Planning your next getaway? Choosing the right travel insurance can be tricky, especially when deciding between annual and single trip coverage. In 2026, Canadians can choose from more travel insurance plans than before, designed to fit various travel styles, destinations, and budgets. If you travel a lot or just once in a while, knowing the differences between annual and single trip insurance can help you save cash and avoid headaches. Here’s a look at some of Canada’s top travel insurance providers, what they cover, who should consider them, and how much they might cost.
Quick Comparison of Top Travel Insurance Providers in Canada for 2026
- Faye Travel Insurance: Best single trip plan with high coverage limits and quick digital claims process, known for its Cancel For Any Reason option and strong medical protection.
- Manulife Travel Insurance: Known for flexible annual plans and comprehensive coverage options, including unlimited medical coverage and trip interruption benefits.
- Allianz Global Assistance: Offers both annual and single trip plans with extensive medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, and a variety of add-ons like baggage loss and flight delay protection.
- Blue Cross Canada: Best for family travel with customizable add-ons, including coverage for children, seniors, and pre-existing conditions, along with competitive pricing for group plans.
- RSA Travel Insurance: Competitive pricing for frequent travellers with annual plan options, providing high medical coverage limits and flexibility for business and leisure travellers alike.
1. Faye Travel Insurance
Faye stands out in 2026 for its streamlined single trip insurance plan. It offers emergency medical coverage up to $250,000, which is well above the Canadian average of $100,000 for single trip plans, and medical evacuation coverage up to $500,000. This level of protection is crucial for travellers going to remote areas or destinations with high healthcare costs like the US. You also get coverage for personal items up to $150 each, with a total limit of $2,000 to keep your valuables safe while you’re away.
A standout feature is the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. If you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, you can get reimbursed up to 75% of non-refundable trip costs if you decide to cancel for any reason. This flexibility is rare and particularly useful given the uncertain travel environment in 2026.
Pros: High coverage limits for medical emergencies, quick 48-hour claim resolution, fully digital claims process that can be done via mobile app or website, and optional add-ons like pet care and vacation rental damage protection. The CFAR option adds a layer of security for travellers worried about last-minute changes.
Cons: Only one plan available, so it may lack options for different traveller types or budgets. Rates tend to be higher than some competitors due to extensive coverage, and Faye doesn't offer annual travel insurance policies, which limits options for frequent travellers.
Best for: Occasional travellers looking for a straightforward, comprehensive single trip policy with flexible cancellation options and strong medical protection.
Pricing: Rates vary but tend to be on the higher side due to extensive coverage. For example, a typical one-week trip for a 40-year-old travelling to the US might cost around $110 CAD. Prices increase with age, trip length, and destination risk. Exact pricing depends on trip length and destination.
2. Manulife Travel Insurance
Manulife provides a variety of travel insurance options, including both annual multi-trip plans and single trip coverage. Their annual plans cover unlimited trips within a 12-month period, making them ideal for frequent travellers or business professionals. Coverage includes unlimited emergency medical expenses, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and baggage loss. Manulife also offers optional add-ons tailored to adventure travellers, such as coverage for winter sports and hazardous activities.
Annual plans start at approximately $250 CAD per year for a healthy adult under 50, which can be more cost-effective than buying multiple single trip plans if you travel more than twice a year. For single trips, Manulife offers flexible plans with medical coverage limits up to $5 million, far exceeding many competitors, which is helpful for travellers visiting the US or other countries with high healthcare costs.
Pros: Flexible plan options with both annual and single trip coverage, extensive medical coverage including unlimited limits on annual plans, and coverage for trip interruption and cancellation. Manulife also provides 24/7 emergency assistance and a multilingual helpline.
Cons: Some add-ons can increase the premium substantially, and the claims process may require more paperwork than fully digital competitors. Certain pre-existing medical conditions are subject to underwriting and may affect eligibility or premiums.
Best for: Frequent travellers who want the flexibility of an annual plan with unlimited trips and high medical coverage, as well as those who need comprehensive protection for adventure activities.
Pricing: Annual plans start around $250 CAD for adults under 50, with premiums increasing for seniors or those with medical conditions. Single trip plans can cost between $80 and $200 CAD depending on destination and length of trip.
3. Allianz Global Assistance
Allianz is a well-known global brand offering both annual and single trip travel insurance plans in Canada. Their emergency medical coverage typically ranges from $1 million to $5 million, depending on the plan. Allianz also includes coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss, flight delays, and rental car damage. Their 24/7 emergency assistance service is highly rated for quick response times and multilingual support.
Allianz’s annual plans cover unlimited trips up to 30 days each within the year, which works well for travellers with multiple short trips. They also offer a family plan that covers spouses and dependent children under 21, or under 25 if in full-time education.
Pros: Broad coverage options including medical, trip cancellation, and baggage protection. 24/7 emergency support and a user-friendly online claims system. Family plans and special coverage for seniors are available.
Cons: Some coverage limits, like baggage or trip cancellation, are lower than niche providers. Annual plans can be pricier for older travellers. Certain optional coverages, such as Cancel For Any Reason, aren't standard and must be added separately.
Best for: Travellers seeking a trusted global brand with wide coverage options and support for families and seniors.
Pricing: Single trip plans start around $70 CAD for a one-week trip to the US for a young adult. Annual plans begin at $280 CAD for unlimited trips up to 30 days each. Prices vary by age and trip length.
4. Blue Cross Canada
Blue Cross Canada is a favourite for families and travellers with special needs. Their plans are highly customizable, allowing you to add coverage for children, seniors, and those with pre-existing conditions. They offer both annual and single trip insurance, with medical coverage limits generally up to $5 million.
Blue Cross stands out for its support services, including travel health advice and multilingual customer service. Their family plans often include coverage for multiple children at no extra cost, making it a popular choice for parents. Plus, Blue Cross offers optional coverage for adventure sports and trip cancellation.
Pros: Customizable family plans, strong coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, extensive customer support, and competitive pricing for group travel. Their reputation for handling claims fairly and efficiently is well established in Canada.
Cons: Some plans can be complex to navigate due to customization options. Rates may be higher for seniors or those with pre-existing conditions. Online quotes require detailed information, which can slow the purchasing process.
Best for: Families, travellers with medical conditions, and those seeking tailored coverage with strong customer service.
Pricing: Family annual plans start around $400 CAD, covering two adults and children under 21. Single trip plans for individuals start near $90 CAD for a one-week trip to the US.
5. RSA Travel Insurance
RSA offers competitive annual travel insurance plans geared toward frequent and business travellers. Their coverage includes emergency medical expenses up to $5 million, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage loss. The annual plans allow unlimited trips up to 30 days each within the policy year.
RSA’s plans are flexible, with options to add coverage for rental car damage, adventure sports, and even coverage for travel delays. Their pricing tends to be among the most competitive for annual policies, making them a solid choice for travellers who fly often.
Pros: Affordable annual plans with high medical coverage limits, flexibility to tailor coverage, and strong support for business travellers. The company has a solid reputation for quick claims processing.
Cons: Less focus on single trip plans, which may not suit occasional travellers. Some add-ons can increase premiums. Online purchasing options are less user-friendly compared to competitors.
Best for: Frequent travellers, business travellers, and those looking for cost-effective annual coverage with solid medical protection.
Pricing: Annual plans start near $230 CAD for healthy adults under 50, with trip length limits of 30 days per trip. Single trip plans are available but less competitive in pricing.
How We Chose These Providers
We focused on Canadian companies and those offering coverage tailored to Canadian travellers in 2026. Our selection criteria included coverage limits, plan flexibility, pricing, claims process efficiency, and customer service quality. We also considered the availability of both annual and single trip plans, as well as additional benefits like Cancel For Any Reason and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Pricing was compared based on typical trips—one week to the US or Europe for a healthy adult aged 30-50.
We reviewed publicly available plan details, customer reviews, and insurer ratings from independent sources. Providers with digital-first claims processes and 24/7 emergency assistance were favoured due to the convenience and peace of mind they offer travellers. Finally, we looked at optional add-ons and family coverage to ensure broad appeal.
Travel insurance in Canada for 2026 offers plenty of options whether you need coverage for one trip or multiple journeys across the year. Providers like Faye, Manulife, Allianz, Blue Cross, and RSA each bring something unique—whether it's Faye's strong single trip focus with flexible cancellation, Manulife’s comprehensive unlimited annual plans, Allianz's global reach and family options, Blue Cross’s tailored family and medical condition coverage, or RSA’s competitive pricing for frequent travellers. Choosing the right plan depends on your travel frequency, destinations, health needs, and budget. Shopping around and understanding the details can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your trip worry-free.
This article was created with AI assistance.
