21st Century travel insurance review (2026)

What is 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance?

21st Century Medicare International travel insurance is a range of travel insurance plans aimed at protecting Canadians travelling outside their home province or Canada from unexpected medical emergencies and travel-related disruptions.

Depending on the policy you choose, coverage may include emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, travel accident coverage, and 24/7 emergency assistance services. Additionally, the choice between medical and non-medical plans allows travellers to select a plan that works best for them.

21st Century Medicare International travel insurance: At a glance

Types of travel insurance plans offered by 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance

21st Century Medicare International Travel Insurance offers a wide range of plans for travelling Canadians. Depending on how often you travel, you can choose between Single-trip and Multi-trip coverage for your trips. Whether you’re taking a single vacation or travelling multiple times a year, the insurer offers plans that meet different travel needs and budgets.

Additionally, the insurer provides both medical and non-medical plans, allowing applicants to choose what works best for them. Meanwhile, the All-Inclusive plans combine medical and non-medical plans to offer a comprehensive package that includes emergency medical coverage alongside trip interruption, baggage, travel delay, and other non-medical benefits.

Here’s an overview of the different 21st Century travel insurance plans:

Emergency medical plans

Emergency Medical plans protect travellers against unexpected medical emergencies while travelling. Depending on your travel frequency and medical history, 21st Century offers two different plans to choose from:

• Single-Trip Emergency Medical
• Multi-Trip Emergency Medical

Here’s a quick comparison of the emergency medical plans offered by 21st Century Medicare International Travel Insurance:

Non-medical plans

Non-medical plans help travellers who already have emergency medical coverage or only want protection for prepaid travel expenses. 21st Century Travel Insurance offers a standalone Trip Cancellation & Interruption plan that reimburses eligible costs if a covered event cancels, interrupts, or delays your trip due to a covered event.

Here’s a quick overview of the Trip Cancellation & Interruption plan offered by 21st Century Travel Insurance:

All-inclusive plans

All-Inclusive plans combine emergency medical insurance with trip cancellation, trip interruption,  and travel accident coverage into a single comprehensive policy. These plans are ideal for travellers looking for broader protection throughout their trip. 

21st Century Travel Insurance offers two All-Inclusive plans, depending on how often you travel:

• Single-Trip All-Inclusive
• Multi-Trip All-Inclusive

Here’s an overview of the Single-Trip All-Inclusive and Multi-Trip All-Inclusive plans offered by 21st Century Medicare International Travel Insurance:

Pros and Cons of 21st Century Medicare International Travel Insurance

Does 21st Century offer family travel insurance?

Yes, 21st Century offers family coverage on eligible travel insurance plans for Canadians. The insurer offers a family coverage option on the Single Trip Emergency Medical and the Multi-Trip Emergency Medical plans. Families can insure eligible members under the same policy provided they meet the plan’s eligibility requirements and satisfy the insurer’s underwriting conditions where applicable.

To qualify for family coverage:

• All family members must be listed on the policy confirmation.
• Each insured must be at least 30 days old and under 60 years of age.
• Each traveller must be covered under a valid provincial or territorial Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP)
• All family members must have the same coverage start and end dates.
• All applicable premiums must be paid

Keep in mind that additional plan-specific conditions may apply. Refer to policy documentation for the full list of requirements.

Who is eligible for 21st Century Travel Insurance?

Any Canadian resident with active provincial or territorial health coverage who is travelling outside their home province or outside Canada and who meets 21st Century’s requirements can purchase these travel insurance plans. However, coverage eligibility, age restrictions, medical stability requirements, and policy exclusions vary by plan and chosen riders.

Here’s an overview of the general eligibility requirements for the different 21st Century Travel Insurance plans:

Note: Refer to the policy wording for the full list of eligibility requirements, exclusions, and limitations.

How much does 21st Century travel insurance cost?

The cost of 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance ranges between $46.50 and $1386.30, based on the stability of any pre-existing condition. Additionally, your premium depends on your plan, duration, and the riders you select with your policy.

Here’s a sample travel insurance premium for a traveller on a trip for 15 days:

Disclaimer: Illustrative premiums for single-trip and multi-trip annual Emergency Medical plans ($10 million coverage). Actual premiums may vary based on age, destination, trip duration, health, deductible, and other factors.

Are there any exclusions or limitations to 21st Century Travel Insurance? 

Yes, there are certain exclusions and limitations to the different plans of 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance. While the plans offer comprehensive emergency coverage, the insurer does not cover certain conditions and situations.

Here’s an overview of the general exclusions and limitations of 21st Century travel insurance:

Note: This list summarizes the most common exclusions found across 21st Century travel insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan and policy wording, so it is recommended to refer to your policy for the complete list of exclusions, limitations, and definitions.

How to file a claim with 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance?

If you experience a medical emergency or another covered loss during your trip, contact the 21st Century Assistance Centre as soon as possible to begin the claims process.

Here’s how you can file a claim with 21st Century during your trip:

• Contact the Assistance Centre immediately: Contact the Assistance Centre in Canada and the United States at 1-855-478-3484, and internationally at +1 (519) 251-7851. You must contact the Assistance Centre before receiving emergency treatment whenever possible. Failure to notify the Assistance Centre within 24 hours may result in you being responsible for 20% of eligible expenses
• Obtain pre-approval: Certain medical services and benefits require prior authorization through the Assistance Centre. If you do not obtain pre-approval when required, the insurer may deny your claim
• Submit your claim: After you report your claim, the Assistance Centre will furnish forms for proof of claim within 15 days after receiving notice of claim. You can visit the online portal at https://manulife.acmtravel.ca to submit your claim online or mail the documents to them.
• Submit proof of claim: Submit all claims within 30 days, and any documentation must be given within 90 days of the illness or injury.

Can you cancel or get a refund on 21st Century travel insurance?

Yes, 21st Century allows policy cancellations and refunds under certain circumstances. Your refund eligibility depends on the type of policy purchased, whether coverage has started, and whether a claim has been made.

Here is the 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance refund policy at a glance:

Note: Refer to the policy wording for the complete refund terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements. Additionally, the minimum refundable amount is $10. Refunds below this amount are not issued.

Can you extend 21st Century travel insurance coverage?

If your trip lasts longer than originally planned, you may be able to extend or top up your 21st Century travel insurance coverage before your policy expires. However, extensions are subject to approval and must meet all necessary eligibility requirements.

Here’s what you need to know about extending your 21st Century Medicare International travel insurance policy:

• Apply before your policy expires: Extension requests must be submitted before your existing coverage ends.
• No lapse in coverage: Your extension request must ensure continuous coverage with no gap between policies
• No existing or pending claims: Extensions are generally only available if no event has occurred that has resulted in or may result in a claim.
• No change in health: You must confirm there has been no change in your health since purchasing the policy.
• Approval is required: All extensions are subject to approval by 21st Century

Additionally, 21st Century travel insurance also offers automatic extensions in certain situations. Your coverage may automatically extend for up to 72 hours if your common carrier is delayed, you are hospitalized on your expiry date, or for up to 5 days if a covered medical emergency prevents you from returning home as scheduled, subject to policy limits.

How does 21st Century compare to other travel insurance providers?

21st Century offers a broad selection of travel insurance plans, including Emergency Medical, All-Inclusive, and Trip Cancellation & Interruption coverage, so travellers can choose the level of protection that best fits their needs.

The plans include up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage on eligible plans, Single Trip coverage for trips of up to 365 days, annual Multi Trip options for frequent travellers, and flexible deductible choices to help customize premiums. These features make 21st Century a strong option for Canadians looking for emergency medical or comprehensive travel insurance.

For a detailed comparison of the best travel insurance plans, check out our list of the Best travel insurance companies in Canada

Our advisor’s take on 21st Century travel insurance

At PolicyAdvisor, we recently assisted a 67-year-old retiree planning a five-month winter vacation in Arizona. The individual was seeking comprehensive travel insurance that would cover emergency medical expenses while also protecting their prepaid travel costs in case their plans changed.

The client profile

• Age: 67 years
• Purpose of travel: Five-month winter vacation in the United States
• Primary concern: Finding affordable travel insurance with high emergency medical coverage and protection for prepaid travel expenses during a longer trip
• Coverage needed: Single-Trip All-Inclusive travel insurance

Why we recommend 21st Century Travel Insurance

We recommended this plan because it offers:

• Up to $10 million in emergency medical coverage on eligible plans
• Single Trip coverage for trips of up to 365 days
• Comprehensive All-Inclusive options that combine medical and travel-related benefits
• 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance
• Flexible deductible options to help manage premiums

How to purchase 21st Century travel insurance in Canada

PolicyAdvisor’s licensed travel insurance advisors can help you compare 21st Century Travel Insurance plans based on your destination, trip duration, age, medical history, and coverage needs.

Whether you are heading abroad for a vacation or planning multiple trips throughout the year, our advisors at PolicyAdvisor can guide you through 21st Century’s coverage options and policy limits to help you purchase the right travel insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 21st Century travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, some 21st Century travel insurance plans cover stable pre-existing medical conditions if you meet the applicable stability requirements.

Does 21st Century travel insurance cover trip cancellation?

Yes, trip cancellation coverage is available through 21st Century’s Stand-alone Trip Cancellation & Interruption and All-Inclusive plans. Benefits are payable if you cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason as per the policy.

How much travel medical coverage does 21st Century travel insurance provide?

Coverage limits vary by plan. Depending on the policy you purchase, 21st Century offers emergency travel medical coverage of up to $10 million for eligible medical emergencies while travelling.

Does 21st Century travel insurance cover baggage loss or delays?

Yes, but only under plans that include travel benefits, such as the All-Inclusive and Non-Medical Trip Interruption plans.

Does 21st Century travel insurance offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage?

No, 21st Century travel insurance plans do not offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage as a benefit or rider.