Travel Insurance for the USA
What Canadians need to know before travelling to the United States
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to the US. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in the US like hiking, surfing and skiing.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage.
The USA is still the most popular destination for Canadian travellers – by far – and not just because it’s right next door. One trip might have you catching a Broadway show in New York, another might see you camping in the red rock expanses of Utah, hiking the Hollywood Hills, or boot scooting at a honky-tonk in Nashville. The beauty of the USA is that you can dip in and out of completely different worlds without ever leaving the country. Distances are vast, so planning matters – but the payoff is a trip tailored exactly to how you like to travel.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to the USA. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in the USA
The USA is made for getting outdoors. Hike into vast national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, or head north to Alaska for glacier trekking, wildlife spotting and kayaking through icy fjords. In winter, ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming deliver everything from cruisy runs to backcountry terrain. On the water, California’s coastline is a magnet for surfers, while Hawaii takes things up a notch with bigger waves and year-round conditions. Mountain biking trails cut through forests and desert terrain in Moab or Sedona, ziplining crosses forested valleys in the Great Smoky Mountains, and skydiving anywhere between the Pacific and the Atlantic will add a serious thrill. Road trips in the US are part of the adventure too – long drives on Route 66 or along the Pacific Coast Highway turn the journey into the main event.
We cover 250 activities you love + more
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
Common insurance considerations for the USA
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Fell down some steps at a shopping mall? Wiped out on a black ski run and ended up in hospital? Ate a dodgy hotdog and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to the USA
- Tipping customs are similar to Canada, but more firmly expected in the US – plan for 15-20% in restaurants
- Healthcare in the US is expensive, which is why you may want to consider comprehensive travel insurance
- Crime levels vary widely by city and neighbourhood, so research where you’re staying, avoid unfamiliar areas at night and take care with valuables
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for the USA. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit the USA?
Most Canadians don’t need a visa for short tourist visits to the USA. You’ll need a valid passport and may be asked about your travel plans at the border.
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Is the USA safe for Canadian travellers?
The USA is generally safe to visit, but safety can vary by city and neighbourhood. Stay aware of your surroundings and take standard precautions, particularly in busy urban areas.
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Can I use my Canadian driver’s licence in the USA?
Yes, Canadian licences are generally valid for short-term visits. Check rental car requirements and insurance coverage before you travel.
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Do Canadians need ESTA to enter the USA?
Canadians generally don’t need ESTA for land crossings or most short visits. However, if you’re flying into the USA, you may need to meet additional entry requirements, so it’s best to check before you travel.
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How long does it take to cross the US border from Canada?
Border wait times can vary widely depending on the crossing point, time of day and season. Weekends, holidays and peak travel periods tend to be busiest, so check live wait times before you go and allow extra time.
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What can Canadians bring into the USA?
There are restrictions on certain items, including fresh food, alcohol and cannabis. You’ll need to declare all goods at the border, and rules can change, so check current guidelines before you travel.
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Do I need travel insurance for the US?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.