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More than 50 countries worldwide have now reopened for Canadian tourists, but what does that mean for travel insurance, especially policies that cover Covid-19?
Many Canadian travel insurance companies are NOT offering coverage at all, or offering some coverage, but choosing not to include Covid-19 related illnesses, especially while the ‘Avoid All Non-Essential’ travel advisory is still in place.
However, we’ve now found some great options for Canadian travelers that WILL cover Covid-19, and also offer great travel health insurance, even with the current travel advisory in place.
Below you will find the latest news on the best travel insurance options for Canadians that also cover Covid-19.
Please Note: This article is meant as a general information guide only. Travel Insurance is constantly changing in the current environment and it is up to each traveler to ensure they are properly covered for their individual situations. We do our best to keep this article updated but insurance policies can change without notice. The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety and insurance abroad. We do not endorse or recommend traveling against government travel advisories.
Travel Insurance for Canadians That Covers Covid-19
SafetyWing
Canadians! Finally, an affordable insurance provider with plans that cover Covid-19, even with the current travel advisory in place.
SafteyWing is a product we have personally been using for the past two years because it is extremely affordable, has decent coverage inclusions, but most of all works with our lifestyle. We are very nomadic and our travel plans change so frequently that we needed plans that could be extended on the fly, no matter how long we were out of the country for.
I spoke directly with SafetyWing and found that as of August 1st, they officially launched coverage for Covid-19 and are automatically including it in all their policies. Since I am very familiar and comfortable with their insurance and customer service, I am thrilled to be able to recommend them to my fellow Canadian readers.
While SafetyWing doesn’t offer the biggest coverage amounts we’ve ever seen, they are a fantastic option for travelers on a budget, younger travelers, and people who want the basics covered.
SafetyWing announced August 1:
“As of August 1st, Nomad Insurance covers Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)! Coverage works the same as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date, and does not fall under any other policy exclusion or limitation.
Testing for COVID-19 will only be covered if deemed medically necessary by a physician. The antibody test is not covered, as it is not medically necessary.”
Cost of SafeyWing
For 4 weeks of coverage:
- 10-39 years old $40.04
- 40-49 years old $64.68
- 50-59 years old $101.64
- 60-64 years old $137.76
Rates are for any country of travel except for: Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Travel to the USA can also be covered, but do to high health care costs there, rates will go up.
What that covers:
- Coverage up to $250,000
- Deductible $250
- Trip Interruption – up to $5000
- Lost Checked Luggage – up to $3000
- Political Evacuation – up to $10,000
And lots more including intensive care, ambulance, hospital stays, travel delays, medical evacuation, emergency dental, etc. You can see everything that SafetyWing covers, including what sports activities, etc on their FAQ page.
Will SafetyWing still cover me, and cover Covid-19, if Canada has the ‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel’ advisory still in place?
Yes. When I asked SafetyWing about this, they told me:
“Yes, the policy does not follow travel advisory from the Canadian government. It relates to the advise from the CDC and US DOS. The policy covers COVID-19 regardless of travel advisory.”
Editor’s Note: Earlier in 2020 I got hospitalized while in Mexico. Thankfully I did have SafetyWing coverage for my entire stay, so my hospitalization, treatment, and medications were covered with my policy. The claims system was really easy and straightforward.
Get a quote with SafetyWing:
You should get a quote for your specific trip, and look over everything else SafetyWing includes.
HeyMondo
HeyMondo is gaining a lot of popularity lately, especially among our Travel Off Path Community. Their policies are great because they can be customized, adding more coverage when/where you need it.
We contacted HeyMondo to ask if they would cover Covid-19 related illnesses, despite the current travel advisory from the Canadian government, and they confirmed they will.
Cost for HeyMondo
For 4 weeks of coverage for a Canadian (any age) traveling anywhere in the world excluding USA/Canada:
$105 USD
That Includes up to:
- $100,000 medical expenses
- $500,000 repatriation
- $1,700 luggage
- $450 travel delay
- $2,500 trip cancellation
*however, inclusions can be modified to suit your individual needs.
Covid-19 Coverage with HeyMondo:
HeyMondo states –
“All travel insurance plans that you see in our website cover medical assistance and expenses even in the event of infection by Coronavirus.”
Go straight over to HeyMondo’s quote page to get all info on costs and inclusions.
Coming Soon…
World Nomads
World Nomads is another travel insurance provider we have personally used in the past
However, in this moment with the ‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel’ advisory currently in effect by the Canadian government, World Nomads is not allowed to sell its policies to Canadians. Once the travel advisory lifts, World Nomads will be able to sell policies to Canadian travelers, and they should cover some aspects of Covid. (WN’s could not clarify at this time.)
World Nomads might be a good option in the near future for Canadian travelers who want extra coverage or who do a lot of sports activities.
We will update this post when World Nomads is once again available for Canadians.
Read More: See the full list of countries now reopen for Canadian tourists, and the Top 10 Places to Travel during Covid
For the latest Reopening Travel News and discussions, join our: Facebook Community
Article originally published August 2, 2020 with updates
Radhika
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
My husband and I are in our early 70's and do a lot of travelling. Does anyone know if Safety Wing and Hey Mondo cover our age group?
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 25th of February 2021
No I'm sorry, both providers don't cover over 70
RF
Monday 30th of November 2020
I have just received the following reply from HeyMondo. Since I did not see the required accommodation coverage of USD$2000 on the Online quote I had received. I asked for clarification. Keep in mind I am in Canada. Here is what they said:
I'm Giuseppe from the Customer Care department in Heymondo; first of all thank you for contacting us to protect your trip.
In response to your message, we confirm all travel insurance plans that you see in our website cover medical assistance even in the event of infection by Coronavirus.
So if you had to be hospitalized for days due to illness / Covid-19 that would be covered (as well as the return flight in case it takes longer and you miss your first flight).
However hotel expenses due to quarantine is not covered. The policy covers hospitalization and repatriation only
We remain at your disposal for any further information you may need.
Kind regards, Giuseppe Del Buono Heymondo Customer Service
Rf
Thursday 26th of November 2020
Blue Cross seems to offer one that may be accepted. I am waiting for a response from them. To make sure they meet the Cr requirements. They do cover covid, but their accommodation coverage was not mentioned on the quote, only listed on the site.
Doug St John
Thursday 26th of November 2020
Has anyone found a Canadian insurance company that fulfills the $2000 USD lodging coverage requirement for costa rica?
Brad
Saturday 21st of November 2020
Thanks for all this great info. Safety Wing sounded like a good fit for me (budget nomad) . I looked on the CDC website for destinations I am interested in such as Mexico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Turkey and they are all rated at Level 4 for covid. Does that mean that Safety 'Wing will not cover travel there now and at least for the next 6 months?
Kashlee Kucheran
Saturday 21st of November 2020
There is a whole section of this article that should answer your question ;) The copy/paste: "Will SafetyWing still cover me, and cover Covid-19, if Canada has the ‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel’ advisory still in place? Yes. When I asked SafetyWing about this, they told me:
“Yes, the policy does not follow travel advisory from the Canadian government. It relates to the advise from the CDC and US DOS. The policy covers COVID-19 regardless of travel advisory.”