Snowbird travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is designed for Canadians who escape the winter chill and spend months in warmer destinations like Florida, Arizona, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
This type of insurance provides medical protection for travelers with existing health conditions, ensuring peace of mind while abroad.
Covers medical issues you had before purchasing the policy such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. It helps pay for expenses if these conditions worsen or cause complications while you’re traveling.
You may need to answer a few health questions or complete a short medical form. Insurers use this information to assess risk and determine your eligibility and premium.
Each provider sets its own limits for medical care, hospitalization, and medications. Always read the policy carefully to understand what’s included and what’s not.
Some plans have a waiting period (for example, 90–180 days) before pre-existing conditions are covered. Check this before you buy.
Expect higher premiums than standard travel insurance. Cost depends on your age, health status, trip duration, and destination.
To make a claim, you’ll need to provide:
Keeping detailed records will make the claim process smoother.
To make a claim, you’ll need to provide:
Keeping detailed records will make the claim process smoother.
To make a claim, you’ll need to provide:
The cost of snowbird travel insurance for pre-existing conditions can vary widely based on your health, age, trip length, and destination.
Understanding these factors helps you choose the right plan and budget wisely.
More serious or complex medical conditions (like heart disease or diabetes) can increase your premium since insurers see them as higher risk.
Older travelers often pay higher premiums. Insurance costs typically rise with age due to increased health risks.
The longer your winter stay, the higher your premium. Snowbirds traveling for several months usually pay more than short-term travelers.
Healthcare costs vary by country. For example, traveling to theU.S. usually costs more to insure than visiting Mexico or the Caribbean..
Choosing higher coverage limits for medical expenses and emergencies means better protection — but also a higher premium.
Opting for a higher deductible can lower your premium, but you’ll need to pay more out of pocket if you make a claim.
Some policies include a waiting period (e.g., 90–180 days) before covering pre-existing conditions. Longer waiting periods can sometimes mean lower costs.
Different insurers have different pricing models. Comparing multiple providers helps you find affordable, comprehensive coverage.
Extra benefits like trip cancellation, baggage loss, or rental car coverage can add convenience — but also increase your total cost.
Traveling as a couple or family? Some insurers offer group plans that are more cost-effective than individual policies.
👉 Pro Tip: The cheapest policy isn’t always the best. Choose a plan that balances affordability and reliable medical protection while you enjoy your time in the sun.
👉 Do I need coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, or am I comfortable taking the risk?
Here are some of the most popular and trusted plans available through American Visitor Insurance:
| Feature | INF Elite | INF Premier | Patriot America Plus | Safe Travels USA | Safe Travels Elite | Safe Travels Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Fixed / Comprehensive | Fixed | Comprehensive |
| Covers Pre-Existing? | Full coverage for stable pre-existing | Broader coverage incl. acute onset | Acute onset only | Acute onset only | Limited pre-existing coverage | Limited cardiac/stroke coverage |
| Maximum Benefit | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $500,000 | $25,000 (≤69 yrs) / $15,000 (≥70 yrs) | $25,000 (≤69 yrs) |
| Cardiac/Stroke Coverage | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible Ages | Up to 99 | Up to 99 | Up to 79 | Up to 89 | Up to 89 | Up to 89 |
Canadians traveling to the US for more than 30 days are required to register with US immigration authorities and provide fingerprints. This will be a strict enforcement of an existing law which was previously applied inconsistently and aims to improve compliance with US immigration regulations.
This new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), applies to all foreign nationals crossing the US-Canada land border who are 14 years or older and staying for more than 30 days in the USA. This will impact close to 3 million Canadians annually, including around 1 million "snowbirds" who spend extended winters in the US.
Canadian professionals on long-term assignments in the US must comply with the new registration and fingerprinting requirements. However, short-term visitors to the US, such as tourists and cross-border shoppers should not be impacted.
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Here are some useful travel insurance tips for travelers with pre-existing conditions to ensure safe and worry-free international travel:
Visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions helps travelers protect themselves from medical costs related to existing health issues. Key points to understand include:
Key points about how travel insurance for pre-existing conditions works:
The following are key factors to consider when purchasing visitors health insurance for pre-existing conditions:
Travelers should understand the importance of visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions. Key points include:
Determining if your pre-existing condition is covered by travel insurance depends on several factors, including whether you are a US resident or a visitor traveling to the US. US residents can purchase trip cancellation insurance or travel medical plans that include pre-existing conditions coverage, often with conditions like purchasing the policy within a specific time frame or maintaining domestic health coverage.
Non-US residents or visitors traveling to the US generally have limited options for travel insurance with pre-existing condition coverage. While some plans cover “acute onset” of pre-existing conditions, they often exclude chronic or congenital disorders. Only two policies offer full pre-existing medical condition coverage — INF Premier X and INF Elite X.
These INF plans define a pre-existing condition as one for which the insured received treatment or medication within the last 12 months. Stable maintenance medications are not considered flare-ups. Chronic or unstable conditions are still covered but with a higher deductible and lower coverage maximum.
INF Elite X (including INF Elite 90) are comprehensive plans, while INF Premier X is a fixed plan. These must be purchased for a minimum of 90 days and are ideal for seniors seeking comprehensive pre-existing coverage.
INF plans advertise “full coverage for pre-existing conditions.” This means sudden illnesses or injuries are covered, whether or not they are pre-existing. Routine treatments or maintenance medications are not covered, but INF Elite X and INF Premier X plans cover medical emergencies related to pre-existing conditions with a higher deductible and reduced maximum limit.
The term “acute onset of a pre-existing condition” refers to a sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition that occurs without prior symptoms or medical advice and requires immediate medical treatment within 24 hours. This coverage excludes chronic or gradually worsening conditions.
For example, if someone with an allergy unknowingly consumes an allergen and needs emergency care, this would be covered under acute onset benefits. However, ongoing or expected medical treatments are excluded.
The main difference between Full Pre-Existing coverage and Acute Onset coverage lies in the scope of benefits. Full Pre-Existing plans cover all related medical expenses, including follow-up visits and hospitalizations, while acute onset coverage only applies to emergency hospitalization due to sudden flare-ups.
Full pre-existing coverage under INF plans includes any issue related to a pre-existing condition, but excludes medical tourism. These conditions are covered with a higher deductible and a lower coverage limit compared to new illnesses or injuries. Coverage levels are chosen when purchasing your INF travel insurance plan.
Yes. INF plans such as INF Premier X and INF Elite X provide coverage for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and kidney-related issues. This makes them the most comprehensive visitor insurance plans for seniors and travelers with pre-existing conditions visiting the US.
Full pre-existing coverage plans like INF Premier X and INF Elite X are more expensive because insurers take on greater risk by covering travelers without prior medical exams. However, given the high cost of US healthcare, these plans offer invaluable peace of mind for travelers who want full protection for their chronic conditions.
Services covered under Visitors Insurance Full Pre-Existing Coverage can be reviewed in detail on the INF Premier X and INF Elite X plan pages at American Visitor Insurance. INF plans also accept applications from green card holders and long-term visitors in the US.
For Canadian snowbirds spending extended time in warmer destinations like Florida, Arizona, or Mexico, securing the right travel insurance is essential—especially when managing pre-existing medical conditions. INF plans are among the most trusted options, offering comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of long-term travelers with existing health concerns.
American Visitor Insurance is your One-Stop Shop for Snowbird Coverage American Visitor Insurance partners with top rated US insurance providers like International Medical Group (IMG), Trawick International, and Global Underwriters to offer the best snowbird travel insurance plans for Canadians all in one place.
Use our easy online compare engine to review several top insurance plans side by side and choose the best snowbird insurance coverage for your travel schedule, budget, and medical needs for destinations across the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and other warm-weather regions.
American Visitor Insurance has been offering Snowbird insurance for nearly two decades now providing thousands of Canadian and international snowbirds easy purchase insurance options through our platform before heading south for extended stays in Florida, Arizona, Texas, Mexico, or island getaways in the Caribbean.
Our licensed knowledgeable customer support team helps travelers understand coverage options, policy benefits, and claim procedures so you can make informed decisions with complete peace of mind.
Enjoy medical coverage for emergencies, hospital care, and evacuation, backed by leading international insurers and extensive PPO networks across North America and beyond.
Compare, choose, and buy your plan online at American Visitor Insurance in minutes with 24/7 assistance available whenever you need help during your travels.
Snowbird travel insurance provides emergency medical coverage for Canadian seniors and long-term travelers leaving Canada for extended stays, especially in warmer destinations like the USA. Since provincial health insurance offers limited out-of-country benefits, having Canadian snowbird travel insurance ensures protection against unexpected medical expenses. Most plans cover emergency healthcare but exclude preventive or ongoing care.
The purpose of snowbird travel medical insurance is to cover medical emergencies or injuries while outside Canada. It helps pay for hospitalization, doctor visits, and emergency treatments that cannot wait until returning home. This is essential coverage for Canadian snowbirds spending winter months abroad.
Yes. Snowbird visitors and tourists can buy travel health insurance in the USA. It’s best to purchase coverage before leaving Canada, covering the entire trip duration. However, most insurance companies also allow purchasing after travel begins, ensuring protection for the remainder of the journey.
Snowbird travel insurance works by covering unexpected medical costs during your stay outside Canada. Many plans also include trip interruption, baggage loss, or delay benefits. In emergencies, you can seek care from any hospital or doctor. For non-emergencies, staying in-network (if applicable) helps minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
Yes. Home country health insurance typically does not cover Snowbird tourists abroad. Given the high healthcare costs in the USA, travel health insurance for Canadian Snowbird tourists is vital. It covers medical emergencies, trip delays, interruptions, and baggage loss — helping travelers avoid financial stress while abroad.
The ideal coverage amount depends on your travel destination. For example, $50,000 may be enough for Europe or Asia. However, Snowbird travelers to the USA should consider higher coverage — $500,000 to $1 million — because of expensive U.S. healthcare costs.
If a Snowbird tourist becomes ill in the U.S., they can visit an urgent care clinic, doctor, or hospital. However, without insurance, they must pay for all services out-of-pocket. Having a U.S. tourist health insurance plan for Snowbirds ensures that medical expenses are covered during their stay.
To maintain Canadian residency and healthcare eligibility, Snowbirds must spend at least 183 days (approximately six months) in Canada within a 12-month period. It’s wise to confirm requirements with a qualified immigration or legal expert.
Canadian Snowbirds can remain outside Canada for up to six months without losing residency status. However, it’s crucial to have travel medical insurance during this period, especially for travel to the USA where healthcare costs are significantly higher.
Yes, you can get snowbird travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition. Coverage depends on the condition and provider. Some insurers offer full coverage, others only for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, and a few may have exclusions or waiting periods. Always review the policy details carefully.
You can find reliable US insurance providers like International Medical Group(IMG), Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Global Underwriters, Travel Insure, GeoBlue, Travelex, INF insurance, HTH Worldwide and Venbrook International.
