- The best business travel insurance plans
- What is business travel insurance?
- What is the price of business travel insurance?
- What business travel insurance covers
- The conditions of business travel insurance
- Why take out business travel insurance?
- How to choose the right business travel insurance
- Do my current insurance policies cover business travel insurance?
- FAQ
business travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Business travel insurance covers work-related risks like medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and lost business equipment.
2. Price: For a one-week trip to Europe, expect to pay between $80 and $150 CAD for coverage.
3. Coverage: It typically covers medical care and business gear, but often excludes pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Provincial health plans and credit cards offer very limited coverage, especially for business-specific needs and costs.
5. Tips: Verify the policy's equipment coverage limit matches the value of your laptop and other essential devices.
6. Other useful info: For self-employed Canadians, business travel insurance premiums are generally a tax-deductible expense.
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 are sharing everything you need to know to choose the best business travel insurance.
The best business travel insurance plans
Here is a selection of the best business travel insurance plans available for residents of Canada in 2025.
These policies stand out for their high coverage limits, low deductibles and simple conditions, delivering optimal protection for peace of mind while traveling for work.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | 2.0M CAD | 0 CAD | • Business equipment protection. • Fast claims and upfront payment guarantee. • 24/7 multilingual assistance. • Annual and single trip options. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | 1.0M CAD | 0 CAD | • 24/7 emergency support. • Mobile claims app. • Direct hospital billing. • Protection for work equipment. |
| Tourist Card | 2.0M CAD | 100 CAD | • High-risk activity coverage. • Fast claims with WhatsApp support. • Annual policy available. • Upfront payment option. |
| World Travel | 1.5M CAD | 0 CAD | • Comprehensive business coverage. • Trip extension included. • 24/7 concierge service. • Equipment replacement. |
| Globe Partner | 1.0M CAD | 50 CAD | • Laptop and phone coverage. • Flexible policy terms. • Emergency business expenses included. • Global network. |
| Globe Traveller | 1.0M CAD | 0 CAD | • 12-month trip coverage. • Stable premium for older travelers. • Multilingual support. • Flexible business trip options. |
• Fast claims and upfront payment guarantee.
• 24/7 multilingual assistance.
• Annual and single trip options.
• Mobile claims app.
• Direct hospital billing.
• Protection for work equipment.
• Fast claims with WhatsApp support.
• Annual policy available.
• Upfront payment option.
• Trip extension included.
• 24/7 concierge service.
• Equipment replacement.
• Flexible policy terms.
• Emergency business expenses included.
• Global network.
• Stable premium for older travelers.
• Multilingual support.
• Flexible business trip options.
The best business travel insurance may vary depending on your needs. We invite you to use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the one that suits you best and subscribe directly online.
Compare the best travel insurance policies for freeI compareWhat is business travel insurance?
Business travel insurance is coverage specifically designed to protect Canadians traveling for work purposes, such as meetings, conferences, or assignments abroad.
It provides protection for emergency medical care, lost or delayed luggage, trip interruption, and essential business equipment like laptops and phones.
Unlike leisure travel insurance, it often includes higher coverage limits and benefits tailored to common business risks.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out business travel insurance is especially recommended if you live in Canada:
- When travelling outside Canada, where provincial health plans are insufficient.
- To protect valuable business equipment like laptops, phones, or tools.
- If trip cancellation would cause a significant financial or operational loss.
- To cover costs for sending a replacement employee in an emergency.
- For work that carries potential personal liability risks in other countries.
- When making frequent business trips, an annual policy is cost-effective.
- For any travel to countries with high medical costs.
What is the price of business travel insurance?
On average, business travel insurance costs between 3% and 7% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 5-day business trip to the US | $2,000 | $60 to $110 |
| 10-day business conference in Europe | $4,000 | $120 to $220 |
| 3-week project assignment in Asia-Pacific | $7,500 | $210 to $420 |
| Annual multi-trip policy for frequent business travel | $12,000 | $700 to $1,400 |
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 business travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: a longer business trip will result in a higher premium.
- destination country: trips to countries with expensive healthcare increase insurance costs.
- traveler’s age: older business travelers are charged higher rates.
- coverage level: policies covering business equipment, emergencies, and high limits cost more.
- business activity: high-risk professions and critical business travel can result in higher premiums.
- pre-existing medical conditions: including coverage for existing conditions will raise the price.
What business travel insurance covers
Business travel insurance provides specialized coverage for people who travel for work-related reasons. It is designed to protect professionals, executives, and self-employed individuals during domestic or international business trips. Policies typically cover risks that are unique to business travel, including business equipment.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Refund if your business trip is cancelled before departure for a covered reason. | Select at least $2,500 in coverage, with a deductible under $50. Cancellations due to change of mind or unapproved work reasons are usually excluded. |
| ⏰ Missed departure | Reimbursement for extra costs if you miss transport due to a valid delay. | Look for minimum $300 cover and zero deductible. Delays due to personal error or undocumented reasons are excluded. |
| 🎒 Business equipment | Covers loss, theft, or damage to laptops, phones, and work items. | Coverage should be at least $3,000, deductible below $100. Unattended equipment and gradual wear are common exclusions. |
| 🧳 Baggage and personal effects | Reimburses for lost, stolen, or damaged personal luggage during your trip. | Ensure at least $2,000 cover, with deductible under $50. Valuables and electronics over policy limits may not be covered. |
| 🕒 Travel delay | Compensation for long flight or train delays during your business trip. | Minimum $150 after 4 hours, no deductible. Delays not documented or under 4 hours are often excluded. |
| 🏥 Medical expenses abroad | Key guarantee. Pays emergency medical care if you fall ill or are injured. | At least $1,000,000 cover, with maximum $100 deductible. Chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions are generally excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical evacuation | Key guarantee. Arranges transport home or to hospital in medical emergencies. | Prefer unlimited cover, deductible under $100. Non-emergency transport and travel without insurer’s approval are excluded. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental care | Pays for urgent dental treatment needed during your business trip. | We recommend minimum $500 cover, with low deductible. Routine dental care and cosmetic procedures are not included. |
| ⚖️ Legal assistance abroad | Covers legal fees or bail costs following an incident while travelling for work. | At least $4,000 for legal fees, $10,000 for bail. Criminal acts, alcohol or drug-related incidents are excluded. |
| 💔 Trip interruption | Refund for unused trip costs if you must end your business trip early. | Minimum $1,000 cover, avoid high deductibles. Voluntary or minor reasons for trip interruption are not covered. |
Cancellations due to change of mind or unapproved work reasons are usually excluded.
Delays due to personal error or undocumented reasons are excluded.
Unattended equipment and gradual wear are common exclusions.
Valuables and electronics over policy limits may not be covered.
Delays not documented or under 4 hours are often excluded.
Chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions are generally excluded.
Non-emergency transport and travel without insurer’s approval are excluded.
Routine dental care and cosmetic procedures are not included.
Criminal acts, alcohol or drug-related incidents are excluded.
Voluntary or minor reasons for trip interruption are not covered.
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 business travel insurance best suited to your needs, compare plans on HelloSafe.
The conditions of business travel insurance
To activate your business travel insurance and make your coverage valid, several important conditions are required.
- Residency requirement: you must be a resident of Canada when you purchase the insurance plan.
- Timing of subscription: you must purchase the policy before leaving Canada, not after your business trip has started.
- Trip purpose: the insurance only applies if you are travelling primarily for business reasons, not for leisure.
- Declaration of activities: you must accurately declare planned business activities if required by the insurer.
- Coverage period compliance: ensure your business trip does not exceed the maximum trip length covered by the policy.
- Incident notification: you must inform the insurer promptly in case of claim, accident, or loss during the trip.
- Supporting documents: for cancellation or claims, you must provide official proof, such as receipts or employer certification.
- Destination restrictions: travel to countries or regions under a Canadian government travel advisory may not be covered.
Watch out!
Many Canadian business travellers assume their credit card insurance is enough. However, these policies often exclude coverage for high-value business equipment or trip cancellations due to work demands, creating significant financial risk.
Why take out business travel insurance?
Even during business travel, unexpected accidents and medical emergencies abroad can cause major expenses and financial disruption.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to $5,000,000 per trip, depending on the policy |
| Medical repatriation |
| Up to 100% if medically necessary and urgent |
| Appendicitis surgery and hospitalization |
| Up to $5,000,000 within coverage limits |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to 100% depending on chosen plan |
| Consultation and treatment for intestinal infection |
| Usually 100%, subject to deductible |
- Europe: $800 to $1,200 CAD
- North America: $1,500 to $2,500 CAD
- Asia: $300 to $800 CAD
- Europe: $10,000 to $20,000 CAD
- North America: $25,000 to $50,000 CAD
- Asia: $8,000 to $25,000 CAD
- Europe: $8,000 to $12,000 CAD
- North America: $15,000 to $25,000 CAD
- Asia: $3,000 to $6,000 CAD
- Europe: $600 to $1,000 CAD
- North America: $1,200 to $2,000 CAD
- Asia: $200 to $600 CAD
- Europe: $400 to $800 CAD
- North America: $800 to $1,500 CAD
- Asia: $150 to $400 CAD
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.
In addition to medical expenses, business travel insurance also covers many other risks: trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss or delay, business equipment protection, personal liability, repatriation assistance and access to 24/7 emergency services.
Good to know
Your provincial plan and credit card leave major gaps abroad. Protect yourself from massive medical bills and get coverage for essential business equipment. A specialized policy, like those from Chapka, ensures work-specific risks are covered, so you can focus on your business, not potential financial disasters.
How to choose the right business travel insurance
Business travel insurance plans can vary greatly in reimbursement levels and conditions. It is essential to compare coverage for medical care, equipment, and cancellation to make sure your needs are fully met.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | Business trips often involve high-cost destinations and advanced medical care. | Choose coverage of at least $1,000,000 in North America and $3,000,000 for worldwide business trips. |
| 📉 Deductible | High deductibles may cancel out benefits, especially for smaller claims and equipment losses. | Prefer policies with low or zero deductible for both medical and business equipment claims. |
| 👔 Business equipment | Laptops and materials are essential for work, but may not be covered under basic plans. | Verify that valuable electronics, laptops, and phones are insured for loss, theft, and accidental damage. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Some policies or cards limit trip length or require short trips only. | Confirm your trip length matches the insurer’s maximum duration for single or multi-trip business coverage. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Business trips may include high-risk destinations or areas with expensive healthcare. | Ensure policy coverage includes all your destinations, including the USA and emerging markets. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Employer or credit card insurance often has exclusions for business-related losses. | Review all work, group, and credit card coverages to identify any critical business travel gaps. |
| 🧳 Baggage and personal effects | Business travel involves important documents, samples, and expensive clothing or gear. | Make sure baggage and personal effects coverage meets your business equipment and sample transport needs. |
| 🖥️ Online subscription | Fast signup and access are needed for last-minute or frequent corporate travel. | Opt for insurers offering instant online enrolment and digital document access worldwide. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Some benefits depend on booking details, advance notice, or specific contract terms. | Always read all eligibility and notification requirements for work emergencies, cancellations, or extensions. |
Do my current insurance policies cover business travel insurance?
It is natural to wonder if your current insurances such as credit card coverage or public health plans can provide adequate business travel insurance, but unfortunately this is often not sufficient. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Business travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (OHIP, RAMQ) | Never | Hospital abroad: up to $400/day, physician $50 per day. No repatriation, business equipment, trip cancellation or business interruption covered. | Travel insurance reimburses up to $5,000,000 for medical, evacuation, equipment, trip cancellations, and business interruptions. |
| Private health insurance (Sun Life Financial, Manulife Group Benefits) | Almost Never | Medical emergencies: up to $1,000,000–$2,000,000, limited evacuation. No coverage for business equipment, emergency business expenses or cancellation. | Travel insurance offers up to $5,000,000 for all business needs including gear and emergency business expenses worldwide. |
| Classic credit card (RBC Rewards Visa, TD Rewards Visa) | Never | Medical: up to $1,000,000, trip length 15–21 days max. No business or emergency equipment, business trip interruption, or high-value trip protection. | Travel insurance provides optimal protection including expensive electronics, trip interruption, and business expense claims. |
| Premium credit card (RBC Avion Visa Infinite, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite) | Limited coverage | Medical: up to $2,000,000, some baggage, moderate trip cancellation. No dedicated business expense, limited equipment and continuity coverage. | Travel insurance covers all business trip risks with up to $5,000,000 for equipment, cancellations and emergency expenses. |
No repatriation, business equipment, trip cancellation or business interruption covered.
No coverage for business equipment, emergency business expenses or cancellation.
No business or emergency equipment, business trip interruption, or high-value trip protection.
No dedicated business expense, limited equipment and continuity coverage.
Expert advice
Many Canadian bank cards and health insurance plans exclude key situations like trip interruption for a relative's illness. Read your policy's conditions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe to a dedicated travel insurance policy tailored to your trip.
FAQ
Is business travel insurance mandatory?
Business travel insurance is not mandatory for Canadians, but it may be required to obtain visas for some countries, especially in Europe or Asia. Even when not required, it is highly recommended—if you fall ill or lose your laptop during a business trip to the USA, insurance can save you from serious financial loss.
When is it recommended to purchase business travel insurance?
It is wise to purchase business travel insurance as soon as you have finalized your trip details and bookings. Early purchase maximizes your eligibility for trip cancellation or interruption benefits should work or health emergencies arise before departure.
How do I purchase business travel insurance?
First, compare business-focused policies using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Be sure to check all guarantees and exclusions specific to business travel, such as equipment coverage or work-related delays. You can complete your purchase securely online and receive your certificate almost immediately by email.
Can I purchase business travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase business travel insurance after making your bookings, but coverage for cancellations applies only from the policy start date. Buying early ensures protection against unexpected changes, delays, or emergencies that might occur before you depart.
How do I make a claim on my business travel insurance?
To submit a claim, contact your insurer or use their online portal, and provide all required supporting documents such as invoices, medical reports, or proof of loss. Prompt notification and proper documentation help speed up the claims process, which is crucial for business travelers needing quick resolutions.
Does business travel insurance cover loss or theft of business equipment?
Most business travel policies provide coverage for loss, theft, or damage to laptops, phones, and business devices, typically up to preset limits. Always review your policy for specific coverage amounts and exclusions, and keep proof of purchase for all insured equipment to support your claim if needed.
Can I get coverage for multiple business trips under one policy?
Many insurers offer annual multi-trip business travel insurance, covering unlimited trips within a 12-month period. This option provides excellent value and convenience for frequent travelers, with coverage for each work trip's medical emergencies, cancellations, and business equipment loss.
Is business travel insurance mandatory?
Business travel insurance is not mandatory for Canadians, but it may be required to obtain visas for some countries, especially in Europe or Asia. Even when not required, it is highly recommended—if you fall ill or lose your laptop during a business trip to the USA, insurance can save you from serious financial loss.
When is it recommended to purchase business travel insurance?
It is wise to purchase business travel insurance as soon as you have finalized your trip details and bookings. Early purchase maximizes your eligibility for trip cancellation or interruption benefits should work or health emergencies arise before departure.
How do I purchase business travel insurance?
First, compare business-focused policies using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Be sure to check all guarantees and exclusions specific to business travel, such as equipment coverage or work-related delays. You can complete your purchase securely online and receive your certificate almost immediately by email.
Can I purchase business travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase business travel insurance after making your bookings, but coverage for cancellations applies only from the policy start date. Buying early ensures protection against unexpected changes, delays, or emergencies that might occur before you depart.
How do I make a claim on my business travel insurance?
To submit a claim, contact your insurer or use their online portal, and provide all required supporting documents such as invoices, medical reports, or proof of loss. Prompt notification and proper documentation help speed up the claims process, which is crucial for business travelers needing quick resolutions.
Does business travel insurance cover loss or theft of business equipment?
Most business travel policies provide coverage for loss, theft, or damage to laptops, phones, and business devices, typically up to preset limits. Always review your policy for specific coverage amounts and exclusions, and keep proof of purchase for all insured equipment to support your claim if needed.
Can I get coverage for multiple business trips under one policy?
Many insurers offer annual multi-trip business travel insurance, covering unlimited trips within a 12-month period. This option provides excellent value and convenience for frequent travelers, with coverage for each work trip's medical emergencies, cancellations, and business equipment loss.
