Travel health insurance for US citizens going to Canada
Answer these questions to find the best insurance plan for your needs (International travelers, students, all US visa’s and Schengen visa).Health care in Canada
Planning to visit Canada or expecting friends and family to visit Canada? Most important thing to be taken into consideration Travel Insurance or Medical Insurance. Canada has a public healthcare system that provides coverage to all Canadian residents and citizens. It works on a provincial or territorial basis. In other words, person covered in one specific province will not be covered in another province. There is no concept of PPO network in Canada. They want to adopt privatization like in US but there are political controversies involved. Considering Medicare in Canada, it does not cover prescription drugs, dental care, contact lenses and ambulance services. US citizen who might be eligible for Medicare in Canada may not be covered outside specific province that issued them the Medicare Card.
Visiting Canada and the need for travel insurance
Canada is the world’s second largest country and attracts close to 20 million tourists annually (it was 19,979,334 international visitors in 2016) of which close to 14 million are from the United States. These numbers are not surprising given the incredible landscapes that the country has to offer. There are both natural and manmade attractions right from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast. In the western part of Canada are the vibrant cities of Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton. You also have the Rocky mountains with the incredible Banff national park and Jasper national park. As you move east, you have the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City, not to overlook and spectacular Niagara falls. Further east is the beautiful Gros Morne national park and the cities of St. John and Halifax. For the more adventurous as you travel North, you can get to see the wild and pristine beauty of Nahanni national park and opportunities to see polar bears.Given all these attractions coupled with the friendly Canadian people, it is no surprise that the country attracts visitors in such large numbers. However American tourists should be aware that their US domestic health insurance and Medicare offers very little coverage outside US borders. US and other international tourists should realise that traveling outside one’s familiar environment always involves some danger and it is prudent to purchase adequate travel medical insurance. Travel insurance can ensure that your Canadian holiday goes off smoothly by providing insurance cover for any untoward medical or travel issue. We work with reputed US insurance providers to offer the widest choice of international travel insurance plans. International tourists can compare different travel insurance plans to make an informed choice. Compare visitor medical insurance options and purchase the plan most suitable for your unique requirements. Older travelers aged over 65 years can buy the GlobeHopper Senior Insurance as it offers good coverage and also covers pre-existing conditions.
Popular tourist destinations in Canada
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy, located on the Atlantic coast in eastern Canada, is famous for its high tidal range.
Churchill
Nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” it is one of the top tourist attractions in Canada.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake, in Banff National Park is one of the most photographed places in western Canada.
Gros Morne National Park
The ancient rocks in Gros Morne National Park help people understand how the oceans and continents were created.
Canada - General information
Location North America
Capital Ottawa
Language English, French
CurrencyCanadian Dollar
Population Around 36 million
Best time to visit Sep, Oct
Vacation spots Banff National Park, Toronto, Vancouver, Banff, Montreal, Niagara falls, Quebec city, Whistler, Lake Louise.
US citizens visiting Canada
Canada has a very varied topography and shares land borders with the contiguous United States to the South and the US state of Alaska to the northwest. The official languages of Canada are English and French. The US office of travel and tourism estimates that over 10 million US citizens travel to Canada annually. Canada attracts tourists to its culturally interesting urban centers like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Quebec city as well as to its many beautiful natural parks.Trip vs Travel vs Global
Confused whether to buy trip or travel or global insurance? Know the differences!
Click here »
Visitor insurance resources
New to insurance concept? Here are some useful insurance resources for you!
Click here »
Factors to consider
Here are some factors that you need to consider while buying insurance.
Click here »
Information for US Students going to Canada
Many US students choose Canadian colleges to study outside the United States. The Canadian education system includes practical and training in fields like technology, arts, science, business and more. Study abroad programs are awarded certifications, diplomas and degrees. In Canada, the class usually has fewer students and has many services and support for US citizens. Canada offers affordable education and is cheaper when compared to studying within the US as well as when compared to other countries like UK, Australia and New Zealand. Living expenses due to rent, food, transport and other utilities are much cheaper. Canada being the United states closest neighbor has some popular universities along the US- Canada border making it closer to the US students. The employment opportunities in Canada are also good.Get Insured!
Travel health insurance for older US travelers (65+ years) visiting Canada
It is wonderful to see so many older Americans traveling to Canada. However while visiting Canada is exciting, US citizens should realise that Medicare and its supplements provide very little coverage outside US borders. There is a travel health insurance plan specifically designed for older American travelers. Indianapolis based International Medical Group (IMG) offers GlobeHopper Senior as an affordable overseas travel medical insurance option for US citizens and US permanent residents 65 years and older. The GlobeHopper Senior plan is available either as the GlobeHopper Single-Trip plan for coverage from 5 days to 365 days, or as a GlobeHopper Multi-trip plan which covers 12 months with a maximum of 30 days per each overseas trip. The GlobeHopper Senior plan is very popular since it provides coverage of $1 million up to the age of 79 years and $100,000 for travelers more than 80 years old. The plan includes $2,500 cover for sudden unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition and $25,000 for emergency medical evacuation.
Importance of travel insurance
US citizens are not covered in Canada with their US domestic plan and Canada does not cover Non Canadians under the public health care system in Canada. US residents have to pay out of pocket during their stay in Canada for any medical expenses incurred. Purchasing a Travel Insurance will not only provide coverage for unexpected sickness and injury but will help you choose a good provider and put your mind at ease.
We have had customers call us to buy travel insurance from the US-Canadian border as the authorities have insisted on adequate travel insurance for their stay in Canada.
There are several short term travel plans available on our website. Please have a look at these popular health/travel insurance plans suitable to visitors to Canada:
- Atlas International from TokioMarine HCC
- Liaison Travel Choice from Seven Corners
- WorldMed from Travel Insure
- InterMedical from Travel Insure
- Patriot International from IMG
- Plans from GeoBlue
Visa information and ID proof
US citizens or US permanent residents (Green Card holders) visiting Canada for a sojourn of less than 180 days do not need a visa. Canadian law requires everyone entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and identity. US citizens visiting Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. Both the governments of America and Canada urge frequent travelers to join the NEXUS trusted traveler program. NEXUS member receive a travel card that allows expedited border crossings for both private and commercial travelers through both the USA and Canadian border controls. If a US citizen traveling from USA to Canada does not have a valid passport, he/she can show a government issued proof of ID (e.g. driver's license) or US birth certificate, naturalization certificate or expired passport.
Insurance coverage
Travel medical insurance coverage is strongly recommended by the US consulate for US citizens visiting Canada. US citizens must be aware that domestic US health insurance plans do not cover the insured outside the United States. US medicare program also does not provide coverage for hospital or health care outside the USA. Since Canada has socialized healthcare, the healthcare system in Canada can refuse to pay for non Canadians health treatment. In this context travel medical insurance is useful to pay medical bills in case of hospitalization, evacuation, repatriation, accidental death and dismemberment.
Travel health insurance for Canadians visiting USA
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.
Know more
Resourceful links
- Travel Health Insurance FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answer about travel health insurance plans.
Read More »-
- US Citizens Travel Insurance Blog
Read Blogs and articles for US citizens travelling overseas
Read More »-
- US Citizens Insurance Forum
Customer queries and answers about insurance plans for US citizens travelling overseas.
Read More »-
US Expatriate