- Most US health insurance plans do not work in Canada, and foreign visitors are not covered by Canada’s free healthcare system.
- Expect to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment you receive while in Canada unless you have a travel insurance policy.
- Based on our analysis, the best Canada travel insurance plans come from Tin Leg, Faye, Seven Corners, Generali, Travel Insured International, and IMG. (skip ahead to view these insurance plans)
- Using a comparison tool lets you get price quotes from several insurance companies at once and compare coverage in one place.
When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times Commerce Team.
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- Does US health insurance work in Canada?
- Why should I get travel insurance for my trip to Canada?
- Our best travel insurance for visitors to Canada
- How much does travel insurance for Canada cost?
- What types of travel insurance do I need for Canada?
- What doesn’t travel insurance for a trip to Canada cover?
- Tips for choosing the best travel insurance for Canada
- Canada entry requirements & travel information
- Canada travel insurance FAQs
- Related topics
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- Does US health insurance work in Canada?
- Why should I get travel insurance for my trip to Canada?
- Our best travel insurance for visitors to Canada
- How much does travel insurance for Canada cost?
- What types of travel insurance do I need for Canada?
- What doesn’t travel insurance for a trip to Canada cover?
- Tips for choosing the best travel insurance for Canada
- Canada entry requirements & travel information
- Canada travel insurance FAQs
- Related topics
Travel Insurance to Canada: Plans for US Visitors
Sarah Stasik - Personal Finance
+ 1 other
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
Our top picks for the best travel insurance for Canada
Best Overall
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$500,000
Quickest & Easiest Reimbursements
Faye Travel Insurance
Check Pricing
via the Faye website
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$500,000
Best for High Medical Coverage
Seven Corners
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$1,000,000
Does US health insurance work in Canada?
US government health plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program will not pay for health care while in Canada. This includes treatment such as hospital visits and the supply of prescription drugs.
The only exceptions to these rules are where you require emergency medical treatment within the US and the closest hospital is across the Canadian border. Also, if you are passing through Canada between Alaska and a US state and a medical emergency arises.
Why should I get travel insurance for my trip to Canada?
When planning your visit to Canada, insurance may not be top of mind. However, an emergency can happen at any time, making travel insurance helpful in the following situations:
- Accidents: If you’re in a car accident, fall down the stairs at your hotel, or injure yourself while sightseeing, travel medical insurance will cover the cost of diagnosing and treating your injuries.
- Illnesses: Even if you’re healthy, there’s a chance you could come down with food poisoning, develop appendicitis, or display symptoms of another serious illness while you’re in Canada. If this happens, your American health insurance won’t foot the bill, nor will Canada’s publicly funded health care system. Travel insurance will cover your medical expenses, including X-rays, blood tests, CT scans, physical exams, and medications.
- Cancellations: No matter how much planning you do, there’s always a chance that you’ll have to cancel your trip due to an emergency. If you don’t have travel insurance, you may not be able to get any of your money back.
- Medical evacuation: If your travel plans include rural areas with limited access to health care services, you may need to be evacuated to another area. Travel insurance often includes coverage for medical evacuations.
Our best travel insurance for visitors to Canada
Advertiser Disclosure
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$500,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Tin Leg’s Gold policy is renowned for offering top-quality travel insurance at reasonable prices and at a competitive rate.
AM Best rates all of Tin Leg’s policies at A- or higher when it comes to their financial strength and Tin Leg’s Gold plan is no different. What makes this policy stand out is its great medical and evacuation coverage limits, all offered at an affordable price.
With both trip cancellation and interruption coverage offered for numerous instances, including COVID-19, you will covered should the worst happen while visiting Canada. The high coverage of $500,000 for emergency medical expenses and up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage both make the Tin Leg Gold policy a popular travel insurance choice.
PROS
- Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
- High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
- Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
- Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit
CONS
- Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
- Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects
Full Policy Details
Faye Travel Insurance
Check Pricing
via the Faye website
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$500,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Faye is a newer provider but is taking the market by storm. It’s known as a travel insurance disruptor thanks to its industry-changing approach to travel insurance.
Faye is an all-in-one travel app that offers comprehensive travel insurance as well as trip management services such as a travel concierge, flight tracking, destination information and services, integrated payment system, travel playlists, and more.
Faye’s strong medical coverage starts at $100,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for emergency medevac and repatriation coverage. It also comes with comprehensive reimbursement coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, and more.
Plans are completely customizable with optional add-ons like:
- Pet care
- Rental car care
- Cancel for any reason
- Vacation rental damage
- Adventure & extreme sports
Best of all, Faye offers extremely quick reimbursements directly through the Faye app. Just snap a photo of your bills and receipts, upload them to the claims chat portal, and wait to be reimbursed. You can receive your reimbursement directly to a digital wallet to use the funds via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
*Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.
PROS
- Friendly agents
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
- Prompt replies to questions
CONS
- Long wait times for reimbursement
- Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat
Full Policy Details
Seven Corners
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
This Trip Protection Choice plan from Seven Corners offers great all-around coverage at a competitive price. Although at the lower end of the price spectrum, Trip Protection Choice provides travelers to Canada with a reassuring $500,000 of primary medical coverage. To match this high level of coverage, this plan from Seven Corners also offers $1 million in medevac and repatriation coverage, which is some of the highest around.
Further popular additions include trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage, accidental death & dismemberment coverage, baggage damage and loss coverage, and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Trip Protection Choice is a great choice for those with pre-existing conditions. The pre-existing conditions waiver stipulates you can be covered if:
- The policy payment & enrollment form is received within 20 days of the initial trip payments/deposits and within 15 days of payment for any subsequent travel arrangements added to your trip
- You or your traveling companion are medically able to travel and at the time your premium is paid based on the assessment of a physician.
PROS
- Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Money-back guarantee
- Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
- Covers action sports & equipment
CONS
- Cancel for any reason not included standard
- Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered
Generali Global Assistance
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000
/
$250,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Generali Global Assistance offers high coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency dental expenses, emergency medical evacuation coverage, and so much more for your visit to Canada. With an A rating from AM Best, it is no wonder that Generali Global Assistance is one of the more popular choices when it comes to travel insurance.
Generali Global Assistance’s Standard plan is fantastic for those who are looking for basic coverage at an affordable price. Offering both trip cancellation and interruption, this standard plan is perfect for countering those unforeseen circumstances.
Other Standard plan perks include $1,000 per person in baggage coverage, up to $50,000 in medical coverage, and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
PROS
- Lowest cost of all Generali Global Assistance plans
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
- Telemedicine included
CONS
- Lower coverage than other Generali plans
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Standard plan
- No coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during on-land travel
Travel Insured International
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector offers superior coverage and is ideal for those looking to take a trip over the border to Canada. This plan covers 100% of the insured trip cost due to cancellation, 150% of the insured trip cost due to interruption, and $1,500 for trip delays.
A popular perk is the Worldwide Trip Protector $500 coverage for baggage delays after only 3 hours. When it comes to medical coverage, Worldwide Trip Protector provides $100,000 of secondary medical coverage and $1 million of evacuation coverage - ideal if the worst should happen in the Canadian wilderness.
PROS
- Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
- Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
CONS
- CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
- Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
- No rental car coverage
IMG
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic is a great plan for travelers of all ages and offers fantastic coverage for surprisingly low prices. For example, with this plan, you will be covered for up to $500,000 of primary emergency medical coverage - meaning you won’t be out of pocket and waiting for a reimbursement while traveling.
This plan also comes with travel cancellation, interruption, and travel delay coverage as well as $40,000 in rental car damage protection included. Protection for baggage delays and baggage loss also comes standard.
Elderly travelers to Canada will also see the appeal of the iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic’s ‘look-back period of 60 days’ This means it only considers pre-existing conditions as “an illness, disease, or other condition during the 60-day period immediately prior to the date your coverage begins.”
PROS
- 10-day money back guarantee
- Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
- Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
- Rental car coverage included
CONS
- Recently developed pre-existing conditions may not be covered
- CFAR and IFAR coverage only available as an add-on with premium plans
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Although at the lower end of the price spectrum, Trip Protection Choice provides travelers to Canada with a reassuring $500,000 of primary medical coverage. To match this high level of coverage, this plan from Seven Corners also offers $1 million in medevac and repatriation coverage, which is some of the highest around.\n\nFurther popular additions include trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage, accidental death & dismemberment coverage, baggage damage and loss coverage, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. \n\nTrip Protection Choice is a great choice for those with pre-existing conditions. 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Advertiser Disclosure
How much does travel insurance for Canada cost?
The average cost of travel insurance for Canada is $13.22 based on internal sales data from LA Times’ visitors over the past year. On average, travelers spent 13 days in Canada and spent a total of $171.77 on travel insurance for Canada.
Below we put together some travel insurance cost examples for visiting Canada. We requested quotes from a few popular companies for a 7-day trip to Canada for a 35-year-old traveler with a total trip cost of $2,000.
Cost Example for Medical-based Travel Insurance
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Leg | Standard | $11 | $0 / $750 | $30,000 / $200,000 |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels Explorer | $10 | $0 / $0 | $50,000 / $200,000 |
| Seven Corners | Trip Protection Basic | $25 | $0 / $1,000 | $100,000 / $250,000 |
As seen from the table above, it’s possible to get travel insurance for Canada that costs around $1 per day. However, you may wish to have more comprehensive protection for your trip to Canada and include coverage for things like trip cancelations, delays, and more.
Cost Example for Comprehensive Travel Insurance
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Leg | Standard | $123 | $2,000 / $3,000 | $50,000 / $200,000 |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels Explorer | $56 | $2,000 / $2,000 | $25,000 / $250,000 |
| Seven Corners | Trip Protection Basic | $75 | $2,000 / $2,000 | $100,000 / $250,000 |
As seen in the examples above, comprehensive travel Insurance for Canada varies in cost based on how comprehensive the coverage is, but medical-based plans can cost as little as $1 per day and are a great way to get cheap travel coverage.
When searching for travel insurance, keep in mind that several factors impact how much you’ll pay.
Factors that influence the cost of travel insurance include:
-
Your age:
Even if you’re in good health, your risk of developing medical problems increases as you age. Insurance companies charge higher premiums for travel insurance for seniors to account for their increased risk. -
The cost of your trip:
The more you spend on your trip, the more an insurance company is likely to owe you if you have to file a claim. Therefore, insurers charge more to cover expensive trips. -
The length of your trip:
The longer you plan to travel, the more you can expect to pay for travel insurance. -
Your destination:
Your insurance company may charge more for some destinations than others, increasing your cost of coverage.
What types of travel insurance do I need for Canada?
Travel insurance plans are typically divided into two distinct categories:
- Medical-based travel insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance
What is included in your overall coverage depends on the type of policy you purchase.
Medical-based travel insurance
The most basic level of travel insurance for Canada visits should be a policy that is medical-based. Medical insurance for Canada is often the cheapest level of insurance you can buy. Medical insurance will cover you should you experience any illness or accidents during your vacation.
As noted above, Medicare and other US private insurers won’t cover you while you are in Canada, so those without medical-based travel insurance will be left out of pocket should the worst happen. Therefore, when visiting Canada, health insurance should be at the top of your travel checklist.
Medical-based travel insurance policies usually cover two separate coverage limits for medical emergencies and emergency medical evacuations:
-
Emergency medical insurance:
At a minimum, we recommend getting a plan that provides health insurance for visitors to Canada. Travel medical insurance covers a wide range of health care expenses. For example, if you develop a health condition after eating contaminated food, travel medical insurance should cover the cost of blood tests, IV fluids, and other types of medical care. -
Medevac insurance:
You may be used to having a hospital within just a few miles of your home. When you’re traveling, that’s not always the case, especially if you plan to spend time in a national park or hunt in the Canadian wilderness. Medical evacuation insurance, or medevac, pays to transport you to the nearest suitable medical facility if you develop a serious illness or injury during your trip.
Medical plans will not include far more in-depth travel insurance add-ons such as trip cancellations or trip cost reimbursement. If you require this additional coverage, you will need to purchase a more comprehensive travel insurance plan.
Comprehensive travel coverage
When selecting a travel insurance policy, you have the option of purchasing plans that reimburse you for non-refundable prepaid trip expenses and plans that don’t. You may want to be insured for things such as trip cancellations, trip interruptions, travel delays, and the loss of personal items. If this is the case, you will need to select an insurance policy that covers you for trip cost reimbursement.
Some medical-based plans may reimburse you for a canceled or interrupted trip if it is the result of a pre-covered illness or injury. However, your trip may be interrupted or canceled based on unforeseen events such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster. In this case, you will need to purchase a policy that covers cancellation and interruption coverage for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses to make a claim.
Further below, you will see a cost example that shows the difference in prices of medical-based plans versus comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
Optional Add-ons
Some travel insurance plans will also offer cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance. With this type of coverage, you can cancel your travel plans for any reason at all and still get back around 50% to 75% of your prepaid travel expenses. Including this will allow you far more flexibility should you change your Canadian vacation plans.
What doesn’t travel insurance for a trip to Canada cover?
Generally speaking, most travel insurance policies exclude coverage for the following scenarios:
- Claims resulting from illegal activities
- Claims related to medical tourism
- Injuries resulting from intoxication from drugs or alcohol
- Cancellations due to fear COVID-19 (See COVID-19 travel plans)
Aside from the highly obvious reasons, some travel insurance providers will also include restrictions are the following situations:
-
Pre-existing medical conditions:
Unless you have a waiver, most travel insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. To qualify for a waiver, you typically must purchase your travel insurance plan within 14 to 15 days of making your initial trip deposit. -
Adventure sports:
Standard travel insurance plans won’t usually cover injuries associated with skiing, rock climbing, and other adventure activities you may do on your Canadian vacation. If you plan to do these types of activities, make sure to purchase coverage that includes these types of sports. -
Pregnancy-related care:
Regular wellness care and normal delivery are not covered by travel insurance. However, emergency care that you require while traveling while pregnant may still be covered. -
Non-emergency medical care:
Non-emergency procedures that can wait until you return home are not covered by travel insurance.
Advertiser Disclosure
Tips for choosing the best travel insurance for Canada
Before you purchase travel insurance for your trip to Canada, follow these tips to find the best plan:
1
Shop around and compare
Just because a plan has the highest premium doesn’t mean it offers the best coverage. Use the LA Times Comparison Tool to determine which company offers the most benefits at the lowest price.
2
Think about additional coverages you may need
Travel insurance doesn’t usually cover injuries associated with skiing, rock climbing, and other adventure activities. If you plan to do one of these activities, look for a plan that includes extra coverage.
3
Adjust your transportation plans
Travel insurance doesn’t cover trip delays unless you’re traveling via a common carrier. You may want to adjust your transportation plans to ensure that you’re eligible for this type of coverage.
4
Purchase a policy early
You may be able to get a better deal on travel insurance if you purchase a plan as soon as you make your initial trip deposit.
5
Buy coverage based on seasonal risks you face
The season in which you visit Canada can greatly influence the risks you face. Apart from this, some travel insurance plans may not cover certain sports or seasonal activities. It’s important to consider things like winter or summer sports and look for plans that offer adequate coverage. Below are some common examples of seasonal risks.
Hazards in Canada’s national parks
Canada is home to 38 national parks. These great expanses of wilderness are incredible places to explore and are populated with wildlife of all kinds. These parks offer great opportunities to hike, ski, climb, and camp. As we can see from the official Canadian National Park website, they are also volatile regions, susceptible to extreme weather fronts and close encounters with potentially dangerous animals.
Travel insurance for emergency medical evacuation, medical coverage, and adventure sports coverage are a must while exploring the vastness of the Canadian wilderness. However, not all plans automatically cover adventure activities, so it is important to compare plans before purchasing.
Wildfire season
Wildfire season in Canada typically runs from May through to October. In recent years, particularly in the west of the country, Canada has begun to experience far more extreme and prolonged wildfires. While predicting the movement of wildfires and their effects can be difficult, downloading local alert apps and keeping yourself updated via government websites all help avoid any disastrous situations.
Ensure your travel insurance policy has high-quality emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance. This will allow you to be far more prepared and flexible should wildfires affect your vacation plans.
Winter weather
Canada’s winter weather can be some of the most extreme in all of North America and the beginning of 2024 brought one of the worst snow storms of recent years. Having high-quality emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance will ensure you are covered should your trip be hit by heavy snow storms and adverse weather conditions.
Winter sports
Canada is famous the world over for its winter sports. Numerous tourists come to Canada every year to experience the thrill of skiing, snowboarding, and riding snowmobiles on its many trails. As highlighted in Canada’s official government website on the issue, you should take extreme caution by avoiding closed trails and keeping up-to-date with local weather reports, especially where there is a risk of avalanches and winter storms.
Similarly to those exploring Canada’s grand national parks, it’s advisable to ensure your policy offers adventure sports coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage, should the worst happen during your trip.
Canada entry requirements & travel information
The table below provides an overview of entry requirements and travel information for your trip to Canada from the United States, according to the US Department of State.
| Query | Details |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa required? | No visa required for stays lasting less than 180 days |
| Passport requirements | Valid US passport with at least one blank page |
| Local currency | Canadian dollar |
| Average 5-year exchange rate | 1 USD = 1.3038 CAD, according to the Bank of Canada |
| Vaccine requirements | None |
| COVID-19 test required? | No |
| Travel advisory level | Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) |
| Emergency services phone number | 911 |
| Accepts US health insurance? | No |
| Travel insurance required? | No |
Do I need a passport to visit Canada?
Yes. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. citizens must present a valid passport when crossing the US-Canada border.
Do I need to be vaccinated to go to Canada?
No. Canada travel restrictions don’t include any vaccine-related requirements for American citizens.
Do Americans need travel insurance in Canada?
You may not have to use your travel insurance in Canada, but, it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t be financially covered for medical expenses if you require emergency care.
That means that the Canadian government will charge you for any treatment received and you could be left out of pocket should anything unexpected happen. This is also the case even if the services or medications provided would normally be covered in the United States.
Canada travel insurance FAQs
Do I need travel insurance to visit Canada?
You are not legally required to buy travel insurance to visit Canada, but it should be a top priority. You should always purchase travel insurance before you travel outside the United States. This type of insurance reimburses you for expenses associated with trip cancellation, trip delays, and other travel issues, limiting your losses.
Can I use my US health insurance in Canada?
No. Both private and government-sponsored health insurance plans only cover expenses incurred in the United States.
Do I need travel health insurance for Canada?
It’s a good idea to purchase travel medical insurance before you go abroad. This type of insurance covers emergency transportation, physical exams, diagnostic tests, medications, surgical procedures, and other health expenses. Most travel insurance plans will also include coverage for COVID-19 as standard.
Can Americans travel to Canada without a COVID-19 test?
No. Canada no longer requires tourists from the United States to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine before entering the country.
What happens if I get sick in Canada?
If you get sick in Canada and don’t have travel medical insurance, you will have to pay for your own hospital or medical services. This is why it’s so important to purchase travel insurance with medical coverage before you embark on your trip.
About the Author
Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.
With more than a dozen years of writing experience, Sarah has tackled niches that range from technical advances in fintech to personal budgeting challenges. She has covered topics such as insurance and the economics of private healthcare, small business management and accounting, and credit and savings. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful and relevant resources for readers.
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