Starting April 11, 2025, Canadians traveling to the US for more than 30 days are required to register with US immigration authorities and provide fingerprints. This will be a strict enforcement of an existing law which was previously applied inconsistently and aims to improve compliance with US immigration regulations.
This new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), applies to all foreign nationals crossing the US-Canada land border who are 14 years or older and staying for more than 30 days in the USA. This will impact close to 3 million Canadians annually, including around 1 million "snowbirds" who spend extended winters in the US.
Canadian professionals on long-term assignments in the US must comply with the new registration and fingerprinting requirements. However, short-term visitors to the US, such as tourists and cross-border shoppers should not be impacted.
Travel insurance cost from Canada to USA is ranges between $20 to $177 per month depending on the age, type of plan and maximum coverage.
Plan name | Medical maximum | Deductible | Cost* |
---|---|---|---|
Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 | $0 | $20 |
Safe Travels USA Cost Saver | $50,000 | $250 | $71 |
Patriot America Plus | $50,000 | $250 | $78 |
Safe Travels USA | $50,000 | $250 | $85 |
Diplomat America | $50,000 | $250 | $125 |
Patriot Platinum America | $2,000,000 | $250 | $177 |
*The average cost of travel insurance for USA from Canada is based on quotes for a 40-year-old for one month.
Snowbird travel insurance is designed for travelers from colder countries, often retirees or seasonal travelers, who spend longer periods away from their primary residence during the winter months. These travelers frequently move to warmer destinations such as Florida, Arizona, or other parts of the United States, Canada, or abroad to escape the colder climate.
Importance of Snowbird Travel Insurance:
Healthcare is quite expensive in the destination. Snowbird travel insurance ensures they are covered for medical emergencies, accidents, or illnesses during their stay. Some of the Snowbird plans provide coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions, which is critical for older travelers who may have ongoing health issues. These plans often include additional benefits like medical evacuation, trip interruption, or repatriation, making them ideal for long-term travelers. Snowbird travel insurance is important for safeguarding health and finances while living temporarily away from home.
Yes, Some Snowbird travel insurance plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but the extent of coverage depends on the specific plan. Typically, this coverage is provided under the following terms:
List of the plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions:
Yes, Snowbird insurance plans are generally renewable for long-term stays. Many of these plans are designed for travelers who spend an extended period of time outside their home country, such as those who split their time between the US and Canada or other destinations. These insurance plans typically offer annual renewal options, allowing travelers to extend their coverage for another year, as long as the policyholder meets the eligibility criteria.
Renewable Plans for Long-Term Stays:
Yes, Snowbird travel insurance often provides coverage for medical evacuation. This is a key feature of many Snowbird insurance plans, ensuring that if you are injured or become seriously ill while traveling, you can be safely transported to the nearest medical facility or back to your home country for treatment.
Yes, Snowbird insurance plans can often be purchased for multiple trips throughout the year, making them ideal for individuals who travel regularly, such as those spending part of the year in one country and the other part in another (e.g., traveling between cold and warm climates).
Some Snowbird insurance plans offer annual coverage or multi-trip options, which allow you to be covered for several trips over a specific period, typically one year. These plans can save time and money compared to buying separate policies for each individual trip.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive: The plan provides a policy maximum up to $1,000,000 starting from $20,000 and deductible options are available from $0 to $5000. Co-insurance is covered up to 100% by the company. Plan provides coverage for ages 14 days to 89 years of age. Plan is available from 5 days to 364 days and is renewable up to 364 days. The plan provides coverage of $20,000 for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to age 64, $10,000 coverage for age 65- 69 and not available for 70+.
Emergency medical treatment of pregnancy is available up to $1000. One wellness doctor visit per period of insurance for $125 is available with this plan. Cardiac conditions and stroke expenses are covered up to $25,000 for age up to 69 per period of insurance and $15,000 for ages 70+. For further benefit details, please check out the brochure of the plan. Covid-19 is covered under this plan.
Patriot America Plus: The plan provides policy maximum up to $1,000,000 and deductible options available from $0 to $2500. The plan provides necessary coverage for acute onset of preexisting condition coverage for the individuals under 70. Covid -19 is covered under the plan as any other illness. Emergency Medical Evacuation is covered up to $1,000,000.
Political Evacuation and Repatriation is covered up to $100,000. Coverage for Dental Treatment, Personal Liability, Eye Examination... is covered under this travel health insurance plan. For further information, please take a look at the brochure of the plan.
Safe Travels USA: Policy provides a medical maximum up to $1,000,000 starting from $50,000 and deductible options up to $5000 starting from $0. For unexpected recurrence of pre-existing conditions, the plan pays $1000 up to age 69. Plan provides coverage for ages 14 days to 89 years of age. Plan is available from 5 days to 364 days and is renewable up to 364 days. Covid-19 is covered with this travel medical insurance plan.
Cardiac conditions and stroke expenses are covered up to $25,000 for age up to 69 per period of insurance and $15,000 for ages 70+. Emergency medical treatment of pregnancy is available up to $1000. One wellness doctor visit per period of insurance for $125 is available with this plan. For further benefit related information , please have a look at the brochure of the plan.
Diplomat America: The policy maximum options for this plan is available up to $1,000,000 starting from $50,000 and the deductible options are available up to $5000 starting from $0. The Co-Insurance of the plan is 80% of the incurred expense is covered by the plan up to $5000 of the expense and then the plan pays 100% after the deductible.
Additional $250 deductible will be applicable for each emergency room visit as a result of an illness. Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation is covered up to $250,000 with this comprehensive visitor health insurance plan from Global Underwriters. For further information on the plan, please check the brochure of the plan.
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