Canadian Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Seniors, snowbirds, parents, and retirees CAN get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, but it depends on the policy.

Travel insurance protects against unexpected injury or illness while travelling, but most Canadian plans have exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions. Whether or not you’re covered depends on how insurers define terms like “stable,” “treatment,” and “medical condition.”

That’s why it’s critical to compare policies carefully.

Why Pre-Existing Coverage Matters

Medical conditions that already exist and might reasonably require treatment during your trip are usually not covered by default. Many plans, however, make exceptions if your condition has been stable for a required period before your departure, often 90, 180, or 365 days.

The length of this stability period varies based on your age, your trip length, and whether there have been recent changes to your condition or medications. For example, a dosage change or new prescription might reset your stability period and affect eligibility.

Bottom line: simply having travel insurance does not guarantee coverage for your condition. What matters is the exact policy wording.

How BestQuote Helps

At BestQuote, we compare more Canadian policies than anyone else, giving you the best chance of finding coverage that matches your health situation.

For short trips (under 35 days), we can often place clients in policies requiring only a 90-day stability period.
For longer trips, policies usually require 90, 180, or 365 days of stability depending on the condition.
In special cases, we can access options like Manulife’s 0-day stability plan or policies that insure up to $250,000 for conditions stable for just seven days before departure.

Because stability definitions, exclusions, and medical questionnaires vary, we act as your guide to ensure you’re not caught by surprise.

Understanding Stability Periods and Costs

The more serious your condition and the more recent the last change in medication, treatment, or symptoms, the shorter the stability period required - but the higher the premium. For example, someone who had a dosage adjustment a few weeks before travel will need a different policy than someone who has been stable for a year.

Costs also rise with age and trip length. That’s why it’s vital to compare across multiple providers. BestQuote’s database allows you to instantly see which companies will cover your condition and at what cost.

Company Specific Exclusions and Definitions

Each Canadian insurer uses its own language for defining pre-existing conditions, stability, changes in treatment, and exclusions. While it is beyond the scope of this page to list every detail, below are examples from leading providers so you can see how much the wording can differ.

TuGo - Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion

All Emergency Medical Insurance plans are also subject to the Emergency Medical Insurance Exclusions and to the General Exclusions shown on page 47.

The stability requirements for pre-existing medical conditions are outlined below:

Worldwide and Worldwide Excluding USA Plans We will not be liable to provide coverage or services, or to pay claims for expenses incurred directly or indirectly as a result of the following:

59 years and under - trip 35 days or less: Any medical condition which is not stable on or within the 7 days before the date of departure.
59 years and under - trip over 35 days: Any medical condition which is not stable on or within the 90 days before the date of departure. If you extend your trip and the total trip length (including the extension) exceeds 35 days, the stability for medical conditions is based on your total trip length.
60 years and over - all trip lengths: Any medical condition which is not stable on or within the 180 days before the date of departure.

If you purchased this Policy to top-up any other insurance plan, the stability for medical conditions is based on your total trip length. Medical conditions that do not meet the stability criteria set out above are not covered.

Travel Within Canada Plans There is no stability requirement for pre-existing medical conditions.

Refer to the following definitions: alteration, medical condition, pre-existing medical condition, treatment and stable.

If you purchased the optional Unstable Pre-existing Medical Condition Coverage, refer to that section heading for coverage applicable to your pre-existing medical conditions that are not stable.

Relevant Tugo Definitions

The medication usage, dosage or type has been increased, decreased or stopped and/or a new medication has been prescribed. Alteration does not include: 1. Changes in brand to an equivalent name brand or to an equivalent generic brand of the same or equivalent usage or dosage; or, 2. Routine dosage adjustments within prescribed parameters for insulin or oral diabetes medication to ensure correct blood levels are maintained; blood sugar levels must be checked regularly and the medical condition must remain unchanged; or, 3. Routine dosage adjustments within prescribed parameters for blood thinner medication to ensure correct blood levels are maintained; blood levels must be checked regularly and the medical condition must remain unchanged; or, 4. A temporary stoppage of blood thinner medication up to a maximum of 24 hours if the stoppage is required for a surgery or a procedure; or, 5. Usage changes due to the combination of several medications into one; the medical condition must remain unchanged.

Any disease, illness or injury (including symptoms of undiagnosed conditions).

For Emergency Medical Insurance: Any medical condition that exists on or before the date you leave for your trip. For Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance and Trip Interruption Insurance Only: Any medical condition that exists on or before the date the trip is booked or the date this Insurance is purchased.

A procedure prescribed, performed or recommended by a physician for a medical condition. This includes but is not limited to medication, investigative testing and surgery.

A medical condition is considered stable when all of the following statements are true: 1. There has been no deterioration of the medical condition as determined by a physician or other registered medical practitioner, and 2. There have been no new symptoms or findings or more frequent or severe symptoms or findings, and 3. There has been no change in treatment by a physician or other registered medical practitioner or any alteration in any medication related to the medical condition, and 4. There has been no new treatment received, prescribed or recommended by a physician or other registered medical practitioner.

GMS - Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion

Pre-existing Medical Conditions – No coverage or reimbursement for expenses resulting from medical conditions which have not been stable for 180 days immediately prior to your departure date, including:

medical conditions for which you received medical treatment or medical consultation; and/or
undiagnosed medical conditions related to symptoms for which you received medical treatment or medical consultation.

You must be stable based on the definition of stable in this policy, regardless of the opinion of your physician or any other person who may provide an opinion on your medical conditions.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions When Topping Up Other Insurer’s Plans – No coverage or reimbursement for expenses where this policy is being used as a top-up for another insurer’s emergency medical insurance, unless the medical conditions have been stable for 180 days prior to the effective date of the top-up.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions When Topping-Up a GMS Plan – No coverage or reimbursement for expenses where this policy is being used as a top-up to existing GMS emergency medical coverage, unless medical conditions are stable as defined by the stability period as specified within the GMS policy this policy is topping-up.

Relevant GMS Definitions

A medical condition is considered stable and controlled, only when all of the following statements are true: 1. There has not been any new medical treatment prescribed or recommended, or change(s) to existing medical treatment or stopped medical treatment; and 2. There has not been any change to any existing prescribed drug (including an increase, decrease, or stopping to prescribed dosage), except: a. a dosage adjustment for anti-hypertensive or cholesterol lowering medication; b. a change from brand name medication to generic medication and vice versa of the same dosage; c. oumadin/Warfarin prescribed as an anticoagulation therapy adjusted to ensure your INR is maintained within therapeutic range as directed by your physician(s) provided there has been no other change in your condition; and d. insulin or oral anti-diabetic medication where blood levels are tested on a regular basis and adjustments to the dosage are made to ensure your blood glucose level is maintained within therapeutic range as directed by your physician(s) provided there has been no other change in your condition; and 3. The medical condition has not become worse; and 4. There have not been any new, more frequent or more severe symptoms; and 5. There has been no hospitalization or referral to a specialist; and 6. There has been no tests, investigation or medical treatment recommended, but not yet complete, nor any outstanding test results.

A disease, illness or injury including symptoms of undiagnosed conditions.

The act of meeting with a physician for the purpose of discussing and evaluating signs or symptoms in an effort to diagnose a medical condition, illness or injury; or for the purpose of evaluating your progress and medical treatment of a medical condition, illness or injury.

A procedure prescribed, performed or recommended by a physician for a medical condition. This includes but is not limited to prescribed medication, investigative testing and surgery.

Allianz - Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion

Expenses that are due to, contributed by, or resulting from pre-existing medical conditions, may qualify for coverage, if your pre-existing medical condition meets the stability period that applies to you. All exclusions, including those for specific medical conditions, still apply.

IMPORTANT: If you are age 64 or younger on your effective date: Pre-existing medical conditions that are stable for 90 days before the effective date qualify for coverage, up to the Sum Insured shown on your Confirmation of Coverage.

If you are age 65 or older on your effective date: Pre -existing medical conditions that are stable for 150 days before the effective date qualify for coverage, up to the Sum Insured shown on your Confirmation of Coverage.

To be considered stable during your stability period, your pre-existing medical condition or related conditions must not have resulted in any of the following:

New treatment (including new prescriptions),
Change in treatment including frequency, dosage or type (including prescriptions),
Signs or symptoms,
A new diagnosis,
Test results showing your condition is worsening,
Hospitalization,
A referral to a specialist, received or recommended, or
Waiting for any test results, further investigation, or surgery.

The following are considered stable:

Diabetic Insulin users - Routine insulin adjustment not prescribed by your physician, as long as insulin was not first prescribed during your stability period,
Coumadin, Warfarin users - Routine adjustment of these medications, as long as Coumadin or Warfarin were not first prescribed during your stability period,
A change from a brand name medication to a generic medication, or
Minor Ailments - a sickness or injury that ended more than 30 days prior to your effective date and did not require: a) treatment (including prescriptions) for more than 30 consecutive days, or b) more than one (1) follow-up with a physician.

Relevant Allianz Definitions

Physical bodily harm.

Any sickness (including signs or symptoms of undiagnosed conditions), injury, or condition for which you consulted a physician.

A medical or diagnostic procedure prescribed, performed or recommended by a physician, including but not limited to, prescribed medication, investigative testing or surgery.

Any sudden illness or disease requiring the medical care or treatment of a physician.

Any abnormalities observed or uncovered in any examination, or any evidence of sickness or injury experienced by you.

Manulife - Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion

We will not pay any expenses or benefits relating directly or indirectly to: A pre-existing medical condition. The pre-existing medical condition exclusion that applies to you depends on the Rate Category you qualified for when you purchased this policy. Please see the definition of “pre-existing medical condition” and “stable” at the end of this policy. NOTE: For the Travel Canada Emergency Medical plan, no pre-existing medical condition exclusion applies.

Rate Category A. We will not pay any expenses relating to:

a pre-existing medical condition that is not stable in the three (3) months before your effective date; and/or
your heart condition if, in the three (3) months before your effective date, any heart condition has not been stable or you have taken any form of nitroglycerine for the relief of angina pain; and/or
your lung condition if, in the three (3) months before your effective date, any lung condition has not been stable or you required treatment with oxygen or Prednisone for a lung condition.

Rate Categories B and C. We will not pay any expenses relating to:

a pre-existing medical condition that is not stable in the six (6) months before your effective date; and/or
your heart condition if, in the six (6) months before your effective date, any heart condition has not been stable or you have taken any form of nitroglycerine for the relief of angina pain; and/or
your lung condition if, in the six (6) months before your effective date, any lung condition has not been stable or you

Relevant Manulife Definitions

Means the medication dosage, frequency or type has been reduced, increased or stopped, and/or new medication(s) has/have been prescribed. Exceptions: the routine adjustment of Coumadin, warfarin or insulin (as long as they are not newly prescribed or stopped) and there has been no change in your medical condition; and a change from a brand name medication to a generic brand medication of the same dosage.

Means any medical condition that exists before your effective date.

A medical condition is considered stable when all of the following statements are true: 1. There has not been any new treatment prescribed or recommended, or change(s) to existing treatment (including a stoppage in treatment), and 2. There has not been any change in medication, or any recommendation or starting of a new prescription drug, and 3. The medical condition has not become worse, and 4. There has not been any new, more frequent or more severe symptoms, and 5. There has been no hospitalization or referral to a specialist, and 6. There have not been any tests, investigation or treatment recommended, but not yet complete, nor any outstanding test results, and 7. There is no planned or pending treatment.

Means hospitalization, a procedure prescribed, performed or recommended by a physician for a medical condition. This includes but is not limited to prescribed medication, investigative testing and surgery. IMPORTANT: Any reference to testing, tests, test results, or investigations excludes genetic tests. “Genetic test” means a test that analyzes DNA, RNA or chromosomes for purposes such as the prediction of disease or vertical transmission risks, or monitoring, diagnosis or prognosis.

AwayCare - Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion

Benefits are not payable under this policy if losses sustained or expenses incurred are the direct or indirect result of any of the following, for:

If You /Your Pre- Existing conditions do not meet the required Stability outlined on Your confirmation of benefits

Stability is calculated at the departure date of your trip. For individuals 59 years or less, it can be 45 days with the option to reduce it to 7 days.
Stability is calculated at the departure date of your trip. For individuals 60 years or older, it can be 365 days with the option to reduce to 180 days, 90 days, 7 days.

Relevant AwayCare Definitions

A medical or dental condition for which treatment has been received or taken or symptoms have appeared prior to the Policy Effective Date and includes a medically recognized complication or recurrence of a medical condition.

A medical condition (other than minor ailment) for which all the following statements are true: 1. Has been no new diagnosis, Treatment or prescribed medication. 2. No test results showing a deterioration in Your condition. 3. No Hospitalization, referral to a specialist (made or recommended) or You are not awaiting test or Treatment. 4. No change in Your medical Treatment and/or change in dosage of a medication (Exception: the routine adjustment to Coumadin, Warfarin or insulin to maintain optimal levels.) a. EXCEPTION- If You change from a brand name to a generic with the same dosage this condition will remain stable. 5. Stability period: a. Stability is calculated at the departure date of your trip. For individuals 59 years or less, it can be 45 days with the option to reduce it to 7 days. b. Stability is calculated at the departure date of your trip. For individuals 60 years or older, it can be 365 days with the option to reduce to 180 days, 90 days, 7 days.

A medical, therapeutic or diagnostic procedure ordered performed or recommended by a Physician, including but not limited to prescription medication, surgery or investigative testing that results in a diagnosis of a specific medical condition. Treatment Does not include Minor Ailment.

Interested in Reading More About Travelling with Pre-Existing Conditions?

Want to learn more about how to travel with your pre-existing conditions? Check out some of our blogs where we discuss tips and techniques for travelling with various pre-existing medical conditions.

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Travelling with an Implantable Cardio Defibrillator (ICD)

Many travelers with heart conditions will be familiar with the ICD, which is used as a preventive device in heart patients. Learn how to avoid any issues while travelling here.

Travel Insurance When Using Home Oxygen

How to navigate purchasing travel insurance if you use home oxygen.

How to Buy Canadian Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Purchasing coverage is quick and straightforward with BestQuote. Our online quote comparison tool makes it easy to see Canada’s top insurance providers side by side, so you can find the right protection at the best price.

Here’s how it works:

Enter your trip details (destination, dates, traveller information).
Select your desired coverage amount and deductible.
Instantly compare policies from providers like TuGo, GMS, Allianz, Manulife, AwayCare and more.
Choose the plan that best suits your needs and purchase online in minutes.

Unlike some websites, we won’t ask for your phone number to provide a quote. If you need extra help understanding the differences between policies, our experienced advisors are just a phone call or email away. For more help, give us a call. We'll be happy to explain in more detail 1-604-259-2544 (Vancouver), 1-647-799-2032 (Toronto), 1-403-800-1582 (Calgary), or 1-888-888-0510 (toll-free in North America).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our services.

Travel insurance only covers unexpected medical issues, so pre-existing conditions are usually excluded unless they’ve been stable for a required period before your policy starts. The stability period can range from 90 to 365 days, depending on the insurer, and means no new symptoms, treatments, or medication changes during that time. Some conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, may still be excluded even if they’ve been stable, so it’s important to check the exact policy definitions and stability rules.

In travel insurance, a pre-existing condition is any medical issue you had before your coverage started. This can include symptoms, doctor visits, hospitalizations, or prescribed medications within a certain “look-back” period, usually 3 months to 1 year. If your condition hasn’t been stable for the required period, it’s typically excluded from coverage, which is why comparing policy definitions carefully is so important.

Yes, some Visitors to Canada insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions, but only if the condition has been stable for a set period of time before departure. Coverage depends on the insurer and your medical history, so always review the policy wording carefully.

Many Canadian credit cards include travel insurance, but coverage is typically limited to short trips and certain age groups. Coverage amounts may be capped, and pre-existing conditions are often excluded. While credit card insurance can be helpful, it rarely matches the breadth of standalone travel insurance policies, especially for longer trips or older travellers.

Yes, many insurers allow you to extend your policy while abroad if you apply before your coverage expires and no claims have been made.

Canadian Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions