Best visitors insurance companies in Canada (2026)

Canada is an exciting destination, but medical care for visitors can be extremely expensive. A single emergency room visit, hospital stay, or prescription can cost thousands of dollars without insurance.

Visitors insurance protects you against these unexpected medical and hospital expenses. It can cover emergency treatment, ambulance services, hospital stays, and in some plans, follow-up care and prescriptions. Claims are common, and payouts often involve high-cost medical bills, making coverage essential for both short and long stays.

Visitors to Canada can choose from many reputable insurers. Based on our review of leading visitors insurance companies in Canada, five providers stand out for 2026 for their strong coverage, competitive pricing, and reliable claims support. The remaining insurers are covered later in our full comparison.

Top 5 visitors insurance providers in Canada

1. Allianz: Best for international students 
2. Manulife: Best for comprehensive coverage 
3. TuGo: Best for pre-existing medical conditions 
4. 21st Century: Best for companion discounts 
5.  Destination Canada: Best for convenience 

Top visitors insurance companies in Canada (2026)

Choosing the right visitor insurance plan depends on your travel length, health needs, and budget. Whether you are visiting for a short stay, need coverage for pre-existing conditions, or want an affordable option, the right policy can protect you from costly medical and travel emergencies. Some insurers focus on comprehensive protection, while others offer lower premiums, flexible payment options, or added travel benefits.

Below are our top-rated visitors insurance providers in Canada (2026).

• Allianz: Best for international students 
• Manulife: Best for comprehensive coverage 
• TuGo: Best for pre-existing medical conditions 
• 21st Century: Best for companion discounts 
•  Destination Canada: Best for convenience 
• GMS: Best for super visa insurance
• MSH International: Best for side trips 
• Travelance: Best for monthly payment plans
• Secure Travel+: Best for customizable deductibles

How much does visitors health insurance cost?

Visitors health insurance premiums in Canada vary significantly based on age, health status, coverage amount, deductible and the duration of the trip, so a single fixed range can be misleading.

Here is an example of a cost breakdown of different age groups with and without pre-existing health conditions:

What affects travel insurance costs?

Several factors influence travel insurance costs:

• Age: Older travellers typically pay higher premiums due to increased health risks
• Trip duration: Longer trips generally incur higher costs
• Coverage limits: Policies with higher coverage limits for medical expenses 
• Health condition: Pre-existing medical conditions may increase premiums or limit coverage
• Activities: Engaging in high-risk activities like skiing or scuba diving may raise premiums
• Policy type: Comprehensive policies covering more aspects of travel tend to be more expensive

How to choose the right Visitors to Canada insurance plan

Choosing the right Visitors to Canada insurance plan is about balancing coverage, reliability, and cost, not just price.

Look for policies that adequately cover emergency medical care, stable pre-existing conditions, and potential trip interruptions. Comparing insurers based on coverage limits, claim processes, and customer experience helps you avoid gaps when you need support most.

Always review policy exclusions, deductibles, and coverage limits carefully. Understanding these details ensures you choose visitor insurance that provides dependable protection throughout your stay in Canada.

How to choose the best Visitors to Canada insurance policy

Choosing the right Visitors to Canada insurance plan can feel overwhelming, but focusing on your coverage needs makes the decision easier:

1. Assess your travel plans: Consider the length of your stay, planned activities, and the province you’ll visit. For provinces with higher healthcare costs, select a policy with sufficient emergency medical coverage
2. Consider your health history: If you have pre-existing conditions, choose a plan that explicitly covers them, such as those offered by TuGo or Manulife
3. Compare coverage limits: Review emergency medical, hospital, and outpatient benefits to ensure adequate protection
4. Read the fine print: Check exclusions, deductibles, and limitations, especially for high-risk activities or medical conditions
5. Consult a licensed advisor: PolicyAdvisor experts can help compare VTC policies and select a plan tailored to your visit.

The right policy helps protect you from unexpected medical costs and travel disruptions during your stay in Canada.

Who should buy visitors to Canada insurance?

Visitors to Canada insurance is essential for several groups of people to ensure they have adequate coverage for medical emergencies and other unforeseen events while in Canada. 

Here are the primary groups who should consider purchasing VTC insurance:

• Tourists and vacationers: To cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other travel-related issues
• International students: To cover healthcare costs not included in their school’s insurance plan
• Parents and grandparents: Especially those under the super visa program, which requires proof of medical insurance
• Business travellers: To cover any medical emergencies during their stay
• New immigrants: To cover the interim period before provincial health coverage takes effect
• Returning Canadians: If not immediately eligible for provincial health coverage
• Temporary foreign workers: To cover medical expenses and protect against high healthcare costs
• Event attendees: To cover medical emergencies while attending conferences, sports tournaments, or cultural festivals

Common exclusions in Visitors to Canada insurance policies

Visitors to Canada insurance provides essential emergency medical protection, but it does not cover everything. Understanding common exclusions helps you avoid denied claims and unexpected expenses.

1. Non-emergency care: Planned or elective procedures, routine check-ups, alternative treatments, and preventive care are not covered
2. Charges above UC&R limits: Insurers reimburse only costs considered Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UC&R). Any amount above this limit is excluded
3. Pregnancy and maternity care: Routine maternity services and childbirth are generally not covered under visitor insurance plans
4. High-risk or extreme activities: Activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, or mountaineering may be excluded unless additional coverage is purchased
5. Intentional or illegal acts: Injuries resulting from criminal activity, self-harm, or illegal acts are not covered
6. Travelling against medical advice: Medical expenses may be excluded if you travel despite a doctor advising against it
7. Experimental treatments: Procedures not recognized as standard medical care are generally excluded

Always review policy exclusions carefully to ensure your coverage matches your needs.

When preparing for a visit to Canada, securing medical insurance for visitors is a crucial step to protect yourself from the high costs of healthcare. It not only serves as a financial safety net against inflated medical bills but also guarantees access to necessary medical care when needed, offering peace of mind throughout your trip.

PolicyAdvisor licensed experts can help you explore budget-friendly plans tailored to your needs, so you can enjoy your trip to Canada stress-free and focus on creating memorable experiences.

Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance essential for visitors to Canada?

Yes, travel insurance is essential for visitors to Canada as it covers potential medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and unforeseen events, ensuring financial protection during your stay.

When does travel medical insurance coverage begin and end?

If you purchase travel insurance before arriving in Canada, coverage begins immediately upon arrival. When purchased after arrival, most visitor insurance plans include a waiting period of 48–72 hours, which may extend up to 7–8 days in certain cases. Coverage ends on the earliest of policy expiry, return to your home country, eligibility for government health insurance, or other policy-defined termination conditions. 

Can you extend your visitors to Canada insurance coverage?

Yes, most insurers allow you to extend coverage if the request is made before the original policy expires, often subject to certain conditions.

What is a waiting period?

A waiting period is the initial time after the policy start date during which certain medical conditions or treatments are not covered.

Can a tourist see a doctor in Canada?

Yes, tourists can see a doctor in Canada. However, without visitor insurance, medical costs can add up quickly. Community clinic visits often range from about $100–$300 or higher, while hospital outpatient clinics frequently charge several hundred dollars or more. Emergency room visits are even more expensive and can reach $1,000–$2,000 or higher, depending on the treatment required.

How do you submit a travel insurance claim?

To submit a claim, contact your insurer, complete the claim form, and provide all necessary documentation, such as medical reports and receipts.

Can I travel to Canada without travel insurance?

Yes, you can enter Canada without travel insurance, but it’s not recommended. Canadian healthcare is expensive for visitors, who are not covered by the public health system, and the cost of any medical emergency, whether it’s a doctor’s visit or a stay in the hospital, can be substantial.

How do you apply for travel insurance to visit Canada?

You can apply online through an insurer’s website or via an insurance broker by providing your personal details, travel information, and payment.

Which company offers the best medical insurance for travel to Canada?

Manulife, TuGo, Destination Canada, and RBC offer comprehensive and affordable medical insurance for travel to Canada. However, we advise speaking with our advisors to choose the best visitor’s travel insurance policy for you.