Given that nearly 90% of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the US border, it is really no surprise that Canadians are the top source of tourists to the United States. In 2018 alone, the US had over 21 million overnight trips from Canada with almost half of these arrivals by air and the other half by crossing the land border.
The US has a very varied topography and shares land borders with Canada to the North and Mexico to the south. Canada's population has a relatively large number of baby boomers and this older generation prefers traveling nearby to the US. Many Canadian baby boomers spend a lot of time and money escaping the cold during Canada's long winters. Also known as Canadian Snowbirds, they are attracted to the southern warmer states of the US, mainly Florida, Arizona and Texas.
Canadians travel across the southern border to the US on a regular basis. The reasons for travel can vary, be it for warmer weather for the snowbirds, or simply a short vacation, or travel for work, business and corporate meetings. Whatever the reason for travel, it is important to buy proper health insurance with adequate coverage in the United States. The "Canadian government authorities advise Canadians to buy travel insurance" while traveling overseas from Canada. Given the high cost of healthcare in the US, it is not worth the risk of being uninsured while visiting the United States.
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Naturally, the first thing one thinks about when planning a trip is not how much a trip in that country’s ER will cost you. However, we do suggest you consider the high costs of health care in the US and arrange to have yourself and your loved ones covered in case something does happen.
Emergency room expenses and hospital stays are extremely expensive and regularly impoverish under-uninsured and uninsured people in the US. It is not a great state of affairs, but at the moment, this is a reality.
The cost of a routine physician's visit is significantly higher in the U.S., where it might be $176. An echocardiogram can cost around $1,000 in Massachusetts and around $3000 in New Jersey depending on the provider. The cost of common ailments like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia admitted to an emergency room would cost around $2,500 -$5000. Stroke resulting in ICU for about 10 days would cost $120,000, Heart attack treatment with medical bills for ambulance, hospital emergency room, ICU, EKG and MRI heart scans and continuing care from cardiologists would cost about $20,000, the average treatment cost of acute kidney failure in the USA was over $22,000.
While there are several reasons for high healthcare costs, the fact remains that one cannot afford to be uninsured while visiting the US. In US hospitals the cost for any treatment is much lower if you have insurance and the hospital is part of the PPO network when compared to getting the same treatment without any insurance. This is beyond the actual insurance coverage itself, so simply having visitors insurance reduces the bill substantially. This high price without insurance is unimaginable for visitors to pay out of their pocket. It is important for Canadians to realize the importance of health insurance while visiting the US.
You must be very careful and bring any prescription medication as well as a prescription or copy of such so that you can show that you have good reason to have medications with you. There are lower cost “Urgent Care” centers that can be used for sudden, non-life threatening situations that will be cheaper and quicker than trying to visit a hospital emergency room. They can assess the situation and often treat the situation quickly and efficiently. They also are open beyond “normal” doctor hours (why do these things seem to always happen on Sunday afternoons?) which can be helpful to be aware of.
Here at American Visitor Insurance, we have many travel insurance for Canadians travelling to USA from reputable US insurance companies who help travelers from Canada receive the care they need!Let us help you find the right medical travel insurance for Canadians visiting the United States.
U.S. citizens and expats living in Canada frequently travel back to the United States to visit family, for business, or for other personal reasons. At American Visitor Insurance we have the best travel insurance for U.S. expats visiting USA. Short term travel health insurance in USA for us citizens visiting the country that are designed by IMG a reputed US insurance provider are Patriot America Lite, Patriot America Plus, Patriot Platinum America. Another popular travel insurance for U S citizen traveling to USA is Diplomat America insurance by Global Underwriters. The cost of US expat returning to USA health insurance are based on the traveler’s age, duration of coverage and chosen plan maximum with deductible.
| Travel insurance USA | Coverage | Deductible | Provider Network | Cost # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot America Lite IMG | $50,000 | $100 | United HealthCare | $86 |
| Patriot America Plus IMG | $50,000 | $100 | United HealthCare | $87 |
| Patriot Platinum IMG | $2,000,000 | $100 | United HealthCare | $195 |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | $100 | No PPO | $138 |
# Approximate cost of US expat returning to US health insurance is for a 40-year-old US visiting US for a duration of 1 month
USA - General Information
Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of four former American presidents, each of which is carved and blasted from the side of a rock face.
The water from Lake Erie flows into Lake Ontario over these massive waterfalls along the US and Canadian border.
The Statue of Liberty is America's most familiar icon. It is the largest statue in the world with 152 ft in the New York city Harbor.
It is home to a huge ancient volcano which has resulted in a dramatic landscape and awesome natural phenomena. It is also home to some amazing wildlife.
There are many Canadians who travel to the US and elsewhere outside Canada regularly. These travelers can be businessmen or corporate travelers or those who live close to the US border and travel overseas often.
While there are many top rated travel health insurance plans for multiple trips worldwide, the Patriot Annual Multi trip insurance is an ideal plan for Canadian travelers. Travellers must have domestic health insurance policy while being covered under this plan. Every trip duration can be limited to either 30 days or 45 days with a medical coverage maximum of $1 million. Travelers up to the age of 76 years can buy this plan. The plan is renewable up to 3 years and also offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Pre-existing condition is a medical ailment that existed before the travel insurance became effective. Another term that we come across more frequently in insurance policies is "Acute onset of pre-existing condition". Acute onset of pre-existing condition is a sudden relapse of the pre-existing condition without advance warning which requires medical attention within 24 hours.
Travelers with pre-existing conditions always find it hard to buy travel health insurance. Some of the common conditions that are considered as pre-existing conditions are asthma, food & drug allergies, environmental allergies, heart related issues, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, and diabetes. Typically all insurance providers have their terms and conditions for the pre-existing condition coverage provided. Most do not cover anything related to a pre-existing condition. Travelers can buy a travel insurance policy without a medical check, however chronic illnesses like cancer, parkinson's disease, Amnesia...which cannot be cured are not covered by the travel health insurance policies. With the pre-existing condition there is a "look back" period of 60-180 days to determine the claim. Most of the Insurance providers consider the age of the individual as a factor for providing this benefit. Most of the policies do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions at the age of 70 and more.
Some US insurance providers offer senior citizen travel insurance for pre-existing conditions above the age of 80 with fixed or limited coverage. The Safe Travels USA, Safe Travels USA Cost Saver, and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive all offer $1000 coverage for pre-existing conditions without limitation to chronic illness. If travelers have a medical condition they are concerned about, it is very important for them to buy a policy that includes the illnesses in the coverage and to be aware of the terms of pre-existing condition coverage.
The travel health insurance plans which cover pre-existing conditions have clear definitions of what is a pre-existing condition, the look back period for pre-existing condition, whether the travel insurance coverage is limited to acute onset of pre-existing conditions, and if it provides full coverage for pre-existing conditions the coverage limit within the policy for pre-existing conditons. Any travel health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions will depend on all these.
The best US visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage is listed here:
YES! Canadians CAN purchase US travel insurance policies from American Visitor Insurance to cover the remainder of their stay (as long as they like).
Note that our policies are generally renewable, so if plans change (as they so often do these days), the policies can be extended (minimum of 5 days and up to 12 months). Policies are available up to $100,000 for persons in their 70s and up to $50,000 for persons in their 80s. You can use our search engine to determine the best prices for you based on age and deductible you'd like.
The deductible on a comprehensive travel insurance USA policy is generally a one-time payment if there are any medical expenses (doctor visit, ER visit, medications, etc). A higher deductible will give a lower premium cost, so it is a balance of what you feel you can pay out in the unlikely event you will need medical attention, and how much the policy costs you per month and day.
When you purchase the US travel insurance policy, you will enter your Canadian address as your "home" or "residence" address regardless of whether you own a home in the US or not. The "residence" country and the "destination" country CANNOT be the same. Then, you can choose the start date (even if it says trip start date) as the first day you need the policy. And, even though you choose an "Trip end date" you can always extend most policies without issue (just do not wait until they have expired).
Unfortunately, insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions is very limited on most US visitor policies for foreign visitors. Some policies will cover "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions which should mean life-threatening emergencies due to pre-existing conditions, but they have all recently excluded chronic and congenital disorders from that coverage. As a non-medical person, I'm not sure what illnesses/disorders that leaves that WOULD be covered. The Safe Travels Elite (a fixed plan) and Safe Travels Comprehensive offers some coverage $25,000 or $15,000 for a cardiac issue.
While there will always be some risk involved while traveling and staying in the US, travelers do have travel insurance options for visiting the US. Compare US travel insurance for Canada and buy the plan that best fits your needs.
As ever, we wish you safe and happy travels!
Given the geographical proximity between the US and Canada, the long land border, and the many excellent economic opportunities that the US offers, it is attractive and easy for Canadians to move south of their border to the United States.
It was in the year 1867 that many Eastern Canadians migrated to the United States and started working in the flourishing manufacturing industry. The U.S Census had recorded 747,000 English-speaking and 440,000 French-speaking Canadian immigrants in 1900.
These migrators settled in the borders of the US which allowed them to easily travel between the two countries. During 1990 to 1930 the French Canadian migration increased due to the poor economic conditions in Quebec. Los Angeles had the fourth major Canadian population in North America in 1980s.
In the late 20th Century after the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 Canadian migration expanded significantly. During this the Canadian communities who migrated included highly educated academics, technology professionals, students along with Canadians who wanted retire in warmer areas in the US or to reunify with their family and other retirees. There are about 783,0000 Canadians who lived in the United States according to the 2016 U.S census data. Nearly 2% of the 44 million U.S. immigrants. 47% Canadians became naturalized citizens in 2016 from the total foreign-born population in the US.
Migrating to the US in search for better living and economic status is often very challenging and involves many risks. While planning to relocate one should reflect on all the unforeseen situations that may occur due to difference in weather conditions, food, culture and most importantly healthcare systems. The US while offering excellent opportunities also has a very expensive healthcare system and sudden changes often results in increased chances for illness.
Unlike the government supported Canadian health system, the US health care system is private and very expensive. In the US it is very necessary to have good immigrant medical insurance. Good short term US immigrant insurance plan will provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in case of any injury or illness till one is eligible for domestic US health insurance. At American Visitor Insurance, Canadian immigrants can buy reasonable US immigrant medical insurance according to their requirements.
The US government has recently made a proclamation making it compulsory from November 3rd 2019 for all new immigrant visa applicants to have adequate US health insurance while in the United States.
This rule will impact new US immigrant visa applications, such as family members of the US citizens. The aim of this compulsory US immigrant health insurance is to reduce the burden on US tax payers by uninsured new US immigrants.
The proclamation will not allow immigrants from entering the US if they do not have at least one of following approved health insurance. The listed approved health insurance options are
While this rule is focused on those applying for US immigrant visas, we are getting customer feedback that even travelers on tourist visas are expected to have proper short term visitor insurance. The visitor and immigrant insurance plans offered at American Visitor Insurance satisfy the definition of visitor health insurance plans as well as catastrophic plans in the United States as listed above.
After purchasing these US visitor insurance plan, customers will immediately receive the insurance document by email. Customers can use this visitor insurance document as proof of health insurance in the US while applying for the US visa. Irrespective of this proclamation, given the high cost of US healthcare, it is strongly recommended for all prospective immigrants and tourists to buy adequate US immigrant health insurance.
Yes. Snowbird Visitors and tourists can all buy travel health insurance in the US. We recommend the travel insurance for Canadian snowbird visitors to be purchased from the day they leave their home country until they return, however, most companies allow you to purchase it even after the traveler has already started their journey.
Snowbird travel medical insurance is for unexpected medical expenses while on your trip. Many travel insurance for Canadian Snowbirds also cover baggage loss/ delay, trip delays, and have other benefits to help travelers with unexpected problems (loss of documents, etc). Since they are meant to be used in an emergency, you can use any doctor/hospital. In a non-emergency situation, you should consult your documentation and try to stay in-network (if applicable) while in the US since this will likely help defray your out-of-pocket cost.
Often health insurance from a home country will not cover Snowbirds while they are traveling in a different country. If they are in a country with high medical costs such as the US, they should consider purchasing international travel insurance in case they should need any medical care. The travel health insurance for Canadian Snowbird tourists will help defray costs and also often has many travel benefits (trip delay, trip interruption, baggage loss) that will also assist a traveler in getting back on track with their trip.
Snowbird Tourists can use Urgent Care clinics, make appointments at a doctor's office or go the the hospital, if needed. However, they will have to pay out-of-pocket for any and all medical care they receive. This is why we recommend getting a travel or US tourist health insurance for Snowbirds for the duration of their stay.
The above are common concerns of Canadian tourists visiting the United States. It is extremely important for US tourists to know that healthcare in the US is very expensive and that most US residents have health insurance to cover their medical expenses. Given this situation, it is important for US tourists to have the best travel insurance for US as they are fully responsible for any medical expenses that they incur in the country. Being forced to get medical treatment in usa without insurance can be financially catastrophic, and the best way to shield oneself from this situation is to buy US travel insurance for the entire duration of one’s visit to the country.
The cost of travel insurance from Canada to USA can vary significantly depending on various factors. These factors include:
To provide a general idea, here are some approximate cost ranges for travel insurance in Canada:
It's important to shop around, obtain quotes, and carefully read the terms and conditions of different policies to ensure that you're getting the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget. Additionally, consider factors such as the ratings of the insurance provider and the contact customer service on American Visitors Insurance when choosing a policy.
The cost of medical insurance for travelers is directly proportional to the age of the traveler. The older the traveler and greater will be the cost of the visitors health insurance.
Comprehensive insurance provides exhaustive coverage but is more expensive than fixed benefit insurance which has a specified limit for each treatment.
The price of visitors insurance is directly dependent on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.
Travel insurance depends on the coverage region. The cost for visitor insurance for the United States is most expensive when compared to Europe or Asia.
The cost of trip insurance directly depends on the length of travel. The longer the duration of visitor medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.
Additional add-on benefits to the basic insurance for tourist plan like adventure sports coverage, coverage for pre-existing conditions… will add to the overall cost.
Complete the Canada to US travel insurance quote request form by providing details of the traveler and insurance requirements.
Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance options to identify what fits your needs best.
Purchase the plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
Review the travel insurance policy documents received by email closely for coverage details and relevant contact numbers.
A fixed benefit or scheduled benefits travel insurance plan is the cheapest US travel insurance plan, however this is because the Fixed benefit travel insurance have a fixed limit of coverage for different medical benefits. Fixed benefit international travel medical insurance works well for small ailments but can be inadequate for more serious medical conditions involving hospitalisation.
Comprehensive travel insurance provide full coverage for medical expenses up to the policy medical maximum limit. As opposed to fixed benefit international travel medical insurance there are no coverage limits for each benefit. It is much more expensive when compared to fixed benefit plans but also provides significantly superior coverage especially in case of a serious medical emergency or hospitalisation.
Find out the best insurance for your budget and needs
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Know more »"Thank you for your prompt reply. Thank you for doing some good homework on our behalf. May the Lord richly bless you and all your encounters and may He fill your life with all of his abundance."
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"I needed to move my policy date, but remembered it too late. American Visitor Insurance customer support made a lot of efforts to fix it out and succeeded. It's a really good service. Great thanks to your support staff."
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"Thank you for such helpful information. You've impressed me as I have contacted other companies and haven't gotten half of the information from them that you have sent me. I will take what you've said into consideration."
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| Compare INF Canadian travel insurance to USA |
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| Compare INF visitor insurance |
| Compare pre-existing coverage |
Here at American Visitor Insurance, we have talked with thousands of our Canadian neighbors getting insurance for their US stays for many number of reasons. Some of our Canadian clients have wanted to extend their trips beyond the coverage they purchased from Canada before leaving. It seems that to continue with a Canadian plan, you must return to Canada to make your purchase. However, with our health insurance for Canadian visitors to USA, you can start coverage the day your other coverage ends and not have the expense or bother of a return trip.
Also, in some cases, particularly for clients with pre-existing medical conditions, they are not able to get their Canadian insurance for their trip due to some constraint or another. While, of course, we would never suggest traveling against advice of doctors; some of our plans cover “acute onset” of pre-existing medical conditions.
To be clear, the conditions must be stable and they will not cover required treatment or medication for such a condition, but they will kick in if there is some unexpected recurrence due to the pre-existing condition. o, check our rates and compare USA travel insurance from Canada to what you are offered from your home country or keep us in mind if your travel plans change along the way!
Buy a plan and get coverage for your studies in the USA.
Student Health Advantage Patriot Exchange InsuranceThe US enjoys a special relationship with Canada. Students wishing to come to a college or university in the US can obtain an I-20 visa to do so. Oftentimes, the college or institution will offer health coverage for their students. Some do not and the student must find their own policy.
International students cannot apply to 'regular' health care plans available to citizens. However, we have options for you through our website.
Note that if you do get the option of an institutional health plan these will likely be more expensive than what we offer, but they are very complete. They are, in fact, domestic policies not otherwise available to visitors. They are very complete and cover wellness, pre-existing conditions, maternity, mental health, and pretty much all health care needs.
If those are not main concerns and if you are looking for more economical options, there are plans for international students available.
Canadians that wish to study in the US can get health insurance through our website. The best options are those offered by IMG and Global Underwriters
The Global Underwriter plans are best if the student is on an official sports team or club. You can choose an optional collegiate sports rider to cover injuries related to that sport (low, medium, and high; unfortunately there is no coverage for football).
IMG has several student options available (Patriot Exchange, Student Health Advantage and Student Health Advantage Platinum). Patriot Exchange offers a very economical price, but note the exclusion of maternity and mental health coverage.
Student plans must be purchased for whole months. If you purchase one month and three days you will pay for two months. Therefore, you may as well sign up for two whole months. When the student returns home, the plans are terminated.
Confused whether to buy trip, travel or global health insurance? Understand the differences!
Click here to read more »Travel tips for international travelers – safety, comfort and wellness.
Fixed benefit or scheduled benefit plans are the most affordable international travel insurance plans.
Click here to read more »International travel insurance plans covering pre-existing conditions which many older travelers look for.
Click here to read more »Compare quotes online for best travel insurance online, Fixed vs comprehensive travel insurance USA.
Click here to read more »Compare and buy the best travel medical insurance plans online.
Click here to read more »There are many cheap international insurance plans also known as visitor insurance plans.
Click here to read more »Coinsurance & Deductible - How visitor travel insurance works.
Click here to read more »Travel medical insurance for visiting Canada.
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We also offer Canadian travel insurance.
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Travel insurance for US citizens traveling to Canada.
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