Travel insurance for Canada

Find the cover for your trip to Canada at an affordable rate.

Whether it’s the stunning backdrop of the pine tree lined Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta, the metropolis of Toronto, the world-class powder in the ski town of Whistler or the cultural hub of Montreal, Canada has secured its place in the hearts of many Australians with its dizzying number of explorations on offer.

But although the locals are known to be extra friendly and the ice hockey-obsessed towns are considered to be fairly safe, you could just as easily miss your flight, lose your luggage or be injured during your trip in Canada as anywhere else in the world.

So before you fly to The Great White North, you’ll need to pack one more thing along with your luggage – suitable travel insurance cover.

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What you need to know about Travel Insurance for Canada

• What does Travel Insurance Generally Cover?
• Canada Health and Safety Background for Travellers
• Find Travel Insurance for a Working Holiday in Canada
• Who do I contact in an emergency?
• Canada Travel Tips
• Travel Insurance for Canada General Exclusions
• Travel Insurance Canada FAQs
• Compare Travel Insurance for Canada Online and Save

What does Travel Insurance Generally Cover?

Unlike many other things we tend to hoard around on our travels, a comprehensive travel insurance policy for your trip to Canada is a non-negotiable, must-pack item.

While each travel insurance policy will offer different premiums for higher or lower coverage, some common protections you can expect in your travel insurance policy include:

• Overseas emergency medical cover for medical, hospital, surgical, nursing and emergency dental treatment
• Cancellation fees and lost deposits in case you lose your accommodation bonds or flight costs
• Luggage and personal effects if they are lost, damaged or stolen
• Delayed luggage allowance so you can get on with your trip feeling fresh while you wait for your bags to arrive
• Travel delay in case you have to unexpectedly spend an extra night somewhere
• Accidental death if you pass away from an injury you have suffered on your trip
• Personal liability to cover you for legal liability and legal expenses
• 24/7 worldwide assistance so you’re never left alone without help in an emergency

Canada Health and Safety Background for Travellers

Overall, Canada is a safe travel destination with the majority of hospitals and medical clinics offering an excellent standard of care. However, the cost of the healthcare matches the high level of treatment available and it is not uncommon for hospital charges to escalate from $1,000 to $2,000 per day for foreigners.

This means that travel Insurance is an absolute must for Australians heading to Canada. Even if you are lucky enough to have dual citizenship, provincial residence requirements will mean you are exempt from receiving free national healthcare.

Without travel insurance, you could be sorely unprepared for the full payment that will be required before receiving appropriate medical attention. In the worst case scenario, you may even have to cut your trip short after being left out of pocket by an unexpected injury or illness, taking home more than you bargained for with additional lost deposits and cancellation fees.

With comprehensive travel insurance, you’ll be able to enjoy the magnificence of Canada with an easy peace of mind, being covered for both medical emergencies and any additional costs if you have to reschedule.

Find Travel Insurance for a Working Holiday in Canada

So you’ve received your approval for your Canada Working Holiday Permit (WHP) and can’t wait to hop on a plane and start your exciting life abroad. But wouldn’t it be such a shame if you forgot one little detail and were denied entry at the borders, forcing you to return home and start the whole process all over again?

As any prepared working holiday permit applicant will know, health insurance is a compulsory requirement for all working holiday permit holders in Canada. Upon entering Canada, you will be asked to show proof of your health insurance for the entire duration of your intended stay. So if you intend to stay for two years but only have enough health insurance for one year, you will only be able to receive a visa to last 12 months.

“But can’t I just get a cheaper Canadian health insurance when I get there?”

Unfortunately it is a requirement that repatriation coverage is included in your health insurance during your working holiday, which leaves Canadian health insurance out of the question. Plus with the added benefits of being covered for extra things such as lost or damaged luggage and cancellation costs for those extra weekend trips away, why wouldn’t you pick a comprehensive travel insurance policy?

Comparing travel insurance policies doesn’t have to be a pain. Use finder.com.au to easily compare Canada travel insurance policies to match your budget and your needs to ensure a smooth start to your working holiday in Canada.

Winter Sports Travel Insurance for Canada

Canada is one of the top destinations in the world for skiing enthusiasts with your choice of marked runs, alpine bowls and glaciers in multiple provinces. But before you pack your snow gear and rush over to carve down your favourite mountains, have you considered what you would do if you were wiped out on a slope or in the event of a piste closure?

If you are headed to conquer the miles of snow outstretched in Canada, a ski insurance policy could save you multiple headaches and your hard-earned savings with coverage for things such as:

• Medical treatment
• Emergency rescue
• Luggage and ski equipment
• Ski pack reimbursement
• Piste closure
• Bad weather and avalanche closure

Find out more of the benefits of Ski Travel Insurance

Who do I contact in an emergency?

If you find yourself in an emergency in Canada, some of helpful contacts include:

• You travel insurer. You insurance provider will have an 24/7 helpline for claims and medical emergencies.
• Police, Fire, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue. You can reach these services by dialing 911.
• Australian Embassies and Consulates. You can find the contact details of Australian Embassies and Consulates in Canada below.

Canada Travel Tips

Canada is a beautiful country but with its large size and countless sights to take in, it can feel a little overwhelming. Luckily, the locals are known for their friendliness and English is the official language, which means that you are bound to have no trouble finding your way around the local gems.

Here are some tips to help get you started:

• Visas for tourists – Because Canada is one of our friendly sisters of the Commonwealth, you won’t need to apply for a visa if you intend to travel with your Australian passport.
• Drive safe – Renting a car and taking a road trip across the provinces is a popular option for Australians to discover Canada. But beware of your Australian driving habits – they drive on the right hand side of the road!
• Tipping – It is customary to tip approximately 15% of the total bill before tax, and around 20% for exceptional service. If you are a larger group of 8 or more, restaurants may charge an automatic 15% on your bill. An easy method to figure out the appropriate amount for a 15% tip is to multiply the 5% GST amount shown on the bill by three.
• Parlez-vous Français? – Heading to Quebec and worried because you don’t speak any French? Not a problem. Most Quebecois are fluently bilingual and it is common to be greeted with “Bonjour, Hi” at the shops and restaurants, allowing you to choose whether you wish to converse in English or French.

Find out the best way to take your travel money to Canada

Travel Insurance for Canada General Exclusions

Having a comprehensive Canada travel insurance could be worthless if your insurance claims are rejected due to exclusions. As with any insurance policy, it’s important to look out for all exclusions listed in your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Your Canada travel insurance claim will typically not be paid if:

• You ignored the travel warning advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and travelled to a region that had a DO NOT TRAVEL warning
• You were irresponsible such as acting up while under the influence of alcohol or leaving your luggage without supervision in a public place
• You were under the influence of drugs other than those prescribed by a medical practitioner and taken accordingly
• You’re claiming for a pre-existing medical condition that you didn’t tell your insurer about when you first applied for your Canada travel insurance
• You acted illegally or unlawfully
• You were participating in high-risk adventure sports or activities
• It relates to self-inflicted harm, including suicide
• It relates to acts of war, rebellion or terrorism

Travel Insurance Canada FAQs

Q. How much travel insurance do I need?

• A. This depends on you and the type of travel you’ve planned for your trip to Canada. Have a think about where you are heading to, what sorts of activities you will be doing and whether you would like a basic or comprehensive cover with any extras. For example, if you are going to British Columbia and you plan on extensively hiking and skiing around the area, you may wish to check that hiking is covered under the approved list of activities and purchase extra ski insurance.

Q. When should I buy my travel insurance?

• A. The best recommended time to purchase your Canada travel insurance is when you are booking your trip. Not only will you remember to actually purchase travel insurance, you’ll also be protected against any possible cancellations that may occur before you even leave Australia.

Q. How do I know if I have a ‘pre-existing medical condition’?

• A. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for a list of automatically covered pre-existing medical conditions. In any case, if you have an ongoing medical conditions it is best to alert your travel insurance provider so they are aware of your situation if you do make a related claim.

Q. Can I include my partner or my children under the same policy?

• A. Most travel insurance brands make it easy to add your partner or children to your travel insurance policy. Ask your chosen Canada travel insurance provider for any fine print details you should be aware of.

Q. Where can I compare policies?

• A. Right here on finder.com.au! You can easily compare multiple Canada travel insurance policies depending on your budget and specific needs. Remember to read the full Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before committing to purchase!

Compare Travel Insurance for Canada Online and Save

Canada is a prime destination for Australian travellers with a wide array of explorations on offer. Whether you’re headed to hike in British Columbia, off to ski the slopes at Whistler or explore the historic French sights of Quebec, a comprehensive Canada travel insurance will give you invaluable peace of mind for whatever adventure you choose to take on in the land of the maple leaf.

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*Price based on quote for basic policy for a 2 day trip for 18 year old traveller. Please note that prices are subject to change. Price last checked as correct on October 2015.
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