Destination Canada is a Zurich-underwritten visitors-to-Canada and Super Visa plan from an established Ontario agency. It stands out for strong secondary benefits - follow-up care, dental, accidental death & dismemberment, and meals & accommodation - plus 120-day stable pre-existing coverage up to age 79 and unusually broad eligibility (it even covers some sports, like backcountry skiing, that other plans exclude). It's competitive across all ages, especially in the 70s, with coverage up to $300,000 and a Super Visa monthly-payment option.
Destination Canada at a Glance
Provider: | Destination Canada (established Ontario travel agency) |
Underwriter: | Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch); claims administered by Zurich Travel Assist |
Products: | Visitor to Canada Plan, International Student Plan |
Age limit: | Visitor to Canada: up to 79 · International Student: up to 69 (dependents under 59) |
Coverage maximum: | Up to $300,000 |
Pre-existing conditions: | Covered on the Visitor to Canada Plan (Option 1) - 120-day stability, up to age 79 |
Available after arrival: | Yes, with a 48-hour waiting period for illness |
About Destination Canada
Destination Canada is a well-established Ontario travel agency whose Visitors to Canada policy is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), with claims administered by Zurich Travel Assist. It's popular with visitors to Canada of all ages and with IEC applicants of all ages. It isn't the most famous brand name, but the plan has become a popular choice - BestQuote was one of the first online brokers in Canada to carry it - and the Zurich backing gives it a strong claims and assistance network.
Destination Canada Standout Features
Available After Arrival
Available for purchase after arriving in Canada, with a 48-hour waiting period for illnesses. (International Student Plan & Visitor to Canada Plan)
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
AD&D insurance coverage for up to the policy limit sum or a maximum of $150,000, whichever is less. (Visitor to Canada Plan)
Mental Health Practitioner
Cover up to $25,000 in-patient; up to $1,000 per year out-patient; up to $500 trauma counselling. (International Student Plan)
Destination Canada Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
The Destination Canada Visitor to Canada plans have good secondary benefits, e.g., follow-up visits after emergency, dental, AD&D, meals and accommodation. | The Destination Canada visitor plans are not well-known, although that should not be a major drawback. The policy has become a popular choice, and BestQuote was one of the first online brokers in Canada to carry this plan. |
Quality secondary benefits on the International Student Plan, e.g., mental health care, vaccination, and maternity benefits | The Visitor to Canada Plan covering stable pre-existing conditions is less competitive at certain ages, e.g., 20s and 50s. |
Most travellers are eligible to purchase this policy. | |
The Visitor to Canada Plans cover stable (120 days) pre-existing medical conditions up to age 79 without the same restrictions as other plans. | |
Trip break permitted — policy does not end if the insured person returns to their home country. | |
Competitive rates for all ages, especially in the 70s — considering the good secondary benefits. | |
The Visitor to Canada Plans have multiple deductible options up to $10,000. Maximum coverage is available in amounts up to $300,000. | |
It does not exclude some sports activities (like backcountry skiing) like some other policies do. |
Destination Canada for Super Visa
Destination Canada is available as a Super Visa insurance option through BestQuote and is frequently competitive for the older applicants Super Visa attracts - particularly travellers in their 70s, where its strong secondary benefits stand out. It meets the IRCC Super Visa requirements ($100,000 minimum, one-year validity), and - unlike many plans - it offers a monthly-payment option for Super Visa applicants. Note the Visitor to Canada plan's age limit of 79 and the 120-day pre-existing stability window. Compare Destination Canada's Super Visa pricing on our Super Visa insurance rates page, or see how monthly payment works on our Super Visa monthly payment page.
Destination Canada for Pre-Existing Conditions
The Destination Canada Visitor to Canada Plan (Option 1) covers stable pre-existing medical conditions with a 120-day stability period, up to age 79 and does so without some of the restrictions other plans apply, which can make it a good fit for older travellers with well-managed conditions. Pre-existing coverage isn't available from age 80. Generate a quote to confirm the stability requirement for your age, or compare Destination Canada's rules against other insurers on our visitors to Canada pre-existing conditions page.
Who Is Destination Canada Best For?
Visitors and Super Visa applicants in their 70s - competitive pricing plus strong secondary benefits at an age where many plans get expensive.
Travellers with well-managed pre-existing conditions - the 120-day stability rule up to 79 is relatively favourable.
Active travellers - it doesn't exclude some sports (like backcountry skiing) that other policies do.
Super Visa families wanting to pay monthly - one of the plans with a monthly-payment option.
It's a weaker fit for travellers in their 20s or 50s needing pre-existing coverage (less competitive at those ages), or anyone aged 80+ (no pre-existing coverage, and the plan's age limit is 79).
How to Get a Destination Canada Quote
Compare Destination Canada against every other insurer available through BestQuote in one quote - enter your trip details in the tool on this page to see Destination Canada's real price for your age and coverage next to the alternatives, then buy online and get your documents by email. Insurance rates are regulated, so you pay the same price through BestQuote as buying direct, and as your broker we work for you at no extra cost. Have questions? Call 1-888-888-0510.