Canada Plan

Canadians who aren’t going abroad right now are planning domestic trips. They may not realize that they still need travel insurance even though they have a government health insurance plan. For those who are planning to travel outside of their home province, the Canada Plan is worth talking about. 

According to Orion Travel Insurance statistics from May 2022 – April 2023, the average age of travellers who purchase the Canada Plan is 58 years old. The top three Canadian destinations of these travellers are:

• 33 per cent British Columbia

• 14 per cent Alberta, and

• 13 per cent Nova Scotia

Why travel insurance is still necessary while travelling in Canada?

Canadians do have medical coverage from their government health insurance plan (GHIP); however, there are differences in coverage across all provinces. This means if a traveller goes outside of their home province and requires medical treatment, anything not covered by their GHIP would need to be paid for out-of-pocket. Examples include medical repatriation, medical prescriptions, or the cost of a semi-private hospital room. Travel insurance may also cover the cost of non-medical expenses related to the medical emergency, such as returning a vehicle if the traveller is unable to drive, providing coverage to transport family members home, or bringing them to the traveller’s bedside.

What is the Canada Plan?

It’s travel insurance that provides coverage for trips outside of a traveller’s home province, as long as they are covered by a government health insurance plan.

Travellers have the choice to purchase:
Canada Plan - Emergency Medical Insurance: Covers emergency medical expenses.
Canada Package Plan: A complete package that includes emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage coverage, infant protection, holiday protection, and travel accident insurance.

Advantages of the Canada Plan

In addition to comprehensive coverage, the Canada Plan has some advantages:

• No age restrictions for purchasing.

• No pre-existing medical condition exclusion applies.

• Medical questionnaire is not required.

• Family coverage for three or more immediate family members, including spouses, children, and grandchildren, under the same policy.

What to keep in mind with the Canada Plan

If travellers stay at destination beyond the expiry date of the policy, travellers must purchase an extension before expiry date of the policy. Also, riders cannot be added to the Canada Plan.

What if travellers want to take side trips to the U.S.?

Canadians who travel within Canada may want to take the odd side trip to the U.S. If they are carrying the Canada Plan, their coverage will not be valid within the U.S., even if it’s for a 24-hour trip. For these types of travellers who want protection for international travel as well as domestic travel outside of a home province, the Multi-Trip Medical or Vacation Package Plan may be a better fit. This provides similar coverage and has the option to add riders. There are differences in coverage as well as age restrictions. For more details, refer to the March 2023 Carry-On Express Product Quick Sheet on Multi-Trip Plans.