Long Stay Travel Insurance for Canada: A 2025 Guide

If you're heading to the great north for an extended period, it's important to think about how you're going to cover yourself and your trip.

Canada is a beautiful country with so much to offer its visitors. With dramatic landscapes, beautiful cities, and some of the friendliest people you'll meet, it's no wonder travelers love to spend time there.

No matter where you're planning to stay in Canada, long stay travel insurance gives you peace of mind, ensuring you have a wide blanket of coverage wherever the journey takes you.

In this article, we're going to look at long stay travel insurance requirements for Canada, what you're covered for, what to pay attention to, and more, giving you the information you need to make the most educated decision about your safety and wellness abroad.

Do I need long stay travel insurance for Canada?

Travel insurance is always a good idea for travelers going overseas, but whether or not you need it as a requirement is another story. Medical expenses can be high in Canada, and processes likely differ from those back home - travel insurance helps, especially during a sensitive time like a medical emergency.

In some cases, you may be required to take out long stay travel insurance for specific types of visas. It could also be a requirement if you're traveling to Canada with a tourist group, program, etc.

The only way to know whether it's a mandatory requirement for you is to check your visa/residence requirements or any other requirements (such as for work, your university, etc.).

Even if it isn't mandatory, it's still a good idea.

The best long stay travel insurance for Canada

The best policy for you might not be the best policy for someone else. It truly depends on your personal situation, what you'd like to be covered for, and any requirements you need to meet (for a visa, for example).

For longer trips, Mutaide through Insurte is a great comprehensive option for your stay in Canada.

Providing you with a wide net of coverage, including emergency medical costs, search and rescue (important for hikes!), legal protection, and more, it can help you have peace of mind during your journey.

Before you make a final decision about which policy you choose, make sure you read the terms and conditions and pay special attention to trip maximums and exclusions.

What does long stay travel insurance for Canada cover?

It depends entirely on the policy that you choose.

Long stay travel insurance, at its core, covers emergency medical expenses, but it often covers additional guarantees too.

It's helpful to know that different insurance providers have different levels of coverage. This is true for emergency medical as well as any other guarantees. Because the options vary so greatly, it's important to read the terms and conditions.

A good long-term travel insurance policy should give you broad coverage for your trip to Canada. Here are some of the different levels of coverage you can expect to see.

Keep in mind that what is covered varies, depending on the policy.

Emergency medical costs

• Emergency medical expenses, including associated hospitalization and surgery. Different plans will offer different maximums.
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Repatriation of mortal remains.
• Some policies cover COVID-19 and other epidemics.

Make sure you read your policy details to understand any exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions.

Long stay travel insurance isn't the same as health insurance. Travel insurance covers you for medical emergencies, not daily/routine care.

Search and rescue costs

If you're planning to spend time outdoors in Canada, such as hiking or snowboarding, search and rescue coverage is a must.

If you get lost, injured, or stuck during an activity, search and rescue might be required to get you to safety. Some policies offer this guarantee.

24/7 travel assistance

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you typically have 24/7 support and travel assistance from travel experts.

Lost or stolen passports

If you lose your passport or it's stolen, your long stay travel insurance can provide much-needed assistance while you're abroad in Canada. Make sure the policy you choose offers coverage for important papers like this.

Legal fees and assistance

• Legal assistance abroad.
• Advance of bail.
• Legal fees abroad.

Remember that what exactly is covered (and to what extent) depends on the specific policy. Legal coverage is essential when traveling to a new country, especially Canada, where you may not be as familiar with the legal system and processes.

How much does long stay travel insurance for Canada cost?

The cost of your policy depends on a few factors, like the duration of your trip, what kind of coverage you'd like, and how many people need to be covered.

Long stay travel insurance policies for Canada usually start at a few dollars a day, though some are offered at a flat rate. Flat rates can be more cost-effective for long term trips, so make sure to compare both when you're deciding on which one to buy.

Is long stay travel insurance for Canada worth it?

Absolutely.

Travel insurance exists to protect you from unexpected costs, help you during your journey, and give you peace of mind so you can focus on the time spent abroad - not what could go wrong.

FAQs: Long stay travel insurance Canada