Canada is an incredibly diverse country to explore. From its famous Canadian Rockies Mountain Ranges to the bustling cities of Toronto and Vancouver, every part of the country offers a truly unique travel experience. 

Asda Money travel insurance offers a range of comprehensive cover options so you can relax knowing you are covered should something unexpected happen.

Do I need travel insurance for Canada?

While it is not mandatory to have travel insurance to visit Canada, it is strongly recommended.

Canada does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, which means that you will need to pay if you need medical treatment while you are over there. While healthcare in Canada is of high quality, it can also be incredibly costly. Having a travel insurance policy that covers you for unexpected medical bills will give you total peace of mind that you will be reimbursed should you need to seek any emergency treatment during your trip.

Canada is a beautiful country, but it is also notorious for its diverse weather conditions, which can unexpectedly impact your trip. Having comprehensive travel insurance for Canada will also provide financial protection against delayed departures, flight cancellations, or if you need to cut your trip short.

As Canada is incredibly popular for its ski resorts, you will need to take out additional cover for winter sports if you plan on undertaking such activities so that you will be covered in the event of a potential accident.

How to get travel insurance for Canada? 

To travel to Canada, you need travel insurance with worldwide cover (including USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean).

However, before you purchase travel insurance for Canada, you will need to decide on the type and level of cover you require.

If you are only taking one holiday this year, Asda Money’s single-trip travel insurance may be the best option for you as it covers you for one continuous trip and ends when you return to the UK. *

On the other hand, if you are planning multiple trips, annual multi-trip cover may work out cheaper, as long as no single trip lasts longer than 31 days (if you have Value cover), 45 days (if you have Premium cover), or 55 days (if you have Superior cover). Asda Money also offers family travel cover, which puts your entire family on one policy to help keep costs down.

Regardless of the type of Asda Money insurance policy you select, you will also be able to choose from three levels of cover – Value, Premium and Superior. Each level protects against unforeseen events, such as lost luggage, cancellations, medical bills, legal expenses, personal money, and delayed departures.

Each type of cover will give you different amounts you can claim for each incident. For example, Asda’s Value cover will pay up to £20 million for medical expenses, £1000 for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings, and up to £1000 per person if you need to cancel or cut your trip short. **

Asda’s Premium cover provides £25 million for medical expenses, £1300 for personal belongings, and up to £2000 for cancelling or cutting your trip short. **

Alternatively, Asda’s Superior cover offers unlimited protection for medical costs, £2000 for lost personal belongings, and up to £5000 for cancelling or cutting short your holiday. **

Once you have chosen which type of cover you need and entered a few details, Asda Money will supply you with a free, no-obligation online quote.

*As long as your single trip does not exceed 365 days.

** Restrictions apply so read your policy documents thoroughly.

Medical Care in Canada

Medical care in Canada is known to be of high quality. However, it is also very expensive. There is also currently no reciprocal healthcare agreement in place between the UK and Canada, which means that as a visitor, you are not entitled to any free or subsidised medical treatment, so if you become ill or injured while on holiday, you could be faced with a costly bill.

Therefore, if you’re planning on visiting Canada, travel insurance will give you peace of mind that you will be covered, even if you end up with unexpected medical bills.

What should Canadian travel insurance include?

When you’re shopping around for the best travel insurance for Canada, you should check to make sure the following things are included as standard in your policy:

• Medical costs – you should ensure your policy covers any medical costs for any treatment you receive while you’re there as a result of becoming unwell or injured.
• Personal belongings – your travel insurance to Canada should provide cover in the event your personal belongings and/or luggage are lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Loss or theft of passport or travel documents.
• Delayed departure – cover for if your flight is cancelled or delayed.
• Cancellation cover – cover for if you have to cancel or cut short your trip.
• COVID-19 cover – your travel insurance should provide protection for any extended stays, cancellations, or medical care required due to Coronavirus.

If you are planning to undertake skiing or winter sports while on holiday, you may need to take out additional cover to make sure you’re properly protected.

What isn’t included?

Asda Money, like other insurers, will not include cover for certain things, such as:

• Travelling to any location against the advice of the government and/or
• Expenses related to natural disasters unless you have taken out additional cover.
• Medical conditions that you did not disclose to your insurer when you took out your policy.
• Taking part in any illegal activities while in Canada.
• Accident or injury as a result of undertaking any activities not covered in your policy.
• Getting into an accident or incident while under the influence (drugs or alcohol).

It’s important to read your Canada travel insurance policy documents carefully, as there will be limitations to what they will and won’t cover.

Do you need a visa for Canada? 

If you are travelling on a British passport and only plan to visit Canada for a short period of time, you will not require a visa. You will, however, need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you board the flight. If you are travelling to Canada by land or sea, you won’t need an eTA but you will need acceptable travel documents and identification.

If you are considering staying in Canada for an extended period of time as a visitor, you will need to apply for a visitor record. Or, if you may work while you are there to fund your trip, you will need to either apply for an International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Visa, or an appropriate work or study visa.

You will also need to check that your Canada travel insurance covers you for the extended duration of your trip and for any potential employment.

Do I need vaccines or booster jabs for valid cover? 

If you need to make a COVID-19-related claim on your insurance policy, the provider may ask for documentation to prove that you have received your COVID-19 vaccinations or that you are medically exempt from the vaccine.

Asda Money travel insurance will now cover you for medical costs and cancellations claims on policies if you or a family member/travelling party are diagnosed with COVID-19 or personally instructed to isolate because of Coronavirus by a healthcare professional.

As of 1 October 2022, to enter Canada, you no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and you also do not need to undertake pre- or on-arrival testing. You will just need to ensure you’re up to date with all your routine vaccinations and boosters that are recommended in the UK, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.

Health advice and entry requirements can change often last minute, so it’s always recommended you check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development (FCDO), and the Travel health Pro website for the latest information and advice.

Canada Travel Risks

Canada is regarded as a relatively safe country to visit, however, it’s always best to be prepared when you’re visiting somewhere new. Knowing any potential travel risks will also help to make sure you have the right level of travel insurance in place.

Here are the main travel risks to be aware of when visiting Canada:

• Extreme weather – Canada is known for their changeable climate, with extreme heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter. Keep up to date with weather reports before you travel and while you are there and follow safety advice and precautions. You may also want to consider taking out additional natural disaster cover in case your trip is disrupted.

• Local laws – It’s always a good idea when you’re travelling anywhere to read up on local laws so that you can avoid any potential trouble while you’re there. For example, in Canada, if you visit during the colder months, there are some locations where it’s a legal requirement for you to have winter tyres on your vehicle.

Travel Tips for Canada

As well as organising travel insurance to Canada, you’ll also need to make sure you’re prepared for your trip in other ways.

Here are some of our best travel tips for Canada:

• Organise your eTA in advance – If you’re a British citizen travelling to Canada by air, you’ll need to make sure you have an eTA in place before you board your flight, so make sure you organise this in plenty of time before your trip in the event of any processing delays.
• Driving – If you have a full UK driving licence, you are legally allowed to drive in Canada. However, if you’re hiring a car, you’ll need to check with your car hire company as some may require you to have an International Driving Permit. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with Canada’s road rules, as they may differ from what you’re used to in the UK.
• Plan for the weather – Canada is notorious for its extreme weather, so make sure you follow weather warnings and safety advice while you’re there. You’ll also need to make sure you’re wearing appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
• Travel money - If you’re planning a trip to Canada, you’ll need Canadian dollars to spend while you’re there. With Asda Money, organising your holiday currency before you travel couldn’t be easier. You can order travel money in-store or online to have it delivered to your door or click and collect it from your nearest participating store. Alternatively, if you prefer to go cashless, there’s the Asda Travel Money Card, which you can top up before you travel and while on-the-go. It allows you to make contactless payments while travelling with no fees for spending abroad.  

Canada Travel Insurance FAQs

What is the average cost of travel insurance in Canada?

How much you pay for travel insurance to Canada will depend on the type of policy and level of cover you need, as well as other factors, such as your age, length of trip and any pre-existing medical conditions. If you’re looking for cheap travel insurance to Canada, Asda Money offer a range of policy types and cover levels with varying costs, so you can find the level of protection you need and value for money at the same time.

Do I need travel insurance when travelling to Canada?

While it is not mandatory, it is best to have travel insurance for Canada, as it will give you peace of mind that you will be covered for any unexpected medical costs, cancellations, delayed departures, and any personal belongings that may get lost or stolen during your trip. If you’re travelling to Canada, make sure your policy includes worldwide cover, including the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Why is travel insurance to Canada so expensive?

Medical care and treatment in Canada is of high quality, however, it is also very expensive. As a result, travel insurance for Canada often costs more as insurers will take the higher cost of healthcare into consideration if you have to make a claim. With Asda Money, we help keep costs down by offering a range of policy types, including single-trip travel insurance, family cover, and annual-multi trip cover, as well as providing three different levels of cover, so you can choose a policy that best suits your needs.

Is healthcare free for visitors in Canada?

No, healthcare is not free for visitors in Canada. There is currently no reciprocal healthcare agreement in place between the UK and Canada, which means if you need healthcare or treatment while you’re on holiday, you could be faced with a costly medical bill. This is why if you’re planning on visiting Canada, travel insurance is important to make sure you have adequate protection in place should you become ill or injured on holiday.

If you have a trip planned and are looking for low-cost travel insurance to Canada, head to Asda Money Travel Insurance for a free quote. We will offer you comprehensive cover at a competitive price.