What does visitor insurance actually cover?

Covered: emergency medical care

Visitor insurance is built around unexpected, emergency medical needs that arise during the visit. The core benefits below appear in almost every plan, though limits differ:

• Hospitalization — emergency admission, room and board, and in-hospital care.
• Physician & specialist fees — emergency consultations and treatment.
• Diagnostics — X-rays, lab tests, and imaging ordered for an emergency.
• Prescription drugs — medication to treat a covered emergency, usually time- or amount-limited.
• Ambulance — licensed ground (and sometimes air) emergency transport.
• Emergency dental — pain relief or accidental injury to natural teeth, up to a limit.
• Medical repatriation — medically necessary transport home, or return of remains.
• Follow-up care — limited follow-up after an emergency, subject to terms.

Not covered: the common exclusions

Understanding exclusions prevents surprises at claim time. Plans generally exclude:

• Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and ongoing care for a known condition.
• Elective or cosmetic procedures.
• Unstable pre-existing conditions (see pre-existing conditions).
• Pregnancy, childbirth, and related care (on most plans).
• Injuries from high-risk activities or professional sport.
• Treatment you specifically travelled to Canada to receive.
• Self-inflicted injury, or events related to alcohol or drug misuse.

The fine print worth checking

• Deductible — the amount you pay per claim before the plan pays. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
• Stability period — how long a pre-existing condition must be unchanged to be eligible.
• Waiting period — applies to new sickness if you buy after arrival.
• Sub-limits — caps on specific benefits like dental, follow-up visits, or repatriation.
• Assistance line — the 24/7 number to call before treatment where possible, which can enable direct billing.