Do I Need Travel Insurance in Canada?

With the right policy, insurance can help protect you during travel - but it's important to understand what is and isn't covered based on your destination and and your policy’s coverage limits and conditions.

In Canada, health care is administered provincially, and significant differences exist in coverage once you leave your home province. While the Canada Health Act ensures basic physician and hospital services are covered across provincial lines, many out-of-pocket medical costs are not reimbursed. This makes travel insurance an important consideration— even when staying within the country.

Your provincial health plan only covers a limited range of emergency medical services when you’re out of province. It doesn’t typically include coverage for ambulance rides, prescription medications, or private or semi-private hospital rooms.

In addition, Travelers from Manitoba or other provinces may find a difference between the total cost of services for medical services and the amount reimbursed by your provincial health plan, potentially leaving travellers with hundreds or thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills.

Supplemental travel insurance helps bridge these gaps. It provides coverage for things that provincial plans often exclude, including emergency transportation (such as air ambulance), prescription drugs, emergency dental treatment, and more.

CAA offers travel insurance plans(1) designed specifically for trips within Canada, providing coverage for unexpected medical emergencies and more. The Single Trip Canada Vacation Package Plan includes comprehensive coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation & interruption benefits. The Single Trip Canada Medical Plan, which provides emergency medical coverage only, includes up to $5 million in benefits (2).

Even when travelling within Canada, being prepared is key. While provincial healthcare coverage has its limits, CAA's Travel Insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage for unexpected events.

Reviewing your provincial plan and supplementing it with travel insurance, like CAA’s Canada Plans, can help ensure confidence wherever your travels take you. It’s one reason why the federal government highly recommends purchasing supplementary coverage while travelling in Canada.

*(1) CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. A Medical Questionnaire may be required if you are 60 years of age and older. Subject to change without notice. See full policy for all terms and conditions at caasco.com/policy. * (2) Up to $5 million CAD. Maximum $25,000 for all Emergency Medical Insurance benefits for Canadian residents without active Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP); and/or without GHIP authorization to cover trip days in excess of 212 days in Ontario in a 12-month period. * *