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- What is travel insurance for seniors in Canada?
- Types of travel insurance coverages for seniors in Canada
- Travel insurance for seniors vs. snowbird insurance vs. standard travel insurance
- Factors that impact your quote for travel insurance for seniors
- Tips for travelling seniors from Canada
- Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for seniors in Canada
Contributing writer
Updated On
August 1, 2024What is travel insurance for seniors in Canada?
Travel insurance for seniors is insurance coverage designed specifically for elderly travellers – typically aged 65 or older. The reason seniors get their own travel insurance is simple – they are more likely to have health issues while travelling than their younger counterparts. Despite this, seniors tend to travel often – probably due to having enough disposable income and free time to do so (especially after retirement). According to Statistics Canada, Canadians over 65 account for 14% of all travellers (among those travelling outside the US).
Given that health coverage abroad is expensive – especially in the US, where many Canadian seniors tend to travel – buying travel insurance can be indispensable. You don’t have to even have any extreme health conditions. For instance, you may sprain your ankle and require pain medications. Or you may need to replace luggage that gets stolen or lost. Sometimes, you may even need to get re-imbursed for a non-refundable booking. Your insurance can cover all these costs.
There are different travel insurance options too. You can get one-time trip coverage, if you travel only once in a blue moon, or comprehensive year-round coverage, which would cover you for unlimited trips for 365 days – regardless of where you’re going.
Considering how high your travel expenses may end up being, travel insurance for seniors is relatively inexpensive – usually a few hundred dollars or less. Your coverage amount, on the other hand, can range from $1 million to $5 million. So, if you’re looking to save money while travelling, travel insurance is the best investment you can make (for seniors or otherwise).
Types of travel insurance coverages for seniors in Canada
There are several different coverages that you can purchase when it comes to travel insurance for seniors. Here’s what they are:
Coverage for pre-existing conditions: If you have a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer or asthma, a standard travel insurance policy is unlikely to cover you – particularly if you’re over 65. Travel insurance for seniors, on the other hand, will do so without an issue, as long as you’re not in a critical condition. Depending on the severity of your condition, however, the insurer may require you to disclose that you have been stable for 90 consecutive days.
In fact, you’ll likely have to fill out an extensive health questionnaire to provide your insurer with as much information about your health as possible, so they can guarantee you full coverage.
We recommend purchasing this coverage even if you’re travelling to a different province within Canada, as you may still end up paying out of pocket due the limitations of your provincial health insurance.
Coverage for trip delays, cancellations, or interruptions: This is something you can purchase as part of your standard travel insurance as well. Should your flight get cancelled, interrupted or delayed by six hours or more, your travel insurance can cover additional expenses such as accommodation and food.
In the case of a cancellation, insurance will re-imburse you for non-refundable bookings – provided the peril responsible for the cancellation is covered by the policy. The same applies if your trip gets interrupted by an unexpected event, requiring you to return home sooner.
- Lost baggage coverage: If your baggage gets lost, replacing the items within can be pricy, so it’s not a bad idea to insure it. You can purchase this coverage from your credit card provider, if you prefer, but be aware that you may not be fully covered. Purchasing this as an add-on to your travel insurance would provide you with greater protection and peace of mind – particularly if you’re not someone who travels light.
- Single or multi-trip coverage: Depending on how often you intend to travel during a year, you may opt for either single- or multi-trip coverage. If you travel multiple times a year, you should purchase multi-trip coverage to cover all your trips in one go. You can even get top-up insurance, if you happen to run out of your covered travel days.
Travel insurance for seniors vs. snowbird insurance vs. standard travel insurance
If you’re wondering how travel insurance for seniors compares to standard travel insurance as well as snowbird travel insurance, here’s a quick chart to help you out:
| Travel insurance for seniors | Snowbird travel insurance | Standard travel insurance | |
| Who is it for? | Travellers aged 65 or older. | Travellers aged 65 or older, who travel for extended periods of time. | Travellers of any age, including children and adults. |
| Pre-existing health conditions | Covers pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and cancer. Exact coverage will vary by provider. | Covers pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and cancer. Exact coverage will vary by provider. | Provides limited coverage for pre-existing health conditions. Many conditions may not qualify, and age limits may be imposed (the older you are, the less likely you are to get coverage). |
| Medical questionnaire | You may need to fill out a detailed medical questionnaire to qualify for coverage. | You may need to fill out a detailed medical questionnaire to qualify for coverage. | No need to fill out a medical questionnaire to qualify for coverage – though it is best to disclose your pre-existing conditions. |
| Trip duration | Single trips may be limited to a certain amount of days – up to 30 days or longer (regardless of whether you have single- or multi-trip coverage). | Snowbird trips tend to last longer. Single-trip coverage can be as long as 212 days, while multi-trip coverage can be 365 days, with nine to 60 days between every destination. | Single trips may be limited to a certain amount of days – up to 30 days or longer (regardless of whether you have single- or multi-trip coverage). |
| Pricing | Tends to be more expensive due to increased health risks, pre-existing conditions and older age. Costs can be several hundreds of dollars, depending on your required coverage. | Tends to be more expensive due to increased health risks, pre-existing conditions and older age. Costs can be several hundreds of dollars, depending on your required coverage. | Tends be cheaper, as this insurance type does not cover increased health risks or pre-existing health conditions. |
Factors that impact your quote for travel insurance for seniors
There are several factors that will impact the price of your travel insurance for seniors, including:
- Your health: The healthier you are, the lower your cost will be. Conversely, if you have a pre-existing health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your costs will be higher, as you would pose a higher risk for the insurer. The severity of your condition will also factor into the cost.
- Your age: The older you are, the more likely you are to suffer a health-related incident abroad – with or without pre-existing conditions. This means that your older age can increase your premium. In fact, as you age, your travel insurance premium will continue to increase.
- Your trip costs: The more expensive your bookings are for the trip, the more you will pay for your travel insurance, because re-imbursing you for those costs would be more expensive for the insurer.
- Your trip duration: Longer trips typically mean higher trip costs. Furthermore, the longer the trip lasts, the more likely you are to have an accident or a health-related problem. Increased risks like this translate into higher premiums.
- Your destination: Some countries are riskier to visit than others due to a variety of factors – from higher crime rates to increased political instability. Some countries may not get coverage altogether, if they are deemed too risky to visit, especially if the Canadian government has advised against doing so.
- Your coverage: The more add-ons and coverage you purchase, the more expensive your travel insurance will be. For instance, all-inclusive coverage will cost more than basic coverage due to having more bells and whistles attached to it.
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Tips for travelling seniors from Canada
If you’re a senior travelling from Canada to another country, consider doing the following before departing:
1. Ensure your destination is safe
Check the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories to make sure your destination is a safe place to visit. Your insurance coverage and personal well-being will depend on it. Certain countries may be limited to non-essential travel only, while others may have an ‘avoid all travel’ advisory. You should also check your destination for these:
- Local safety conditions
- Areas to avoid
- Entry and exit requirements
- Heatlh hazards and restrictions
- Climate hazards
- Accessibility options (if you have a disability)
- Medication restrictions (e.g. certain medications you require may be prohibited)
2. Get your documents in order
Make sure you have all your necessary travel documents. Your passport needs to be valid for the duration of at least six months to visit most destinations outside of Canada. If you’re going away for longer, then your passport would have to be valid for an even longer period. It’s a good idea to renew your passport well before leaving the country.
While you don’t need to open a visa for many countries if you have a Canadian passport, most countries will require a visa if your stay is longer than 90 days. Given that seniors tend to have longer stays, make sure you’re allowed to remain in the country for an extended period of time, if that’s your intention.
Other documents to be mindful of include your insurance policy and proof of vaccination (if required for the trip). It’s also a good idea to make copies of all your documents, and if possible, store them in the cloud.
3. Register your trip
If you’re travelling to a country deemed risky, you may want to sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Should an emergency arise, the service can contact and assist you – in addition to connecting you with your friends and family, if necessary.
4. Get vaccinated
Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date – and do so well ahead of your trip, since as you get older, developing immunity takes longer. Be sure to also have the regular vaccinations and boosters recommended within Canada, such as the pneumococcal vaccine as well as influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, check your destination to be sure that you’re vaccinated against the viral infections you may contract over there, such as yellow fever. Some countries require proof of vaccination before allowing you to enter.
5. Visit your doctor prior to your trip
Ask your doctor to do a complete medical check-up on you before your trip. This is doubly important if you have pre-existing health conditions. In addition, your doctor may provide advice on what to avoid when travelling abroad, including foods that may worsen your pre-existing conditions.
6. Organize your luggage with your needs in mind
Make sure everything you need during the flight – especially if it’s a long flight – is in your carry-on. This may include your required medication, painkillers, band-aids and other medical items. You may also want your luggage to have wheels to avoid unnecessary exhaustion or strain.
7. Buy travel insurance
If you’re planning to travel for an extended duration or have pre-existing medical conditions, buying travel insurance is a must. To find the cheapest option, consider comparing travel insurance quotes for free on a comparison site such as InsuranceHotline.com.
Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for seniors in Canada
Why do I need travel insurance as a senior in Canada travelling overseas?
Whether you’re a senior or not, travel insurance will help you avoid unnecessary expenses due to setbacks such as flight cancellations, lost baggage or a potential medical visit because of an injury or unexpected health issue.
Elderly travellers in particular are at a higher risk of suffering medical problems – both due to their age and pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma. Doctor visits outside of Canada can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, so having some form of coverage is never a bad idea – regardless of your age.
How much coverage do I need as a Canadian senior travelling abroad?
When choosing your travel insurance, make sure it covers medical costs, especially those involving pre-existing medical conditions. Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, meaning that if you suffer an incident abroad because of the said condition, your travel insurance claim may get rejected. Other coverage types will depend on your needs, destination and overall comfort level. For instance, you may also want to purchase coverage for trip cancellations, lost luggage, evacuations and transportation hiccups.
Can I get insurance as a traveller elder if I have pre-existing conditions?
Yes. That’s what senior travel insurance is for. That said, your pre-existing health condition needs to be stable for at least 90 days for you to qualify for coverage. In addition, some health conditions are more severe than others, meaning that not all insurers will cover you – at least, not until the condition meets their approval threshold.
When disclosing your pre-existing conditions, be as honest and thorough as you can – or your potential claim may get rejected.
Which insurance company provides the cheapest senior travel insurance in Canada?
It’s impossible to tell which provider would offer you the cheapest senior travel insurance because every insurance company has its own way of calculating premiums and each traveller has their own unique needs. For instance, you may or may not have a pre-existing condition. The severity of the said condition may also matter, since the more severe the condition is, the more risk it is likely to pose, and thus, incur higher costs. There are other factors as well, such as your age, destination and trip duration.
To find the cheapest quote for your travel needs, your best bet is to consult a comparison site like InsuranceHotline.com, where you can find affordable premiums from over 50 top providers in Canada.
Does travel insurance for seniors cover multiple trips?
Yes. You can purchase senior travel insurance to cover either one trip or multiple trips over a year (or 365 days). If you intend to travel multiple times a year, multi-trip coverage is best, since you only need to purchase it once a year. Do note, however, that multi-trip coverage has limits on each trip – up to 30 days, in some cases. Should you run out of covered days, you can purchase more of them as an add-on to your existing coverage.
What is the highest insurable age group for travel insurance for seniors?
There is no hard limit when it comes to age. You just need to be willing to disclose your pre-existing health conditions to the insurer. As long as those pre-existing conditions are stable, your age won’t preclude you from purchasing travel insurance. That said, depending on your condition and its severity, your insurance may be cheaper or more expensive.
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