- The best expat travel insurance plans
- What is expat travel insurance?
- The price of expat travel insurance
- What does expat travel insurance cover?
- The conditions of expat travel insurance
- Why take out expat travel insurance?
- How can I choose the right expat travel insurance?
- Do my current insurance policies cover expat travel insurance?
- FAQ
- On the same topic
expat travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Expat insurance provides long-term health coverage for Canadians living abroad, beyond provincial plan limits.
2. Price: Costs typically range from $100 to $300 CAD per month, depending on age, destination, and coverage level.
3. Coverage: It covers emergency medical care and repatriation but often excludes pre-existing conditions and high-risk adventure sports.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Provincial plans (OHIP, RAMQ) and credit cards provide insufficient coverage for long-term stays outside of Canada.
5. Tips: Prioritize high medical limits, declare all pre-existing conditions, and ensure your policy is renewable for your stay.
6. Other useful info: Your provincial health coverage typically expires after six months of living outside of Canada, making expat insurance essential.
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 here everything you need to know to choose the best expat travel insurance.
The best expat travel insurance plans
Here is a selection of the best expat travel insurance plans available for residents of Canada in 2025. These options are recognized for their high medical reimbursement limits, low deductibles and simplified conditions, offering comprehensive protection to expats living or working abroad.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | Unlimited | $0 CAD | • No annual reimbursement cap. • 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance. • Direct billing to hospitals. • Flexible for worldwide regions. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | Unlimited | $0 CAD | • No upfront payment. • Works for long-term expats. • Fast digital claim refund. • Optional dental and maternity add-ons. |
| Tourist Card | $730,000 CAD | $0–$150 CAD | • Covers up to 12 months abroad. • Strong personal liability. • Flexible for families. • Includes emergency evacuation. |
| World Travel | $1,000,000 CAD | $0–$150 CAD | • Global coverage. • Family and child options. • Good for North America. • Quick support hotline. |
| Globe Partner | Unlimited | $0–$150 CAD | • Fully customizable coverage. • Simple mobile management. • Quick pre-approval for treatments. • Direct payment to providers. |
| Globe Traveller | Unlimited | $0–$150 CAD | • Excellent for long-term expats. • Suitable for families and retirees. • Can include mental health care. • Worldwide validity. |
• 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance.
• Direct billing to hospitals.
• Flexible for worldwide regions.
• Works for long-term expats.
• Fast digital claim refund.
• Optional dental and maternity add-ons.
• Strong personal liability.
• Flexible for families.
• Includes emergency evacuation.
• Family and child options.
• Good for North America.
• Quick support hotline.
• Simple mobile management.
• Quick pre-approval for treatments.
• Direct payment to providers.
• Suitable for families and retirees.
• Can include mental health care.
• Worldwide validity.
The best expat travel insurance depends on your situation. Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the plan that suits you and subscribe directly online.
Compare the best travel insurance policies for freeI compareWhat is expat travel insurance?
Expat travel insurance is a specialized policy that covers Canadians living, working, or studying abroad for extended periods, providing health and travel protection not included in provincial plans.
It typically includes emergency medical care, hospitalization, repatriation, and coverage for non-medical situations such as personal liability and lost baggage.
This insurance is distinct from short-term travel insurance, which is only valid for trips under six months.
This insurance is often offered as an option or add-on to a standard travel insurance policy.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out expat travel insurance is especially important for Canadians:
- When your provincial health plan no longer covers you abroad.
- For any long-term stay outside Canada for work or retirement.
- If moving to a country with high private healthcare costs.
- When you cannot access the local public healthcare system.
- To cover the high cost of medical repatriation to Canada.
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition needing coverage.
- For access to 24/7 emergency assistance and direct hospital billing.
The price of expat travel insurance
On average, expat travel insurance costs between 4% and 8% of the total estimated value of your stay abroad.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Professional working in France, 1 year | 35,000 | 1,200 to 2,500 |
| Family relocating to Singapore, 1 year | 70,000 | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Student exchange in Australia, 6 months | 18,000 | 700 to 1,500 |
| Retiree living in Mexico, 1 year | 26,000 | 1,500 to 3,000 |
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 expat travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: insurance for a full year is more expensive than for a shorter period.
- destination country: living in countries with higher healthcare costs, like the USA, results in higher premiums.
- traveller’s age: older expats generally pay higher prices.
- coverage level: choosing higher medical limits, dental or maternity coverage, or low deductibles increases the cost.
- selected options: adding mental health, extreme sports, or specific family benefits will raise the premium.
What does expat travel insurance cover?
Expat travel insurance is designed for Canadians who live, work, or study abroad for at least six months. Its main aim is to provide comprehensive protection beyond what provincial health plans offer for long stays outside Canada.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Refunds prepaid expenses if you must cancel your move or journey for a covered reason. | A minimum of $2,000 cover is recommended, with no deductible over $100. Known events, visa refusal, or changing your mind are commonly excluded. |
| 🎒 Baggage and personal effects | Pays for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal property during your stay abroad. | At least $2,000 cover is wise. Deductible should not exceed $100. Unattended or fragile items are often excluded from reimbursement. |
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays for urgent medical care, surgery, and hospitalization while abroad. | Choose plans with at least $500,000 to unlimited cover. Deductible should be under $250. Pre-existing conditions and high-risk sports are typically excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical repatriation | Key guarantee. Covers transport back to Canada if medically necessary due to illness or accident. | Coverage should be at least $100,000, but unlimited is ideal. No deductible should apply. Non-medical returns or traveler refusal are not covered. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental | Covers urgent dental care from an accident or sudden pain while abroad. | Minimum $1,000, deductible below $50. Routine dental or cosmetic work is excluded from most policies. |
| 💊 Outpatient prescription drugs | Reimburses for medications needed due to an illness or injury while living abroad. | Look for at least $2,000 per year. Deductibles should not exceed $50. Pre-existing medication and non-prescription drugs are excluded. |
| 🧳 Trip interruption | Reimburses unused travel costs if you must return home earlier for a covered reason. | Recommended cover is $2,000 minimum. High deductibles are not advised. Voluntary returns and non-listed reasons are excluded. |
| 🧑⚖️ Personal liability | Pays for damages or injury you cause to another person or property while living abroad. | $500,000 minimum is prudent. Deductible should be below $100. Intentional acts and business liabilities are excluded. |
| 🤱 Maternity care (option) | Pays for pregnancy and childbirth if included and eligible under your plan. | At least $10,000 cover is advised. Waiting period and deductibles vary. Maternity within waiting period or fertility treatment are excluded. |
| 🧠 Mental health support | Pays for acute psychiatric care or counseling abroad if covered. | $2,000 minimum. Deductible should not exceed $100. Ongoing therapy and pre-existing conditions may not be covered. |
Known events, visa refusal, or changing your mind are commonly excluded.
Unattended or fragile items are often excluded from reimbursement.
Pre-existing conditions and high-risk sports are typically excluded.
Non-medical returns or traveler refusal are not covered.
Routine dental or cosmetic work is excluded from most policies.
Pre-existing medication and non-prescription drugs are excluded.
Voluntary returns and non-listed reasons are excluded.
Intentional acts and business liabilities are excluded.
Maternity within waiting period or fertility treatment are excluded.
Ongoing therapy and pre-existing conditions may not be 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 expat travel insurance best suited to your needs and destination, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
The conditions of expat travel insurance
To activate your expat travel insurance and benefit from coverage, several important conditions generally apply.
- Timing of purchase: you must buy the expat insurance policy before leaving Canada for your long-term stay abroad.
- Residency confirmation: you must be a Canadian resident at the time of application and declare your intention to live temporarily abroad.
- Minimum coverage period: coverage is only valid for long stays, usually at least six months or as defined in the policy.
- Full disclosure: all medical history, pre-existing conditions, and other important information must be reported during application.
- Compliance with local laws: you must comply with local health and insurance regulations in your destination country.
- Territorial limits: coverage may be restricted or excluded in certain countries, such as those with government travel advisories or war zones.
- Ongoing premium payments: you must pay all required premiums on schedule to maintain continuous coverage.
- Notification of claims: you must inform the insurer as soon as possible in case of accident, illness, or loss covered under the expat policy.
Watch out!
A common mistake for Canadian expats is assuming their provincial health plan or credit card insurance provides adequate coverage. These are designed for short trips, not long-term stays, and often become invalid after you leave Canada, exposing you to massive medical bills. Always get dedicated expat insurance.
Why take out expat travel insurance?
Living abroad as an expat exposes you to health risks that can lead to very expensive medical bills in many countries.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to $500,000 or unlimited, depending on policy |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Typically 100% up to the policy maximum |
| Intestinal infection (consultation, meds) |
| Up to policy limit |
| Emergency tooth extraction |
| Partial, often up to $2,000, depending on plan |
| Repatriation for medical reasons to Canada |
| Often 100% if urgent and medically necessary |
- Europe: $350
- North America: $800
- Asia: $200
- Europe: $400
- North America: $1,200
- Asia: $250
- Europe: $250
- North America: $900
- Asia: $150
- Europe: $300
- North America: $1,000
- Asia: $200
- Europe: $15,000
- North America: $50,000
- Asia: $20,000
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.
Expat travel insurance can include essential features beyond medical costs: emergency repatriation, liability abroad, trip interruption, daily hospitalization cash, maternity, dental and mental health support for longer stays in a new country.
Good to know
Provincial health plans don't cover long-term stays abroad. An unexpected hospital visit could cost you thousands. Expat insurance is essential for financial security, covering everything from surgery to medical repatriation. With some policies, like Chapka's, you won't even have to pay upfront for hospitalization.
How can I choose the right expat travel insurance?
Coverage details and reimbursement limits can vary significantly across expat travel insurance plans.
It is important to understand and compare criteria in order to select protection that matches your real needs.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | This is the maximum amount paid by the insurer per claim or year. | Choose a plan with at least $500,000 medical and $100,000 repatriation coverage. |
| 📉 Deductible | This is how much you pay out of pocket before the insurer pays. | Prioritize plans with a low or zero deductible for core medical and hospitalization. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Conditions set eligibility, waiting periods, and obligations. | Read policy documents to check waiting periods, and always declare pre-existing issues. |
| 👵 Traveller’s age | Some providers apply surcharges or limits for older expats. | Confirm if the insurer covers your age group with no restrictions before subscribing. |
| 👨👩👧 Traveller profile | Needs differ for families, solo expats, or retirees. | Look for plans tailored to families, students, or retirees for more relevant coverage. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Expats require coverage for months or years, not just weeks. | Make sure the policy covers your entire stay and is renewable if you extend your visa. |
| 🌎 Geographic area | Insurers usually vary coverage and prices by region. | Consider worldwide coverage if you plan to visit several countries, even if not required. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Private, bank, or employer insurance may only cover short trips. | Review your current benefits and avoid double insurance or overlaps with work plans. |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Sports or volunteer work abroad may not be covered by default. | Declare planned high-risk activities to avoid exclusions, and add specific coverage if needed. |
Do my current insurance policies cover expat travel insurance?
It is legitimate to wonder if your current insurances, such as credit card insurance or the public health system, can substitute for an expat 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 | Expat travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (OHIP, RAMQ) | Never | Emergency hospital care for short trips only, with maximums like $400/day. No repatriation, no long-term medical, no liability, no coverage for outpatient or maternity, no mental health. | Travel insurance can reimburse up to $5,000,000 CAD for full medical, maternity, liability, outpatient, and repatriation coverage, which public health never provides for expats. |
| Private health insurance (Sun Life, Manulife) | Almost Never | Emergency medical for short trips abroad, some accident coverage, up to $1,000,000 (short-term only). No long-term expat medical, no routine care, maternity, mental health, or non-emergency repatriation. | Travel insurance covers up to unlimited CAD for both short and long stays, includes major non-medical guarantees, and covers much more than standard private health plans abroad. |
| Classic credit card (RBC Rewards Visa, CIBC Classic Visa) | Almost Never | Trip delay, baggage delay and loss up to $1,500, accident up to $500,000. No overseas medical, no repatriation, no liability, no maternity or outpatient, no mental health or personal effects for expats. | Travel insurance offers up to $3,000,000 CAD, covering hospitalization, medical repatriation, and liability, which classic credit cards never offer for expat stays. |
| Premium credit card (RBC Avion Visa Infinite, TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite) | Limited coverage | Emergency medical up to $2,000,000 (rarely more than 21 days), some cancellation and baggage. No coverage beyond 15–21 days, no long-term expat support, no outpatient, maternity, or mental health. | Travel insurance covers up to unlimited CAD, with extended periods, outpatient, repatriation, and specific expat guarantees not found on premium cards, designed for long-term international protection. |
No repatriation, no long-term medical, no liability, no coverage for outpatient or maternity, no mental health.
No long-term expat medical, no routine care, maternity, mental health, or non-emergency repatriation.
No overseas medical, no repatriation, no liability, no maternity or outpatient, no mental health or personal effects for expats.
No coverage beyond 15–21 days, no long-term expat support, no outpatient, maternity, or mental health.
Expert advice
Canadians, be aware: trip interruption for a relative's illness is often excluded from bank card and provincial health plans. Always read the 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 expat travel insurance mandatory?
In some countries, expat travel insurance is mandatory, for example when applying for a long-stay visa in France, Singapore, or Australia. In other cases, it is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended. For instance, a Canadian expat living long-term in Mexico would not be covered by provincial health insurance, making private insurance essential for unexpected medical expenses or emergencies.
When is it recommended to purchase expat travel insurance?
It is best to arrange expat travel insurance as soon as your move abroad is confirmed, ideally before departing Canada. Early purchase ensures your coverage begins at the start of your stay and may include cancellation benefits or coverage for health events occurring just before departure. Securing insurance in advance also helps avoid gaps, rejected claims, or higher costs later.
How do I purchase expat travel insurance?
Compare different insurers and plans online, using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to identify the best value. Check guarantees and exclusions carefully to ensure the plan suits your expat needs, including regional specifics and pre-existing conditions. Complete your purchase securely online and receive your insurance certificate by email—essential for travel or visa requirements.
Can I purchase expat travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can usually purchase expat travel insurance after booking your trip or even after arriving abroad, although it is better to buy before departure. Some insurers may impose waiting periods or limitations if you wait to enroll while already overseas. Always check the terms and timing to ensure coverage is effective when you need it.
How do I make a claim on my expat travel insurance?
To make a claim, contact your insurer’s 24/7 assistance number as soon as possible and request guidance on required documents. Keep medical receipts, police reports, and claim forms, and submit them online or by email. Most major insurers process claims within a few weeks, and some offer mobile apps for tracking and status updates.
Does expat travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Many expat travel insurance plans include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but this is not automatic and may require a medical questionnaire or premium adjustment. Always declare your conditions honestly when applying, as non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. Some insurers also impose waiting periods before coverage for chronic issues begins.
Can expat travel insurance cover my family members too?
Yes, most expat travel insurance policies offer family or group coverage options for spouses, children, or dependents relocating with you. Family plans usually provide similar medical and travel benefits for each insured member, sometimes at a discounted total rate. Be sure to review coverage limits and conditions for each individual in your application.
Is expat travel insurance mandatory?
In some countries, expat travel insurance is mandatory, for example when applying for a long-stay visa in France, Singapore, or Australia. In other cases, it is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended. For instance, a Canadian expat living long-term in Mexico would not be covered by provincial health insurance, making private insurance essential for unexpected medical expenses or emergencies.
When is it recommended to purchase expat travel insurance?
It is best to arrange expat travel insurance as soon as your move abroad is confirmed, ideally before departing Canada. Early purchase ensures your coverage begins at the start of your stay and may include cancellation benefits or coverage for health events occurring just before departure. Securing insurance in advance also helps avoid gaps, rejected claims, or higher costs later.
How do I purchase expat travel insurance?
Compare different insurers and plans online, using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to identify the best value. Check guarantees and exclusions carefully to ensure the plan suits your expat needs, including regional specifics and pre-existing conditions. Complete your purchase securely online and receive your insurance certificate by email—essential for travel or visa requirements.
Can I purchase expat travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can usually purchase expat travel insurance after booking your trip or even after arriving abroad, although it is better to buy before departure. Some insurers may impose waiting periods or limitations if you wait to enroll while already overseas. Always check the terms and timing to ensure coverage is effective when you need it.
How do I make a claim on my expat travel insurance?
To make a claim, contact your insurer’s 24/7 assistance number as soon as possible and request guidance on required documents. Keep medical receipts, police reports, and claim forms, and submit them online or by email. Most major insurers process claims within a few weeks, and some offer mobile apps for tracking and status updates.
Does expat travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Many expat travel insurance plans include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but this is not automatic and may require a medical questionnaire or premium adjustment. Always declare your conditions honestly when applying, as non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. Some insurers also impose waiting periods before coverage for chronic issues begins.
Can expat travel insurance cover my family members too?
Yes, most expat travel insurance policies offer family or group coverage options for spouses, children, or dependents relocating with you. Family plans usually provide similar medical and travel benefits for each insured member, sometimes at a discounted total rate. Be sure to review coverage limits and conditions for each individual in your application.
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