- The best baby travel insurance plans
- What exactly is baby travel insurance?
- The Price of baby Travel Insurance
- What baby travel insurance covers
- The conditions of baby travel insurance
- Why take out baby travel insurance?
- How to choose the right baby travel insurance
- Baby travel insurance: Coverage under your current policies
- FAQ
baby travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Baby travel insurance covers emergency medical costs and travel risks for infants travelling outside their home province.
2. Price: For a one-week trip to Europe, expect to pay between $40 and $90 CAD for your baby.
3. Coverage: It covers emergency medical care and evacuation but often excludes pre-existing conditions and routine check-ups.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Provincial plans (OHIP, RAMQ) and credit cards offer little to no coverage for babies travelling abroad.
5. Tips: Choose policies with high medical limits, 24/7 assistance, and direct payment to hospitals for your baby.
6. Other useful info: Always add your baby by name to a family policy; coverage is rarely automatic in Canada.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travellers every month. After analyzing 41 travel insurance policies available in Canada, our experts share everything you need to know to choose the best baby travel insurance.
The best baby travel insurance plans
Here is a selection of the best baby travel insurance plans available for residents of Canada in 2025. These policies stand out for their high medical limits, low deductibles and clear terms, providing strong protection for infants on family trips.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | $1,000,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • Covers acute illnesses for babies worldwide. • No deductible, designed for newborns. • Direct hospital payment. • 24/7 pediatric helpline for parents. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | $1,000,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • Round-the-clock medical assistance. • Immediate coverage for infants. • Direct billing in most hospitals. • Family travel extensions available. |
| Tourist Card | $500,000 CAD | $30 CAD or $60 CAD for the USA/Canada | • Fast claims for pediatric care. • Stroller and baby item loss included. • Coverage for last-minute cancellations. • Mobile claims submission. |
| World Travel | $1,000,000 CAD (USA/Canada), $314,000 CAD (other regions) | $50 CAD | • Emergency evacuation with parent included. • Covers all baby medical emergencies. • No age limits. • 24/7 global support. |
| Globe Partner | $314,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • Simple sign-up process. • Medical repatriation for infants. • Valid in most destinations. • No parent age limit. |
| Globe Traveller | $500,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • Long trips with infants accepted. • Family rates. • Emergency and repatriation included. • Multilingual claims service. |
• No deductible, designed for newborns.
• Direct hospital payment.
• 24/7 pediatric helpline for parents.
• Immediate coverage for infants.
• Direct billing in most hospitals.
• Family travel extensions available.
• Stroller and baby item loss included.
• Coverage for last-minute cancellations.
• Mobile claims submission.
• Covers all baby medical emergencies.
• No age limits.
• 24/7 global support.
• Medical repatriation for infants.
• Valid in most destinations.
• No parent age limit.
• Family rates.
• Emergency and repatriation included.
• Multilingual claims service.
The best baby travel insurance depends on your family’s needs. We invite you to use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the plan that suits you best and subscribe directly online.
Compare the best travel insurance policies for freeI compareWhat exactly is baby travel insurance?
Baby travel insurance is a specialized policy that covers infants and young children during travel outside their home province or country, addressing their unique medical and safety needs.
It usually provides protection for emergency medical care, hospitalization, evacuation, trip interruption, and family support if the baby is hospitalized.
In Canada, this coverage is essential because provincial health plans do not pay for most medical care for babies abroad.
This insurance is often offered as an option or add-on to a standard travel insurance policy.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where purchasing baby travel insurance is especially important for residents of Canada:
- For any travel outside of Canada, where provincial health plans don't apply.
- When visiting a country with high healthcare costs like the USA.
- If your baby has any pre-existing or unstable medical condition.
- When your group or credit card plan does not adequately cover infants.
- To protect non-refundable trip costs if your baby gets sick before travel.
- For coverage of an emergency medical evacuation back to Canada.
- If travelling outside your home province, as government coverage is limited.
The Price of baby Travel Insurance
On average, baby travel insurance costs between 3% and 7% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2-week family trip to the United States | 2,000 | 60 to 110 |
| 1-week beach vacation in Mexico | 1,500 | 45 to 80 |
| 3-week multi-country tour in Europe | 3,200 | 95 to 160 |
| 1-week trip within Canada | 1,000 | 25 to 50 |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your baby travel insurance depends on several factors:
- duration of the trip: longer travel periods increase the premium.
- destination: countries with expensive healthcare, such as the United States, lead to higher rates.
- baby’s age and health status: younger infants or those with pre-existing medical needs may affect pricing.
- coverage level: higher medical limits, no deductible, or additional protections raise the cost.
- selected options: trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, or family companion coverage can increase the total cost.
What baby travel insurance covers
Baby travel insurance is designed to protect infants and very young children during trips outside their home province or Canada. It provides dedicated coverage that addresses the health and safety needs of babies on family journeys.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Covers urgent hospital, doctor, and prescription costs for illnesses or injuries abroad. | Choose at least $500,000 and ideally $1M+ per baby. Deductibles above $50 should be avoided. Routine check-ups and known conditions are commonly excluded. |
| 🚑 Emergency medical evacuation | Pays for transport to the nearest hospital or back to Canada if medically necessary. | Ensure a minimum of $100,000 evacuation cover. There should be no deductible. Non-urgent or parent-requested evacuations are usually excluded. |
| ✈️ Repatriation | Covers return to Canada for baby and parent if required for serious illness or death. | Select at least $50,000 coverage. No deductible is recommended. Returns for non-medical reasons or without medical approval are excluded. |
| 🍼 Parent or guardian escort | Pays for a parent to accompany or stay with a hospitalized baby overseas. | Opt for at least $5,000 cover per trip. Deductibles above $50 are discouraged. Extended or non-medical stays are excluded. |
| 🔒 Trip cancellation/interruption | Reimburses non-refundable costs if baby cannot travel due to covered emergency. | Minimum cover should be $1,000 per baby, without high deductibles. Pre-existing illnesses and lack of documentation often result in exclusions. |
| 🧸 Baggage loss/delay | Covers essential baby items lost, stolen, or delayed during the trip. | Provision for $500+ per baby is advised. Deductibles should be below $50. Unattended or unreported items are typically not covered. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental | Covers urgent dental care for the baby in case of pain or accident abroad. | Choose $500+ for dental emergencies. Deductibles should be under $50. Planned or cosmetic care is not included. |
| 👶 Accidental death/dismemberment | Lump sum for accidental death or permanent injury to the baby during the trip. | Minimum of $10,000 is suggested. No deductible required. High-risk activities or pre-existing medical issues are not covered. |
| 🕒 Travel delay | Pays compensation for costs (meals, accommodation) if journey is significantly delayed. | Look for $100+ after 4 hours’ delay. No deductible should apply. Delays under 4 hours and airline fault delays are often excluded. |
| 👨⚕️ 24/7 assistance services | Access to a support hotline for pediatric advice, translation, and medical referrals abroad. | Ensure the policy includes 24/7 emergency assistance. There are generally no exclusions. |
Routine check-ups and known conditions are commonly excluded.
Non-urgent or parent-requested evacuations are usually excluded.
Returns for non-medical reasons or without medical approval are excluded.
Extended or non-medical stays are excluded.
Pre-existing illnesses and lack of documentation often result in exclusions.
Unattended or unreported items are typically not covered.
Planned or cosmetic care is not included.
High-risk activities or pre-existing medical issues are not covered.
Delays under 4 hours and airline fault delays are often excluded.
There are generally no exclusions.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To find the baby travel insurance best suited to your family’s needs and your trip, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
The conditions of baby travel insurance
To activate your baby travel insurance and ensure full validity, several conditions must generally be met.
- Minimum age eligibility: most policies require the baby to be at least 15 days old at departure.
- Residency requirement: your baby must be a legal resident of Canada for the policy to apply.
- Named insured status: your baby’s full name and date of birth must be listed on the policy at purchase.
- No ongoing travel: the policy must be purchased while your baby is physically in Canada, before the trip starts.
- Coverage period compliance: insurance is only valid for the dates and destinations listed on the policy.
- Pre-existing conditions declaration: you must declare any known medical conditions or recent hospitalizations for your baby.
- Accompanied travel: coverage applies only if your baby is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the entire trip.
- Incident notification: you must contact the insurer promptly if your baby needs medical care, evacuation, or if an emergency occurs.
Watch out!
A common myth for Canadian parents is that their baby is automatically included in their travel insurance plan. Most policies, including those from credit cards, require you to specifically add and pay for your infant. Without this, your baby could be completely uninsured for medical emergencies abroad.
Why take out baby travel insurance?
Even minor health needs while travelling with a baby can result in very high expenses abroad for Canadian families.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatrician consultation abroad |
| Up to $1,000,000, typically 100% |
| Intestinal infection (consultation and medication) |
| 100%, up to policy maximum |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Usually 100%, up to plan limit |
| 24h hospitalization for respiratory infection |
| Usually 100%, up to high limits |
| Repatriation for medical reasons to Canada |
| Typically 100%, if medically necessary |
- Europe: $150
- North America: $400
- Asia: $100
- Europe: $400
- North America: $1,500
- Asia: $250
- Europe: $250
- North America: $1,000
- Asia: $150
- Europe: $1,000
- North America: $5,000
- Asia: $800
- Europe: $10,000
- North America: $30,000
- Asia: $8,000
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
Beyond medical expenses, baby travel insurance often includes essential protection: trip cancellation or interruption, lost or delayed baby items, parent escort during emergencies, emergency repatriation and 24/7 assistance. These guarantees can be especially reassuring when travelling with very young children.
Good to know
Why take out Your provincial plan offers little coverage abroad, where a simple illness can cost thousands. Protect your family from unexpected medical bills and travel with peace of mind. Insurers like Chapka provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring your baby gets the best care without the financial worry.
How to choose the right baby travel insurance
Not all baby travel insurance plans offer the same guarantees: coverage limits, reimbursement levels, and exclusions can differ greatly. It is essential to compare the right criteria to find appropriate protection for your family's needs when leaving Canada.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | Medical costs for babies abroad can be high, and public plans are limited. | Opt for at least $500,000 emergency medical coverage for your baby, even for short trips. |
| 📉 Deductible | Out-of-pocket payments can be costly if your child needs care. | Prefer policies with no or low deductible for infants to avoid surprise expenses after a claim. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Eligibility, age restrictions, and when the policy takes effect are crucial. | Make sure your baby is covered from birth or the earliest possible age allowed by the plan. |
| 👶 Traveller’s age | Plans may only insure babies after a certain age or exclude newborns. | Confirm minimum age rules and that your baby meets them before each trip abroad. |
| 👨👩👦 Traveller profile | Needs differ for families, twins, or babies with health conditions. | Choose a family policy that names every child and covers baby-specific emergencies. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Some policies are limited by days, which affects longer stays. | Verify the maximum trip length allowed and ensure coverage for your entire journey. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Medical costs and risks vary by country and region. | Ensure destinations with expensive care, like the USA, have no exclusion or special limits. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Bank card or workplace policies rarely fully insure infants abroad. | Check all sources of coverage and add baby insurance only if needed to avoid overlap or gaps. |
| 🖥️ Online subscription | Buying and managing policies online saves time, paperwork, and stress. | Pick insurers with easy online processes for adding or updating your baby's travel insurance. |
Baby travel insurance: Coverage under your current policies
It is legitimate to wonder if your current insurances, such as credit card insurance or the public health system, can offer you a baby travel insurance, but unfortunately, this is often not enough.
Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Baby travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (OHIP, RAMQ) | Never | Only provincially funded emergency care in Canada, up to $100/day, none abroad. No overseas medical, hospitalization, repatriation or baby-specific guarantees such as escort or 24/7 pediatric help. | Travel insurance can cover up to $1,000,000 CAD for overseas medical, emergency pediatricians, repatriation, and baby-specific needs, not included in public health plans. |
| Private health insurance (Sun Life, Manulife) | Almost Never | Optional travel addon for dependents, rare for babies, max $1,000,000–$5,000,000 (short trips). No guaranteed baby acceptance, pre-existing and age exclusions, no overseas evacuation, repatriation, or escort cover. | Travel insurance gives newborn access, nearly always offers worldwide emergency and repatriation, and covers trip cancellation or escort up to $1,000,000 CAD or more, unlike most private plans. |
| Classic credit card (RBC Rewards Visa, CIBC Classic Visa) | Never | Trip interruption, baggage loss for the cardholder, rarely for baby, up to $1,500. No baby medical, no emergency, age and trip limits mean exclusion for infants, especially those under 15 days old. | Travel insurance for babies offers at least $100,000 CAD in medical and 24/7 support, always customized for infant needs, unlike classic cards that almost never cover babies. |
| Premium credit card (RBC Avion Visa Infinite, TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite) | Limited coverage | Emergency medical for dependents, usually not under age 15 days or with conditions, up to $2,000,000 CAD. No cover for extended trips, repatriation, emergency escort, or pediatric-specific support for babies. | Travel insurance covers babies from first days, offers up to $1,000,000 CAD or more, includes emergency evacuation, escort, and direct payment to the hospital, all not featured in credit card coverage. |
No overseas medical, hospitalization, repatriation or baby-specific guarantees such as escort or 24/7 pediatric help.
No guaranteed baby acceptance, pre-existing and age exclusions, no overseas evacuation, repatriation, or escort cover.
No baby medical, no emergency, age and trip limits mean exclusion for infants, especially those under 15 days old.
No cover for extended trips, repatriation, emergency escort, or pediatric-specific support for babies.
Expert advice
Many bank card and health insurance plans exclude key situations like trip interruption for a relative's illness. Always read your policy's fine print to avoid costly surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe to a dedicated travel insurance tailored to your trip.
FAQ
Is baby travel insurance mandatory?
In some cases, baby travel insurance is mandatory, especially when visiting countries that require proof of health coverage for entry, such as certain destinations in Europe or for visa applications. While it is not legally required for many trips, it is strongly recommended even for vacations to the United States, where medical care can be extremely expensive. Travel insurance is crucial for protecting your baby against unexpected illnesses, accidents, and costly healthcare abroad.
When is it recommended to purchase baby travel insurance?
It is best to purchase baby travel insurance immediately after booking your trip, ideally within a few days. Early purchase ensures your baby is protected against trip cancellation, illness, or other unforeseen events that might occur before or during travel. Buying insurance in advance can also help you secure broader coverage, with no gaps between booking and departure.
How do I purchase baby travel insurance?
First, compare plans and prices using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to find the best protection for your baby. Next, carefully check guarantees and exclusions, making sure the policy covers baby-specific needs and has no age restrictions. Then, purchase the selected plan online on the insurer’s website. Once paid, you will quickly receive your insurance certificate by email.
Can I purchase baby travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can usually purchase baby travel insurance after booking your trip, as long as you do so before departure. However, some features like trip cancellation may only apply if you buy the policy shortly after booking. Always read the terms and ensure coverage starts when you need it, especially for sudden illnesses.
How do I make a claim under baby travel insurance?
If you need to make a claim, contact the insurer’s emergency assistance number right away and follow their instructions. Gather all relevant documents, such as receipts, medical reports, and proof of payment. Fill out the claim form—available online or via the insurer’s app—and submit all documents. Quick reporting and complete paperwork will help speed up the process.
Is baby travel insurance valid for domestic trips within Canada?
Yes, travel insurance can also be purchased for trips within Canada, such as to another province, as provincial coverage is often limited outside your home province. Having baby travel insurance ensures access to private clinics, emergency care, and specialist pediatric services that might not be fully covered by your provincial health plan. This can be important if your baby falls ill or has an accident during a domestic trip.
Is baby travel insurance mandatory?
In some cases, baby travel insurance is mandatory, especially when visiting countries that require proof of health coverage for entry, such as certain destinations in Europe or for visa applications. While it is not legally required for many trips, it is strongly recommended even for vacations to the United States, where medical care can be extremely expensive. Travel insurance is crucial for protecting your baby against unexpected illnesses, accidents, and costly healthcare abroad.
When is it recommended to purchase baby travel insurance?
It is best to purchase baby travel insurance immediately after booking your trip, ideally within a few days. Early purchase ensures your baby is protected against trip cancellation, illness, or other unforeseen events that might occur before or during travel. Buying insurance in advance can also help you secure broader coverage, with no gaps between booking and departure.
How do I purchase baby travel insurance?
First, compare plans and prices using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to find the best protection for your baby. Next, carefully check guarantees and exclusions, making sure the policy covers baby-specific needs and has no age restrictions. Then, purchase the selected plan online on the insurer’s website. Once paid, you will quickly receive your insurance certificate by email.
Can I purchase baby travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can usually purchase baby travel insurance after booking your trip, as long as you do so before departure. However, some features like trip cancellation may only apply if you buy the policy shortly after booking. Always read the terms and ensure coverage starts when you need it, especially for sudden illnesses.
How do I make a claim under baby travel insurance?
If you need to make a claim, contact the insurer’s emergency assistance number right away and follow their instructions. Gather all relevant documents, such as receipts, medical reports, and proof of payment. Fill out the claim form—available online or via the insurer’s app—and submit all documents. Quick reporting and complete paperwork will help speed up the process.
Is baby travel insurance valid for domestic trips within Canada?
Yes, travel insurance can also be purchased for trips within Canada, such as to another province, as provincial coverage is often limited outside your home province. Having baby travel insurance ensures access to private clinics, emergency care, and specialist pediatric services that might not be fully covered by your provincial health plan. This can be important if your baby falls ill or has an accident during a domestic trip.
