Travel insurance for visiting Canada: what to check

What public cover does not do for visitors

IRCC answers the question directly: “Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors.” It adds: “You should get health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.” (IRCC page modified 28 September 2026.)

BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) is for residents. The BC Government’s eligibility page says a person must be a B.C. resident to qualify, which it defines by citizenship or permanent residence, making a home in B.C., and being in B.C. at least six months in a calendar year. Health Canada’s explainer says extra services such as prescription drugs and ambulance services are “highly subsidized for residents of a province or territory but not for visitors.”

If you are visiting from another province or country, check with your own health plan and your insurer before you travel about what they pay, and whether they pay up front.

What the Government of Canada says to check

The two Government of Canada pages below are written for Canadians travelling outside Canada, but the questions they raise apply to any traveller reading a policy:

• Emergency medical and hospital care, and how the policy handles treatment away from home.
• Medical evacuation “to Canada or to the nearest place with medical care”, and a medical escort.
• Repatriation of remains.
• Pre-existing conditions: how the policy defines them, any limits, and written confirmation that yours is covered. Ask about a stability clause, a compassion clause and a change-of-health clause.
• Deductibles, and whether the insurer pays hospital bills up front or provides cash advances.
• Exclusions: certain countries or regions, activities such as mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving or extreme sports, drug or alcohol-related incidents, and mental health disorders.
• Pregnancy: “Most policies do not automatically cover pregnancy-related conditions.”
• Travel advisories: a government advisory “could affect your insurance coverage”.

Trip interruption and trip cancellation

Trip interruption cover reimburses the unused part of a trip if an unforeseen event forces an early return. Trip cancellation applies only before you leave. They are different from medical cover, and a policy can include some and not others.

Before you buy

Read the policy’s definitions and exclusions, not just the summary. Keep the policy number with you. For entry documents rather than insurance, see Canada entry requirements.