travel health insurance
Secure Your Adventures
Secure Your Adventures: Your Guide to Travel Health Insurance in Canada
Dreaming of exploring new horizons? Whether it's a weekend getaway to another province or an extended adventure overseas, travel fills life with incredible experiences. But what happens if the unexpected occurs? A sudden illness or accident far from home can quickly turn your dream trip into a financial nightmare, potentially impacting the assets and investments you've worked hard to build.
Simply put, Many Canadians mistakenly believe their provincial health plan (like OHIP, AHCIP, or MSP) offers sufficient coverage wherever they go. Unfortunately, this often isn't the case, leaving travellers vulnerable to staggering medical bills.
An unexpected medical event shouldn't jeopardize your financial future or force you to compromise your hard-earned assets. Travel health insurance acts as a crucial shield, protecting your financial well-being from these unforeseen risks.
Our Guardianship of Assets strategies, which is the third step to achieving total financial freedom framework extends beyond traditional wealth management to proactively protect your financial well-being against life's most challenging moments. This means protecting your future needs into your financial plan today, recognizing that preparing for possibilities is vital for lifetime financial security.
As your independent advisors, we meticulously search the market, leveraging access to modern, often specialized insurance programs. We find the tailored Insurance policy that fits your unique needs, acting as that essential layer of protection. Our personalized guidance demystifies complex options, empowering you with the confidence to pursue your ambitions, knowing you're better prepared for unexpected health-related financial shocks.
What Exactly is Travel Health Insurance?
Think of Travel Health Insurance as your essential safety net when you're away from home. It's a specific type of insurance designed to cover the costs of unexpected medical emergencies that happen while you're travelling outside your home province or territory.
Key benefits typically include coverage for:
Emergency hospital stays and doctor visits
Necessary diagnostic tests (like X-rays or MRIs)
Prescription medications needed for the emergency
Ambulance services (ground or air)
Emergency medical evacuation back home or to the nearest suitable facility
Repatriation (returning remains home in the event of death)
24/7 emergency assistance services for support and coordination
It’s important to remember this insurance is for sudden, unforeseen events while travelling – not for routine check-ups, elective treatments, or conditions you could reasonably wait to treat back home.
Why Your Provincial Plan (like OHIP) Isn't Enough
Your provincial health card is invaluable at home, but its power diminishes significantly once you cross provincial or national borders. Relying solely on it during travel is a major financial risk.
Here's why:
Minimal Coverage Abroad: Provincial plans cover only a tiny fraction of emergency medical costs outside Canada, often based on what the service costs back home, not the actual (and often much higher) foreign price.
Significant Gaps Even Within Canada: Services like ambulance transport (ground or air), prescription drugs outside a hospital, and emergency dental care are typically not covered by provincial plans, even when travelling to another province.
You Pay First: Provincial plans never pay foreign hospitals or doctors directly. You'll have to pay potentially massive bills upfront and then seek minimal reimbursement later.
| Feature/Scenario | OHIP Coverage (Outside Canada) | Typical Comprehensive Travel Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Hospital Stay (per day) | Max $200 CAD (standard care) or $400 CAD (intensive care) | Covered up to policy maximum (often $5M - $10M+) |
| Emergency Physician Visit | Reimbursed at Ontario physician rates (often much lower than foreign charges) | Covered up to policy maximum |
| Emergency Outpatient Services | Max $50 CAD per day | Covered up to policy maximum |
| Ground Ambulance | Not Covered | Covered (Reasonable & Customary charges) |
| Air Ambulance / Medical Evacuation | Not Covered | Covered (Often up to policy maximum, subject to pre-approval) |
| Prescription Drugs (Emergency) | Not Covered outside hospital | Covered (Often 30-day supply limit) |
| Repatriation of Remains | Not Covered | Covered (Often up to a specific limit, e.g., $5k-$10k+) |
| Upfront Payment Required? | Yes (Pay provider, then seek minimal reimbursement) | Often No (Insurer aims to pay provider directly via assistance) |
| Overall Maximum Coverage | No overall maximum, but per-service limits are extremely low | High overall maximum (e.g., $1M, $5M, $10M+ per trip) |
Note: "Typical Comprehensive Travel Health Insurance" details are illustrative and vary by provider and plan. OHIP details based on published rates.[1] Always check specific policy wording and official government sources.
Who Needs Travel Health Insurance Most?
While everyone travelling outside their home province benefits from this protection, it's especially crucial for:
Visitors to Canada (VTC): Canada's healthcare system does not provide free medical care to tourists or temporary visitors like International Students and Super Visa program.
Seniors & Snowbirds: Often face higher risks, stricter rules on other coverage types, and need robust protection for longer trips.
Families with Children: Protects against unexpected childhood illnesses or accidents during vacations.
Adventure & Sports Enthusiasts: Standard policies often exclude activities like skiing, scuba diving, or mountaineering; specialized coverage is needed.
Students Studying Abroad/Out-of-Province: Provincial coverage has limits, and many institutions require private insurance.
Frequent Travellers: Multi-trip annual plans offer convenience and cost savings.
Individuals with Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Navigating stability clauses and exclusions requires careful policy selection.
Anyone Travelling Within Canada (Outside Their Home Province): Covers gaps left by provincial plans, like ambulance fees.
Protecting your health while travelling is intrinsically linked to protecting your financial stability and the assets you've built. Travel health insurance ensures a medical emergency doesn't derail your financial goals.
| Feature | Typical Premium Credit Card | Typical Group Employee Benefit | Typical Standalone Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Coverage Maximum | $1M - $5M (Varies significantly by card) | $1M - $5M+ (Varies by plan; lifetime max may apply) | $5M - $10M+ (Higher limits often available) |
| Trip Duration Limit (Under 65) | 15 - 31 days common (Some shorter/longer) | 40 - 180+ days (Highly variable by plan) | Flexible (Can cover trip duration, up to 365+ days) |
| Trip Duration Limit (65+) | 3 - 10 days common (Often severely restricted) | Often reduced vs. under 65 (Highly variable by plan) | Flexible (Available, may require questionnaire/higher premium) |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Strict stability required (e.g., 90-180 days) | Highly Variable (Check plan: may be excluded, require stability, or covered) | More Flexible (Options for stable & sometimes unstable conditions via specific plans/riders) |
| Activation / Eligibility | Often requires charging trip cost to card | Based on employment status & plan enrollment | Purchase of policy activates coverage for specified dates |
| Medical Evacuation / Repatriation | May be included but potentially limited | Generally Included (Check limits/completeness, esp. repatriation, family assistance) | Typically robust, often up to policy maximum |
| Ambulance Coverage | Often included under medical | Yes (Typically included in emergency benefits) | Yes (Typically included in emergency benefits) |
| Trip Cancellation / Interruption | Often included, but limits may be lower (e.g., $1.5k-$2.5k/person) | No (Usually not part of the *medical* travel benefit) | Available (In All-Inclusive or standalone non-medical plans) |
| Flexibility / Customization | Limited (Fixed package with card) | Limited (Fixed plan by employer) | High (Choice of plan types, coverage levels, deductibles) |
| Coverage for Retirees | Very limited trip duration | May differ from active employees (e.g., stricter pre-existing rules) | Available (May require medical questionnaire, higher premium) |
Note: "Typical" details are illustrative generalizations based on reviewed sources and common plan structures. Coverage varies greatly between specific credit cards, group benefit plans, and standalone policies. Always verify the terms of your specific card, group plan, and any considered standalone policy.
Navigating Your Options: The Hexavision Mentorship Advantage
Choosing the right travel health insurance can feel overwhelming. With dozens of providers and policies filled with complex terms and exclusions , how do you know you're truly covered?
This is where clarity and objective guidance are essential. Hexavision believes in empowering Canadians to make informed financial decisions. That's why we offer our no-cost mentorship program.
Our experienced mentors provide unbiased education, helping you understand complex options Travel Insurance, weigh the pros and cons based on your personal circumstances, and compare them confidently against other options. We're here to partner with you, enhancing your financial literacy so you can choose the path that truly serves your goals.
Ready to travel with confidence? Let's ensure your adventures and your assets are protected.
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Kanwaljit (Sunny) Kochar DBA Hexavision Enterprise is licensed to sell Segregated Funds investments, Life and A&S Insurance products in Ontario, Alberta, QC, NB, SK, NS and British Columbia. Not available in other provinces.
License #s: FSCO LIC#17161321 (ON), AIC LIC # M-3493167-1763384-2020 (AL), BC LIC#LIC-2020-0022136-R01 (BC). Insurance and segregated funds provided by Carte Risk Management Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions About travel health insurance
What is travel health insurance and why is it important?
Travel health insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies that may occur while you are traveling outside of your province or territory of residence. It is crucial because provincial health plans have limited coverage for medical expenses incurred outside of your home province or Canada. Without travel health insurance, you could face significant costs for medical treatments, hospitalization, or even emergency medical evacuation.
What kinds of medical expenses does travel health insurance typically cover?
Travel health insurance plans usually cover a range of medical expenses, including emergency medical treatments, hospitalization, physician services, prescription drugs, laboratory tests, and emergency medical transportation (such as ambulance services or medical evacuation). The specifics of coverage will vary depending on the policy.
Are there different types of travel health insurance plans?
Yes, travel health insurance plans can be purchased for single trips or as multi-trip (or annual) policies. Single trip plans cover a specific trip for a defined duration. Multi-trip plans cover multiple trips within a one-year period, often with limitations on the duration of each trip.
How does travel health insurance work when I need medical attention while traveling?
If you require medical attention while traveling, you should contact the travel insurance provider as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process, which typically involves providing information about your medical situation and the facility providing care. The insurance provider will work with the medical facility to arrange for payment of eligible expenses.
Are there situations or conditions that might not be covered by travel health insurance?
Yes, travel health insurance policies often have exclusions. Common exclusions include pre-existing medical conditions that are not stable, elective procedures, travel against medical advice, and injuries sustained while participating in high-risk activities. It's essential to carefully read the policy to understand what is and is not covered.
How can I ensure I have adequate travel health insurance for my trip?
To ensure adequate coverage, you should consider the duration of your trip, your destination, your age, and any existing medical conditions. It is crucial to be honest and accurate when applying for insurance, especially regarding your health history. Comparing different policies and understanding the coverage limits and exclusions is also vital.
Is it necessary to inform my travel insurance provider about my pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, it is absolutely necessary to inform your travel insurance provider about any pre-existing medical conditions. Failing to do so could result in your claim being denied. Many policies offer coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, but you must disclose them and meet the stability requirements outlined in the policy.
Where can I get more information about travel health insurance?
You can obtain more information about travel health insurance from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) and the Association canadienne des compagnies d'assurances de personnes inc. (ACCAP). Their websites and publications often provide helpful guides and consumer information on travel health insurance.
Besides medical emergencies, what are some other types of expenses that a travel health insurance policy might cover?
Beyond medical emergencies, travel health insurance might cover trip cancellation or interruption, lost or delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation.
What is a "deductible" in the context of travel health insurance?
A deductible is the amount the policyholder must pay towards a claim before the insurance company pays the remainder, up to the policy's limits.
What is the significance of understanding the policy's cancellation and refund provisions?
Understanding these provisions is important for travelers to know their rights and obligations regarding cancelling a trip or policy and whether they are entitled to any refund.
Why is it recommended to keep your travel health insurance policy information and emergency contact numbers readily accessible while traveling?
Keeping policy information and emergency contacts readily available ensures that in a medical emergency or other covered event, the traveler can quickly access assistance and information needed to initiate a claim.
For more information on insurance in Canada, please visit the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA).
Our Service Area
Ontario | Quebec
Alberta | Nova Scotia
British Columbia | Saskatchewan
New Brunswick
Working Hours
🟢 Monday to Friday : 9:30 - 6:30 EST
🔴 Saturday and Sunday : Closed
Join Our Blogs/Newsletter
Kanwaljit (Sunny) Kochar DBA Hexavision Enterprise is licensed to sell Segregated Funds investments, Life and A&S Insurance products in Ontario, Alberta, QC, NB, SK, NS and British Columbia. Not available in other provinces. License #s: FSCO LIC#17161321 (ON), AIC LIC # M-3493167-1763384-2020 (AL), BC LIC#LIC-2020-0022136-R01 (BC), AMF LIC# 2023-CI-1016414(QC), LIC # 087345 (SK), FCSC LIC# 220039066 (NB) Insurance and segregated funds provided by Carte Risk Management Inc.
@ 2025 Hexavision Enterprise| Terms And Condition| Privacy Policy | Advisor Disclosure
© 2025 Hexavision Enterprise. All rights reserved