Welcoming your parents to Canada is a precious moment, and a bit of logistics. Canada’s public health system does not cover visitors: a simple emergency-room visit can cost over $1,000, and a hospital stay can run into the tens of thousands. Here’s the checklist to get it right.
1. Buy the insurance before departure
Most visitor policies must be purchased before arrival in Canada to provide full coverage. Buying after arrival is sometimes possible, but waiting periods often apply. Settle the question a few weeks before the flight. It also serves as useful proof at the border.
2. Choose the right coverage amount
For an ordinary visit, coverage of $50,000 to $100,000 is common. If your parents are older or have a medical history, aim higher: Canadian hospital costs add up fast. For a Super Visa application, the required minimum is $100,000, valid for one year.
3. Declare existing medical conditions
This is the most important point, and the most often neglected. High blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions: these must have been stable for some time (often 3 to 6 months depending on the policy) to be covered. An incomplete declaration can void a claim. Our article on pre-existing conditions explains what “stable” actually means.
4. Check the dates and duration
The policy must cover the entire stay, from arrival day to departure day. If the stay gets extended, contact the insurer before the policy expires to extend coverage, not after.
5. Understand what’s covered (and what isn’t)
Visitor insurance covers emergencies: hospitalization, physician fees, ambulance, emergency medication. It does not cover routine care, preventive check-ups, or treatment of an unstable condition. Read the policy summary. It’s 10 minutes well spent.
6. Keep the documents handy
Give your parents a copy (paper or phone) of the policy, the emergency assistance number, and your own contact number. In a medical emergency, the assistance line should be called before treatment whenever possible. Otherwise the claim may be reduced or denied.
In short
| Check | When |
|---|---|
| Buy the policy | Before departure |
| Coverage amount | Based on age and health |
| Medical conditions declared | At purchase |
| Coverage dates | The whole stay |
| Insurance documents | On hand at arrival |
A question about your parents’ specific situation? See our visitors to Canada insurance page or talk to an advisor. No pressure, that’s our trademark.