While travel insurance is not required for Canadian citizens traveling to the USA, it is highly recommended due to the high cost of healthcare in the US. Travel insurance provides essential coverage for emergencies, including medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Since Canadian health insurance doesn't cover medical expenses in the US, having travel insurance ensures financial protection and peace of mind during your trip.
| USA travel insurance | Canada travel insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Comprehensive coverage with high limits for emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation. | Coverage may vary; some plans have lower limits, which may be insufficient for U.S. healthcare costs. |
| PPO network | Access to PPO networks with cashless billing for medical services. | Limited access to U.S. medical networks; may require upfront payment and claim reimbursement. |
| Direct billing | Recognized by U.S. healthcare providers, facilitating cashless billing and smoother claims processes. | May not be as widely accepted in the U.S., leading to potential out-of-pocket expenses before reimbursement. |
| Cost of Insurance | Higher premiums due to extensive coverage and higher healthcare costs, averaging 5-8% of trip expenses. | Offers more affordable coverage, with costs ranging from 4% to 12% of trip expenses, but coverage may be limited. |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | Many US travel insurance policies includes coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. | Coverage for pre-existing conditions is limited or requires additional premiums. |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) | Provides a lump sum to your beneficiary in the event of death or severe injury during travel, offering crucial financial support for family members. On average, US-based travel insurance plans significantly provide higher coverage. | Offers limited coverage when compared to US based travel medical insurance. |
The United States remains one of the top travel destinations for Canadians. The close proximity, extensive travel options, and diverse attractions make the U.S. an appealing getaway. Leisure tourism is a major driver, with sun-soaked destinations like Florida, California, and Arizona attracting visitors seeking a break from Canada’s colder climate. Iconic cities such as New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles offer endless entertainment, culture, and culinary experiences. Retirees, fondly known as "snowbirds," escape the harsh Canadian winters by spending several months in southern states.
Travel insurance is essential for Canadians visiting the U.S. due to the high healthcare cost. Even a minor medical issue, can result in bills amounting to thousands of dollars. For serious emergencies like hospitalization or surgery, costs can easily escalate into the tens of thousands. Travel insurance for the US provides coverage for such medical expenses, including emergency care, hospital stays, and even evacuation and repatriation when necessary. Additionally, U.S.-based insurance plans often cover the acute onset of pre-existing conditions, which is invaluable for older travelers.
When comparing travel insurance for the USA, buying from a US-based provider is a better option for the Canadian visitors:
Travelers from Canada can compare and buy the best medical insurance for visitors to USA on American Visitor Insurance online. For more details please contact us at (877)-340-7910 or email and one of our licensed agents to get help finding best health insurance for travel to USA from Canada.
The cheapest US travel insurance is Safe Travels Advantage. The other affordable travel insurance for the US are Safe Travels Elite from Trawick International and Visitors Care from IMG.
Cheapest travel insurance cost for USA| Insurance Plans | Plan Maximum | Deductible | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 | $0 | $20 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 | $0 | $25 |
| Visitors Care | $25,000 | $100 | $27 |
*Disclaimer: The average cost of cheapest travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old for one month. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
The best travel insurance for USA are Patriot America Plus by International Medical Group, Diplomat America from Global Underwriters, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Trawick International. These are comprehensive plans and offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Best travel insurance cost for USA| Insurance Plans | Plan Maximum | Deductible | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 | $250 | $76 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 | $250 | $118 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 | $250 | $121 |
*Disclaimer: The average cost of travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old for one month. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
Canadian health insurance plans don’t fully cover medical expenses in the US. Provincial health plans offer limited or no coverage for medical expenses incurred abroad, including emergency care in the USA. Given the high healthcare costs in the US, it’s recommended to buy travel insurance from USA with emergency medical coverage to protect yourself financially. Please feel free to call us at (877)-340-7910 if you have any questions or need assistance.
If pre-existing medical conditions is a top concern for you when insuring your visiting parents, then you should consider one of three plans that actually covers any emergency whether due to something new or due to a pre-existing condition. The policies are: Visitors Protect by IMG, or Premier or Elite from INF.
The Elite plan and the Visitors Protect plans are comprehensive which make them fairly complete. The Visitors Protect plan is a 25/75 plan meaning that after the deductible, they pay 75% and you would pay 25% of medical expenses. The Elite plan is a 20/80 plan, or you can opt for the Elite 90 plan which is a 10/90 plan. The third plan is a fixed plan offered by INF. A fixed plan or limited plan has caps on what it pays out for each medical expense, so it may not pay 100% of any bill (and it does not cover a percentage like the comprehensive plans).
The definition of pre-existing conditions and how they cover is unique to these plans. Firstly, if a condition is VERY stable (has had no flare up nor change in medication 12 months before the start of the plan), then the policy covers it like any other condition (at the maximum and deductible you chose). If there HAS been a flare up or change in the past year, then it is still covered, but it will be subject to a higher deductible and a lower maximum (on the fixed plan, you choose these). Please call us if you have any questions or need assistance at (877)-340-7910.
For minor illness or injury, $50,000 might be enough coverage. However, if you are concerned about an (albeit unlikely) stay at a hospital, those expenses can run up quickly beyond $100,000 in a few days. When asked, I typically recommend at least $100,000 maximum. If a person is at risk for multiple fractures or a longer hospital stay (they are older, perhaps?), then I would go as high as I could. Often, the age of the insured will limit the maximum allowed.
The cheapest $50,000 travel insurance with deductible $250 for 65 years old traveler is Safe Travels USA whose cost starts from $160 per month, then is the Patriot America Plus insurance cost starting from $173 per month while Atlas America insurance can cost $206 per month.
Visitor travel health insurance plans never cover regular, required medical care for a chronic condition. For example, if a traveler takes medication regularly or requires treatment like dialysis, those things will have to be paid for out of pocket by the traveler and should be calculated into the cost of their trip. If medications are lost or stolen and need to be replace, that will require a doctor visit to get a prescription and then the purchase at the pharmacy all of which would have to be paid for by the insured.
If the concern is for a sudden, unexpected flare up with a chronic, pre-existing condition, then there are a few plans which will cover that, but they are quite expensive and must be purchased for at least 90 days. Note also, that those plans also must be purchased BEFORE the travel begins and cover only travel to the US (some include Canada and Mexico).
No. Visitor policies do not cover wellness visits and routine checkups. So, vaccinations, for example, will not be covered, nor an annual ob-gyn exam. Also, there is often limited or no coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (check carefully on the policy if these are a major concern). Also, all policies have exclusions of particular illnesses.
For example, maternity is specifically excluded from most policies as are UTI’s and other diseases (particularly sexually transmitted diseases and issues or expensive and lengthy ones, like cancer treatment). Also, if a person is traveling to get a particular medical treatment, that will not be covered nor any issue arising therefrom.
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