Do You Need Travel Insurance as a Canadian?

Many Canadians assume their provincial health plan covers them while travelling. The reality is that coverage outside your home province is limited, and coverage outside Canada is minimal or nonexistent. What provincial plans cover abroad: OHIP (Ontario) covers virtually nothing outside Canada. Even within other Canadian provinces, OHIP reimburses at Ontario rates, which may not cover the full cost of care. Other provincial plans have similar limitations. Why travel insurance matters: an emergency hospital visit in the United States can cost $10,000 to $100,000+ without insurance. Medical evacuation can cost $50,000 or more. Even a minor injury or illness treated at a foreign clinic can generate bills in the thousands. What basic travel insurance typically covers includes emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, prescription medications for emergencies, medical evacuation and repatriation, and trip cancellation and interruption. How to choose a policy: check the coverage limit (at least $1 million for trips outside Canada is recommended), read exclusions carefully (pre-existing conditions are often excluded), ensure the policy covers COVID-19 and pandemic-related events, and consider an annual plan if you travel frequently. Many credit cards include basic travel insurance, but coverage limits may be inadequate. *This article is for informational purposes only.*

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Content reviewed by licensed Canadian physicians. Last updated February 2026.