Manulife is Canada's largest travel insurance provider - a premium, well-known brand for visitors to Canada. Its standout is Plan B, which covers stable pre-existing conditions (180-day stability) up to age 85 - longer than any other provider - with Coumadin (Warfarin)- and insulin-friendly wording and semi-private hospital rooms. Premiums run higher than some competitors, but for an older visitor with pre-existing conditions it's often the strongest option available.
Manulife at a Glance
Provider: | Manulife - Canada's largest insurance company (and largest travel insurance provider since 2012) |
Products: | Visitors to Canada Plan (Plan A / Plan B), International Student Plan |
Age limit: | Visitors to Canada: up to 85 · International Student: up to 45 |
Medication wording: | Friendly for Coumadin (Warfarin) and insulin |
Available after arrival: | Yes - with a 48-hour waiting period for illness |
Pre-existing conditions: | Covered on Plan B (stable, 180-day stability) up to age 85 - the longest age ceiling of any provider; also on the International Student Plan |
About Manulife
Manulife is Canada's largest insurance company, offering life, extended health, accident and sickness, travel insurance, and a wide array of investment products to individuals and groups. It operates worldwide and is a well-known name in financial services - and it's been Canada's largest travel insurance provider since surpassing RBC's travel division in 2012. For a visitor to Canada, that means a premium, highly-recognised brand with a large, established claims and assistance network. Manulife is popular with visitors to Canada, particularly those aged under 75. (Manulife also underwrites the 21st Century visitor plans.)
Manulife 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)
Tutorial Services
Cover up to $5,000 a semester for tutoring services. (International Student Plan)
Travel to Other Countries
Travel abroad to other countries for a maximum coverage period of 30 days. The time you spend in Canada must be greater than the duration of your side trip. (Visitors to Canada Plan)
Manulife Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Two plans are available: one that does not include coverage for stable
pre-existing medical coverage and one that does. This helps lower the
cost of the no-pre-ex plan. | Some secondary benefits are not as high as other plans such as:
- Dental benefits
- Cremation/burial benefits |
Manulife's Plan B policy covers stable (180 days prior to effective date)
pre-existing medical conditions up to age 85 - longer than any other provider. | Higher cost compared to other visitor to Canada policies. |
Low administrative fees. They do not charge cancellation fees, or fees
for 'change of mind' cancellations mid-way through visa applications. | |
Hospital Benefits include up to a semi-private room rate. | |
Their plan will permit trip breaks - if a traveller must return home and
then back to Canada quickly, with permission, the policy will not automatically end. | |
A wide variety of deductibles are available that help to reduce upfront costs. | |
Language is friendly for Coumadin (Warfarin) and insulin. | |
Manulife's International Student Plan contains a high-quality list of secondary benefits like:
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Transportation of a Relative or Friend
- Mental Health Practitioner
- Paramedical Services |
Manulife for Pre-Existing Conditions
This is where Manulife stands out. Plan B covers stable pre-existing medical conditions with a 180-day stability period (prior to the effective date), up to age 85 - the highest age ceiling of any provider we compare. Just as important for older travellers, Manulife's wording is friendly for Coumadin (Warfarin) and insulin, where some insurers are stricter about recent cardiac medication and diabetes treatment. If you don't need pre-existing coverage, Plan A drops it for a lower price. See how Manulife's stability rules compare with other insurers on our visitors to Canada pre-existing conditions page.
Who Is Manulife Best For?
Older visitors with pre-existing conditions - Plan B's age-85 ceiling and Coumadin/insulin-friendly wording are hard to beat.
International students - a rich secondary-benefit list (tutorial services, tuition reimbursement, mental health, paramedical).
Buyers who want a big, trusted brand - Canada's largest travel insurer, with a large claims network.
Anyone who wants cancellation flexibility - no cancellation or change-of-mind fees.
It's a weaker fit if you're shopping purely on price (premiums run higher), or need the highest dental or cremation/burial limits.
How to Get a Manulife Quote
Compare Manulife against every other insurer available through BestQuote in a single quote - enter your trip details in the tool on this page to see Manulife's real price for your age, plan, 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.