For countless Canadians, escaping the harsh winter for the warm climates of Florida, Mexico, or the Caribbean has become an annual tradition. These seasonal travellers are fondly known as snowbirds. However, spending an extended stay abroad also comes with risks. Medical care outside Canada can be shockingly expensive, and even a single hospital stay could wipe out your retirement savings if you’re not protected.
That’s where snowbird travel insurance becomes essential. It protects you from the high cost of out-of-country medical emergencies, allowing you to enjoy your time in the sun with confidence and peace of mind.
What is SnowBird Travel Insurance?
Snowbird travel insurance is a specialized type of travel policy designed for Canadians, particularly those aged 60 or older, who spend extended periods outside Canada during the winter months.
Unlike regular travel insurance that covers short trips of a week or two, snowbird policies are built for trips lasting up to 212 days (about seven months), matching the typical length of a snowbird’s getaway.
The primary purpose of this insurance is to cover the high costs of medical care outside Canada that are not covered by your provincial health plan. It is the most important safeguard for both your health and your retirement savings while you are away from home during the winter.
Why Do Snowbirds Need Travel Insurance?
Snowbirds face higher risks of medical emergencies than younger travellers. Pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis are common in this age group. Even when these conditions are well managed, unexpected complications can still arise. Furthermore, a trip that lasts several months has a longer window for accidents or sudden illnesses to occur.
Provincial health insurance plans in Canada were never designed to cover medical care outside the country. OHIP, for example, reimburses only $400 per day for out-of-country hospital stays and offers no coverage for many other medical services. In the United States, the actual cost of a hospital room averages $3,000 to $10,000 per day; an emergency room visit alone can cost $2,000 to $5,000, even for relatively minor issues.
If surgery, intensive care, or extended hospitalization are required, the bill can quickly escalate. Treatment for a heart attack in the U.S. typically runs $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Stroke treatment can cost $75,000 to $150,000. Even something as seemingly straightforward as a hip replacement can set you back $40,000 to $60,000.
These aren’t rare or extreme cases; they’re common medical emergencies that become more likely as we age. That is why snowbird travel insurance is not just a recommendation; it is what ensures you have the protection and the peace of mind you need throughout your entire winter escape.
What Does Snowbird Travel Insurance For Seniors Cover?
The core of any snowbird policy is emergency medical coverage. While benefits vary between providers, most comprehensive plans are designed to cover the major expenses associated with an unexpected illness or injury.
- Emergency Medical Care: Hospital stays (semi-private room), ICU care, physician services, surgeries, and diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRIs.
- Emergency Transportation: Ambulance services (ground and air) and emergency medical evacuation to return you to Canada for further treatment.
- Prescription Drugs: Medications prescribed as part of a medical emergency while in the hospital.
- Professional Services: Fees for licensed physiotherapists or chiropractors when prescribed by a physician for an emergency.
- Emergency Dental: Treatment for accidental blows to the face or sudden dental pain, typically up to a specified limit (e.g., $300).
- Additional Benefits: Repatriation of remains (up to a certain limit), a companion’s airfare to your bedside, and return of your vehicle or pet.
- 24/7 Assistance: A dedicated hotline to help you find medical care, coordinate payment, and navigate a foreign healthcare system.
What Does Snowbird Travel Insurance Not Cover?
A snowbird insurance policy generally excludes:
- Non-Emergency & Elective Care: Routine check-ups, cosmetic surgery, and any planned medical procedures.
- Routine Prescriptions: Refills for medications related to a pre-existing condition you take regularly.
- Unstable Pre-Existing Conditions: Any condition that has not met the policy’s “stability period” requirement (unless you have a specific rider).
- Travel Against Medical Advice: Any claims arising if your doctor advised you not to travel.
- High-Risk Activities: Injuries from professional sports or certain adventurous activities are often excluded unless you purchase an add-on.
Always read your policy documents carefully to understand the exact definitions, limits, and exclusions that apply to your specific plan.
Does Snowbird Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
Yes. Many snowbird travel insurance plans cover pre-existing medical conditions, as long as they meet the policy’s stability requirements.
Stability period requirements vary by provider and rate category, typically 90, 180, or 365 days before departure. Shorter stability periods (7 days) cost more but are easier to meet.
How insurers assess common medical conditions
- High blood pressure controlled by medication: Usually coverable if stable for the required period and the medication hasn’t changed
- Recent heart attack or surgery: May require 6-12 months of stability; some insurers have longer waiting periods
- Cancer: Often requires 2-5 years in remission, depending on cancer type and treatment
- Type 2 diabetes: Coverable if well-controlled with stable medication and blood sugar levels
- Multiple conditions: Each condition is assessed separately; all must meet stability requirements
Important note: Even a minor medication adjustment, for example, your doctor changing your blood pressure medication from 10mg to 15mg, can make your condition unstable and void your coverage.
Is COVID-19 Covered Under Snowbird Insurance Policies?
Yes, most snowbird providers, such as Manulife, Blue Cross, Medipac, Tugo, and Allianz, include COVID-19 as covered emergency medical treatment. If you test positive and require hospitalization in Florida, your policy covers treatment costs the same as any other medical emergency. Coverage typically includes emergency testing when symptomatic, hospitalization, intensive care, and prescribed medications.
However, some insurers have specific COVID-19 exclusions. Policies typically don’t cover routine testing for travel requirements, quarantine hotel costs (unless medically necessary), or trip cancellation due to fear of COVID-19. Long COVID symptoms may be considered pre-existing conditions requiring disclosure during the medical questionnaire.
Choosing The Right Travel Insurance Plans for Snowbirds
Snowbird travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Choosing the suitable one depends on your travel habits and needs.
Single-Trip Policy (Most Common)
This is the most common choice for snowbirds. A single-trip plan covers one specific trip with a defined start and end date, typically allowing coverage for up to 180 days because provincial health plans require you to live in your home province for at least 6 months to maintain your coverage.
These work best for snowbirds who take one long winter trip, for example, leaving Canada in October and returning in April. While they offer less flexibility if your plans change, they’re straightforward and cost-effective for predictable travel schedules.
Annual Multi-Trip Policy
If you plan to take multiple shorter trips throughout the year, this option can be more cost-effective. An annual plan covers you for an unlimited number of trips within a 365-day period, but each trip has a maximum duration (e.g., 16, 30, or 60 days). This is ideal for snowbirds who might return to Canada for the holidays before heading south again.
If your existing insurance plan is insufficient, top-up coverage can be used to add more coverage to it. For example, if your employer’s or credit card’s travel insurance only covers you for 30 days, you can purchase top-up coverage from another provider to cover the remainder of your trip.
Choosing Between an All-inclusive and a Basic Plan
A basic plan might only cover emergency medical expenses. However, you can, and should, add non-medical coverage into a single policy to create a comprehensive protection package, also called an all-inclusive package.
- Trip Cancellation: This reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if you have to cancel your trip before you leave due to a covered reason (like an unexpected illness or family emergency).
- Trip Interruption: This covers the costs of returning home early if your trip is interrupted after you have already departed, as well as unused portions of your trip and expenses incurred to get home. It also provides coverage for flight delays caused by airlines. If you are lucky enough to be able to drive to your destination, a delay due to major car repairs will pay for your hotel room that you were not planning on.
- Baggage Loss & Delay: This coverage provides reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. It also covers the cost of buying essential items like clothing and toiletries if your baggage is delayed for a certain period (e.g., more than six hours).
The price difference can be significant. All-inclusive plans typically cost 30% to 50% more than basic coverage, but for most snowbirds with any health conditions, the all-inclusive protection is worth the investment.
How Much Does Snowbird Travel Insurance Cost?
According to the current quotes from major providers, snowbird insurance typically costs $800-$1,500 for a three-month trip (single), with significant variation based on multiple factors:
- Age: This is the single biggest factor. Premiums rise sharply with age, particularly after 70.
- Trip Duration: A six-month trip will cost more than a three-month trip, but the daily rate is usually lower for longer durations.
- Pre-Existing Health Conditions: Covering stable pre-existing conditions will increase your premium. The more complex your health, the higher the cost.
- Coverage Amount: Moving from lower to higher coverage will increase the price, but often not dramatically.
- Smoking Status: increases premiums 15-30%. Non-smokers qualify for better rates across all providers.
- Deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance begins.The higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
Example quotes for 70-year-old, non-smoking, no pre-existing conditions, 60-day U.S. trip:
| Provider | Coverage Limit | Premium | Per-Day Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Insurance | Unlimited | $466.67 | $7.78 |
| Medipac | $2M | $471.90 | $7.87 |
| Desjardins | $5M | $480.98 | $8.02 |
| Blue Cross | $5M | $513.67 | $8.56 |
| CAA | $5M | $539.46 | $8.99 |
| Manulife | $10M | $669.60 | $11.16 |
Top Snowbird Travel Insurance Providers in Canada
Many reputable Canadian insurance companies offer travel insurance that is suitable for snowbirds. Here’s an overview of major providers and what makes each distinctive.
Manulife is one of the largest snowbird insurance providers in Canada, offering coverage for trips up to 212 days with strong pre-existing condition options. Their emergency medical plans provide up to $10 million in coverage, and they offer 24/7 emergency assistance.
Allianz Global Assistance provides a wide range of plan options with flexible coverage periods. They’re particularly competitive for healthy travellers, offering some of the most affordable rates for low-risk profiles. If you’re younger (under 70) and don’t have significant health conditions, Allianz often provides excellent value.
Tugo offers coverage up to 212 days and specializes in top-up insurance options if you have existing coverage to supplement. Their pre-existing condition coverage is available with competitive stability periods. Tugo is known for flexible options and carries the legacy reputation.
Blue Cross is a not-for-profit organization claiming to be Canada’s most popular travel insurance provider. They offer up to $5 million in emergency healthcare coverage with an extensive U.S. healthcare network covering 96% of U.S. facilities, which helps with direct billing. They’re known for their flight delay service benefit and strong provider networks.
CAA offers emergency medical plans with up to $5 million coverage and provides a unique pre-existing condition rider that allows conditions to be stable for only 7 days instead of the usual 3 to 6 months (though with a lower coverage limit for that condition). CAA members receive discounts, adding value for existing members.
When comparing providers, consider maximum age limits (some cut off at 80, others go to 90 or beyond), different approaches to pre-existing conditions, stability period requirements, customer service reputation, claim processing speed, and premium costs for your specific age bracket. Do not choose based solely on price. Check out our guide to the top travel insurance providers in Canada for more comprehensive information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others’ mistakes can save you thousands of dollars and a great deal of stress. Here are the most common and costly errors snowbirds make with their travel insurance.
Mistake 1: Not Buying Insurance at All
Some travellers believe “it won’t happen to me”. This is one of the riskiest mistakes you can make. Without coverage, even a minor medical emergency can wipe out decades of retirement savings.
Mistake 2: Lying or Failing to Disclose Medical Information
This is the most common cause of denied claims. You must accurately answer questions about your health history, medications, symptoms, and doctor visits. If you overlook a condition or fail to mention a medication change, the insurer can deny your entire claim, and you may lose the premiums you’ve paid. Always answer every question honestly, even if it increases your premium.
Mistake 3: Not Understanding the Stability Requirement
A medication adjustment made by your doctor two weeks before your trip can void your pre-existing condition coverage, even if the change seems minor. Schedule all medical appointments and potential medication changes well before the stability period begins.
Mistake 4: Waiting Too Long to Buy Insurance
Many policies must be purchased before you leave Canada. Some require purchase within a certain number of days after booking your trip. Pre-existing condition coverage may be unavailable if purchased too close to departure.
Mistake 5: Choosing the Lowest-Priced Policy
The lowest price often indicates significant coverage gaps. A policy may:
- Exclude destinations you plan to visit
- Have age limits that disqualify you
- Exclude coverage for activities you plan to do
- Provide inadequate coverage limits
- Have restrictive pre-existing condition requirements
Read the complete policy wording, not just the summary brochure.
Mistake 6:Selecting Insufficient Coverage
Opting for a $100,000 or $500,000 coverage when travelling to the U.S. is dangerously inadequate. Complex surgeries, along with ICU stays, can easily exceed $500,000. The price difference between $500,000 and $5 million is minimal. Don’t underinsure to save a few dollars.
Mistake 7: Not Calling the Insurer Before Seeking Treatment
Most policies require you to contact the 24/7 assistance line before seeking non-emergency care. If you don’t, your claim may be reduced or even denied. The assistance line can also direct you to network providers and arrange direct billing. While waiting in the hospital for the doctor to examine you or your spouse, it is the best time to call your insurance provider.
Mistake 8: Forgetting to Maintain Provincial Health Coverage
If you exceed the maximum days outside your province and lose your provincial coverage, your travel insurance may become invalid. Be sure to track your days outside Canada and meet all residency requirements. Otherwise, you will need to purchase Visitors to Canada insurance while you wait for your provincial health care to be reinstated.
Protect Your Winter Escape with Proper Coverage
Shopping for snowbird insurance does not have to be complicated. LifeBuzz simplifies the process by letting you compare plans from Canada’s top insurers in one place. Instead of visiting multiple websites, LifeBuzz can instantly deliver personalized quotes from providers like Blue Cross, Manulife, Desjardins, and Medipac, tailored to your age, destination, trip duration, and health status. We save you time and ensure you get the right coverage before you head south for the winter.
FAQs
What happens if I need to extend my trip?
Most policies allow extensions if you request before your current policy expires and haven’t made any claims, and some policies offer automatic extensions under certain conditions. Extension premiums are based on your current age and health status at the time of extension.
Does my credit card travel insurance cover a 6-month snowbird trip?
No. Credit card insurance typically limits coverage to 3-60 days per trip, designed for vacations rather than extended snowbird stays. Credit card insurance will only cover if the whole trip is paid by the credit card and will not cover if travellers are driving to their destination. Don’t rely on credit card coverage for long winter trips.
Will my insurance cover side trips to other countries?
Yes. But it depends on your policy. Most snowbird policies provide worldwide coverage during your coverage period; some are U.S.-only or exclude certain countries. If you plan to take a cruise or visit multiple countries, confirm coverage before departure.
What if my health changes during my trip?
New conditions that develop after your departure are generally covered. However, inform your insurer of significant health changes, as some policies require notification and updates.
The Bottom Line
Snowbird travel insurance is essential protection for Canadian retirees spending extended time in warmer climates. With proper insurance, you can enjoy your winter in the sun with confidence, knowing a medical emergency won’t derail your retirement dreams.