Canada Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for Canada: A Guide for US Travelers

From exploring Banff National Park's breathtaking landscapes to experiencing Toronto's vibrant culture or the historic sites of Quebec City, Canada offers a wide range of popular locations and activities. However, before you dive into your adventure, there's a crucial detail to address: securing your travel insurance.

Discover all the ins and outs of travel insurance for 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.

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

What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Canada?

At a minimum, 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 minimum recommended coverages in mind.

Medical Coverage – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.
Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions 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 offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.
Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders.

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How does Travel Insurance work for Canada?

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 help support you. Whether assisting in medical transportation or finding the best alternative for a trip delay, AXA Travel Protection ensures you’re supported in your time of need.

How AXA Travel Protection Can Benefit Visitors to Canada

Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can have access to with an AXA Travel Protection Plan:

Medical Benefits:

Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation.
Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms.

Baggage Benefits:

Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries.
Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings.

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits:

Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury.
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 delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits:

Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft.
Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.
Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional 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.
Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this 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.

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 recommended to have a travel insurance plan before embarking on your next trip.

Why? There are several reasons:

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

How much does Travel Insurance cost for Canada?

In general, travel insurance to Canada costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans:

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 three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's 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 smart move. It's also worth checking if your visa, entry requirements, or tour operator call for extra coverage.

Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for US Visitors?

As of October 2023, 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 plan 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 required travel vaccinations for 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 and recommendations 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 Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.
Our Gold and Platinum plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons,

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plans 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 Plan

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan, 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 recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

The 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 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 Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking comprehensive protection during their exciting Canadian adventures.

FAQs about Canada Travel Insurance

1. Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight?

Absolutely, travelers have the option to purchase travel insurance for Canada after they've booked their flights.

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.)
AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip.
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 travel insurance to Canada?

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

3. What type of medical conditions does AXA Travel Protection cover?
AXA 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 cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.

Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation can cover evacuation assistance when you immediately leave a destination for non-medical-related events. These could be things like natural disasters or civil unrest.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions. AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.