Destination Canada Visitors Insurance

Destination Visitors to Canada Insurance provides emergency medical coverage for non-residents arriving in Canada who are not eligible for provincial health insurance. Plans are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), with emergency assistance and claims administration provided by Zurich Travel Assist, available 24/7. Suitable for international tourists, super visa applicants, temporary foreign workers, landed immigrants, and returning Canadians awaiting provincial coverage. A 10-day free-look period is available.

Coverage Options

Benefits

• Emergency hospital accommodation (semi-private room)
• Physician, surgeon, and anaesthetist services
• Lab tests and X-rays (ordered by physician at time of emergency)
• Private duty registered nurse — up to $10,000
• Physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, chiropodist, podiatrist — up to $500 per practitioner
• Licensed land, air, or sea ambulance (incl. mountain and sea evacuation)
• Rental of crutches, hospital beds, splints, braces, prosthetics
• Emergency outpatient hospital services
• Prescription drugs — 30-day supply, up to $1,000
• Emergency transportation to country of origin (when approved)
• Transportation of family member or friend to bedside — up to $3,000 + up to $1,000 for accommodation/meals
• Attendant for accompanying dependents under 18 — up to $50/day, $500 max
• Follow-up visits related to initial emergency — up to $3,000
• Accidental dental injury — up to $3,000
• Emergency dental pain relief — up to $500
• Meals & accommodation when hospitalized on return date — up to $150/day, $1,500 max
• Emergency return home — up to $3,000 (includes one insured family member)
• Return of deceased — up to $10,000 repatriation
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment — up to lesser of sum insured or $150,000
• Flight accident — up to $50,000

Eligibility

To be eligible for coverage, as of the effective date you must:

• Be at least 15 days old; and
• Not be travelling against the advice of a physician; and
• Not have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, pancreatic, liver, or metastatic cancer, heart failure, or have had a major organ/bone marrow transplant, kidney dialysis in the past 12 months, or an unrepaired aneurysm of 4 cm or more.

Note: Applicants aged 86 and over are subject to a mandatory $500 deductible. The maximum coverage period per policy is 365 days.

Pre-existing Conditions & Stability

Under Option 1, pre-existing conditions are covered if they were stable before the effective date. Stability means no new diagnosis, no new or changed treatment or medication, no hospitalization or surgery, and no specialist referral during the stability period.

Waiting Period

The following waiting period applies to sickness-related claims:

• 48 hours after the effective date — if purchased within 30 days of your departure from your country of origin.
• 7 days after the effective date — if purchased 30 or more days after your departure.

The waiting period is waived if you purchase this insurance before leaving your country of origin, or before your existing Destination policy (or other health coverage) expires with no lapse in coverage.

Key Exclusions

• Pre-existing conditions not meeting stability period (or all pre-existing under Option 2)
• Sickness during the waiting period (48-hour or 7-day)
• Alzheimer's disease or dementia
• Minor mental or emotional disorders (except as specified)
• Self-inflicted injuries (unless related to mental health illness)
• Travel for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment
• Non-emergency, elective, experimental, or cosmetic treatment
• Follow-up or continuation of emergency treatment (unless pre-approved)
• Treatment that can be reasonably delayed until return home
• Routine check-ups, chronic condition management, rehabilitation
• Pregnancy complications; childbirth; newborn care
• Alcohol abuse, prohibited drugs, non-compliance with treatment
• War, terrorism, kidnapping, riot, civil commotion, armed forces activities
• Criminal offence or illegal acts
• High-risk activities: speed contests, motorsport, stunts, heliskiing, parachuting, bungee jumping, skydiving
• Costs incurred in your country of origin

Claims & Emergency Assistance

Contact Zurich Travel Assist before seeking treatment. In a serious emergency, get to hospital immediately and have someone call within 24 hours of admission and before any surgery. Failure to call without reasonable cause may result in reduced benefits. Submit a completed claim form with all original bills and receipts to Zurich Travel Assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this plan for?

Visitors to Canada, newly landed immigrants, migrant workers, and returning Canadians who are not eligible for provincial health insurance. Coverage is available from age 15 days with no upper age limit (though pre-existing exclusions apply at age 80+).

How much coverage is available?

$25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $200,000, $250,000, or $300,000. AD&D is included up to the lesser of the sum insured or $150,000; Flight Accident up to $50,000.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Under Option 1, yes — if stable for 90 days (age 0–59), 120 days (60–69), or 180 days (70–79). All pre-existing conditions are excluded at age 80+ or under Option 2.

Is there a waiting period for sickness?

Yes — 48 hours if purchased within 30 days of departure from your country of origin; 7 days if purchased 30+ days after departure. Waived if purchased before departure or before existing coverage expires.

Does this plan qualify for the Super Visa?

Yes. The $100,000 plan (or higher) meets the Canadian super visa minimum insurance requirement of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage from a Canadian insurer for at least one year.

What happens if I don't call before seeking treatment?

Benefits may be reduced. In a life-threatening emergency, get to hospital immediately and have someone call Zurich Travel Assist within 24 hours of admission and before any surgery.