PAY
Coverage amount
Emergency limit
Review the maximum benefit available for eligible emergency medical expenses and other insured losses.
Travel, Visitor & Super Visa Insurance Guide
Protect the journey—and the people making it.
Travel medical insurance can help protect Canadians travelling abroad, visitors to Canada and Super Visa applicants from eligible emergency medical costs during an insured trip or stay.
Travel Insurance Essentials
Six details to review before buying a policy
The right policy depends on the traveller, destination, trip duration, medical history, required coverage and contract terms.
WAIT
Deductible
When it begins
A deductible is the amount you may need to pay before the insurer reimburses eligible expenses.
TERM
Exclusions
Stability matters
Coverage may depend on whether a medical condition was stable during the required stability period.
JOB
Effective date
When it begins
Confirm when coverage begins, especially when purchased after arrival or after another policy expires.
WAIT
Trip duration
Full insured stay
The policy should cover the intended travel or visitor period and may have age or duration limits.
READ
Exclusions
Read carefully
Review exclusions for non-emergency care, unstable conditions, high-risk activities and travel against medical advice.
Emergency Support
Protection for unexpected medical emergencies
Depending on the policy, eligible emergency benefits may help coordinate care and reduce major out-of-pocket costs.
- Emergency hospital and physician services
- Ambulance and emergency transportation
- Eligible diagnostic tests and prescription drugs
- Emergency dental treatment after an accident
- Medical repatriation when approved
- Assistance coordinating covered emergency care
Coverage Situations
Different travel situations need different protection
The purpose, eligibility rules and required coverage can differ depending on who is travelling and why.
Understand the Difference
Visitor and Super Visa insurance serve related but different needs
Visitor Insurance
- Designed for visitors, tourists and relatives staying in Canada.
- Coverage amount and duration are selected for the insured stay.
- Eligibility, deductibles and stability rules vary by policy.
- It is not automatically proof of meeting Super Visa requirements.
Super Visa Insurance
- Must satisfy the current Government of Canada insurance requirements.
- Must buy private emergency medical insurance from an approved provider with at least $100,000 CAD in coverage, valid for a minimum of 1 year
- Coverage must be issued by an eligible insurer and meet required limits.
- The policy must cover the required period from the date of entry.
- Applicants should confirm the latest official requirements before purchasing.
Illustrative Family Scenario
How emergency medical coverage could reduce financial pressure
This example is educational only and does not represent a guaranteed claim or recommendation.
Example
A visitor experiences an unexpected medical emergency.
The insured contacts the assistance centre, receives approved emergency treatment and submits the required documentation under the policy.
Emergency medical limit$100,000 selected
Policy deductible$250 selected
Hospital and physician careEligible under contract
Prescription and follow-upSubject to policy limits
Remaining eligible costsHandled according to contract
Biggest mistake: ignoring medical stability and disclosure requirements
Answer medical questions completely and accurately. A change in symptoms, medication, treatment or investigation during the required stability period may affect whether a pre-existing condition is covered.
Planning Your Coverage
Three details that can affect a claim
Small wording differences can materially affect eligibility and claims.
INC
Medical disclosure
Complete + accurate
Incomplete or incorrect medical answers can affect coverage and claim eligibility.
SAVE
Stability period
Know the window
Confirm how long a pre-existing condition must remain stable before the effective date.
TIME
Effective date
Before the emergency
Insurance generally must be active before an event occurs; post-arrival waiting periods may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel and visitor insurance, explained simply
What does travel medical insurance cover?
It may cover eligible emergency hospital, physician, ambulance, diagnostic and prescription expenses, subject to the contract.
What is a pre-existing-condition stability period?
It is the time before the policy effective date during which a condition must remain stable under the policy’s definition.
Can insurance be purchased after arriving in Canada?
Some insurers allow it, but a waiting period may apply. Coverage generally does not apply to an event that occurred before the effective date.
What deductible should I choose?
A higher deductible may lower the premium but increases the amount you may pay on an eligible claim.
Does visitor insurance qualify for a Super Visa?
Only if it meets the current Government of Canada requirements. Confirm the latest requirements before purchasing.
Must I contact the insurer before treatment?
Contact the assistance centre as soon as reasonably possible. Failure to follow notification or pre-approval rules may affect reimbursement.
Can a policy be extended?
Extensions may be available if requested before expiry and if eligibility requirements are met. Do not assume an extension is automatic.
Is trip cancellation included?
Not always. Trip cancellation and interruption may be separate benefits or optional coverage with specific covered reasons and limits.
Learn with Lava
Book Free Consultation
Is your travel or visitor coverage suitable for the entire stay?
Review the traveller’s age, health history, destination, trip duration and coverage requirements in a focused complimentary consultation.