Pre-existing Conditions & Stability Periods

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It’s the most anxious question in travel insurance: “Am I still covered if I have a health condition?” Here’s the honest, plain-English answer.

⚠️ Accuracy gate (build note):

Stability-period durations and the “stable” definition on this page are drawn from the current TuGo policy wording (Visitors / Traveller / Student). The policy wording governs in all cases and must be re-confirmed and signed off by a licensed agent before publish.

In plain English: A pre-existing condition is a medical condition you had before your coverage started. A stability period is a window of time (set by the policy) during which your condition must have stayed unchanged — no new symptoms, no new treatment, no changed medication — for it to be covered. If your condition was stable for the required period, related claims may be covered; if it changed within that window, they may not.

In this guide:
What’s a pre-existing condition What “stable” means
How the period works How to know where you stand FAQ

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Generally, any medical condition, illness, or injury you had before your policy’s effective date — diagnosed or not, treated or not. Common examples include heart conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, or anything you take regular medication for. The policy wording defines this exactly; this is general guidance, not your specific determination.

What “stable” actually means

A condition is typically considered stable when, for the required period before your coverage starts, there has been no:

new diagnosis, new symptom, or worsening of an existing symptom;
new treatment, test, or referral (beyond routine monitoring);
change in medication — including dosage, starting, or stopping.

Two things specifically do not count as instability under the TuGo wording: a routine swap to a generic equivalent of the same medication, and within-parameter adjustments to insulin or blood thinners. The policy wording governs in every case — confirm the exact definition for your plan.

How the stability period works

The plan sets a stability period — a look-back window immediately before your effective date during which your condition must have stayed stable. The required length depends on the product and your age:

Product	Stability period (look-back before effective date)
Visitors to Canada (incl. Super Visa)	120 days if 59 or under · 180 days for ages 60–69 · 365 days for 70+
Traveller (Canadian residents abroad)	7 days if 59 or under on a trip of 35 days or less · 90 days if 59 or under on a longer trip · 180 days for ages 60–74 · 365 days for 75+ (no stability requirement on Travel-Within-Canada plans)
Student (inbound & outbound)	90 days, all ages (single period)
Trip Cancellation & Interruption	60 days before purchase/booking (all products)

The budget Basic Visitors to Canada plan does not cover pre-existing conditions at all — there is no stability table for it. The policy wording governs; confirm your figure in the quote.

Term	What it means
Effective date	The date your coverage starts — the period counts backward from here.
Medical questionnaire	For travellers 60+, a short questionnaire during the quote assesses your conditions and sets terms.

Good to know

A Travel Within Canada plan has no stability requirement for pre-existing conditions — useful if you’re travelling inside Canada and managing a condition.

How to find out where you stand

Start a quote. For travellers 60+, the medical questionnaire walks through your conditions and tells you the terms.
Be accurate and complete. Honest answers protect your claim — a misstatement can void coverage.
Talk to an advisor if you’re unsure. We’ll explain the stability wording for your situation — generally, not as binding advice.

Check my coverage →
Ask an advisor: 1-833-SACRAW-8

Pre-existing conditions FAQ

Can I get covered if I have a pre-existing condition?

Often yes — if the condition has been stable for the policy’s required period. The medical questionnaire confirms your terms. This is general information, not your specific determination.

How long is the stability period?

It depends on the product and your age. On Visitors to Canada (and Super Visa) it’s 120 days if you’re 59 or under, 180 days for 60–69, and 365 days for 70+. On the Traveller plan it ranges from 7 days (under 60, short trip) up to 365 days (75+). Student plans use a single 90-day period at all ages. Confirm the figure for your plan in the quote or with an advisor.

Does a medication change reset the period?

Generally a change in medication — including dosage, starting or stopping — affects stability. However, a routine swap to a generic equivalent, and within-parameter insulin or blood-thinner adjustments, do not count as instability under the TuGo wording. Check the exact wording for your plan.

What if I don’t declare a condition?

Always declare accurately. A misstatement or omission can void coverage and lead to a denied claim. When in doubt, declare it and ask.

✓

Reviewed by a licensed agent. No stability figure is asserted without verification against the current policy wording. General information only — your terms are set by the questionnaire and policy. Regulated by FSRA.

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