Travel Insurance for Ontario Residents
Your safety net for trips near and far
Travel insurance can protect you from unexpected events on a trip, such as medical emergencies. Insurewise is an independent broker in North York, Toronto. We help Ontario residents compare travel plans from the insurers we work with and choose coverage that fits the trip.
Coverage varies a lot by plan, so we will help you check the details before you go.
Travel insurance from an independent broker
Whether you are exploring new places or relaxing on a beach, travel insurance offers protection against unexpected events, including medical emergencies. Because we are not tied to one insurance company, we can look at several options and explain how they differ.
Coverage is tailored to your trip and your needs, so you can travel knowing what you have.
What travel insurance can cover
Plans differ. What is included depends on the plan, so read the details or ask us.
Emergency medical
Can help pay for hospital, doctor and other emergency medical costs if you become sick or injured while away.
Trip cancellation
Can help with prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel for a reason the plan covers.
Trip interruption
Can help if you have to cut a trip short for a covered reason and need to get home or pay for lost prepaid costs.
Baggage and delays
Can help with lost or delayed luggage and some extra costs if a trip is delayed. Limits usually apply.
What to check before you buy
A few things can make a big difference to what a plan does for you:
- Pre-existing conditions, and how stable they need to be for coverage to apply
- Trip length and age limits
- Whether activities you plan to do are covered
- Whether your credit card or employer plan already includes some travel coverage
- When to buy. Ask us the best time, since some benefits depend on when you buy compared to when you book
Being honest on the application matters. If you are not sure how something applies to you, ask us before you travel.
How this fits with OHIP
OHIP provides only limited coverage for emergency health care outside Canada, and it may not cover the full cost. For example, Ontario.ca says OHIP pays up to $50 a day for emergency outpatient services, and up to $200 a day for emergency inpatient care, or up to $400 a day in intensive care and similar units. These amounts can change, so check the Ontario.ca page before you go.
OHIP does not cover the cost of a transfer back to an Ontario hospital for ongoing care. Without travel insurance, you pay for that yourself. Ontario.ca calls travel medical insurance essential for travel outside the country. Many travellers add private emergency medical coverage to fill the gap.
You may also want to review your everyday health and dental insurance and your life insurance before a big trip.
If you get sick while you are away
With a travel insurance plan, the usual first step is to contact your insurer, who can help coordinate care and getting you home. Keep the plan's emergency number with you, not just on your phone at home. Read the plan before you leave so you know when to call and what it needs from you.
Coverage, eligibility and pricing depend on the insurer's underwriting and the policy wording. Information on this site is general and is not a quote or a policy.
Travel insurance questions
Still wondering about something? Call 416-383-0901 and ask, or see our contact page for the address and email.
Only limited amounts for certain emergency services, which may be far less than the actual cost of care abroad. Many travellers buy private emergency medical coverage. The Ontario government has a page on health care services outside Canada with the current details.
It depends on the plan and on how stable your condition has been. Some plans cover them under certain conditions and some do not. Be honest on the application, and ask us so we can check the wording of the plan you are considering.
Ask us. Some benefits, like trip cancellation, are tied to when you buy compared to when you book your trip. We can tell you how the timing works for the plans you are looking at.
A short trip can still involve an unexpected medical cost, especially outside Canada. Whether a plan makes sense depends on where you are going, your health and what you already have through work or a credit card. We can talk it through with you.
Plans commonly cover emergency medical costs, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and lost or delayed baggage. What is included, and the limits, depend on the plan. Read the details or ask us before you buy, because some benefits depend on your health, your age and when you buy the plan.
OHIP pays only limited daily amounts for emergency care outside Canada, which may be far less than the bill, and it does not pay to transfer you back to an Ontario hospital. You would cover the rest yourself. Ontario.ca calls travel medical insurance essential. Ask us about plans before you go.
It depends on the plan and its wording. Some plans treat COVID-19 like other illnesses and others limit or exclude it, and rules can differ by insurer. Read the policy, check for exclusions, and ask us before you buy so there are no surprises if you need to claim.
Get a travel insurance quote
Tell us where you are going and for how long. We will come back with options and explain them in plain words.