Compare your coverage the right way
First, pick the right type of plan. Then compare insurers on what actually matters. Here’s a clear way to do both — and I’m happy to run the comparison for you.
Step 1 — pick the right type of plan
| Visitor insurance | Travel medical | Super Visa insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Visitors to Canada | Residents/newcomers going abroad | Parents & grandparents on a Super Visa |
| Direction | Inbound | Outbound | Inbound (long stay) |
| Covers | Emergency medical in Canada | Emergency medical abroad | Emergency medical, meeting program rules |
| Coverage amount | Flexible | Flexible | Program minimum required |
| Term | Flexible | Trip length or annual | One year or more |
| Learn more | Visitor insurance | Travel medical | Super Visa |
Step 2 — compare insurers on what matters
Once you know the plan type, compare providers on these — not just the headline price:
- Coverage amount — enough for the destination’s medical costs.
- Deductible — what you pay per claim; a higher one lowers the premium.
- Pre-existing rules — the stability period, which decides whether a condition is covered.
- Exclusions & sub-limits — caps on things like dental, follow-ups, or repatriation.
- Refund terms — what happens if plans change or a visa is refused. See refunds & cancellation.
See the insurers I compare on the providers page.
Step 3 — weigh each factor with a scorecard
Step 2 named the factors. This is how to weigh them, so price is the last number you look at — not the first. Score each plan the same way, then compare like with like.
| Factor | What to check | Why it can matter |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage amount | The single-event maximum (often illustrative ranges of $50,000–$150,000+). | A serious ER visit or hospital stay in Canada can run into tens of thousands, so a low cap can leave a gap. |
| Deductible | What you pay per claim before the plan pays. | A higher deductible usually lowers the premium — fine if you can cover it, but it comes out of your pocket first at claim time. |
| Stability period | The window (often 90 or 180 days, depends on the plan) a pre-existing condition must be stable to be covered. | A shorter, easier-to-meet period can matter more than a few dollars of premium if there is an ongoing condition. |
| Payment option | Whether you can pay monthly for a long stay instead of the full premium upfront. | Monthly can ease cash flow, but the cancellation and refund terms can differ — confirm them before you rely on it. |
| 24/7 assistance | Whether the insurer runs an emergency line that can bill the hospital directly. | Direct billing can save you from fronting a large bill and waiting on reimbursement. |
| Exclusions & sub-limits | Caps on things like dental, follow-up visits, or repatriation. | Two plans with the same headline amount can pay out very differently once the fine print applies. |
A worked example (illustrative)
Here is how two plans might stack up for the same traveller — a 68-year-old parent visiting for six months. The numbers are illustrative, not quotes; your actual premium depends on the traveller and the plan.
| What to compare | Plan A | Plan B |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage amount | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Deductible | $1,000 | $0 |
| Stability period | 180 days | 90 days |
| Monthly payment | Not offered | Available |
| 24/7 direct billing | Yes | Yes |
| Illustrative premium | Lower | Slightly higher |
On price alone, Plan A looks cheaper. But if the traveller’s blood-pressure medication changed four months ago, Plan B’s 90-day stability period may treat that condition as covered while Plan A’s 180-day period may not — and Plan A’s $1,000 deductible comes out of your pocket before anything is paid. Which plan suits the traveller depends entirely on their situation. There is no single right answer, which is why comparing on the actual person beats comparing on a price grid.
Have this ready and I’ll compare for you
The comparison is faster and more accurate when I have the full picture. It helps to know:
- The traveller’s age and the province or city they’ll be staying in.
- Trip dates and the total length of stay.
- Any pre-existing conditions or recent medication changes — see pre-existing conditions.
- The coverage amount you have in mind, or the rule you need to meet.
- Whether monthly payment matters for your budget.
With that, I compare suitable plans from several insurers side by side and explain the trade-offs in plain language. Ask me to run a comparison — there’s no charge and no pressure.
Comparison FAQ
What's the difference between visitor and travel insurance?
How do I compare insurers fairly?
Can you compare plans for me?
Is a cheaper plan with a higher deductible worth it?
What is a stability period and why does it matter when comparing plans?
Can I pay monthly instead of all at once?
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