- The Best Volunteering Travel Insurance Plans
- What is volunteering travel insurance?
- The price of volunteering travel insurance
- What does volunteering travel insurance cover?
- The Conditions of Volunteering Travel Insurance
- Why take out volunteering travel insurance?
- How to choose the right volunteering travel insurance
- Volunteering travel insurance and existing insurance policies
- FAQ
volunteering travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Volunteering travel insurance is specialized coverage for risks associated with unpaid work abroad, like medical emergencies and liability.
2. Price: For a one-week trip to Europe, expect to pay between $60 and $120 CAD for this insurance.
3. Coverage: It covers medical care, evacuation, and liability, but often excludes pre-existing conditions and high-risk, non-volunteer activities.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Provincial plans (OHIP, RAMQ) and credit cards rarely cover volunteer work or long-term trips abroad.
5. Tips: Ensure your policy explicitly covers volunteer activities, including any manual labour, and has high medical evacuation limits.
6. Other useful info: Many Canadian volunteer organizations require proof of specific insurance before you can participate in their programs.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travelers every month. After analyzing 41 travel insurance policies available in Canada, our experts share here everything you need to know to choose the best volunteering travel insurance.
The Best Volunteering Travel Insurance Plans
Here is a selection of the best volunteering travel insurance plans available for residents of Canada in 2025. These policies stand out for their high medical limits, low deductibles and specialized coverage, offering tailored protection for volunteering trips.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | $1,000,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • Volunteer work activities explicitly covered. • Unlimited emergency medical assistance. • Includes evacuation and repatriation. • Simple online claim process. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | $1,000,000 CAD | $0 CAD | • No deductible for medical claims. • Covers manual and charity work. • Civil liability included. • 24/7 assistance worldwide. |
| Tourist Card | $500,000 CAD | $0–$100 CAD | • Long stay option. • Emergency evacuation. • Covers accidental injury during volunteering. • Luggage and trip interruption included. |
| World Travel | $1,000,000 CAD | $0–$100 CAD | • Comprehensive for humanitarian work. • Hospitalization and medical repatriation. • Multilingual 24/7 support. • Theft and delay coverage. |
| Globe Partner | $500,000 CAD | $0–$100 CAD | • Suitable for remote destinations. • Good for long-term volunteering. • Minimal paperwork. • Direct payment to hospitals. |
| Globe Traveller | $500,000 CAD | $0–$100 CAD | • Designed for extended stays. • Good baggage coverage. • Covers hospitalization and emergency return. • Multi-language helpline. |
• Unlimited emergency medical assistance.
• Includes evacuation and repatriation.
• Simple online claim process.
• Covers manual and charity work.
• Civil liability included.
• 24/7 assistance worldwide.
• Emergency evacuation.
• Covers accidental injury during volunteering.
• Luggage and trip interruption included.
• Hospitalization and medical repatriation.
• Multilingual 24/7 support.
• Theft and delay coverage.
• Good for long-term volunteering.
• Minimal paperwork.
• Direct payment to hospitals.
• Good baggage coverage.
• Covers hospitalization and emergency return.
• Multi-language helpline.
The best volunteering travel insurance will always depend on your specific situation. 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 is volunteering travel insurance?
Volunteering travel insurance is a specialized policy for Canadians going abroad to participate in volunteer activities, humanitarian missions, or charity work.
It provides coverage for medical emergencies, accidents, repatriation, personal liability, and specific risks related to volunteering, such as manual work or community projects.
This type of insurance is essential because most standard travel insurance excludes coverage for volunteer work and higher-risk assignments.
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 volunteering travel insurance is especially important for residents of Canada:
- When your project involves manual labour like construction or conservation work.
- If volunteering in a remote area with limited medical facilities.
- For any volunteer trip longer than 21 days outside Canada.
- When your destination has a risk of political instability or unrest.
- If the host organization requires proof of personal liability insurance.
- Because your provincial health plan offers minimal coverage outside Canada.
The price of volunteering travel insurance
On average, volunteering travel insurance costs between 4% and 8% of the total cost of your travel assignment.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Two weeks teaching in Peru | 2,200 | 60 to 120 |
| One month wildlife project in Kenya | 3,000 | 120 to 250 |
| Three months building homes in Nepal | 5,500 | 250 to 400 |
| Six months multi-country volunteering trip | 10,000 | 400 to 700 |
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 volunteering travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: longer assignments require higher premiums.
- destination: countries with higher healthcare costs or increased risk lead to more expensive insurance.
- nature of volunteering work: manual labor, construction, or remote locations can raise the price.
- traveller’s age and health: older age or pre-existing conditions will usually increase the cost.
- coverage level: high medical, evacuation, or liability limits increase the premium.
- selected options: additional coverage for baggage, adventure sports, or cancellation may affect the total price.
What does volunteering travel insurance cover?
Volunteering travel insurance is designed for people who travel abroad to help with volunteer work or humanitarian missions. It covers specific needs that arise when volunteering in unfamiliar, and sometimes higher-risk, environments. This insurance addresses risks often excluded in standard travel insurance policies.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Refunds pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel for a covered reason before departure. | A minimum of $2,500 per trip is recommended and deductible under $50. Known events, lack of papers, or volunteer program changes are usually excluded. |
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays hospital, doctor, and prescription costs for illness or injury abroad. | Choose at least $500,000 cover, ideally $1,000,000, and a deductible under $100. Routine checkups, pre-existing conditions, and high-risk activities are excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical evacuation and repatriation | Key guarantee. Pays for emergency transport to hospital or back to Canada if needed. | Minimum $250,000 is essential, no deductible advised. Non-urgent evacuations and refusal by authorities are excluded. |
| 🧑🤝🧑 Personal liability | Pays if you accidentally injure someone or damage property during volunteer work. | Not less than $1,000,000, deductible should not exceed $100. Intentional acts and damages outside volunteer activities are excluded. |
| 🎒 Baggage loss or theft | Covers loss or theft of your personal belongings during travel. | Select $1,500+ in coverage, deductible below $50. Unattended bags and valuables like electronics are often excluded. |
| 💔 Trip interruption | Refunds unused services if you must return home due to a covered emergency. | Minimum cover of $2,000, and deductible below $50 is best. Voluntary changes and minor personal reasons are not covered. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental | Pays for urgent dental care if you have an accident or sudden pain. | Look for at least $300 and deductible under $50. Routine and cosmetic dental care are excluded. |
| 🚨 Civil unrest or natural disaster | Pays costs if you must evacuate due to unrest or disaster. | Look for $10,000+ in coverage, no deductible is common. Ignoring official warnings or returning without authorization are not covered. |
| 🧍♂️ Accident death or disability | Pays a lump sum if you die or have a permanent disability during your assignment. | $10,000+ is standard, no deductible should apply. Suicide, drug use, and hazardous volunteer work are always excluded. |
| 📞 24/7 assistance services | Offers emergency help, advice, and translation anytime during your trip. | Make sure 24/7 multilingual support is included. No common exclusions, but language or connection problems can occur. |
Known events, lack of papers, or volunteer program changes are usually excluded.
Routine checkups, pre-existing conditions, and high-risk activities are excluded.
Non-urgent evacuations and refusal by authorities are excluded.
Intentional acts and damages outside volunteer activities are excluded.
Unattended bags and valuables like electronics are often excluded.
Voluntary changes and minor personal reasons are not covered.
Routine and cosmetic dental care are excluded.
Ignoring official warnings or returning without authorization are not covered.
Suicide, drug use, and hazardous volunteer work are always excluded.
No common exclusions, but language or connection problems can occur.
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 volunteering travel insurance best suited to your mission and profile, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
The Conditions of Volunteering Travel Insurance
Volunteering travel insurance has specific requirements before coverage becomes valid. These conditions ensure you are properly protected during your volunteer assignment abroad.
- Timing of purchase: you must buy the policy before leaving Canada, not after you start your volunteering trip.
- Residency requirement: you must be a permanent resident of Canada at the time of application.
- Declared volunteering activities: you must clearly state the type of volunteer work you will be doing and have it accepted by the insurer.
- Duration compliance: your insurance only covers you for the length of time and destinations specified in your contract.
- Host organization affiliation: some insurers require proof of official placement with a recognized volunteer or non-profit organization.
- No ongoing travel: you must not already be abroad or volunteering when you activate the insurance.
- Acceptable risk level: covered activities must not exceed risk levels accepted by the policy, such as dangerous manual labour or off-limits sports.
- Incident notification: you must notify your insurer promptly in the event of accident, illness, or unexpected incident while volunteering.
Watch out!
A critical misunderstanding for Canadian volunteers is assuming their credit card or provincial health plan provides coverage. These policies almost always exclude volunteer activities, especially manual labour. Without specialized insurance, you risk being unprotected for medical emergencies, evacuation, or liability while working abroad.
Why take out volunteering travel insurance?
Unforeseen medical emergencies, injuries or accidents can result in high expenses while volunteering abroad, especially in remote or developing regions.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to $1,000,000 or plan maximum |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to $1,000,000 or 100%, depending on plan |
| Intestinal infection (consultation, meds) |
| Up to $1,000,000 or plan maximum |
| Appendicitis surgery and hospitalization |
| Up to $1,000,000 or plan maximum |
| Repatriation for medical reasons to Canada |
| Sometimes 100% if medically necessary |
- Europe: $300
- North America: $800
- Asia: $150
- Europe: $250
- North America: $1,000
- Asia: $100
- Europe: $200
- North America: $600
- Asia: $80
- Europe: $7,000
- North America: $25,000
- Asia: $3,000
- Europe: $15,000
- North America: $50,000
- Asia: $10,000
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.
Besides medical expenses, volunteering travel insurance may also include other protections: emergency repatriation, personal liability, trip cancellation or interruption, loss or theft of baggage, and access to 24/7 emergency assistance.
Good to know
Your provincial health plan and credit card won't cover volunteer work abroad. A minor accident could result in huge medical bills. Get specialized coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and liability. A plan like Chapka’s ensures you’re protected, so you can focus on your mission.
How to choose the right volunteering travel insurance
Volunteering travel insurance plans are not all the same: reimbursement amounts, types of covered risks, and limits can differ a lot.
That is why it is crucial to compare offers based on your volunteering assignment abroad.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | Medical emergencies and evacuation can be very costly, especially in remote areas. | Select at least $500,000 coverage for medical and evacuation, especially for high-risk or remote projects. |
| 📉 Deductible | The deductible is what you pay yourself for each claim. | Favour plans with a low or zero deductible, as out-of-pocket costs can be high in unexpected circumstances. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Coverage depends on policy details, activities, and exclusions related to volunteering. | Read the contract carefully and check for explicit coverage of volunteer work and manual activities abroad. |
| 👤 Traveller profile | Age, health, and type of volunteer role may affect acceptance and coverage. | Disclose your age, health, and assigned duties so the plan covers all your planned and emergency activities. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Volunteer assignments are often longer than regular trips; not all policies cover long-term stays. | Make sure your insurance matches your stay length and allows for multi-month or multi-country volunteering. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Risks, healthcare costs, and required guarantees depend on your host country. | Check that all destination countries, stopovers, or regions are included, as coverage may vary by location. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Credit cards and provincial health rarely protect volunteers abroad or cover manual work. | Do not rely on bank card insurance or public health for volunteering; seek a dedicated plan for volunteer activities. |
| 🧰 Planned activities | Manual labour, teaching, or construction involve risks not always covered by regular insurance. | Declare specific volunteer tasks to make sure your insurance is valid for all types of activities abroad. |
| 🖥️ Online subscription | Volunteering postings and trips are sometimes set up last minute and require quick insurance. | Choose policies available online for rapid purchase and instant proof, ideal for last-minute volunteering departures. |
Volunteering travel insurance and existing insurance policies
It is legitimate to wonder if your current insurances such as credit card coverage or the public health system can offer you a volunteering 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 | Volunteering travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why travel insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (OHIP, RAMQ) | Never | Emergency care in Canada only, very limited reimbursement if any abroad, maximum $400 per day. No overseas emergency or liability, no evacuation, no coverage for volunteering activities. | Travel insurance offers up to $1,000,000–$5,000,000 CAD for global medical, evacuation, liability and activities related to volunteering. |
| Private health insurance (Sun Life, Manulife) | Almost Never | Emergency care with optional travel add-on, maximum $1,000,000–$5,000,000 for short trips. No coverage for volunteer work, no evacuation, manual labor, or liability abroad. | Travel insurance covers all types of volunteering assignments and guarantees, up to $1,000,000–$5,000,000 CAD almost anywhere. |
| Classic credit card (RBC Classic Visa, TD Classic Mastercard) | Never | Emergency medical coverage for cardholder, maximum $500,000–$1,000,000 for short trips (15–21 days). Not valid for volunteering, manual work, long trips, or personal liability. | Travel insurance provides specific guarantees required for volunteering, much higher limits, and valid for long/remote assignments. |
| Premium credit card (RBC Avion Visa Infinite, TD First Class Travel Visa) | Limited coverage | Emergency medical for up to 25 days, maximum $1,000,000–$5,000,000, basic baggage/trip delay. No coverage for volunteer activities, manual labor, full liability, or long placements. | Travel insurance covers volunteering, repatriation and all volunteer-related incidents up to $5,000,000 CAD which cards do not offer. |
No overseas emergency or liability, no evacuation, no coverage for volunteering activities.
No coverage for volunteer work, no evacuation, manual labor, or liability abroad.
Not valid for volunteering, manual work, long trips, or personal liability.
No coverage for volunteer activities, manual labor, full liability, or long placements.
Expert advice
Your Canadian bank card or health plan often excludes key situations like trip interruption for a family emergency. 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 policy tailored to your trip.
FAQ
Is volunteering travel insurance mandatory?
Volunteering travel insurance is required by some countries for visa issuance or by host organizations as a condition of participation. While not always mandatory, it is strongly recommended; for example, a volunteering trip to rural Asia without insurance can leave you exposed to high medical and evacuation costs.
When is it recommended to purchase volunteering travel insurance?
Purchase volunteering travel insurance as soon as your trip is confirmed, ideally right after booking your flights and placement. Early purchase ensures coverage starts before departure, including for cancellation, and lets you avoid exclusions for health events that occur after buying.
How do I purchase volunteering travel insurance?
1/ Compare: Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to find offers tailored for volunteering.2/ Check guarantees and exclusions: Read policy details to make sure volunteering and any specific activities are covered.3/ Purchase online: Buy directly on the insurer's secure website.4/ Receive the certificate: Your proof of insurance will be sent by email, often needed for your host organization or visa.
Can I purchase volunteering travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can buy volunteering travel insurance after booking your trip, as long as you do so before departure. However, benefits like cancellation coverage are often only valid if purchased shortly after booking, so it is best to arrange insurance as early as possible for full protection.
How do I make a claim with volunteering travel insurance?
To make a claim, contact your insurer’s emergency helpline as soon as possible and gather all relevant documentation including medical reports and receipts. Most insurers offer online or app-based claim submission. Always provide full details of the incident and follow up until your claim is resolved.
Are adventure or manual work activities during volunteering covered?
Standard policies often exclude manual work or riskier activities, but dedicated volunteering insurance generally covers volunteer responsibilities including teaching, building, eco-projects, or community healthcare. Always confirm coverage for the specific type of work you’ll do to avoid coverage gaps.
What if my host organization requires proof of insurance for volunteering?
Most insurers email a certificate of insurance promptly after purchase, detailing your coverage dates and limits. Present this to your organization when requested. If they need special wording or confirmation, contact the insurer ahead of your departure to ensure compliance with requirements.
Is volunteering travel insurance mandatory?
Volunteering travel insurance is required by some countries for visa issuance or by host organizations as a condition of participation. While not always mandatory, it is strongly recommended; for example, a volunteering trip to rural Asia without insurance can leave you exposed to high medical and evacuation costs.
When is it recommended to purchase volunteering travel insurance?
Purchase volunteering travel insurance as soon as your trip is confirmed, ideally right after booking your flights and placement. Early purchase ensures coverage starts before departure, including for cancellation, and lets you avoid exclusions for health events that occur after buying.
How do I purchase volunteering travel insurance?
1/ Compare: Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to find offers tailored for volunteering.2/ Check guarantees and exclusions: Read policy details to make sure volunteering and any specific activities are covered.3/ Purchase online: Buy directly on the insurer's secure website.4/ Receive the certificate: Your proof of insurance will be sent by email, often needed for your host organization or visa.
Can I purchase volunteering travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can buy volunteering travel insurance after booking your trip, as long as you do so before departure. However, benefits like cancellation coverage are often only valid if purchased shortly after booking, so it is best to arrange insurance as early as possible for full protection.
How do I make a claim with volunteering travel insurance?
To make a claim, contact your insurer’s emergency helpline as soon as possible and gather all relevant documentation including medical reports and receipts. Most insurers offer online or app-based claim submission. Always provide full details of the incident and follow up until your claim is resolved.
Are adventure or manual work activities during volunteering covered?
Standard policies often exclude manual work or riskier activities, but dedicated volunteering insurance generally covers volunteer responsibilities including teaching, building, eco-projects, or community healthcare. Always confirm coverage for the specific type of work you’ll do to avoid coverage gaps.
What if my host organization requires proof of insurance for volunteering?
Most insurers email a certificate of insurance promptly after purchase, detailing your coverage dates and limits. Present this to your organization when requested. If they need special wording or confirmation, contact the insurer ahead of your departure to ensure compliance with requirements.
