Snowbird Travel Insurance: Winter-Long Coverage for Canadians
Heading south for the winter? Your provincial health plan stays home — OHIP pays $0 for emergency care outside Canada, and one US hospital day can top US$10,000. Snowbird travel insurance covers emergency medical up to $5,000,000 for the whole stay, with no medical questionnaire for many travellers. Real premiums below.
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Get My Snowbird Quote30-day premiums by age ($5,000,000 coverage)
| Age | Worldwide incl. USA | Non-USA (16% less) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | $101.00 | $84.84 |
| 30–54 | $96.00 | $80.64 |
| 55–59 | $157.00 | $131.88 |
| 60–64 | $165.00 | $138.60 |
| 65–69 | $218.00 | $183.12 |
| 70–74 | $300.00 | $252.00 |
Official insurer 30-day rates; longer trips scale with the number of days — the quote tool prices your exact dates instantly. Ages 75–83 are insurable with a medical questionnaire (no instant online rate above 74).
What a snowbird policy covers
- Emergency hospital & medical expenses up to $5,000,000
- Physician fees, diagnostics, and emergency prescriptions
- Medical evacuation and repatriation to Canada
- Emergency dental and paramedical services
- Stable pre-existing conditions (per the policy's stability period)
- Options for all-inclusive packages and annual multi-trip plans — ask the advisor
Snowbird checklist before you fly south
- Confirm your provincial plan stays valid for your time away (Ontario: up to 212 days out of province).
- Count your US days — stay under 182 days in any 12 months to avoid US tax residency issues.
- Make sure medications and conditions have been stable for the policy's stability period.
- Buy coverage for the full stay before departure — extending from abroad is harder than buying right.
- Carry the insurer's wallet card; call the assistance line before non-urgent treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Why do snowbirds need travel insurance?
Provincial health plans pay almost nothing outside Canada — OHIP pays $0 for out-of-country emergency care since 2020 — while a US hospital stay can exceed US$10,000 per day. Travel medical insurance with $5,000,000 coverage protects a winter stay for a small fraction of one uninsured hospital day.
How much does snowbird insurance cost?
Premiums are based on age and trip length. Real 30-day premiums for $5,000,000 emergency medical coverage: $165 at ages 60–64, $218 at 65–69, and $300 at 70–74; longer stays scale with the number of days. Wintering outside the USA (Mexico, Portugal, Thailand) costs 16% less.
How long can a snowbird stay outside Canada?
Two limits matter: your provincial health plan requires a minimum time at home to stay valid (Ontario allows up to 212 days outside the province per year; other provinces vary around 6–7 months), and the USA generally limits Canadian visitors to 182 days per rolling 12 months for immigration and tax purposes. Most snowbirds plan 3–6 month stays.
Do I need a medical questionnaire for snowbird insurance?
Not always. No medical questionnaire is required under age 60, or ages 60–74 for trips up to 60 days. For longer winter stays at 60–74, a short questionnaire applies, and applicants 75 and over complete a medical questionnaire for any trip. Coverage is available up to age 83.
Does snowbird insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Emergency coverage generally applies to medical conditions that have been stable for the required period before departure (commonly 90–180 days depending on age). A condition or medication change shortly before leaving may not be covered — apply after your health is stable, and ask the advisor if unsure.
Is Mexico or Portugal really cheaper to insure than Florida?
Yes — the identical plan priced for trips that do not enter the USA costs exactly 16% less, because US healthcare drives most claim costs. A 70-year-old's 30-day premium drops from $300 (worldwide) to $252 (non-USA).
Taking shorter trips too? See travel insurance for Canadians for single-trip pricing and non-USA discounts.
Winter is coming — price it now
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