What Is Emergency Medical Travel Insurance and Do You Need It?

A sudden illness or injury in a foreign country can lead to more than discomfort—it can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills. Emergency medical travel insurance helps pay for unexpected health care costs that arise while you are away from home.

This becomes especially critical when traveling outside Canada, where provincial health plans offer little or no coverage. You might think about this the next time you leave the country, even for a short cross-border trip.

What Emergency Medical Travel Insurance Covers

Emergency medical travel insurance is designed to cover the cost of urgent medical care if you get sick or injured during your trip. Depending on your plan, coverage typically includes:

Hospitalization for accidents, surgeries, or sudden illness
Doctor visits and consultations if you require medical evaluation or outpatient treatment
Ambulance services including air or ground transport to the nearest suitable medical facility
Prescription medications required during treatment abroad
Medical evacuation back to Canada if your condition is serious and needs treatment at home
Emergency dental treatment for accidents or severe pain

Medical Expense Type	Covered Under Emergency Medical Insurance?
Emergency room visit	Yes
Surgery for injury during travel	Yes
Ongoing treatment for chronic issue	Usually not unless medically stable before trip
Routine check-ups or prescriptions	No

Note: Coverage applies only to sudden and unexpected health issues. It does not cover elective procedures or pre-scheduled treatments.

Why Provincial Coverage Isn’t Enough

Outside your home province—and especially outside Canada—government health plans cover very little. For example:

OHIP in Ontario covers only a small fraction of international hospital costs
Costs for emergency surgery, air ambulance transport, or medical repatriation are not covered
Without insurance, you could be billed thousands for even a brief hospital stay

If you travel to the U.S., where a broken arm can cost several thousand dollars to treat, the need for travel insurance becomes urgent. Even countries with public healthcare systems may charge high fees to non-residents.

Who Should Consider It?

Emergency medical travel insurance is recommended for nearly every traveler, but especially if:

You are leaving Canada, even for a short trip
You are over 60 or have existing health conditions
You’re traveling to remote areas or countries with limited medical infrastructure
You’re planning adventurous activities like hiking, diving, or skiing

Tip: Always disclose your full medical history when applying. Some plans offer coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, but hiding information can void your entire policy.

Things to Watch For

Pre-existing condition exclusions: Most policies require your condition to be stable for a set period before departure (often 90 to 180 days)
Coverage limits: Standard plans often include $1 million to $5 million in medical benefits, but make sure the limit matches your destination risk
Policy duration: If you extend your trip, you may need to contact your insurer to continue coverage

Caution: Travel credit cards may offer basic medical coverage, but the limits, duration, and exclusions vary widely. Always read the fine print and consider a stand-alone policy for longer or riskier trips.