12 Best Travel Insurance Companies in Canada

Last updated Nov 11, 2025

Written by

Ben Nguyen

According to the Blue Cross Travel Study 2025, 51% of Canadians are more likely to purchase travel insurance in 2025 than in previous years. While your provincial health insurance provides coverage within Canada, travel insurance protects you from catastrophic expenses when travelling abroad.

In this guide, we compare Canada’s top 12 travel insurance companies and help you choose the right coverage for your specific travel needs. You’ll find actionable insights to protect both your health and your wallet while travelling.

How We Evaluate Canada’s Travel Insurance Providers

To identify the best travel insurance providers, we analyzed over 25 Canadian companies. Our final list of top providers was selected based on a weighted scoring system across five key categories:

• Coverage & Benefits (40%): Maximum limits for medical, cancellation, and interruption; breadth of included benefits.
• Pricing & Value (20%): Competitiveness of quotes for various traveller profiles (young, senior, family).
• Customer Service & Claims (20%): Analysis of customer reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, and the stated claims process.
• Flexibility & Underwriting (15%): Availability of plans for seniors, those with pre-existing conditions, and adventure sports.
• Transparency (5%): Clarity of policy wording and ease of accessing sample policies.

Why Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Company is Important

While selecting appropriate coverage is necessary, it is equally essential to choose the right providers. A travel insurance policy is a promise on paper. Two policies with identical coverage limits can deliver vastly different outcomes based on the provider. Here are the key criteria that make the company itself matter.

The Claims and Assistance

When you have an emergency, you are at your most vulnerable. A great company will provide a 24/7 assistance line staffed by experienced case managers. They will immediately coordinate with the hospital, arrange for direct payment so you aren’t out-of-pocket for tens of thousands of dollars, and organize medical evacuation if needed.

By contrast, a subpar company may have a simple call center that instructs you to “pay first and claim later.” This can leave you to navigate a foreign medical system alone and face immense upfront costs. Their claims process may be slow, bureaucratic, and designed to find reasons for denial.

Financial Stability, Global Network, and Reputation

You are buying insurance to protect against catastrophic costs. The company you choose must have the financial strength to cover a $250,000 medical evacuation and hospital stay without issue.

• Reputable insurers are large, financially stable entities, often backed by global parent companies. Their long-standing reputation is a valuable asset they work hard to protect by paying legitimate claims fairly and efficiently.
• Unknown or discount providers may not have the capital reserves to handle a high volume of large claims, leading them to be more aggressive in denying claims to protect their bottom line.

Your premium doesn’t just buy coverage limits; it buys a company’s claims philosophy, customer service infrastructure, and global assistance network. In an emergency, the quality of that company is what truly matters.

Best Travel Insurance Companies in Canada 2025

Canadian travellers can choose from 12 major travel insurance providers, each offering distinct advantages for specific types of travellers and situations. The following reviews are organized by each provider’s best use case, highlighting their strengths in areas like comprehensive coverage, family plans, senior care, adventure travel, and budget-friendliness.

Manulife

Manulife CoverMe Travel Insurance delivers exceptional value through its combination of high coverage limits, comprehensive benefits, and competitive pricing.

Key strengths:

• Emergency medical coverage up to $10 million provides substantial protection for serious illness or injury, making it an ideal option for travellers to high-cost destinations like the United States.
• All-inclusive packages combine medical, trip cancellation, baggage, and delay coverage in a single policy
• Companion discounts reduce costs for couples travelling together
• No medical questionnaire required for travellers under 60, simplifying the application

Best suited for: International travellers seeking maximum medical protection, couples who can benefit from companion pricing, and travellers under 60 who want to avoid medical questionnaires. Particularly strong for U.S. travel, where medical costs can be astronomical.

Considerations: Trip cancellation limits of $5,000 per person may be insufficient for luxury travellers. Travellers over 60 must complete medical questionnaires, and those with multiple pre-existing conditions may face higher premiums than with specialized senior insurers like Destination Canada.

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance is a global leader with over 30 years of experience helping Canadians and a presence in 44 countries. It is an excellent choice for frequent business travellers, thanks to its robust multi-trip annual plan options and comprehensive trip cancellation insurance. Allianz maintains a strong global assistance network for rapid claim response.

Key strengths:

• Multi-trip annual plans cover unlimited trips within a year, each up to a specified duration (typically 15, 30, or 60 days)
• Comprehensive trip cancellation and interruption coverage protects valuable business travel investments
• Cancel Anytime upgrade available on OneTrip Prime and Premier plans, providing up to 80% reimbursement if you cancel for any reason (higher than most competitors’ 50-75%)
• 24/7 emergency assistance hotline with multilingual support
• Optional rental car damage waiver coverage available as an add-on or standalone policy

Best suited for: Business travellers taking 3+ trips annually, corporate travel managers seeking consistent coverage for employees, and frequent travellers who prefer a single annual policy over purchasing per-trip coverage.

Considerations: Annual plans with 15-day per-trip limits may be insufficient for travellers taking longer vacations. Higher-tier plans (Prime, Premier) are required for Cancel Anytime coverage and the highest medical limits. Travellers over 65 face significant premium increases, often two to three times the cost of middle-aged travellers.

Blue Cross

Blue Cross travel insurance stands out for family-friendly pricing and generous trip duration limits. Administered through seven regional not-for-profit providers across Canada, Blue Cross offers localized service with consistent national coverage standards.

Key strengths:

• Extremely affordable family coverage for a family of four for basic plans
• Multi-trip annual plans allow trips up to 180 days each, ideal for extended family vacations
• Coverage for stable pre-existing conditions is available with appropriate stability periods
• Top-up plans available for existing credit card coverage, adding only the protection your credit card lacks
• Access to an extensive healthcare provider network across Canada and internationally

Best suited for: Families with children, couples planning extended vacations, budget-conscious travellers seeking reliable coverage from an established provider, and those taking multiple family trips annually.

Considerations: Basic plans often lack trip cancellation coverage, necessitating the purchase of a comprehensive plan upgrade.

GMS (Group Medical Services)

GMS (Group Medical Services) is an ideal choice for travellers who want an all-in-one solution without paying for the highest-end premiums.

Key strengths:

• Emergency medical coverage up to $5 million provides substantial protection
• Customizable deductibles allow travellers to adjust premium costs
• Plans available for individuals, couples, and families with flexible policy durations

Best for: General travellers seeking balanced, all-in-one protection, students requiring affordable coverage with virtual care access, families wanting customizable deductibles, and travellers preferring to build policies that match their specific needs rather than accepting pre-packaged plans.

Considerations: Not specifically designed for seniors or adventure travellers.

Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard, underwritten by AIG, is one of the world’s largest travel insurance providers. They specialize in comprehensive protection for travellers investing significantly in vacations, particularly luxury cruises, premium tours, and expensive international trips where financial stakes are high.

Key strengths:

• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage up to 150% of trip costs (Preferred Standard)
• Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) optional coverage reimbursing 75% of non-refundable costs if purchased within 14 days of initial deposit
• Global assistance network with direct billing arrangements in 200+ countries
• Concierge services on premium plans for restaurant reservations, event tickets, and travel assistance
• Rental car damage coverage included

Best suited for: Expensive vacation bookings. Travellers to high-cost medical destinations require unlimited coverage. Older travellers (60+) seeking comprehensive medical protection. Business travellers need reliable global assistance. Anyone wanting Cancel for Any Reason flexibility.

Considerations: Premium pricing is 30-50% higher than that of budget insurers. Pre-existing condition coverage requires purchase within 14 days of initial deposit. Adventure sports require additional riders.

Destination Canada

Destination Travel specializes in travel insurance for Canadian seniors, particularly those with stable pre-existing medical conditions. The company’s focus on the 60+ market results in policies tailored to the specific needs of older travellers.

Key strengths:

• Flexible stability period options (90, 180, or 365 days) accommodate various health situations
• Medical questionnaire-based underwriting considers individual circumstances rather than blanket exclusions
• Competitive pricing for seniors compared to general market insurers
• Specialization in short-duration travel to the United States and within Canada

Best suited for: Canadian seniors with stable chronic conditions, snowbirds planning extended U.S. stays, travellers who have been declined elsewhere due to medical history, and those needing shorter stability periods than competitors require.

Considerations: Focusing on short-duration travel may not be suitable for seniors planning extended trips of 6-12 months. Not ideal for young travellers. Trip cancellation and baggage coverage often require a separate purchase rather than all-inclusive packages.

Tugo

TuGo distinguishes itself through inclusive age acceptance (up to 89 years old) and comprehensive adventure sports coverage. The company’s flexible underwriting makes it accessible to travellers that other insurers often decline.

Key strengths:

• Accepts travellers up to age 89, among the oldest age limits in Canada
• Covers over 200 adventure activities, including skiing, scuba diving, and extreme sports
• Optional coverage available for unstable pre-existing conditions for travellers under 79
• Flexible stability period requirements based on age and trip length

Best suited for: Senior travellers aged 86-89 who have no other insurance options, adventure travellers planning skiing/diving/extreme activities, travellers with pre-existing conditions requiring flexible underwriting, and travellers visiting remote destinations requiring evacuation coverage.

Considerations: Higher premiums than standard insurers reflect increased risk of adventure activities and older age acceptance. Unstable pre-existing condition coverage is available only under age 79 and comes with significant premium increases. Claims processing is slightly slower than competitors’ due to more complex risk assessments.

21st Century

21st Century Travel Insurance is one of the most affordable travel insurance options on the market, making it an excellent choice for travellers looking for essential protection without a high price tag.

Key strengths:

• Price is typically 40-60% less than other leading providers
• Simple plan structure eliminates confusion
• No deductibles on medical coverage
• Instant online quotes without medical questionnaires for healthy travellers under 60
• 30-day free look period versus the typical 10 days

Best suited for: International students, backpackers, and any traveller who wants simple, affordable, and essential medical protection for their trip.

Considerations: No adventure sports coverage. Restrictive pre-existing condition coverage (90-180 day stability periods). Customer service is limited to email/chat during business hours. Smaller company with limited financial reserves. No CFAR, concierge services, or premium features available.

Canada’s Bank-Provided Travel Insurance

Canada’s major banks offer solid insurance products, often in partnership with large underwriters like Manulife or Allianz.

RBC Travel Insurance

RBC Travel Insurance provides comprehensive coverage packages with high limits and extensive benefits. While more expensive than basic competitors, RBC’s Deluxe packages offer ultimate peace of mind through very high coverage maximums and additional protections.

Key strengths:

• Unlimited emergency medical coverage (with valid government health insurance)
• Deluxe packages available for both single-trip and multi-trip annual plans
• Registered nurses and consulting physicians are available 24/7 for medical guidance
• Group discounts available for parties of 10 or more travellers

Considerations: Significantly higher pricing than budget alternatives requires careful value assessment. Unlimited medical coverage requires maintaining valid provincial health insurance, which may lapse during extended travel abroad. Group discounts require a minimum of 10 travellers booking together, limiting applicability. Some premium features, like concierge services, may be unnecessary for most travellers.

TD Travel Insurance

TD Travel Insurance, offered by another of Canada’s largest banks, provides convenient and straightforward coverage options for existing TD Bank customers, with seamless integration into online banking.

Key strengths:

• Unique coverage includes escorting children and pets home at no extra cost during emergencies -an exclusive benefit not offered by any other Canadian provider
• 24/7 emergency assistance accessible worldwide with guaranteed callback within 30 minutes
• TD Rewards points earned on premium purchases (though coverage should never be selected based on rewards alone)
• Automatic coverage for trips booked with certain TD credit cards, providing basic protection without a separate purchase

Best suited for: TD Bank customers seeking convenience, travellers wanting a straightforward plan selection without extensive customization, and those who value integrated banking relationships.

Considerations: Higher pricing than some competitors. Limited customization. Medical coverage limit of $5 million is adequate for most travel, but potentially insufficient for extended U.S. stays. Trip cancellation/interruption coverage requires a separate purchase or a higher-tier plan selection.

What Are the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Seniors and Snowbirds?

Senior travellers and snowbirds aged 60 and above require specialized travel insurance with flexible pre-existing condition coverage and extended trip duration options up to 180 days. The primary concerns for this group are ensuring their health conditions are covered, having high limits for emergency medical coverage, and finding a provider that accepts older ages. The stability period is a critical factor, as it dictates whether a pre-existing condition is covered.

Age limits vary significantly by provider. Most insurers accept travellers up to age 80 or 85, while TuGo accepts applicants up to age 89, the highest age limit among Canadian travel insurers. Stability period requirements increase with age across all providers, reflecting higher health risks:

Age Range	Typical Stability Period	Example Providers
Under 60	7-90 days	Manulife (no questionnaire), TuGo (7-90 days)
60-74	180 days	TuGo (180 days), Blue Cross (varies), Destination Canada (flexible)
75+	365 days	TuGo (365 days), Destination Canada (flexible)

Extended stay coverage accommodates snowbirds travelling 90 to 180 days per trip. Blue Cross multi-trip plans allow for up to 180 days per trip, making them ideal for seniors who spend their entire winters abroad. TD’s 55+ Extended Stay Plan covers trips up to 212 days, specifically designed for prolonged winter escapes.

What Are the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Super Visa Applicants?

Super Visa insurance is mandatory coverage meeting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visiting Canada.

Destination Canada is one of the top providers of Super Visa insurance. They offer flexible payment options (monthly, quarterly, annually), accommodating different financial situations, competitive pricing for Super Visa applicants specifically, easy policy extensions when visits extend beyond original plans, refunds available if visa application denied (critical protection), specialize in senior visitors, and meet all IRCC requirements explicitly.

Another option is Manulife, which offers medical coverage of up to $1 million or more. They have a broad medical support network across Canada, coverage for stable pre-existing conditions (necessary for older visitors) and strong claims support.

How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Providers

Choosing the right travel insurance coverage requires matching your coverage to the specific characteristics of your trip, your health status, and your risk tolerance. Our comprehensive analysis helps you identify the best travel insurance provider for your situation. Here’s how to apply our research:

Step 1: Identify your traveller profile. Are you a healthy young adult, a family with children, a senior with medical conditions, an adventure seeker, a business traveller, or a student? Different profiles prioritize different provider strengths.

Step 2: Determine your coverage priorities. Do you need maximum medical coverage, comprehensive trip cancellation protection, adventure sports inclusion, pre-existing condition coverage, or budget-friendly basic protection? Match priorities to provider strengths.

Step 3: Review our top recommendations for your profile and priorities. We identify “Best for…” categories to guide matching.

Step 4: Compare quotes from 2-3 top matches. Despite our research, pricing varies by individual circumstances, so always compare quotes for your specific trip details, age, and medical history.

Step 5: Read the policy before purchasing. Review the actual Certificate of Insurance (where available), not just marketing materials, to understand exactly what’s covered and excluded.

Step 6: Consider trade-offs. The cheapest option may lack important coverage. The most comprehensive coverage may include unnecessary protection you’re paying for but won’t use. Find the appropriate balance for your situation and risk tolerance.

Summary

Choosing the right travel insurance is an essential part of trip planning. It is not a luxury; it is a critical safeguard against devastating financial loss. While the cheapest plan might be tempting, the best plan is the one that actually covers you when you need it.

Take the time to assess your needs, be rigorously honest about your health, compare your options, and read your policy. By investing a small percentage of your trip cost in a robust insurance plan from a reputable provider, you are buying more than just a policy; you are buying peace of mind. Travel confidently, knowing you are protected.

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