Visitor insurance is priced by the day. The cost depends mostly on age, then on the coverage amount, the deductible, how pre-existing conditions are handled, and the length of the stay.
The five factors that set the premium
The age of the insured person. By far the dominant factor. The premium climbs in steps, with sharp jumps around 60, 70 and 80. Between a 35-year-old visitor and a 75-year-old visitor, the gap is considerable for identical coverage.
The coverage amount. $100,000 is the baseline threshold. Moving to $300,000 raises the premium, but the increase stays modest against the real cost of an extended hospital stay.
The deductible. A $1,000 deductible instead of $0 lowers the premium, sometimes appreciably. Our guide on choosing a deductible walks through the trade-off.
Pre-existing conditions. Coverage for stable conditions is generally offered at extra cost. The price depends on age and on the stability period required, often 90 or 180 days.
The length of the stay. The daily rate drops slightly on long stays, though the total obviously rises. Past six months, some insurers apply different rules.
Why we don’t publish a rate table
A published range would tell you very little. Two visitors of the same age can pay very different premiums depending on declared health, the stability period required for their pre-existing conditions, the province of stay, the exact dates and the insurer chosen. Each company applies its own age bands and its own appetite for risk.
The online form asks the questions that matter and compares several Canadian insurers on your real profile. Get your price in a few minutes, with no obligation.
What actually moves the price
Three levers have a measurable effect, and a fourth does not.
- Compare insurers. For the same profile, the premium gap from one Canadian company to another can be substantial at equivalent coverage. This is the most profitable lever, and the only one that costs you nothing in protection.
- Adjust the deductible. Effective, provided you can absorb the amount.
- Pick the right duration. Insure exactly the period of the stay, with a small margin, rather than rounding up generously.
- Lower the coverage maximum. Avoid this. The saving is small and that maximum is precisely what protects you in the expensive scenario. A few days in hospital passes $50,000 quickly.
The lowest-price trap
Two quotes can look equivalent and not be. Always check: is the deductible per policy or per claim, are stable pre-existing conditions included or excluded, does the policy arrange direct billing at the hospital or reimburse you afterwards, and what exclusions apply by age.
A cheaper policy that excludes stable pre-existing conditions is no bargain for a 70-year-old visitor on medication.
Getting a price for your situation
Pricing depends on too many variables to guess. A quote takes a few minutes and lets you compare several Canadian insurers on the same profile. Get your quote.
See our visitor insurance for Canada plans, or talk to a financial security advisor to confirm the right coverage amount for the age and health of the person to be insured.