Coverage for Canadians Visiting the USA

US Visitor Insurance for Canadians

Canadian provincial health coverage barely works across the US border — and most provinces have eliminated out-of-country emergency benefits entirely.

⚠️ Most Canadian provinces now pay $0 toward out-of-country medical emergencies. You're on your own in the USA.

60,000+
Travelers Covered
151
Countries Served
A-Rated
Carriers Only
Instant
Policy Issuance
Coverage Gap

Your Provincial Health Plan Likely Covers Nothing in the USA

Canada's provincial health plans — OHIP in Ontario, BC Medical Services Plan, AHCIP in Alberta, RAMQ in Québec, and others — cover medically necessary care within each province only. They provide minimal out-of-province coverage (up to a low daily cap) and virtually no US coverage. Canada and the US have no bilateral healthcare agreement for visiting tourists or short-term visitors. A US ER visit averages $3,100; one hospital night costs $11,700. Canadian snowbirds and visitors in Florida, Arizona, and Texas face enormous out-of-pocket exposure — a single cardiac event can exceed $80,000 with no provincial plan reimbursement.

$3,100
Average US ER Visit
$11,700
Hospital Night (average)
$50,000+
Emergency Evacuation

Pre-Existing Conditions — What's Covered for Canadians?

US visitors insurance uses "acute onset" coverage — emergency treatment for a sudden flare of a known condition is typically covered.

ConditionAcute Onset Covered?Notes
Type 2 Diabetes✓ YesAcute onset emergency covered under IMG & WorldTrips
Hypertension / High Blood Pressure✓ YesSudden cardiac event or stroke covered as acute onset
Coronary Artery Disease✓ YesEmergency heart attack treatment covered — not routine cardiology visits
COPD / Asthma✓ YesAcute attack requiring ER care typically covered
Arthritis✗ LimitedRoutine care not covered; acute fracture unrelated to arthritis is covered
Kidney Disease (CKD)✗ LimitedDialysis is excluded; acute infection or emergency is covered

Acute onset means emergency treatment for a sudden flare of a known condition — not routine management. Questions? Call (832) 856-1704.

Best Visitors Insurance Plans for Canadians

All plans accepted at US hospitals. A-rated carriers. Direct billing available.

IMGMost Popular

Patriot America Plus

Best overall balance of price, coverage, and pre-existing condition provisions

Coverage: $1,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $2,500
Network: IPA global network
  • Up to $1M emergency medical
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Emergency evacuation included
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Telemedicine included
  • Coverage up to age 99
  • 24/7 global assistance
  • Renewable — extend as needed
Get Patriot America Plus Quote
WorldTripsHighest Coverage

Atlas America

Maximum medical limits for visitors with complex health history or older age

Coverage: $2,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $5,000
Network: UnitedHealthcare
  • Up to $2M emergency medical
  • Highest available limits
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Emergency dental included
  • Mental health emergencies covered
  • Multilingual support 24/7
  • Adventure sports optional add-on
  • Renewable coverage
Get Atlas America Quote
Trawick$0 Deductible Option

Safe Travels USA

$0 deductible option — no out-of-pocket at the hospital

Coverage: $1,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $5,000
Network: UnitedHealthcare
  • Up to $1M emergency medical
  • $0 deductible option available
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Dental emergency benefit
  • Trip interruption coverage
  • Loss of passport benefit
  • AD&D included
  • 24/7 emergency hotline
Get Safe Travels USA Quote

How Much Does Visitors Insurance Cost for Canadians?

Real price estimates based on actual plan rates — not inflated samples.

AgeDurationCoverageDeductibleEst. Cost
50 years30 days$100K$250$38–$52
55 years60 days$100K$250$85–$115
60 years90 days$100K$250$120–$175
65 years90 days$100K$250$175–$245
70 years90 days$100K$250$240–$340
75 years60 days$100K$500$195–$275

Estimates for visitors insurance to the USA. Exact pricing depends on carrier and plan selected.

How to Buy Visitors Insurance for Canadians — Step by Step

1

Get an instant quote

Click 'Get Quote' and enter the visitor's age, travel dates, and home country (Canada). Takes under 2 minutes. No personal information required at this stage.

2

Compare 3–5 plans side by side

Our comparison tool shows IMG, WorldTrips, and Trawick side by side — coverage limits, deductibles, network, and pre-existing condition provisions. Pick what fits the visitor's health and budget.

3

Purchase online — instant policy

Pay securely online. The insurance certificate is emailed within minutes. Print it or save it to your phone — you'll need it if the visitor goes to a hospital.

4

Use the insurance if needed

In an emergency, call the number on the insurance card. The 24/7 assistance team will find the nearest in-network hospital, arrange direct billing, and handle paperwork.

5

Extend if the stay gets longer

If the visitor extends their stay, renew the policy online before it expires. As long as no claim has been filed, most plans renew seamlessly for up to 364 days total.

Frequently Asked Questions — Canadians Visiting the USA

Does my province's health card cover me in the USA?
Almost certainly not. Most Canadian provinces have reduced out-of-country emergency health benefits to zero. Ontario eliminated its Out-of-Country Travellers Program in 2020. BC, Alberta, and most other provinces now reimburse either nothing or a negligible amount (sometimes as little as $75/day toward a $11,700/day hospital bill). You should assume your provincial health card provides zero US coverage.
What about my credit card travel insurance for the USA?
Credit card travel insurance has significant gaps: maximum benefits are usually $50,000–$100,000 (a US cardiac event can exceed $200,000), coverage is often capped at 15–21 days, and eligibility requires charging the full trip cost to the card. Age cutoffs (often 65–75) may disqualify seniors. A dedicated visitor plan provides higher limits with clearer terms at a similar or lower cost.
How much does US visitor insurance cost for Canadians?
Plans typically start around $1.50–$3.00 per day CAD depending on age and coverage amount. A healthy Canadian adult under 60 visiting for 30 days usually pays $55–$100 CAD. Snowbirds and seniors over 70 will see higher rates but still far less than the risk of a single uncovered US hospitalization. Get an exact quote instantly — no personal information required.
Do Canadians need a visa to enter the USA?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the USA for visits under 6 months. However, visitor insurance is strongly recommended regardless of trip length — your provincial health card provides zero US medical coverage, leaving you fully exposed.
What is the best visitor insurance for Canadian snowbirds in Florida or Arizona?
For Canadian snowbirds, we recommend WorldTrips Atlas America for its high coverage limits (up to $2,000,000) and long-stay options. IMG Patriot America Plus is also popular for its acute onset pre-existing condition coverage — essential if you have heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Both are A-rated carriers designed for the US healthcare system.
Does visitor insurance cover pre-existing conditions for Canadian visitors?
Most plans include acute onset coverage — meaning if you have a known condition like heart disease or COPD and you experience a sudden unexpected emergency related to it, the plan can cover that emergency treatment. Routine follow-up care, medications, or elective procedures for stable conditions are not covered. This benefit is especially important for older Canadian visitors.
Can I buy visitor insurance after arriving in the USA?
Yes — most plans can be purchased after arrival in the USA. However, there is typically a short waiting period (24–72 hours) before coverage begins for non-emergency conditions. For emergencies, coverage usually starts immediately. We recommend buying before you depart Canada whenever possible to avoid any waiting period gaps.

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Home country health insurance doesn't work in America. Get covered before landing — instant quote, instant policy, instant peace of mind.

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