Find the Best Coverage for Your Trip Down South
Every fall, many Canadians head south, aka Snowbirds, to spend their winters glowing in warm Florida, Mexico, or Texas sun or basking on the beaches of California or Costa Rica – anywhere south that is far from the cold, ice, and snow of their home and native land.
Find the Best International Travel Insurance
- Compare top-rated travel insurance providers
- Get quotes for Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation, and more
- Choose the best plan for your trip and budget
Essential Rules for Snowbirds Traveling to the United States
If you’re a Canadian Snowbird, there are some things you should know before you pack your bags:
- Canadians can stay in the United States for up to 182 days within a 12-month period.
- Canadians from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia must have at least 5 months of residence in a province to maintain their provincial health insurance eligibility. Newfoundland and Labrador require four months.
- Be sure to check in with your doctor before departure and have a comprehensive checkup before considering travel health insurance.
- Understand your coverage, including any limitations on pre-existing conditions.
Many Canadian Snowbirds are retired and need a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan to ensure they are covered in case they fall ill or have an accident.
Why Snowbirds Need Travel Medical Insurance
For most seniors and retired travelers, the ideal international insurance plan strikes a delicate balance between price, benefits, and the availability of medical assistance services while traveling abroad.
They also desire a comprehensive plan to help them navigate a foreign medical system should the need arise.
Best Travel Insurance Coverage for Canadian Snowbirds
When traveling outside your home country, purchasing international travelers’ medical insurance is always essential, even if you already have private medical insurance.
Canadian Snowbirds are typically out of their home country for 4 to 6 months, and as such, need to make sure their travel health plan includes:
- Freedom to seek treatment with a hospital or a doctor of choice
- Maximum medical limits from $50,000 and up
- Access to a 24/7 emergency assistance medical hotline to speak with medical experts
- Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
- Renewable up to 24 – 36 months
- Travel delay and baggage delay benefits
- Repatriation and emergency evacuation
Best Travel Insurance for Senior Canadian Snowbirds
Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance
- For U.S. citizens and residents up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
Coverage for Adventure Activities
As with all travel health insurance plans, a plan tailored to the Canadian Snowbird should cover all individual needs based on their current health, as well as in the event of an emergency or injury.
You should also ensure that your standard travel health plan covers any activities that you plan on participating in, and if they are not, that they are covered through extreme sports insurance coverage – and remember these activities may not always be as “extreme” as you think!
Activities such as hiking, hot air balloon rides, and water skiing are often considered extreme sports.
World Nomads Travel Insurance
- Coverage for 200+ adventure activities
- Generous benefits for lost and stolen bags and gear
- 100% Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption
- 24/7 emergency assistance
International Citizens Insurance has an experienced team of authors, including expatriates and world travelers, providing curated guidance for our clients.
View
Full Bio
