How much does visitor insurance cost?

The five factors that set your premium

1. Age of the traveller — the single biggest driver. Premiums rise with age as medical risk increases.
2. Coverage amount — a $150,000 limit costs more than $25,000. Higher limits protect against serious events.
3. Trip length — you pay for the number of days covered; longer visits cost more in total.
4. Deductible — choosing a per-claim deductible lowers the premium.
5. Pre-existing coverage — adding stable pre-existing condition coverage increases the premium but can be essential for older travellers.

Illustrative examples

The ranges below are illustrative only to show how the factors interact — they are not quotes. Actual rates vary by insurer, the traveller’s exact age and health, the deductible, optional pre-existing coverage, and the date of purchase. The only way to see a real price is a quote.

*Illustrative ranges to compare how age affects price. Pre-existing condition coverage, higher limits, and lower deductibles increase these figures; a higher deductible reduces them.

Practical ways to lower the premium

• Choose a deductible you’re comfortable with — often a meaningful saving for healthy travellers.
• Match the coverage amount to the real need rather than over-insuring — though don’t go below any program minimum that applies.
• Buy only the term you need, and ask about partial refunds if plans change.
• Compare insurers — for the same traveller, prices and pre-existing rules differ noticeably between companies.
• Add pre-existing coverage only where it matters — necessary for many older visitors, optional for younger healthy ones.