Insurance Types for Students in Canada: Studying in Canada is becoming everyone’s dream nowadays around the World as Canada offers a safe living environment, diverse culture and world-class education.
Therefore, one of the most important aspects of studying Canada is insurance. Whether it’s travel insurance, health coverage, or any other insurance, it is very important to understand the types of insurance available in Canada for foreign students.
So, we’ll try to explain and break down the types of insurance available in Canada, how to choose the right plan and why insurance matters to protect yourself while staying in Canada.
1. Why Insurance is the Most Important for International Students
Moving to a new destination comes with a number of challenges and uncertainties which includes unexpected expenses, travel disruptions, or medical emergencies which can occur at any moment. Having proper insurance is the most important:
Access to high quality healthcare without any of the financial stress.
Coverage for hospital stays or medical emergencies.
Support in case of theft, flight delays, or lost luggage.
Peace of mind for students and their families too
In many provinces, health insurance is mandatory for international students. Without it, you may face high medical bills, as healthcare services in Canada can be expensive for those not covered by a plan.
2. Types of Insurances Available for Foreign Students in Canada
There are a number of different types of insurance which are available for foreign students in Canada. Every single insurance serves a different purpose and helps to protect in any of the difficult situations.
A. Health Insurance
Health insurance is one of the most important forms of health coverage for any foreign student who is studying in Canada. It covers expenses like prescriptions, hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical emergencies.
There are two types of Health Insurances Students in Canada:
1. Provincial Health Insurance
Provinces, like Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, foreign students in these provinces can apply for the Government Health Insurance if they are studying in Canada for a certain period of time i.e around 6 months or more.
Once you arrive in Canada, you should apply for Provincial Health Insurance, but make sure you should be eligible for the same because there is a waiting period before this insurance becomes active.
Generally Provincial Health Insurance Plans cover:
Diagnostic tests
Hospital care
Doctor consultations
Standard Medical Services
2. Private Health Insurance
There are some provinces which don’t give public health insurance to foreign students for example, in Nova Scotia, Quebec or Ontario you should go for private health insurance.
Most of the universities and colleges in these provinces involve Private Health Plans in the student fees. These plans cover:
Mental health support
Ambulance services
Dental and vision care
Prescription drugs
Emergency medical treatment
B. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance also plays an important role as this insurance is also essential for students who arrive in Canada from their home country. It covers insurance while you’re travelling and for the first few weeks after you reach your destination before your health insurance becomes active.
Travel Insurance includes:
Flight delay compensation
Trip cancellation protection
Delayed or Lost baggage coverage
Emergency medical care during travel
Travel insurance is important if your private or provincial health coverage starts after the waiting period.
C. Vision and Dental Insurance
Regular provincial health insurance does not cover any of the eye care and dental treatment. This is the only reason that many colleges and universities offer some additional plans to cover:
Eye Examination and Prescription Glasses
Teeth Extractions and Fillings
Routine dental cleaning and check-ups
D. Personal Property Insurance
There are many foreign students who opt to live in off-campus housing or take rental apartments. In these cases, personal and tenant property insurance is strongly suggested.
This insurance protects your important belongings like electronics, furniture and laptops against damage or loss due to accidents, fire or theft.
It also includes liability coverage, this coverage helps you if someone gets injured in your rented space or you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property.
E. Vehicle Insurance
If you are planning to drive or buy a car in Canada, in that case auto insurance is mandatory.
The Insurance requirement and cost varies province to province. Vehicle Insurance generally covers:
Medical expenses related to car accidents
Third-party liability for accidents
Damage to your vehicle
It is always suggested to compare insurance prices and facilities covered and also it is important to understand the driving laws of the province before renting or buying a car.
F. Accident and Life Insurance
As it is not important, students prefer to get accidental or life death insurance for the additional security. These insurance policies offer financial assistance to the family members in case of death or serious injury.
There are some universities available which include accidental insurance in a student’s health plan.
3. Tips to Choose the Correct Insurance Plan for you
Choosing the correct insurance plan is one of the most important and confusing parts, especially for first time foreign students. So below are some tips that must be helpful to you while choosing insurance plan:
Check whether your province is offering public health coverage: If yes, then apply early if you are eligible.
Understand insurance policy for school: There are many educational institutions that automatically enroll their students in private health insurance plans.
Check against different insurance providers: Check for available plans that cover medical and non-medical emergencies.
Review the exclusions and coverage limits: There are some plans that may not include mental health care or pre-existing conditions.
Keep emergency contact numbers accessible: It is important to know whom to call if a medical emergency exists.
4. Average Cost of Insurance in Canada for Student
The cost of insurance depends on your type of coverage, duration of study and location:
Provincial Health Plans: Around $75–$100 per month.
Private Health Insurance: Usually $600–$1,000 per year.
Travel Insurance: $50–$100 (for short-term).
Dental and Vision Add-ons: $200–$400 per year
Having insurance gives peace of mind and safety.
