Canada Travel Insurance

• Do New Zealanders need travel insurance for Canada?

• New Zealand citizens are not currently required by Canadian authorities to hold travel insurance to enter the country, but it is very wise to have it in place before you go. Visitors don’t get access to Canada’s public healthcare system, which means any hospital visit, specialist appointment or emergency treatment is paid out of pocket, and medical expenses in major centres and ski regions can be extremely high. On top of that, trips to the Great White North often involve long flights, multiple connections, winter weather and outdoor adventures, all of which can increase the chances of delays, lost items or injuries. 
  
  A policy for Canada is designed to provide a layer of pocket coverage for those bigger “what if” moments so you are not left trying to manage everything on your own. 

• How much does travel insurance for Canada cost?

• The price of travel insurance for Canada depends on a few personal details rather than a flat amount. When you get a quote, factors such as your age, where you are going, the maximum trip duration, any pre-existing medical conditions and the type of plan you choose are all taken into account. Extras like ski or adventure packs, cruise cover or higher limits can also affect the premium. 

• What activities are covered?

• Many of the things people love doing in Canada are covered under a standard policy when they are done on a casual, non-professional basis. That can include city sightseeing, day hikes on marked trails, museum visits, gentle kayaking, organised tours and similar low-risk holiday activities. If you are heading for the snow, planning to try more adventurous sports or joining higher-intensity tours, you may need to add specific packs such as winter sports or adventure cover so those activities are included.  

• What if I'm going skiing in Canada?

• If you're taking part in any winter or snow sports in Canada, you will need an extra level of cover. That's because there are more risks involved with winter and snow sports. Check out our Winter Sports Pack here.

• Do I need a visa for Canada?

• For most Kiwis, you do not need a traditional visa to visit Canada, an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) is all you need. If you are travelling for a long period, or for purposes other than tourism, visas may be required. Check out our full guide to Canada visas here.

• Will you pay my hospital bills if I get sick or injured in Canada?

• Please refer to the Policy Wording and policy schedule and check if your sickness or injury is a claimable event and is covered. If you are hospitalised, or if you are treated as an outpatient, or if the total cost of the treatment will exceed $1000, please contact our emergency assistance service as soon as possible to obtain their prior approval.
  
  In circumstances where the claim is approved, we can then provide written guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses for emergency hospitalisation that may be required while you are in Canada.

• Can I apply to extend my travel insurance policy while I’m away?

• Yes, of course. If you want to extend your policy while you’re in Canada, the easiest way to do this is via the Policy Manager.
  You'll need your policy number (available in the email confirming your policy), and a few other simple details. Log-in and extend your trip, add destinations, or buy add ons/extras. And make sure you extend your policy before it expires. 
  
  If you have trouble, you can email us at [email protected]
  
  Please note: There may be instances where a policy extension is not available. 

• What do I do if I'm robbed in Canada?

• If you are robbed while you’re in Canada, you should report the theft to the police or nearest local authority immediately. You will also need to obtain a written report to be used as supporting documents for your claim. 

• I’m in Canada and the airline has lost my luggage. What do I do?

• If you are entitled to be reimbursed by the bus line, airline, shipping line or rail authority you were travelling on when the loss, theft, misplacement or damage occurred, then your travel insurance may not cover you.
  
  However, if you are not reimbursed the full amount of your claim, we will assess your claim and you may be entitled to be paid the difference between the amount of your loss and what you were reimbursed, up to the limit of your cover (allowing for depreciation due to age, wear and tear).

• What is covered under rental vehicle excess?

• Our Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, and Already Overseas policies, rental vehicle insurance excess cover is not included automatically. Under these policies, you can add cover for rental vehicle insurance excess up to $10,000 by paying an additional premium.

• What happens if I encounter terrorism or political unrest in Canada?

• In the event of a terrorist attack or political unrest, there is no cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits, disruption of journey or alternative transport expenses.
  
  However, if you do get caught up in an unforeseen event while you are in Canada and you are injured, cover is available for all necessary medical/hospital expenses. 

• Can I choose my doctor if I become unwell while in Canada?

• You may choose your own medical advisor, or we can appoint an approved medical advisor to see you.
  
  Please note: If you do not get the medical treatment you expect, although we can assist you, 1Cover are not liable for anything that results from that treatment. If you are unwell overseas please contact us.

• I’m travelling to multiple countries other than Canada. Do I need to list all my sestinations?

• When you apply for a policy you need to tell us where you are travelling to. The premium you pay for the policy depends on your destination(s). 
  
  If you're travelling to multiple countries, you need to nominate the countries when you are applying for cover.
  
  If you’re going on a cruise, you must select the appropriate cruise region for where you are travelling and pay an additional premium for travel on a cruise vessel by purchasing the Cruise Pack. If you don't purchase a cruise pack, you won't be covered while on the ship. There is, however, no cover under any sections of the policy when you are on a cargo ship or freighter.

• I travel to Canada a few times a year. What’s the best policy for me?

• We have a policy called Frequent Traveller which allows you to take as many trips under the one policy for 12 months and enjoy comprehensive cover on each one. There is a limit to the maximum length of each trip on these policies. You can travel to one or more destinations with this policy. 
  
  Find out more about our annual travel insurance policies here.

• Can I get extra cover for my high-value items?

• Laptop computers, cameras, mobile phones…they’re all things we need on at home and on holiday. That’s why you can choose a bit of extra protection for your can’t-live-withouts. All you need to do is include and specify certain high-value items that aren't automatically covered when you're buying your policy.
  
  Note: The items cannot be older than 12 months, and you can't specify items like jewellery, watches, bicycles and watercraft (apart from surfboards).

• Am I covered for travel interruptions caused by earthquakes and other natural disasters?

• Travel insurance provides cover for weather events as long as they are unforeseen. Our policies do not cover claims for losses caused by an event that you were aware of at the time of purchasing your policy.
  
  Once an event has become published in the mass media, it is expected that you have purchased your insurance with this knowledge in mind. 1Cover will, where possible, issue travel warnings in relation to such large scale events and the dates and times after which they are not seen as an unforseen event.

• Am I covered for rental ski equipment hire excess? 

• Yes! When you are booking your policy simply select the Winter Sports Pack add-on and you will enjoy cover for Rental Ski Equipment Hire Excess. Terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Policy Wording for further information.

• Am I covered for off-piste skiing & snowboarding?

• Yes, we provide cover for off-piste skiing and snowboarding as long as it is within a short distance from designated areas of ski resort boundaries on groomed terrain that are open and patrolled by the ski resort.​
  
  You must select the Winter Sports Pack add-on when booking your policy to be covered for any winter sports activities. 

• Won't the RHCA cover me if I require medical assistance in Canada? 

• Unfortunately, there is no reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) between New Zealand and Canada. This means that New Zealand citizens in Canada are 100% responsible for their own travel costs.  

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