Medipac travel insurance review 2026: is it worth it?
Our expert's opinion on Medipac
Medipac is a Canadian travel medical insurance specialist that has been in business for more than 40 years. Its plans are underwritten by Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada, and it is endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. It sells directly only and states on its own website that it is not available through brokers.The base policy covers up to US$2,000,000 per insured, COVID-19 included. Three riders raise this limit: MedipacPLUS (CA$59) and MedipacMAX (CA$147) take it to US$5 million, with COVID-19 remaining capped at US$2 million under PLUS, and MedipacGOLD (CA$197) takes it to US$10 million, with coverage in US dollars and benefits the other two riders do not include, such as pet transport and boarding, enhanced private nursing and a family member at your bedside.The deductible is the main pricing lever. Options range from zero to US$10,000, and Medipac states that a higher deductible can reduce the premium by up to 40%. Loyalty and claim-free credits reach 20% for existing clients, new clients can get up to 5%, and residents of PEI, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon up to 25%. None of these discounts apply to the riders or to the annual plan.This is emergency medical coverage only: no trip cancellation, no trip interruption, no baggage theft or loss and no travel delay coverage. Eligibility is based on a 90-day medical stability rule, and you must call Medipac Assist before any treatment: without that call, reimbursement drops to 75% of eligible expenses, capped at US$50,000.Important: Medipac is not a HelloSafe partner. Its plans can only be purchased directly, at medipac.com or by phone, and are not included in our comparison tool. This review is independent, based on the policy wording and rate guide published by Medipac, and is not paid for by Medipac.
- ✅Up to US$10,000,000 in medical coverage with MedipacGOLD
- ✅Coverage in US dollars with MedipacGOLD, rare in this market
- ✅Deductibles up to US$10,000, reducing the premium by up to 40%
- ✅Loyalty and claim-free credits of up to 20% for existing clients
- ✅In-house medical team at Medipac Assist, available 24/7
- ✅Direct payment to hospitals and providers whenever possible
- ✅Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion
- ❌Emergency medical only: no cancellation, baggage or delay coverage
- ❌90-day medical stability rule for pre-existing conditions
- ❌Reimbursement reduced to 75%, capped at US$50,000, without a prior call to Medipac Assist
- ❌No mobile app, customer portal or teleconsultation
- ❌Rates rise sharply from age 76, and discounts do not apply to the riders or the annual plan
Score- ✅Up to US$10,000,000 in medical coverage with MedipacGOLD
- ✅Coverage in US dollars with MedipacGOLD, rare in this market
- ✅Deductibles up to US$10,000, reducing the premium by up to 40%
- ✅Loyalty and claim-free credits of up to 20% for existing clients
- ✅In-house medical team at Medipac Assist, available 24/7
- ✅Direct payment to hospitals and providers whenever possible
- ✅Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion
Our expert's opinion on Medipac
- ✅Up to US$10,000,000 in medical coverage with MedipacGOLD
- ✅Coverage in US dollars with MedipacGOLD, rare in this market
- ✅Deductibles up to US$10,000, reducing the premium by up to 40%
- ✅Loyalty and claim-free credits of up to 20% for existing clients
- ✅In-house medical team at Medipac Assist, available 24/7
- ✅Direct payment to hospitals and providers whenever possible
- ✅Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion
- ❌Emergency medical only: no cancellation, baggage or delay coverage
- ❌90-day medical stability rule for pre-existing conditions
- ❌Reimbursement reduced to 75%, capped at US$50,000, without a prior call to Medipac Assist
- ❌No mobile app, customer portal or teleconsultation
- ❌Rates rise sharply from age 76, and discounts do not apply to the riders or the annual plan
Score- ✅Up to US$10,000,000 in medical coverage with MedipacGOLD
- ✅Coverage in US dollars with MedipacGOLD, rare in this market
- ✅Deductibles up to US$10,000, reducing the premium by up to 40%
- ✅Loyalty and claim-free credits of up to 20% for existing clients
- ✅In-house medical team at Medipac Assist, available 24/7
- ✅Direct payment to hospitals and providers whenever possible
- ✅Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion
Why trust HelloSafe?
At HelloSafe, a travel insurance expert reviews the policy wordings and prices of 42 travel insurance providers operating in Canada every year, to deliver an analysis that is both reliable and impartial. Thanks to this rigour, more than a million users trust HelloSafe every month to insure their trips and, more broadly, to guide their important financial decisions.
Medipac coverage
Medipac sells a base travel medical policy and three optional riders that raise its limit. The base policy pays up to US$2,000,000 per insured, COVID-19 included. MedipacPLUS and MedipacMAX raise it to US$5 million, and MedipacGOLD to US$10 million. Watch the currency: the policy states that all benefits are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated, and the rider benefits marked CA$ below are the exceptions.
What Medipac does well is the medical limit and emergency management. What it does not do at all is the rest of a travel insurance policy: no trip cancellation, no trip interruption, no baggage coverage and no delay coverage, at any level of the range.
| Benefit | Base policy | MedipacPLUS | MedipacMAX | MedipacGOLD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider price (CA$) | Included | $59 | $147 | $197 |
| Policy maximum (US$) | $2,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $10,000,000 |
| COVID-19 | Included, up to $2,000,000 | Limited to $2,000,000 | Included, up to $5,000,000 | Included, up to $10,000,000 |
| Hospital, physician and ambulance | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Emergency prescription drugs | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Return of your vehicle | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 |
| Return of the deceased | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Local burial or cremation | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 |
| Dental pain relief | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 |
| Chiropractic care | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 |
| Accidental death (CA$) | Not included | $3,000 | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Emergency relocation | Not included | Up to $2,500 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Inpatient rehabilitation | Not included | Up to $1,500 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $6,000 |
| Claim-free discount protection | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Return to Canada and expenses (CA$) | Not included | Not included | Up to $2,500 | Up to $5,000 |
| Hospitalization in Canada (CA$) | Not included | Not included | $100/day up to $1,000 | $250/day up to $2,500 |
| Excess baggage return (CA$) | Not included | Not included | Up to $500 | Up to $1,500 |
| Enhanced private nursing | Not included | Not included | Not included | Up to $10,000 |
| Family member at your bedside | Not included | Not included | Not included | $500/day up to $5,000 |
| Emergency pet transport | Not included | Not included | Not included | Up to $1,500 |
| Emergency pet boarding | Not included | Not included | Not included | Up to $1,000 |
| Deductible credit after a claim | Not included | Not included | Not included | $50 |
| Trip cancellation | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Trip interruption | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Baggage theft or loss | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Travel delay | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Personal liability abroad | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Two benefits deserve a mention because they are rare. Return of your vehicle, up to US$5,000, applies when neither you nor anyone travelling with you can drive it back. And claim-free discount protection, included with all three riders, forgives a first claim so you keep the discount you have built up.
The 4-Season Annual Plan is the other key feature. Sold as a 23-day or 33-day option, it covers an unlimited number of trips of that length during the year, plus an unlimited number of trips within Canada of up to 182 days each. To add it to a single-trip policy, that policy must cover at least 22 days for the 23-day option, or 31 days for the 33-day option.
Comparing several travel insurance plans is essential to find the best price or the most suitable coverage for your needs.
Compare the best travel insurance policies for freeI compareMedipac exclusions
Medipac's exclusions are strict but clearly written, which is better than vague wording at claim time. The two that rule out the most people are the 90-day stability rule for pre-existing conditions and the obligation to call Medipac Assist before receiving care.
| Exclusion category | What the policy says |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | Any condition that was not stable and controlled during the 90 days before the effective date, including a change in medication, dosage or treatment, or a pending test |
| Pregnancy and newborns | Pregnancy within the 18 weeks before the expected delivery date or the 9 weeks after, and any child born during the trip |
| Purpose of the trip | A trip taken to obtain a diagnosis, treatment or palliative care, and care provided in a hospice, convalescent home, rehabilitation centre or detox facility |
| Type of care | Experimental or investigational, cosmetic or non-emergency treatment, or treatment that could reasonably wait until you return to Canada |
| Alcohol, drugs and medication | Abuse or chronic use of drugs, alcohol or other intoxicants, including withdrawal symptoms, and abuse of or non-compliance with prescribed treatment |
| Intentional acts | Suicide, attempted suicide, self-inflicted injury, and committing or attempting to commit a criminal offence |
| War, terrorism and unrest | Declared or undeclared war, civil war, rebellion, insurrection, terrorism, taking part in a riot, civil disorder or demonstration, and service in the armed forces |
| Travel advisories | Any medical emergency in a city, region or country that was subject, before departure, to a Government of Canada advisory to avoid all travel or non-essential travel, with a specific exception for COVID-19-related advisories |
| High-risk activities | High-risk sports, activities and behaviours, including scuba diving, mountaineering, rock or cliff climbing, hang gliding and paragliding |
| Procedure | Failure to call Medipac Assist before treatment, which reduces reimbursement to 75% of eligible expenses up to US$50,000, material misrepresentation on the application, and any claim submitted more than one year after the event |
Medipac prices
Medipac publishes its full rate tables, which is uncommon in this market. Three factors set the price: your age band, the length of the trip and the deductible you choose. Over age 55, a medical questionnaire also places you in one of three categories, Preferred Plus, Preferred or Standard, and the table below shows the best of the three. Up to age 55, there are no medical questions.
| Age band | 7 to 9-day trip (CA$) | 4-Season Annual Plan, 23 days (CA$) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 55 | $82 | $69 |
| 56 to 60 | $94 | $74 |
| 61 to 65 | $128 | $94 |
| 66 to 70 | $134 | $117 |
| 71 to 75 | $150 | $150 |
| 76 to 79 | $217 | $206 |
| 80 to 85 | $311 | $317 |
| 86 and over | $502 | $393 |
Rates published by Medipac in its 2026 guide, Preferred Plus category with a US$99 deductible, before any discount and excluding riders. A zero deductible adds 10%. The Preferred and Standard categories cost more. For a firm price, request a quote directly from Medipac at medipac.com.
The effect of age is steep and worth planning for. The same 7 to 9-day trip costs CA$82 at age 55 and CA$502 at age 86, six times more. Raising the deductible is the most effective counterweight Medipac offers, with savings of up to 40% on the premium.
Medipac discounts
| Discount published by Medipac | Amount |
|---|---|
| Loyalty credit | 1% per consecutive year insured with Medipac, up to 10% |
| Claim-free discount | 1% per consecutive claim-free year, up to 10% |
| Loyalty and claim-free combined | Up to 20% |
| Provincial discount | Up to 25% for residents of PEI, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon |
| Claim-Free Advantage, new clients | 3% to start, then 1% per claim-free year, up to 5% |
| Deductible choice | Up to 40% off the premium, about 25% with a US$5,000 deductible |
One important restriction: Medipac states that these discounts do not apply to 4-Season Annual Plan rates or to MedipacGOLD, MedipacMAX or MedipacPLUS. They only reduce the base premium.
How much does Medipac actually reimburse?
The mechanism is simple: call Medipac Assist first, send your supporting documents, and eligible expenses are paid up to the policy limit, minus the deductible. The one variable that changes everything is whether you made that call.
Example 1: appendicitis in Florida, with the prior call.
Eligible medical expenses: US$32,000
MedipacMAX policy, US$99 deductible
Reimbursed: US$32,000 − US$99 = US$31,901
The MedipacMAX limit is US$5,000,000 per insured.
Example 2: the same bill, without the call.
Eligible medical expenses: US$32,000
The policy pays 75% of eligible expenses: US$24,000
Your share: US$8,000
This 75% reimbursement is itself capped at US$50,000: on a large claim, your out-of-pocket costs rise very quickly.
Example 3: your car stays behind.
You are repatriated and no one travelling with you can drive your vehicle home.
Cost of returning the vehicle: US$1,800
Reimbursed: US$1,800
The benefit covers up to US$5,000 and must be approved in advance by Medipac Assist.
Medipac assistance
This is where Medipac differs most clearly. Its assistance line is staffed by its own health professionals rather than an outsourced call centre, and the company makes a point of it. The trade-off is an entirely traditional experience: no app, no customer portal, no teleconsultation, and claim forms that travel by mail or email.
| Medipac assistance | Available | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 assistance line | Yes | Medipac Assist, staffed by Medipac's own health professionals, with no outsourced call centre |
| Toll-free number, Canada and United States | Yes | 1-800-813-9374 |
| International number | Yes | 416-441-6337, collect from abroad |
| Direct payment to providers | Yes | Direct payment to hospitals and providers whenever possible, with prior approval from Medipac Assist |
| Call required before treatment | Yes | Required. Otherwise, reimbursement drops to 75% of eligible expenses, capped at US$50,000 |
| WhatsApp or instant messaging | No | No messaging channel published |
| Mobile app | No | No native app published |
| Customer portal or online upload | No | Claim forms are downloaded, then returned by mail or email |
| Teleconsultation | No | No remote medical consultation service published |
| Languages | 2 | English and French |
| Published processing time | No | Medipac publishes no average settlement time. The policy requires claims to be filed within one year of the event |
What can and cannot be verified about Medipac's reputation
We only publish what we can source. On Medipac, the verifiable information is thinner than for most insurers in this market, and it is more honest to say so than to fill the gap.
- Medipac has been in business for more than 40 years and is endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Royal Canadian Legion.
- The insurer, Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada, is a subsidiary of a long-established insurance group, which says something about its ability to pay claims.
- Medipac publishes its full policy wording, exclusions and rate tables. This transparency is above the market average and can be checked line by line.
- Medipac publishes no average settlement time and no customer satisfaction score, and runs no verified review program that we can audit.
We therefore give Medipac no customer rating. Our score covers the policy and pricing, not reported customer experience.
Contact Medipac
| Your need | Contact method |
|---|---|
| Get a quote or buy a policy | Directly from Medipac only, at medipac.com or 1-888-633-4722, also reachable at 1-800-633-4722. Medipac is not a HelloSafe partner and is not included in our comparison tool |
| Medical emergency abroad | Medipac Assist at 1-800-813-9374 from Canada and the United States, or 416-441-6337 collect from elsewhere, or assist@medipac.com. The call must come before treatment |
| File a claim | Medipac Claims at 1-888-311-4761, or 416-441-7073, or claims@medipac.com. By mail: Medipac Claims Department, 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. Claims must be filed within one year of the event |
| Administration and general questions | admin@medipac.com, 1-800-633-4722, local 416-441-7070, Medipac Travel Insurance, 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 |
FAQ
What does Medipac travel insurance actually cover?
Medipac is emergency medical insurance. The base policy covers up to US$2,000,000 per insured, COVID-19 included, for hospital and emergency room expenses, physician and practitioner fees, ground and air ambulance, emergency prescription drugs, return of your vehicle and the return of your spouse and dependent children. It does not cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage theft or loss, or travel delay.
What is the difference between MedipacPLUS, MedipacMAX and MedipacGOLD?
They are riders added to the base policy. MedipacPLUS costs CA$59 and raises the limit to US$5 million, but leaves COVID-19 at the base limit of US$2 million. MedipacMAX costs CA$147, raises the limit to US$5 million including COVID-19, and adds return to Canada, hospitalization in Canada and excess baggage return. MedipacGOLD costs CA$197, raises the limit to US$10 million in US dollars, and is the only one to include pet transport and boarding, enhanced private nursing, a family member at your bedside and a $50 deductible credit.
How much does a Medipac policy cost?
In the Preferred Plus category with a US$99 deductible, a 7 to 9-day trip costs CA$82 up to age 55, CA$128 from 61 to 65, CA$150 from 71 to 75 and CA$502 from age 86. The 23-day 4-Season Annual Plan ranges from CA$69 to CA$393 across the same age bands. Up to age 55, there are no medical questions. Over 55, the medical questionnaire determines the Preferred Plus, Preferred or Standard category, which changes the rate. A zero deductible adds 10%.
What happens if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Your condition must have been stable and controlled during the 90 days before the effective date. Any change in medication, dosage or treatment, any new symptom, any hospitalization or any pending test breaks that stability, and the related claim is excluded. If you do not meet this requirement, Medipac offers an individually underwritten plan, assessed case by case.
Do I have to call Medipac before receiving treatment?
Yes, and the penalty is precise. Without a prior call to Medipac Assist, the policy reimburses only 75% of eligible expenses, up to US$50,000. On a US$32,000 hospital bill, that leaves US$8,000 for you to pay, and on a larger claim, the US$50,000 cap becomes the real limit.
What discounts can I get?
Medipac publishes a loyalty credit of 1% per consecutive year up to 10%, a claim-free discount of 1% per claim-free year up to 10%, up to 20% for both combined, and up to 25% for residents of PEI, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. New clients can get 3% to 5% through the Claim-Free Advantage Discount. The deductible remains the main lever, with up to 40% off. None of these discounts apply to the riders or to the annual plan.
Can I buy Medipac through a broker or a comparison site?
No. Medipac states on its own website that it is not available through brokers and sells directly only, at medipac.com or by phone. HelloSafe is not a Medipac partner, does not sell its policies and cannot provide a Medipac quote.
What does Medipac travel insurance actually cover?
Medipac is emergency medical insurance. The base policy covers up to US$2,000,000 per insured, COVID-19 included, for hospital and emergency room expenses, physician and practitioner fees, ground and air ambulance, emergency prescription drugs, return of your vehicle and the return of your spouse and dependent children. It does not cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage theft or loss, or travel delay.
What is the difference between MedipacPLUS, MedipacMAX and MedipacGOLD?
They are riders added to the base policy. MedipacPLUS costs CA$59 and raises the limit to US$5 million, but leaves COVID-19 at the base limit of US$2 million. MedipacMAX costs CA$147, raises the limit to US$5 million including COVID-19, and adds return to Canada, hospitalization in Canada and excess baggage return. MedipacGOLD costs CA$197, raises the limit to US$10 million in US dollars, and is the only one to include pet transport and boarding, enhanced private nursing, a family member at your bedside and a $50 deductible credit.
How much does a Medipac policy cost?
In the Preferred Plus category with a US$99 deductible, a 7 to 9-day trip costs CA$82 up to age 55, CA$128 from 61 to 65, CA$150 from 71 to 75 and CA$502 from age 86. The 23-day 4-Season Annual Plan ranges from CA$69 to CA$393 across the same age bands. Up to age 55, there are no medical questions. Over 55, the medical questionnaire determines the Preferred Plus, Preferred or Standard category, which changes the rate. A zero deductible adds 10%.
What happens if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Your condition must have been stable and controlled during the 90 days before the effective date. Any change in medication, dosage or treatment, any new symptom, any hospitalization or any pending test breaks that stability, and the related claim is excluded. If you do not meet this requirement, Medipac offers an individually underwritten plan, assessed case by case.
Do I have to call Medipac before receiving treatment?
Yes, and the penalty is precise. Without a prior call to Medipac Assist, the policy reimburses only 75% of eligible expenses, up to US$50,000. On a US$32,000 hospital bill, that leaves US$8,000 for you to pay, and on a larger claim, the US$50,000 cap becomes the real limit.
What discounts can I get?
Medipac publishes a loyalty credit of 1% per consecutive year up to 10%, a claim-free discount of 1% per claim-free year up to 10%, up to 20% for both combined, and up to 25% for residents of PEI, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. New clients can get 3% to 5% through the Claim-Free Advantage Discount. The deductible remains the main lever, with up to 40% off. None of these discounts apply to the riders or to the annual plan.
Can I buy Medipac through a broker or a comparison site?
No. Medipac states on its own website that it is not available through brokers and sells directly only, at medipac.com or by phone. HelloSafe is not a Medipac partner, does not sell its policies and cannot provide a Medipac quote.
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