equipment including snowboards
  • Jewelry
  • Personal entertainment gadgets

A trip insurance policy with gear theft protection can guard against financial loss if you are traveling with valuables. If items are lost, damaged or stolen during flights or on tours, travel insurance can help you recover the costs. Your specific policy will include predetermined coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles, but you may choose to leave valuable items at home that you deem irreplaceable.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Canada provides world-class hospitals and top-ranked health care in the event of a medical emergency. However, U.S. government health insurance plans do not pay for hospital costs, medical expenses or prescription drugs for visitors to Canada. But if you have private insurance, you can check with your provider to see if you have coverage while abroad.

Travel insurance or a travel medical plan can provide coverage if you need emergency assistance or have a pre-existing medical condition. Typically, travel insurance for medical emergencies covers a variety of expenses, including:

  • Hospital fees
  • Operating room charges and anesthesia
  • Ambulance rides
  • Emergency dental work
  • Lab tests and X-rays

Most travel insurance plans include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation if you can’t receive health care locally. This covers the cost of an evacuation to your home country or a major Canadian hospital.

Rental Car Protection

Canada requires and includes fire and third-party liability insurance with all rental vehicles. Liability insurance covers damage or injury to people or property outside the rental car from your effective contract date. It’s also mandatory to have collision and theft insurance.

Optional coverage is available to further reduce your risks while driving in Canada. Depending on the car rental company, you can purchase local car insurance to cover the following:

  • Personal effects protection
  • Personal accident insurance
  • Tire and windshield protection
  • Roadside protection

Travel insurance plans offer an additional safeguard you can combine with rental car insurance. While some companies include rental car coverage in comprehensive plans, other providers may offer coverage as a policy add-on. This coverage can help you recover the costs if the rental car is damaged.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Should you need to cancel your Canadian vacation before departure, trip cancellation insurance offers reimbursem*nt for nonrefundable and prepaid costs. While this helps prevent financial loss, travel insurance policies include limits on eligible reasons to cancel. Most standard policies state the following reasons as applicable:

  • Hospitalization, serious injury or illness
  • Death of family members or traveling companions
  • Domestic or international acts of terrorism
  • Severe weather conditions, excluding some natural disasters
  • Jury duty or military orders

If you prefer the peace of mind of canceling for any reason, opt for CFAR insurance.

How Much Does Canada Travel Insurance Cost?

What you pay for travel insurance will depend on your age, trip details and coverage needs. Most companies provide single-trip plans, but others offer multi-trip plans to suit more frequent travelers. You can also explore options for cheap travel insurance options if you are on a budget.

Travel insurance quotes will reflect the following details:

  • Age and number of travelers in your group
  • Destination country and location
  • Total trip price

We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to Canada. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to Canada for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.

CompanyMost Affordable PlanCost
FayeTravel Protection$188.89
Seven CornersTrip Protection Basic$115.00
NationwideEssential$116.77
Berkshire HathawayExactCare Value$111.00
TravelexBasic$121.00
AIG Travel GuardEssential$95.80
TrawickSafe Travels Protect$85.85
GeneraliStandard$134.38
Travel Insured InternationalWorldwide Trip Protector$141.00
AllianzBasic$156.00
Average$126.57

These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.

How Do I Get Travel Insurance for Canada?

Before shopping for travel insurance products, check if your credit cards (including Visa and Mastercard) offer trip coverage. Your current health insurance may also extend medical coverage abroad, and airlines and hotels typically provide the option to add cancellation coverage when booking.

Otherwise, find the best quote and buy Canada travel insurance after comparing prices between providers. Choose a level of coverage that meets your travel and personal needs. For example, if you are participating in sporting activities in Canada, you may want to include higher medical coverage limits and gear protection.

Canada Safety Tips

In the following sections, we will discuss general travel and safety tips to help you enjoy your vacation to Canada.

Crime and Safety

The Canadian Travel Advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State is at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Canada ranks among the safest countries in the world, but crime still occurs.

As with travel to any country, basic safety recommendations include locking car doors and storing your valuables in a safe. Remain alert in crowded areas in case of pickpockets targeting tourists. Avoid political or economic protests since such events can be unpredictable.

Day Trips, Tours and Excursions

You can enjoy a range of excursions in Canada, including cycling tours, kayaking, wildlife watching and mountain climbing. If you plan to participate in adventure sports, check that your travel insurance policy covers accidents and injuries. Also, check with your health insurance provider to see if you already have medical coverage abroad.

It’s best to book a tour through authorized and trusted organizations. Ask your travel agent or hotel concierge service for recommendations. Alternatively, you can find information on the official Canadian tourism site.

COVID-19

The government of Canada has removed all COVID-19 restrictions for entry and travel around the country. Check with local authorities in the event of changes to pandemic travel restrictions. Although not required, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you remain up-to-date on routine and coronavirus vaccinations before traveling to Canada.

If you are worried about the impacts the coronavirus could have on your travel plans, we recommend a travel insurance policy with COVID-19 coverage.

The Bottom Line: Is Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation Worth It?

Whether it makes sense to buy travel insurance depends on the terms and conditions of your travel arrangements. If you booked a flight, room, rental or transportation that offers refunds for cancellations, travel insurance might not seem necessary.

However, travel insurance can come with expanded medical protections that prove useful in an emergency, and CFAR insurance may offer you more flexibility if plans change. Shopping around and comparing costs for coverage can help you decide the right type of protection for your trip to the islands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance in Canada

Generally, airlines will only compensate you for a canceled flight if the airline is at fault. But even then, compensation is subject to a variety of restrictions. Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage can safeguard you against unnecessary financial loss if your flight is canceled due to a covered reason. You can also purchase CFAR coverage for more flexibility regarding trip cancellations.

Travel insurance is not a legal requirement to visit Canada. U.S. residents can enter the country with a valid passport. However, Canada does not cover medical expenses for travelers, and you may risk financial loss due to unexpected trip cancellations. Travel insurance can offer a safeguard by providing these types of coverage.

Not all credit cards offer travel insurance. Most travel rewards cards provide some form of travel insurance and therefore may attract higher annual fees. We recommend you check with your credit card company to see if you have any travel benefits.

Most basic travel insurance policies cover the necessities, including trip cancellation and interruptions, emergency medical expenses, and baggage loss or delay. More comprehensive plans include higher coverage limits for trip interruption insurance, plus additional coverages like rental car damage, valuables coverage, sporting gear protection and more.

Other Insurance Resources From MarketWatch Guides

Discover our top recommendations for the following insurance types to find the providers that best meet your needs.

  • Best Pet Insurance Providers
  • Best Travel Insurance Companies
  • Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
  • Best Renters Insurance Companies
  • Cheapest Renters Insurance Providers
  • Best Term Life Insurance Providers
  • Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (25)

Nicole Leigh WestAuthor

Nicole Leigh West is an experienced lifestyle journalist and writer for publications including Wanderlust, TripSavvy and Vacations & Travel. Along with roaming the globe and penning fiction novels, Nicole works for World Words as a sub-editor and writer.

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (26)

Tori AddisonEditor

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Travel Insurance for a Canada Vacation (2024) (2024)

FAQs

What travel insurance do I need for Canada? ›

To visit Canada, you need worldwide travel insurance to cover you for loss, damage and theft of your belongings, cancellation or curtailment of your trip, and public liability if you should cause accidental damage or injury. You'll need to choose worldwide travel insurance including Canada, USA and the Caribbean.

Should I get travel insurance to go to Canada? ›

While travel insurance isn't a requirement to enter Canada, it may be worth purchasing for the benefits, like medical insurance, trip cancellation and baggage coverage.

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

Will my US health insurance work in Canada? ›

Even though Canada is just over the border, your U.S. health insurance plan will not be accepted there unless it specifically provides global coverage. American Medicare also is not accepted in Canada. It's important to purchase travel medical insurance in case you suffer an injury or fall ill while in Canada.

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 insurance do I need to enter Canada? ›

Visitors traveling to Canada and to any country outside of their home country should have visitors health insurance. Most domestic policies will only cover you in your home country and have little to no coverage once you are traveling abroad. To learn more, visit Visitors Insurance and you can request a quote.

What happens if an American gets sick in Canada? ›

If during your visit to Canada you get sick or injured, the Canadian government won't pay for any hospitalization or emergency medical services for visitors. Also, if you don't have proper medical insurance coverage, you will be liable to pay for any medical service out of your own pocket.

What does a U.S. citizen need to travel to Canada? ›

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.

Can Americans get healthcare in Canada? ›

Expatriates and international citizens in Canada should sign up for an international health insurance plan. These plans permit you to receive care in a wide range of private and public hospitals in Canada, with shorter waiting times.

Who has the best travel insurance in Canada? ›

  • Best for thrill seekers: World Nomads. ...
  • Best for families: CAA Travel Insurance. ...
  • Best for seniors and retirees: Blue Cross. ...
  • Best for budget travellers: Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance. ...
  • Best for Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions: Manulife CoverMe. ...
  • Best for emergency medical assistance: Medipac Travel Insurance.

What is the best travel insurance company? ›

Learn more about each of our top travel insurance companies, including the average policy costs our team determined by examining and averaging quotes for four unique trips.
  • Faye. Our Top Pick. ...
  • Travelex. ...
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance. ...
  • Tin Leg. ...
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. ...
  • Seven Corners Travel Insurance. ...
  • AIG Travel Guard.

How much should I expect to pay for travel insurance? ›

The average cost of travel insurance is about 3% to 5% of a trip's total value, according to quotes gathered by our research team across different travel insurance providers for various traveler profiles.

Does Canada accept American Medicare? ›

In general, Medicare only covers recipients while in the United States. This means that if you have Medicare and you travel to Canada, your healthcare costs will not be covered, even if the services or medications provided would normally be covered in the United States.

Is Allianz good travel insurance? ›

Allianz is a popular choice among business travelers due to its AllTrips Executive travel insurance policy with coverage for lost, stolen or damaged business equipment and rental car insurance. Earning 4.1 out of 5 stars, our expert reviewers think Allianz is a great choice for international travel insurance.

Do I need medical insurance to visit Canada? ›

Visitors to Canada travel insurance is highly recommended to prevent you from paying out-of-pocket for expensive health care services in case of a health emergency. Purchasing visitors to Canada travel insurance is mandatory if you are applying for super visa for parents and grandparents.

What insurance is required in Canada? ›

While third-party liability, uninsured automobile, and accident benefits insurance are mandatory across the country, there are many optional coverages that you can add to your policy to increase your coverage for an additional cost. The most popular optional coverages are collision and comprehensive insurance.

Is travel insurance needed for travel within Canada? ›

The fact is provincial health insurance plans will only cover some medical expenses. Therefore, you should always protect yourself by purchasing medical insurance when travelling within Canada.

Do I need international coverage for Canada? ›

There are a few places very close to the border where you will be able to pick up American cell phone towers but beware as you will be bounced from tower to tower in this area. For the most part you will need to contact your service provider and add an international plan on for the length of your stay.

What do I need when I travel to Canada? ›

When you enter Canada, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if you are arriving from a country for which one is required. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website to learn more about what travel documents are required.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 5247

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.