Travel Insurance for Canadians Travelling Abroad
Your provincial or territorial health plan may pay none—or only a small portion—of medical costs outside Canada, and the Government of Canada will not pay your bills. Travel insurance can help protect you from eligible emergency medical expenses and, when selected, certain trip cancellation or interruption losses.
Excevia helps Canadian residents review the coverage they already have, identify important gaps and compare options for the trip ahead.
Travelling for one trip or several times this year? We can help you compare the appropriate policy format.
Why consider travel insurance before leaving Canada?
Medical care abroad can be expensive, may require payment before treatment and can include costs that a provincial plan does not cover, such as medical evacuation or transportation back to Canada.
Travel insurance may be relevant for:
- vacations, family visits and short cross-border trips;
- cruises and tours;
- business travel;
- snowbirds and longer stays;
- frequent travellers considering an annual plan; and
- travellers who want eligible cancellation or interruption protection in addition to emergency medical coverage.
Even a short trip should be reviewed. The right policy depends on the traveller, trip length, destination, health history and coverage already available.
Emergency medical and trip protection are not the same
Emergency medical insurance
Depending on the policy, eligible benefits may include emergency physician and hospital care, diagnostic services, ambulance, prescription drugs, emergency dental treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation. Limits, deductibles, exclusions and assistance procedures vary.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
This coverage may reimburse certain non-refundable travel costs when a covered event causes cancellation before departure or interrupts the trip after it begins. Covered reasons, maximum benefits, booking dates, notice requirements and exclusions are policy-specific.
Baggage and other benefits
Some packages may include benefits for baggage loss or delay, travel delay, accidental death or other risks. These benefits are not automatically included in every emergency medical plan.
Check these six items before choosing a policy
Existing insurance
Review provincial coverage, employer or retiree benefits, association plans and credit-card insurance. Having a card or group plan does not by itself confirm that every traveller, trip and expense is covered.
Eligibility and trip length
Check age limits, Canadian residency or provincial-plan requirements, maximum covered days and whether an annual plan allows enough days for each trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Definitions and stability periods differ. A change in symptoms, treatment, testing or medication before departure may affect coverage. Answer medical questions accurately and review the applicable policy wording.
Destination and activities
Government travel advisories, cruises, sports, high-altitude activities, remote travel and other planned activities may affect eligibility or exclusions. Check the policy before booking or departing.
Deductible and coverage limits
Compare more than price. Review the total limit, deductible, medical evacuation, exclusions, claim procedures and whether the insurer provides 24-hour emergency assistance.
Cancellation timing
Trip cancellation coverage is separate from emergency medical coverage and often depends on when insurance is purchased and when the event occurs. Arrange it promptly after booking when appropriate.
A practical way to review existing coverage
Do not ask only, "Do I already have travel insurance?" Ask:
- Who is insured?
- How many days are covered?
- Does age or health history change eligibility?
- Must the trip be paid with a specific credit card?
- Are emergency medical, cancellation and interruption all included—or only one of them?
- What exclusions, deductibles and claim-notification rules apply?
This comparison helps prevent both unnecessary duplication and unexpected gaps.
Is your credit-card travel insurance enough for this trip?
Compare the current certificate with the travellers, complete trip, medical wording, benefits, limits, exclusions and claims process before deciding whether additional coverage is necessary.
Compare credit-card and standalone travel insuranceTravelling with a pre-existing medical condition?
Learn how policy-specific stability periods, medication changes, pending tests and medical questions may affect coverage before departure.
Read the pre-existing conditions and stability guideOntario residents should also understand what OHIP may reimburse abroad, its daily hospital limits and the cost of transportation back to Ontario.
Read the OHIP outside Canada guideHow Excevia helps
Step 1 — Review the trip
Tell us the travellers' ages, province of residence, destination, departure and return dates, health considerations and whether multiple trips are planned.
Step 2 — Identify the gap
We help you compare existing provincial, group or credit-card coverage with the risks and dates that still need attention.
Step 3 — Compare and apply
Review eligible options, policy terms and costs, then apply for the coverage that fits the trip and traveller information provided.
Travel insurance FAQs for Canadians
Check your coverage before your next trip
Tell Excevia where you are going, for how long and what insurance you may already have. We will help you identify the important gaps and compare available options.
Reviewed by: Excevia Financial Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
This page provides general information, not medical, legal or travel advice. Eligibility, benefits, exclusions, stability periods, deductibles and claims are governed by the insurer's policy wording. Government advisories and plan terms may change; confirm current information before travel.