There are many reputable Canadian insurance providers offering travel insurance policies for snowbirds and retirees. You should compare policies, coverage, and pricing to choose the best fit for your needs. The example insurance quotes shown below are for a 70-year-old Ontario resident visiting the United States from January 1 to March 1, 2025, with no pre-existing medical conditions. These quotes are for illustrative purposes only. Your actual insurance quotes may vary. See each company’s website for full details.

Snowbird Travel Insurance Cost for a 2-Month Trip to the U.S.

Example quotes for a 70-year-old with no pre-existing conditions

RBC Insurance

Emergency Medical Coverage: Unlimited

RBC offers travel medical insurance for snowbirds aged 65 and over through their TravelCare Medical Plan. What makes this stand out from policies offered by other insurance companies is that it offers unlimited emergency medical coverage, instead of the usual $1 million or $5 million limit, for those that currently have valid government health plan coverage. Examples of government health plan coverage include OHIP for Ontario residents, AHCIP for Alberta residents, MSP for BC residents, and RAMQ for Quebec residents. Otherwise, coverage by RBC is for up to $20,000. Another benefit is that it includes direct payment of medical bills, which means that you won’t have to pay your medical expenses upfront and wait for compensation later.

TravelCare Medical also covers emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, a companion’s airfare to travel to your bedside, return of vehicle, return of children, emergency dental treatment of up to $300, return of excess baggage of up to $500, return of dog or cat up to $500, and up to $1,750 in out of pocket expenses, such as accommodations and meals.

A medical questionnaire is required and determines which category you can purchase. There are three TravelCare categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The difference between them is how long a pre-existing medical condition must have been stable to be eligible for unlimited emergency medical coverage. For Bronze, it would need to have been stable for at least 365 days, while for Silver, it is 180 days, and for Gold, it is 90 days.

The TravelCare Medical Plan can be purchased as either a single-trip or multi-trip plan. For snowbirds looking to travel multiple times in a year, you can choose from 9, 16, 30, and 60-day trips under their annual multi-trip plan. 30-day and 60-day coverage is only available if you are under the age of 80. A single trip with a TravelCare Medical Plan can last up to 183 days. You may be eligible to top-up a single trip beyond 183 days, up to 365 days if you are under the age of 74 for either TravelCare Silver or Gold Medical and have a valid government health insurance plan.

RBC Snowbird Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional 70-year-old with no pre-existing conditions visiting the U.S. for two months

Medipac

Emergency Medical Coverage: $2 Million USD

Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association for more than 25 years, the standard Medipac Travel Insurance Plan provides coverage for up to $2,000,000 USD for costs such as emergency medical expenses, vehicle return, return of spouse and dependent children, and coverage for COVID-19. It also has a 24-hour hotline for assistance, medical advice, and referrals.

For an additional $147, you can add MedipacMAX, which increases the maximum benefit from $2 million to $5 million and still covers COVID-19 as well. Medipac has three rate categories based on your medical questionnaire answers: Standard, Preferred, and Preferred Plus.

Medipac offers many ways to save on your travel insurance. New Medipac clients can save 1% for every year that they have been travel medical insurance claim-free and have not been hospitalized, up to a maximum discount of 5%. Current Medipac clients receive a 1% loyalty credit for each year, up to ten years for a 10% credit.

Staying claims-free with Medipac will save you 1% each year up to a maximum 10% discount. If you live in PEI, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, or Yukon, you can save another 5%.

Medipac Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional non-smoking 70-year-old with no pre-existing conditions visiting the U.S. for two months with a $0 deductible

Desjardins

Emergency Medical Coverage: $5 Million

Snowbird travel insurance by Desjardins Insurance offers up to $5 million in emergency health care coverage, with 24/7 travel assistance and no medical questionnaire if you’re under 61. One feature that makes Desjardins stand out is their Quattra Advantage plan, a multi-trip annual plan targeted towards snowbirds, that allows snowbirds aged 61 to 80 to complete a medical questionnaire once that will be valid for four years. Even if your health changes, your premiums or insurance eligibility will not be affected during those four years. This can be a great option for those with pre-existing conditions or anticipate changes in their health.

Desjardins offers a 3-day discount to members, such as Odyssey credit cardholders. This gives you three days of free travel insurance that covers emergency healthcare, trip cancellation, baggage, and accidents. For example, if you purchase 14 days of coverage, you would only have to pay for 11 days.

Another way to save with Desjardins is their family premium option. If multiple members of a family are travelling together and are insured under the same contract, you will only need to pay for the two oldest family members. This means your children or grandchildren can get free emergency healthcare, baggage, and accident coverage.

Desjardins Snowbird Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional non-smoking 70-year-old with no pre-existing conditions visiting Florida for two months

Manulife

Emergency Medical Coverage: $10 Million

Manulife’s emergency medical plan has a higher coverage limit of $10 million. This can even cover quarantine expenses if you need to self-isolate or quarantine. An add-on allows coverage to continue even if the Government of Canada issues an advisory to avoid non-essential travel due to a virus or disease prior to your departure date.

A separate “COVID-19 Pandemic Travel plan” includes coverage for up to $1 million in expenses related to COVID-19, which is increased to $5 million coverage if you are vaccinated for COVID-19. It also has trip interruption coverage, such as the cost to return home or for hotel and meal expenses.

For those in certain rate categories, Manulife will not pay any related expenses due to a pre-existing medical condition if it is not stable for either three or six months before the policy’s effective date.

Manulife offers additional benefits when travelling within Canada outside of your home province. With the multi-trip annual plan, there is no trip duration limit. Plus, pre-existing medical condition exclusions are waived. This means that your pre-existing condition would not have to have been stable for at least three or six months to be covered. Single-trip plans only within Canada will also get a 50% discount.

Manulife CoverMe Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional non-smoking 70-year-old with no pre-existing conditions visiting the United States for two months

CAA

Emergency Medical Coverage: $5 Million

CAA offers a pre-existing condition rider that allows a pre-existing medical condition to have been stable for only seven days, instead of the usual 3 or 6 months, and be covered for up to $200,000 CAD. For CAA’s regular Emergency Medical plan, it provides $5 million of coverage outside your home province. Add-ons include things like adventurous air activities or professional sporting events. CAA Members can get a discount as well.

CAA Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional non-smoking 70-year-old, who has had a check-up in the past 18 months, with no pre-existing conditions, visiting the United States for two months

Blue Cross

Emergency Medical Coverage: $5 Million

Blue Cross is a non-profit organization claiming to be Canada's most popular travel insurance provider for the past five years. Blue Cross touts its extensive healthcare network for snowbirds headed to the United States, covering 96% of U.S. facilities. This helps with direct billing and claims. Their standard emergency medical care plan covers up to $5,000,000 for hospital and medical expenses, which also includes COVID-19 if contracted after the policy’s effective date.

An add-on to reduce the required stability period of a pre-existing condition can be purchased, bringing the stability period from 6 months to 3 months. A free benefit for all Blue Cross travel insurance plans is their Flight Delay Service, which provides access to an airport lounge or $40 if there is a flight delay of three hours or more, or a hotel room plus a $50 allowance for delays of six hours or more.

Blue Cross Snowbird Travel Insurance Example Quotes

For a fictional non-smoking 70-year-old who has had a check-up in the past 18 months, with no pre-existing conditions visiting the United States for two months and a $0 deductible

Snowbird travel insurance offers a range of coverages for the unique needs of those spending extended periods away from home. This includes:

Medical Emergencies

One of the main reasons for getting snowbird travel insurance is for medical coverage, and it’s one of the most important things for snowbirds to know about. Healthcare costs can be astronomical in foreign countries where your regular health insurance may not apply or might not fully cover costs, especially in the United States. Whether it’s an unexpected illness or an accident, having medical coverage ensures that you won’t be out of pocket for expensive medical bills.

It’s common for travel insurance to include coverage for up to $5 million in emergency medical expenses. Some policies, such as RBC Insurance’s TravelCare Medical Plan, may even have unlimited emergency medical coverage.

Trip Cancellations and Interruptions

Snowbird travel insurance can cover trip cancellations and interruptions, protecting you from financial losses if unforeseen circumstances force a change in plans. This could include anything from severe weather conditions to unexpected family emergencies.

It covers costs such as non-refundable flight tickets, accommodation reservations, and other prepaid expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of an interruption, such as last-minute accommodations, meals, and transportation, may also be reimbursed.

Lost or Delayed Baggage

There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your destination without your luggage. While snowbird travel insurance doesn't magically guarantee that your bags won't go missing, it can offer coverage for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage. This includes reimbursement for essential items purchased while waiting for your luggage to arrive, like clothing and toiletries. Coverage for lost or damaged luggage is typically for up to $1,000 or $1,500. Delayed baggage coverage usually ranges up to $500 after a certain period of time has elapsed, depending on the policy.

Coverage Length

Given the extended nature of snowbird travel, you must choose a policy that matches your travel duration. Some policies offer coverage for up to six months, while others may extend even longer. For example, Canadians purchasing a home in the U.S. and planning to spend their winters there will need coverage for longer periods. Ensure the policy aligns with your travel schedule.

Pre-existing Conditions

Many retirees have pre-existing health conditions. Travel insurance policies may require a medical screening or questionnaire to determine coverage and associated costs. They usually also have a minimum period of stability for pre-existing conditions to be covered. Make sure that you choose a plan that you are eligible for that covers necessary medical treatment related to your condition during your travels.

Emergency Services

Look for 24/7 emergency assistance, which can help in navigating medical facilities and coordinating care in unfamiliar locations.

What is a single-trip vs multi-trip policy?

A single-trip policy covers you for one specific trip, while a multi-trip policy covers multiple trips within a set period (usually 1 year), up to a maximum duration for each trip. Multi-trip policies are more cost-effective if you travel frequently.

Single-trip policies may be sufficient if you plan on spending an extended period in one destination, such as a second home in Florida during the winter months. However, if you prefer to make multiple shorter visits throughout the year, a multi-trip policy might offer better value instead of buying a single-trip policy each time.

What is a medical questionnaire?

A medical questionnaire is a form that asks about your current health status and any pre-existing conditions. Insurance providers usually require this for older travellers to determine their eligibility for coverage or to tailor their policy based on their specific needs. It's important to answer these questions honestly and accurately, as failure to answer a medical questionnaire accurately could result in a voided policy and denied claims.

Why do snowbirds need travel insurance?

Travel insurance provides financial protection for snowbirds and peace of mind while spending extended periods away from home, particularly in another country. It's especially important for older travellers, as healthcare costs can be significantly higher abroad. While some credit cards may have travel insurance included, they often have age limits or low coverage amounts.

Common benefits of travel insurance include coverage for unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and travel interruptions. Additionally, many countries require proof of insurance for visitors. For example, this includes the Schengen Area if you are staying for longer than 90 days and require a visa, such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Other countries that require travel insurance for entry include Turkey, Cuba, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

What factors influence the cost of travel insurance?

The cost of travel insurance is impacted by the traveller's age, pre-existing health conditions, duration of stay, chosen coverage limits, deductible, and destination country. Older individuals and those with pre-existing conditions will face higher premiums due to increased risk levels. Longer trips or destinations with higher healthcare costs can also contribute to more expensive policies.