Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions: The Complete Canadian Guide

“Are you covered if you have a pre-existing condition?” This guide explains how pre-existing medical conditions are covered and how stability timelines apply before you depart. In travel insurance, coverage is almost always available as long as your condition is stable.

What does a stable pre-existing condition mean?

A condition is considered stable when there have been no changes to your treatment, medication, or symptoms within the stability period before your departure date. During this time, you must experience no new diagnoses, no dosage adjustments, no hospitalizations, and no new tests ordered.

What is the pre-existing condition stability period by age?

Your required stability period depends on your age and the length of your trip, ranging from 7 days to 365 days before departure. The applicable stability requirements include:

• Age 59 and under (trip length of 35 days or less): 7 days
• Age 59 and under (trip length over 35 days): 90 days
• Ages 60 to 74 (any trip length): 180 days
• Age 75 and over (any trip length): 365 days

What counts as a medical change for travel insurance?

A medical change includes any adjustment in treatment, symptoms, or medication during your stability period. Any of the following changes will affect your stability timeline:

• New medication or dosage adjustment
• New diagnosis
• Hospitalization or ER visit
• New symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms
• Doctor recommending new tests or specialist referrals
• Changing from brand-name to generic (if initiated by your doctor)

What does not count as a medical change?

Routine medical appointments and unchanged treatment plans do not count as a medical change for your coverage. Events that do not count as a change include:

• Routine check-ups with no changes to treatment
• Prescription refills at the same dosage
• Stable lab results

Does travel within Canada require a stability period?

Travel within Canada does not require a stability period under specific coverage options. If you are travelling within Canada, the Travel Within Canada plan we offer has no stability requirement for pre-existing conditions. This is a significant advantage for travellers with complex medical histories.

Check your eligibility — get a personalized quote →

Questions travellers ask

Are you covered if you have a pre-existing condition?

Coverage is available for pre-existing conditions as long as your condition is stable throughout your required stability period before departure. Your stability window depends on your age and trip length, protecting you if unexpected medical emergencies related to that stable condition arise while travelling.

What does a stable medical condition mean?

A condition is considered stable when you experience no changes to your treatment, medication, or symptoms before your departure date. This means there have been no new diagnoses, dosage adjustments, hospital visits, or newly ordered tests during the applicable stability period.

Does changing from brand-name to generic medication count as a change?

Changing from brand-name to generic medication counts as a change if it was initiated by your doctor. However, routine prescription refills at the exact same dosage do not count as a medical change during your stability period.

Is a stability period required for travel within Canada?

No stability period is required if you purchase the Travel Within Canada plan we offer. Under this specific plan, pre-existing conditions are covered without a stability requirement, offering an advantage for travellers managing complex health histories.