Travel insurance for Canadians going anywhere
Provincial health plans pay only a small fraction of medical costs outside Canada, and a single hospital night in the United States can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance covers emergency medical care abroad, and can also refund a trip you have to cancel or cut short.
Bima explains the options in plain language, shows indicative ranges based on your age, trip length, destination and coverage type, and connects you with a licensed advisor who confirms the policy.
Free, about 3 minutes, no obligation
Three kinds of travel coverage
Canadian travel policies are usually sold as one of three packages:
- Emergency medical: hospital, doctor, ambulance and emergency return home, typically with limits of one to five million dollars
- Trip cancellation and interruption: refunds of prepaid, non-refundable costs if you cannot travel or must return early for a covered reason
- Comprehensive: both of the above plus baggage, travel delay and other extras in a single plan
What affects the cost
Age is the biggest factor, followed by trip length, destination and whether you need cancellation coverage. Trips to the United States cost more to insure than most other destinations because of medical prices there. Annual multi-trip plans can be cheaper for frequent travellers than insuring each trip separately.
Pre-existing conditions and stability clauses
Most emergency medical policies cover pre-existing conditions only if they have been stable for a set period, often 90 to 180 days, before departure. Any change in medication or symptoms can affect that. Answer the medical questionnaire carefully and, if you are unsure, ask a licensed advisor before you buy rather than after a claim.
Bima shows indicative rate ranges calculated from published carrier tables. They are estimates only. A licensed advisor confirms your final premium before anything is bound.
Travel insurance questions, answered
Do I need travel insurance for a trip within Canada?
Your provincial plan covers you across Canada, but not everything, and not at out-of-province private rates. Interprovincial medical top-ups and trip cancellation coverage are still worth considering for longer trips.
Does my credit card already cover me?
Some premium cards include travel medical or cancellation coverage, often with age limits and short trip durations. Check the certificate; a standalone policy may fill the gaps.
Are Bima's travel insurance ranges final?
No. They are indicative ranges from published carrier tables, shown as a total trip cost. A licensed advisor confirms the policy and its exclusions.