Compare Travel Insurance for Canada

Most standard New Zealand travel insurance policies only cover trips of up to 12 months, but working holiday visas for Canada are valid for up to two years. If you’re planning to stay for the full visa period, you’ll need a long-stay policy covering up to 18 months or two years. Some insurers offer this outright, while others allow you to extend an existing policy before it expires. Compare your options carefully to ensure your cover matches the full duration of your stay.

Many Kiwis on a Canadian working holiday take the opportunity to visit the United States. If you’re planning a trip across the border – whether to New York, Las Vegas, or anywhere else – make sure your policy covers you for all destinations you intend to visit, not just Canada. Adding USA coverage generally makes only a modest difference to the cost of your premium and is well worth including for the peace of mind it provides.

A lot of Australians who visit Canada hit up the world-famous ski resorts like Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Big White… So ski and winter sports cover is worth serious consideration. Many standard policies exclude skiing and snowboarding, or cover them only in limited circumstances. If you plan to spend time on the slopes, make sure your policy explicitly includes winter sports cover.

Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing Canada travel insurance. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others require a medical assessment or attract an additional premium. It’s particularly important to declare all relevant conditions for a long-stay policy, as the likelihood of a condition becoming relevant increases significantly over an extended trip. Look for insurers who offer online medical screening so conditions can be assessed and disclosed upfront.

There are several practical ways to reduce the cost of Canada travel insurance without compromising on cover. Travelling with a partneror friend? A joint policy is often cheaper than purchasing two individual policies. Increasing your excess can also lower your premium, though it’s important to ensure the excess remains manageable if you need to make a claim. And comparing multiple quotes is the single most effective way to find competitive pricing; premiums for the same level of cover can vary significantly between insurers.

If you’re one of the many Kiwis undertaking the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, it’s worth knowing that standard travel insurance policies have limitations when it comes to occupational cover. The IEC visa allows you to work for any employer in Canada, but not all roles are treated equally by insurers. If you plan to work in a hazardous role (like on a construction site or with heavy machinery), you may not be covered under a standard policy. Roles that are typically covered without issue include administration, hospitality, tourism, retail, teaching, childcare, and fitness instruction. If you're unsure whether your planned work is covered, check the Policy Wording or contact your insurer directly before purchasing.