Travel insurance for Canada
Canada is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. Although Canada has a public healthcare system, it is intended only for residents; visitors must pay the full cost of treatment.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when traveling to Canada?
The most common mistake when planning a trip to Canada is assuming that healthcare there is free. The public system covers only Canadian residents; foreigners are billed the full amount, and payment is often required immediately.
What to expect in Canada
- The EHIC is not valid — Canada is not a member of the EU or the EEA.
- The public health system is intended only for Canadian residents.
- A day in the hospital costs a foreigner thousands of Canadian dollars.
- Health care is administered by the provinces — procedures and prices vary
- Distances are vast, and evacuations are sometimes required in remote regions.
What insurance does
- Covers essential medical aid up to the selected limit.
- The Assistance service contacts the clinic and provides a payment guarantee
- Organizes and pays for transportation and medical evacuation.
- Covers repatriation to Lithuania if treatment is continued at home.
- Operates 24/7 in Lithuanian or English.
What kind of protection should you choose for a trip to Canada?
Insurers view Canada similarly to the USA—it is a North American destination with high medical costs. Therefore, the limit for medical expenses should be higher than for a trip to Europe.
Essential
- Medical expenses — choose a higher limit than for European destinations
- Repatriation and medical evacuation
- Assistance service — so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Active pursuits — skiing, mountain hiking, canoeing, water activities
- Trip cancellation or interruption — long-haul flights paid for in advance
- Baggage — especially when flying with connections
- Civil liability
Important things to know before traveling to Canada
Five things worth checking before a trip to Canada.
- “Free healthcare” applies only to residents. The Canadian public system does not provide insurance coverage for foreigners—the full bill is charged.
- The EHIC is not valid. The European Health Insurance Card is valid only in EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
- eTA Electronic Travel Authorization. Lithuanian citizens do not need a visa, but an eTA is required when flying to Canada. It does not apply to arrivals by land or sea. An eTA is not insurance and does not provide any medical coverage.
- Territory. If your itinerary includes the USA, the policy must cover both countries—check this before purchasing.
- Active pursuits. Skiing, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, canoeing, and kayaking are often not included in standard coverage.
Du dažniausi kelionės į Kanadą scenarijai
Trips to Canada by Lithuanians generally fall into one of two categories, and their insurance needs differ fundamentally.
Canada and the USA in one trip
- Niagara Falls, Toronto and New York itineraries, cross-border road trips
- The policy must cover both directions—coverage for the “Canada” leg alone is not enough.
- You will need two separate authorizations: an eTA for Canada and an ESTA for the USA.
- Medical treatment costs in the US are even higher than in Canada.
Choose your limit based on the more expensive country on your itinerary, rather than the one where you will spend more time.
Winter resorts and mountains
- Whistler, Banff, Jasper, Mont-Tremblant
- Skiing and snowboarding — essential protection for active pursuits
- Temperatures in some regions are reaching -30°C.
- Winter driving conditions and long distances between settlements
- Remote mountain regions — evacuation is expensive.
Skiing off-piste is considered a separate risk or not covered in many policies.
The most common mistake. The policy is taken out for a “trip to Canada” and the biggest financial risk is when you cross the border into the US. If the route includes both countries, select the area that includes North America and the limit based on the more expensive direction.
What determines the cost of insurance for travel to Canada?
Canada is considered a more expensive destination than Europe because medical costs there are close to US levels. The exact price depends on the details of the trip and the chosen coverage.
- Duration of the trip. Every day increases the risk and the cost.
- The age of Travelers. The most important factor after duration.
- Number of travelers. Multiple people can be insured under a single policy.
- Medical expense limit. For North American routes, it is worth choosing a larger one.
- Planned activities. Winter sports and mountain hiking are priced separately and often account for the largest difference in cost.
- Territory. A route that also includes the US is evaluated differently than one covering only Canada.
- Insurer’s rate. The price of the same trip can vary several times with different insurers.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to Canada?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, traveler ages, and number of travelers. The destination “Canada” has already been selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Select guards
Add coverage for baggage, civil liability, or active pursuits if needed.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance policy must be purchased while still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. Insurance cannot be purchased once you have already left.
What should you do in the event of an incident in Canada?
Canadian clinics and hospitals often bill foreigners immediately, so it’s a good idea to call the assistance service as early as possible — if the situation allows, even before applying to a treatment facility.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Follow the instructions.
The assistance service will specify which medical facility to contact and will often communicate with it directly.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Bills, prescriptions, doctor’s reports, receipts. Without them, it will not be possible to reimburse the costs.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer. If you need assistance, contact “Man ramu”.
Important in Canada. If the incident occurs in a remote area, a mountain resort, or a national park, immediately notify the resort or park authorities and contact the assistance service. Costs for independently arranged evacuations are not always reimbursed; the decision regarding the method of transport is usually made by the insurer.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the chosen insurer’s terms and conditions—they specify the exact scope of coverage and the events that are excluded from coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EHIC valid in Canada?
Is healthcare free in Canada?
Do I need an eTA to travel to Canada?
What medical expense limit should you choose?
Will the insurance be valid in the USA as well if I cross the border?
Is skiing in Whistler or Banff covered?
Can I insure the whole family under a single policy?
Can I purchase insurance while already in Canada?
Calculate insurance for Canada
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