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- You can extend your visitor insurance coverage if your plans change, allowing you to stay in Canada longer while maintaining protection against medical expenses
- To extend coverage, you must be in good health, have no pending claims, and request the extension before your current policy expires
- Extending coverage may incur additional costs, influenced by the extension duration, your age, health, coverage amount, and deductible terms
- Extending your VTC insurance typically costs about the same as your initial premium. So, if your original 30-day policy was $200, a similar extension will likely be priced similarly, though rates may vary
- Coverage may automatically extend in situations like hospitalization, flight delays, or quarantine, but may also be suspended for reasons like non-payment or visa issues
- What is a visitor to Canada insurance extension?
- What are some common reasons travelers extend their insurance coverage?
- How do I know if I’m eligible for extending my coverage?
- How do I extend my Canadian visitor insurance coverage?
- Are there limitations to extending my visitor to Canada insurance coverage?
- Are there any fees associated with extending my visitor insurance coverage?
- What factors affect the premiums of my extended coverage?
- Can I get an automatic extension on my visitor insurance to Canada?
- What does suspension of visitor insurance coverage mean?
- Frequently asked questions
Looking to extend your stay in Canada? Whether you are visiting family, or a temporary resident, or meeting super visa insurance requirements, extending your visitor insurance in Canada protects you from unexpected medical emergencies. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), a single day in a Canadian hospital can cost $6,000–$10,000 per person, making travel insurance extensions essential for non-residents without access to public healthcare.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of extending your Canadian visitor insurance so you can keep enjoying your time in Canada without any worries.
Call 1-888-601-9980 to speak to our licensed advisors right away, or book some time with them below.
Understanding visitor insurance extensions in Canada
Extending a visitor health insurance policy simply means prolonging the coverage period beyond its original expiration date. This option is especially useful for visitors who decide to stay in Canada longer than they planned initially. By extending your policy, you continue to remain protected against unexpected medical costs during your extended visit.
What are some common reasons travellers extend their insurance coverage?
Visitors to Canada may need to extend their visitor health insurance coverage if they want to stay in Canada for a longer duration than initially planned.
Here are the main reasons non-residents seek travel insurance extension for their visitor policies in Canada:
- Extended stay: A common reason for travel insurance extension is the desire to stay in Canada longer than initially planned. This might happen due to changes in travel plans, such as deciding to spend more time with family or friends, or wanting to explore more of the country
- Unexpected circumstances: Situations such as visa processing or immigration issues, unexpected flight delays or cancellations or medical emergencies that require the visitor to stay for longer than initially planned
How do I know if I’m eligible for extending my coverage?
Most insurance providers will extend your coverage, including super visa insurance extension, if you’re in good health and have no pending medical claims. Super visa holders must ensure extensions maintain the required $100,000 minimum coverage. If you have a pre-existing condition such as terminal illness, metastatic cancer, kidney failure etc or you are travelling against medical advice, your extension request may be denied.
Insurers typically extend visitor to Canada policies for a maximum of 1-2 years. To extend your medical emergency insurance policy with the same insurer, you must meet these core conditions:
- You should not have submitted or intend to submit any claims
- You must request the extension before your current policy expires
- You need to be in good health, with no changes in your health status, symptoms, or plans to seek treatment during the new coverage period
- Your age at the start of the extension must not make you ineligible for insurance with the provider
- You must pay the required premium for the additional coverage period
How do I extend my Canadian visitor insurance coverage?
To extend your visitor medical insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider through their customer service hotline or online portal, and provide your policy number, reason for extension, and current health status.
You must ensure you apply for an extension before the expiration of your existing policy and review any changes in coverage, costs, and potential limitations for the extended policy period.
Are there limitations to extending my visitor to Canada insurance coverage?
Yes, limitations to extending your policy may include waiting periods imposed by insurers and pre-existing conditions. During this time, you may only be covered for accidents and injuries, not illnesses.
- Pre-existing conditions: If you’ve experienced any symptoms or received treatment during your initial policy period, these may be considered pre-existing conditions which could affect the coverage available to you after the extension or be excluded in the extension policy
- Waiting periods: Some insurance providers may impose a waiting period before the extended coverage starts, especially if your health status has changed. For example, Manulife applies a waiting period if an extension is purchased after the expiry date of the existing policy
Are there any fees if I extend my visitor insurance coverage?
Yes, extending your coverage may cost extra, with premiums varying based on the requested extension duration, your age, the coverage amount, and the deductible terms.
The cost of extending your VTC insurance usually matches the premium you paid for your initial coverage. For instance, if you originally paid approximately $200 for a 30-day policy, an extension of the same length would likely cost around the same, though actual costs can vary.
Can I get an automatic extension on my visitor insurance to Canada?
Yes, your coverage might automatically extend in situations like flight delays, hospitalization, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Here’s when your policy may extend automatically:
- Hospitalization: If a family member, or a travelling companion is hospitalized, coverage is typically automatically extended for 5 days to cover medical expenses related to the hospitalization
- Delay of common carrier services: If your return is delayed due to circumstances beyond your control, such as flight delays, your coverage may automatically extend. The extension duration varies from one insurance provider to another
- Accidental injury or illness: If an accidental injury or illness prevents you from travelling as planned, your insurance might automatically extend to cover the duration of your recovery
- Quarantine: If you need to quarantine due to health regulations, such as exposure to infectious diseases, your coverage may be automatically extended
What does suspension of visitor insurance coverage mean?
Suspension of visitor insurance coverage refers to a temporary halt in your insurance protection. During this period, your policy is inactive, and you’re not covered for any medical expenses or claims.
Your coverage may be suspended if you —
- Exit Canada, especially if your policy doesn’t cover expenses incurred outside the country
- Return home earlier and no longer need coverage (unless your policy allows for a trip break)
- Fail to pay your policy premiums
- Don’t have a valid visa, i.e. your visa expires while in Canada (your coverage may be suspended until your immigration status is resolved)
Should I purchase a new policy instead of extending?
In some cases, purchasing a new policy might be more advantageous than extending your current one because it may offer better rates or more suitable coverage options compared to an extension.
Additionally, if your health status has significantly changed, a new policy might provide terms that better align with your current situation.
If you find yourself confused, and not sure what to choose, contact us now! Our team of expert insurance advisors would be happy to go over the unique needs of your trip and give you personalized advice to find the best visitor insurance policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to provide to request an extension?
For your travel insurance extension in Canada, typically, you will need to provide your policy number, the reason for the extension, and any updates regarding your health status.
What happens if I have a pre-existing condition when I request an extension?
If you have developed new symptoms or received treatment during your original policy period, these may be classified as pre-existing conditions, which could affect your eligibility for an extension.
Will my deductible reset if I extend my policy?
The deductible may reset or carry over, depending on the specific terms of your insurance provider. You must clarify this with your insurer when requesting a travel insurance extension.
What are the benefits of extending my visitor insurance to Canada coverage?
Extending your visitor medical insurance ensures continued protection against unforeseen medical emergencies without a coverage gap. It helps avoid the need for a new medical assessment and maintains any pre-existing condition coverage from the original policy, depending on the insurer’s terms.
Can I extend my visitor insurance policy online or do I need to contact the insurer?
Most insurers allow policy extensions to be requested either online through their customer portal or by contacting their customer service directly. However, you should always check your policy documents for the exact process.
Can I get emergency assistance while my extension is being processed?
As long as you request the extension before your current policy expires, you will typically remain covered during the processing period. However, claims for medical conditions arising before the extension request may not be eligible for coverage.
Can I extend my super visa insurance online?
Yes, most providers allow super visa insurance extension requests online through their customer portals. However, you must ensure the extension maintains the mandatory $100,000 minimum coverage required for super visa holders.
What’s the difference between travel insurance extension in Canada and buying a new policy?
Travel insurance extension Canada maintains your existing policy terms and conditions, while a new policy may have different coverage limits, deductibles, or exclusions. Extensions are often more convenient and cost-effective for short-term stays.
When should I consider visitor medical insurance renewal instead of extension?
Consider visitor medical insurance renewal if your health status has changed, you need different coverage limits, or your current policy has restrictions that a new policy wouldn’t have. Renewal gives you a fresh start with current market rates and updated policy terms.
You can extend your visitor insurance coverage if your stay in Canada is longer than planned provided you request the extension before your current policy expires. You cannot extend plans if you have made, or intend to make a claim. Coverage might automatically extend under specific circumstances but can also be suspended for issues like visa expiration or non-payment.
Canadian Institute for Health Information, ‘Health Spending,’ accessed June, 2025
