Should I buy travel insurance for Canada from India?

Why choose a Canadian travel insurance provider over an Indian insurer?

Buying travel insurance from a Canadian insurer offers several advantages which Indian companies lack, including broader coverage for pre-existing conditions, flexible deductible options, and plans designed specifically for visitors to Canada.

The key reasons to buy from a Canadian insurance company are as follows:

• Pre-existing coverage: Canadian providers like TuGo, GMS, and a few others cover stable pre-existing conditions; most Indian plans exclude them entirely or require a costly separate rider
• Super Visa eligibility: Most Indian travel insurance plans, including those from TATA AIG, HDFC ERGO, and Bajaj Allianz, do not meet Super Visa insurance requirements because they are not issued by a Canadian insurer or an insurer authorized by OFSI. In contrast, Canadian providers such as Manulife, TuGo, and Destination Canada ensure that their policies satisfy IRCC’s Super Visa rules
• Free-look period: A 10-day free look period is standard for Canadian policies. You can cancel for a full refund (minus the admin fee) before departure if the policy doesn’t meet your needs
• Coverage for older visitors: Insurers in Canada typically offer plans for applicants up to 89 years of age, whereas many Indian travel insurance plans cap eligibility at around age 70. Allianz, for instance, has coverage up to 89 years for visitors coming to Canada
• Quicker claims: Canadian insurers are familiar with the Canadian health care system and often have direct contacts with local healthcare providers. This can simplify the claims process and lead to faster claim handling and reimbursements
• Flexible deductible options: Most Canadian insurers offer flexible deductibles ranging from $0 to $10,000, allowing travellers to customize their coverage and premium costs. Destination Canada, for instance, offers deductibles of up to $10,000 that helps in reducing the upfront premium costs
• Plans designed specifically for visitors to Canada: Canadian insurers build their travel insurance plans around the healthcare costs in Canada, ensuring you get adequate coverage without any gaps. Canadian companies like Destination Canada, Secure Travel, etc, also offer monthly premium payment options to reduce upfront costs

What does Canadian travel insurance cover?

Most Canadian travel insurance plans for visitors provide protection against unexpected medical emergencies. While coverage can vary by insurer, the typical coverage includes the following:

• Emergency medical treatment: Hospitalization, emergency room visits, physician consultations, surgeries, diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, blood work), and other medically necessary treatments resulting from an unexpected illness or injury
• Prescription medications: Drugs prescribed to treat a covered medical emergency during your trip
• Emergency dental treatment: Coverage for sudden dental pain, dental infections, or accidental injury to natural teeth
• Medical evacuation: Transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility if adequate treatment is unavailable locally
• Repatriation of remains: Coverage for the cost of returning the insured person’s remains to India in the event of death during the trip
• Accidental death and dismemberment: A lump-sum benefit paid if the insured suffers a covered accidental death or a serious accidental injury resulting in the loss of a limb, sight, or hearing
• Coverage for stable pre-existing conditions: Many Canadian insurers cover pre-existing medical conditions that are stable. The stability period varies from insurer to insurer. For instance, Allianz has a stability period ranging from 90 to 180 days, while Travelance has a stability period of 180 days
• Emergency ambulance services: Ground or air ambulance transportation when medically necessary

What’s not covered?

• Routine or preventive healthcare
• Elective or cosmetic procedures
• Pregnancy-related expenses beyond policy limits
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Any claim due to the consumption of alcohol
• Injury due to involvement in high-risk or extreme sports
• Non-disclosed medical conditions

Cost of travel insurance for Canada from India

Travel insurance purchased from India is often cheaper than a comparable policy purchased in Canada. However, a lower premium does not automatically mean better value. The cheapest plans may come with lower coverage limits, stricter exclusions, limited coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, or a less convenient claims process while you are in Canada. Moreover, Indian insurers may not offer Super Visa insurance plans. 

While cost is an important factor, coverage quality, eligibility requirements, claims support, and policy flexibility should also be taken into account. For most visitors, especially Super Visa applicants and seniors, a Canadian insurer is often the better choice because it provides coverage specifically designed for Canada’s health care system and visitor insurance requirements.

The table below depicts the cost of a travel insurance plan with $100,000 in coverage:

*Cost of $100,000 in coverage for a visitor travelling to Canada for a 30-day period

Factors affecting the cost of travel insurance for Canada

The cost of travel insurance for Canada largely depends on the age of the traveller, trip duration, coverage amount, and a few other factors. A list of these factors is as follows:

• Age: You generally pay higher premiums because you are more likely to require medical treatment during your trip. For example, a 65-year-old traveller will typically pay significantly more than a 25-year-old traveller for the same coverage
• Trip duration: The longer you stay in Canada, the more expensive your travel insurance policy will be
• Coverage amount and plan type: Travel insurance premiums generally increase as coverage limits and benefits increase. Plans with higher coverage amounts typically cost more than those with lower limits. Similarly, Standard and Enhanced plans are usually more expensive than Basic plans because they offer broader protection
• Deductible selected: A plan with a $1,000 deductible will usually cost less than a plan with a $0 deductible because you agree to pay a larger portion of any claim yourself
• Pre-existing medical conditions: If you are someone with pre-existing medical conditions, you may pay higher premiums as compared to someone healthy
• Optional riders: Adding extra coverage, such as protection for unstable pre-existing conditions, adventure sport activities, may increase the cost of your policy

Is travel insurance mandatory for Indian visitors to Canada?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for most visitors to Canada, but there are important exceptions. In some cases, like Super Visa applicants, having valid medical insurance is a legal requirement, while for others, like work permit holders and new immigrants, it is strongly recommended to protect against unexpected healthcare costs. For Super Visa, applicants must provide proof of eligible insurance coverage (min $100,000 coverage) before their visa can be approved. 

Read more: Is health insurance for visitors to Canada mandatory? 

What type of travel insurance do you need for Canada?

The type of travel insurance you need depends on your visa status, length of stay, and purpose of travel. The table below can help you identify the most suitable coverage for your situation.

Common mistakes when buying travel insurance for Canada from India

When buying travel insurance for Canada, the most common mistakes include choosing an inadequate coverage amount, not disclosing all the medical conditions, etc. 

Here are some of the most common mistakes Indian travellers make when purchasing travel insurance for Canada.

• Buying from an Indian insurer for Super Visa Insurance: Super Visa applicants must purchase a medical insurance policy that meets the IRCC requirements of buying from an OFSI-approved insurer. Purchasing an ineligible policy may result in your Super Visa application being refused
• Choosing a low coverage amount: Many Indian travellers may not be aware of the hefty medical expenses in Canada. Instead of choosing any coverage amount, it is better that you consult with our advisors at PolicyAdvisor. It is ideally recommended that you have at least $100,000 in coverage
• Ignoring the stability clause: Many policies cover pre-existing conditions only if they have remained stable for a specified period before the policy starts. If a condition was not stable during the insurer’s required stability period, the claims will be denied. So, do not end up buying a policy without reading the stability period, which varies from insurer to insurer
• Not disclosing all medical conditions: Another reason for claim denial is incomplete or inaccurate information. You should disclose all diagnosed conditions, medications, and relevant medical history, even if you think the condition is minor or unrelated to their trip
• Assuming the cheapest plan is also the best: The lowest-priced policy is not always the best choice. For instance, many travel insurance plans offered by Indian insurers may appear cheaper, but they may not cover pre-existing medical conditions, offer lower coverage limits, or provide a less convenient claims process while you are in Canada

Can I buy travel insurance after arriving in Canada?

Yes, you can buy travel insurance after arriving in Canada. Many Canadian insurance companies allow visitors to purchase coverage even after they have entered the country. However, they will typically apply a waiting period for illnesses if the policy is purchased after arrival. 

During this waiting period, coverage for sickness or medical conditions may not be active, although accidental injuries are often covered immediately, depending on the policy. For instance, Manulife’s basic visitor insurance plan has a waiting period of 72 hours; if these sicknesses occur within the first 30 days after your arrival date, and you are aged 85 or younger. So, it is always advisable to buy travel insurance before departure to avoid any gap in coverage due to waiting periods.

Where can I get the best travel insurance for Canada from India?

If you are planning to travel from India to Canada, you can easily find the best travel insurance for your needs through PolicyAdvisor.com! Compare the best prices and providers online at the click of a button. Or chat with our licensed, friendly advisors who can give you insider guidance. Find the perfect travel insurance for Indians that meets your budget with our help today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Indian health insurance cover me in Canada?

No, your Indian health insurance policy will not apply to your trip to Canada. Once you leave your home country, you will have to pay the bill yourself if a medical emergency happens, unless you have Canadian travel health insurance for visitors to cover you.

Do international students in Canada need to get travel insurance?

International students in Canada don’t have to get travel insurance, but we suggest you consider it. Many students already have insurance from their school or group. However, there might be some things not covered, so it could be a good idea for students to get their own insurance too. For example, some schools only give health insurance when classes are happening. So, if international students need medical help during breaks like Christmas or summer, they might not be covered.

Can I extend my Canadian travel insurance? 

Yes, you can extend your travel insurance policy if you need to. Canadian travel insurance policies can typically be extended before they expire, provided no claim has been made, and your health status hasn’t changed. All you have to do is contact your agent or advisor to let them know. Indian insurance companies do not give you this option, but Canadian companies do.

Is there anything that Canadian travel insurance won’t cover?

Yes, there are some things Canadian travel insurance providers will not cover. While they often offer more comprehensive travel insurance solutions, they exclude routine medical care, pregnancy, unstable pre-existing conditions, individuals travelling against the advice of a physician, medical emergencies, or costs that have originated in India.