Parents, in-laws, friends
Single plan
One visitor on one policy. The price depends on that person's age, health and coverage.
Interactive tool
Visitor Insurance Planner
Enter the visit details. We'll work out the policy length and point out what to watch for before you buy.
What's covered
What Visitor Insurance Usually Covers
- Emergency hospital stays and doctors' fees
- Ambulance, including air ambulance when needed
- Diagnostic tests, X-rays and lab work
- Prescription drugs after an emergency
- Emergency dental care after an accident
- Return home for medical reasons (repatriation)
- Stable pre-existing conditions, on plans that include them
Read the fine print
What It Usually Doesn't Cover
- Routine check-ups and non-emergency care
- Conditions that weren't stable before the policy started (per the policy's rules)
- Treatment you planned before the trip
- Sickness that starts during a waiting period, if bought after arrival
- Care outside Canada, unless side trips are included
- High-risk activities excluded by the policy
Every plan is different; the policy wording decides. Use our 10-point plan details checker.
Which one do you need?
Visitor Insurance vs Super Visa Insurance
| Visitor insurance | Super Visa insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Anyone visiting Canada | Parents and grandparents on a Super Visa |
| Required by IRCC? | No, but strongly recommended | Yes, for the Super Visa application |
| Minimum coverage | You choose (many plans start at $10,000) | $100,000 |
| How long | Exactly your trip, from a few days | At least 1 year from entry |
| Monthly payments | Usually paid up front | Accepted with a deposit |
| Refund if you leave early | Usually, if no claim was made | Usually, if no claim was made |
Parents on a Super Visa: see Super Visa insurance requirements and real Super Visa prices.
Before you buy
6 Tips for Buying Visitor Insurance
- Buy before they leave homePolicies bought after arrival usually have a waiting period for sickness.
- Cover the whole stayStart the day they land and end the day they fly home. You can usually extend later.
- Get the health questions rightStable pre-existing conditions can be covered, but only as the policy defines 'stable'.
- Choose the deductible carefullyA deductible lowers the price, but you pay it at the hospital.
- Call the insurer firstSome plans pay less if you don't call the assistance line before treatment.
- Keep the policy handySave the policy number and emergency phone number on everyone's phone.
What would a hospital stay cost?
Try our calculator with real 2026 hospital rates for visitors.
Hospital cost calculatorDeductible or not?
See when a deductible saves money, and when it costs more.
Deductible calculatorPlanning a family visit?
Dates, documents and insurance in one checklist.
Visit plannerPlan types
Single, Couple and Family Visitor Plans
Parents visiting together
Couple plan
Two travellers on one policy, often at a lower total price than two single policies.
Families visiting together
Family plan
Parents and dependent children on one policy, with age limits set by the insurer.
Price
What Affects the Cost of Visitor Insurance?
- AgeThe biggest factor. Prices rise with each age band, especially after 60, 70 and 80.
- Length of stayYou pay per day, so a 30-day trip costs much less than 6 months.
- Coverage amount$100,000 costs more than $50,000, but protects against a long hospital stay.
- Pre-existing conditionsPlans that cover stable conditions cost more, and are worth it for most parents.
- DeductibleA $500 or $1,000 deductible lowers the price; you pay it if you claim.
- InsurerThe same coverage can be priced very differently between insurers, which is why we compare.
If something happens
How to Make a Claim
- Call the insurer's assistance lineBefore going to a clinic or hospital, if possible. In a true emergency, call 911 first.
- Show the policyGive the hospital the policy number. Many insurers can pay the hospital directly.
- Keep every receiptBills, prescriptions, reports and proof of payment.
- Send the claim formWith the receipts, within the time limit in the policy. We help our clients fill it in.
More: why you should call the insurer before seeing a doctor.
Common questions
Visitors to Canada Insurance: FAQs
Is visitor insurance mandatory for visiting Canada?
No, not for a regular visitor visa or eTA. It is required for the Super Visa ($100,000, valid one year from entry). But visitors aren't covered by provincial health plans such as OHIP, so without insurance the family pays the hospital bills.
How much does visitors to Canada insurance cost?
It depends mainly on the visitor's age, the length of the stay, the coverage amount, the deductible and whether pre-existing conditions are covered. Use the live quote form on this page to see real prices from Canadian insurers in seconds.
How much coverage should a visitor have?
Enough for a hospital stay. In 2026 one Ontario hospital charges visitors $3,750 a day for a ward bed and $5,750 a day in intensive care, plus doctors' fees. Many families choose $100,000 or more for parents and older visitors.
Can I buy visitor insurance after my parents arrive in Canada?
Yes, but most plans then apply a waiting period before sickness is covered (accidents are usually covered right away). Buying before they leave home avoids this.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
On many plans, yes, if the condition was stable for a set period before the policy starts. The definition of 'stable' differs by insurer, so tell us about every condition and medication.
Can I extend visitor insurance if the visit gets longer?
Usually yes, if you ask before the policy ends. The visitor may also need to apply to IRCC for a visitor record to extend their stay.
Will I get a refund if the visitor goes home early?
Most plans refund the unused days if no claim was made, sometimes minus a small fee.
What's the difference between visitor insurance and Super Visa insurance?
Visitor insurance can match any trip length and any coverage amount. Super Visa insurance must meet IRCC's rules: at least $100,000, valid one year from entry, from a Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer, paid in full or monthly with a deposit.
Does visitor insurance cover a side trip to the U.S.?
Some plans cover short side trips outside Canada as long as most of the trip is in Canada; others don't cover them at all. Tell us your travel plans and we'll choose a plan that fits.
Can I change the dates or cancel before the policy starts?
Usually yes. Most insurers let you change the dates or cancel for a full refund before the coverage starts. After it starts, refund rules apply.
My visitor's insurance is about to expire. Can I buy a new policy in Canada?
Yes. Buy before the old policy ends if you can. A new policy bought in Canada may have a waiting period for sickness and won't cover conditions that started under the old policy.
What should we do in a medical emergency?
Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. Otherwise, call the insurer's assistance number on the policy before getting treatment, so they can direct you to a clinic or hospital and arrange payment.
Can you cover a whole family or couple on one policy?
Yes. Many insurers offer couple and family plans, which can cost less than separate policies. Ask us to compare both ways.
Sources
Sources
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital: Fee for service 2026-2027 (non-resident rates)
- Ontario.ca: Apply for OHIP (visitors don't qualify)
- IRCC: Extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (visitor record)
- IRCC: Super visa – documents you need (insurance rules)
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 by Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS. General information only; coverage, exclusions and prices differ by insurer and are set out in each policy.
Protect your visitors before they fly
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