How much does visitors to Canada insurance cost in Ontario?
Visitors to Canada insurance in Ontario is usually priced per day and depends mainly on the visitor's age, the coverage amount, trip length and any pre-existing conditions. Premiums often run from a few dollars a day for a young, healthy guest to considerably more for older travellers or higher coverage limits.
Key takeaways
- Price is driven by age, coverage amount, trip length and health.
- Visitors have no provincial coverage, so the policy is their only safety net.
- No medical questions under 60; 60+ complete a questionnaire that sets the premium.
- Higher deductibles and the minimum needed coverage amount lower the cost.
- Policies can often be refunded or extended if plans change.
Hosting a parent, relative or friend in Ontario comes with one cost many families overlook: medical insurance. Because visitors are not covered by OHIP, a single emergency room visit can cost thousands, so a visitors to Canada policy is usually the first thing to arrange once travel dates are set.
How the premium is calculated
Visitors to Canada insurance is almost always priced per day, then totalled for the length of the stay. Four factors move the number the most:
- Age of the visitor. This is the single largest driver. Coverage for someone in their 30s costs far less per day than coverage for someone in their 70s.
- Coverage amount. Common limits are $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000. A higher limit costs more but gives far more protection in a serious emergency.
- Trip length. Longer stays mean more days of premium, though the per-day rate is usually the same.
- Health and age band. There are no medical questions for visitors under 60. At 60 and over, the visitor completes a medical questionnaire — this sets the premium (and whether pre-existing conditions are covered), not whether they are eligible.
Ways to keep the cost down
You can lower the premium without leaving your guest exposed:
- Choose a deductible. Agreeing to pay the first, say, $500 or $1,000 of a claim reduces the premium noticeably.
- Match the coverage amount to the real risk. Most families choose at least $100,000 so that a serious hospitalization is genuinely covered. Going below that to save money can backfire.
- Buy for the actual dates. Don’t over-insure. If your guest’s return date is flexible, you can often extend the policy later rather than buying extra days up front.
- Consider a refundable plan. If the visit is cut short and no claim was made, the unused portion is usually refundable.
Why the coverage amount matters more than the price
It is tempting to pick the cheapest option, but Canadian hospital care is expensive for the uninsured. A few nights in hospital, surgery, or an air ambulance can easily exceed a low coverage limit, leaving the family to pay the difference. The goal is a plan that is affordable day to day but large enough to absorb a genuine emergency, with repatriation included.
What a visitors to Canada policy covers
A typical plan covers emergency hospital and physician care, diagnostics, prescription drugs related to an emergency, and repatriation. Our Visitors to Canada plan (which also underpins Super Visa coverage) follows this structure, with 24/7 assistance available in multiple languages — useful when a guest’s first language isn’t English.
If your guest needs care
The value of a policy shows up in a real emergency, so it helps to know the process before you need it. If your visitor falls ill or is injured, call the insurer’s 24/7 assistance line before seeking non-emergency treatment where possible — the assistance team can direct your guest to an appropriate clinic or hospital and, importantly, coordinate payment so you aren’t fronting a large bill. Our assistance operates around the clock in multiple languages, which matters when your guest’s first language isn’t English, and claims are handled through our claims team. Keep all receipts, referrals and medical records, since a documented claim is settled far more smoothly than one reconstructed after the fact.
When you’re ready, you can compare coverage amounts and deductibles and get a quote tailored to your visitor’s age and travel dates.
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Purchase now →Frequently asked questions
Does a visitor to Ontario get any OHIP coverage?
No. OHIP covers Ontario residents, not visitors. A guest with no insurance pays the full cost of any hospital or doctor visit out of pocket, which is why visitors to Canada insurance exists.
Can I buy coverage after my guest arrives?
It is usually possible to buy after arrival, but many plans apply a waiting period for claims when you buy late, and pre-existing condition coverage may be affected. Buying before or on arrival is safer and often cheaper.
What happens if my visitor goes home early?
Most insurers, including TripCovered, refund the unused portion of the premium if the visitor returns home early and has made no claim. You generally need to request the refund and show the departure date.
TripCovered is a licensed insurance referral service operating in Ontario. Insurance is administered by North American Air Travel Insurance Agents Ltd., doing business as TuGo®, a licensed insurance broker in all provinces and territories. The issuer of the contract is Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and Industrial Alliance Pacific General Insurance Corporation. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. This website provides general information only and is not a contract of insurance. Always read your policy wording before you travel.