Travel Insurance Canada

Canada is a country in North America which is the second-largest in the world in terms of area. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean from three sides and shares its southern borders with the United States of America. It is one of the most developed countries with the tenth-largest economy in the world. The country is known for its national parks, lakes, wildlife, gorgeous views and French cities. Thus, it is an extremely popular tourist destination and creates a lot of demand for making travel insurance Canada plans.

Canada is home to some of the most gorgeous places catering to tourists with different tastes. Tourists mostly get themselves covered under a travel insurance Canada plan before they head out to explore this North American country. If you have a fetish for historical places, you can visit Quebec City, which is the oldest walled city in North America. You can enjoy the spectacular view of the glaciers and snow-peaked mountains while taking a gondola ride at the Banff National Park. You can also explore the fruit orchards and wineries at the Okanagan Valley or witness the mesmerizing northern lights while camping near Dempster or Whitehorse Highway.

Traveling to Canada comes with its shares of uncertainties. Given the vast geographical diversity and contrasting climates, you are constantly at the risk of getting ill. Moreover, if you engage in skiing or hiking activities, you are getting exposed to a number of risks. The only way to stay carefree and have a wonderful time is by purchasing a travel insurance Canada plan. Whether you are walking around the Niagara falls or kayaking at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, you can stay protected against any mishap if you have travel insurance for Canada from India.

All Indian travelers are advised to buy a travel insurance Canada plan to stay protected from any unforeseen medical or financial expenses. You can compare different plans before choosing the best travel insurance Canada plan.

Fast Facts about Canada

Entry Essentials to Canada

To enter the Canadian borders, every Indian citizen needs to have a valid Canadian visa. No matter what the purpose of your travel is, you must have a Canadian visa that grants you permission to visit Canada. The visa should be obtained before traveling and cannot be granted on arrival at the Canadian airport.

If you wish to fly down to Canada to pursue higher education, you can do so with a valid study permit. Similarly, people planning to work in Canada should obtain a work permit from the Embassy or Consulates of Canada in India. It is advisable to obtain travel insurance for Canada from India before you apply for Canadian visa.

Types of Canadian Visa

Canada offers about 5 types of visas to people seeking to enter its borders. You can select a type of Canadian visa based on the purpose of your travel. Following are the various types of Canadian visa:

• Temporary Resident Visa/ Visitor Visa
• Super Visa
• Transit Visa
• Study Permit
• Work Permit

A Visitor visa or Temporary Resident visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 6 months in Canada. It can be issued for either single entry or multiple entries. Indian citizens may have to submit their biometrics along with their applications for a Visitor visa, Transit visa, Super visa, Study permit and Work permit. Transit visas are usually valid for one or two entries and do not require any fees to be paid.

Every traveler should select a suitable travel insurance Canada plan based on the purpose and duration of their travel. The age of the traveler and the number of travelers also helps to ascertain the type of travel insurance Canada plan that a traveler should buy.

Documents Required for Canadian Visa

The list of documents required to apply for a Canadian visa varies according to the type of visa you wish to apply. Keep soft copies of the required documents to attach them along with your online visa application. Following are the documents required to apply for a Canadian visa:

Visitor Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport with at least two empty pages
• Visitor visa application form
• Two photographs with name and date of birth mentioned on the back
• Proof of financial support/ stability. This may include:
  • Recent photocopy of Income tax returns
  • Original letter by your employer stating your designation, job description and salary
  • Letter by accountant mentioning the annual income (in case of self-employed applicants)
  • Proof of income from other sources including investment, pension statement, etc.
• Photocopy of return air ticket or travel itinerary
• Letter of Invitation from your business partner staying in Canada (In case of Business visitor visa)
• Medical Examination at the medical office in New Delhi (if staying in Canada for more than 6 months)

Super Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport with at least two empty pages
• Super visa application form
• Two photographs with name and date of birth mentioned on the back
• Letter of Invitation from your child or grandchild staying in Canada
• Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) Minimum document of the child or grandchild. This may include:
  • Recent Photocopy of Assessment of Notice
  • Recent Photocopy of T4 or T1
  • Original letter by the employer of your child/ grandchild stating the designation, job description and salary
  • Employment insurance pay stub
  • Letter by accountant mentioning the annual income (in case the applicant’s child/ grandchild is self-employed)
  • Proof of income from other sources including investment, pension statement, etc.
• Proof of relationship between you and your child/ grandchild. This may include Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, etc.
• Proof of valid health insurance or medical insurance from a Canadian insurance provider with a minimum cover of $100,000

Study Permit Requirements:

• Valid passport with at least two empty pages
• Study permit application form
• Two photographs with name and date of birth mentioned on the back
• Proof of financial support/ stability of the sponsor. This may include:
  • Recent photocopy of Income tax returns
  • Letter by accountant mentioning the annual income (in case of self-employed sponsors)
  • Proof of income from other sources including investment, pension statement, etc.
• Letter of invitation from the University/ School in Canada offering admission
• Medical examination report from the medical office in New Delhi

Canadian Visa Procedure

The procedure to obtain a Canadian visa is quite easy and convenient. You can apply for the visa online or offline. An offline visa application can be submitted at a Visa Application or VAC. In order to apply for the Canadian visa online, follow the steps given below:

• Visit the official website of the Government of Canada
• Select the visa type according to your purpose of travel
• Fill up the application form
• Gather and upload all the required documents
• Pay the visa fees and biometric fees online using a debit or credit card
• Submit your visa application
• Give your biometric and photograph at a nearest Biometric Collection Service Point within 30 days

The processing time for a Canadian Visitor visa is approximately 12 days, starting the day the Canadian embassy receives your application. Similarly, it will take 57 days to process a Super visa, 4 weeks for a Study permit and 7 weeks for a Work permit.

All the details required can be obtained from the online website of the Government of Canada. You can also visit the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in India.

Travel Insurance Canada

Canada is one of the most beautiful places in the world. But this North American country is also an abode for a range of dangerous animals including bears, cougars, wolves and poisonous spiders & snakes. Moreover, the northern parts of Canada have extremely cold weather, something which is not a common occurrence for most Indians.

Getting ill due to weather change or getting attacked by an animal during a trek can become a big roadblock for your trip apart from causing financial distress. The only way to stay prepared for such eventualities is by having a travel insurance Canada plan.

A travel insurance Canada plan will act as a shield and protect you from any unforeseen emergency which may cause financial distress. Whether you lose your personal belongings or get hospitalized, a travel insurance Canada plan will assist you to get the right kind of assistance during an emergency. It will also provide you with financial assistance at the hour of need and indemnify any sudden losses that you may incur during your trip.

A travel insurance Canada plan will cover a variety of risks that you may face during your trip. Some of these covers include hospitalization expenses, dental expenses, medical evacuation to a hospital, loss of passport, emergency cash advance, home burglary insurance and loss of personal belongings among others. Travel-related emergencies including loss or delay of check-in baggage, trip cancelation or curtailment, flight delay, missed connecting flights and hijack distress cover are also covered under a travel insurance Canada plan.

You should buy travel insurance for Canada from India before you embark on your trip. Travelers can choose from different types of travel insurance Canada plans that are offered in India. Whether you want a travel health insurance Canada plan or travel medical insurance Canada plan, insurance providers in India offers them all. Some of the types of travel insurance Canada plans are:

• International Travel Insurance
• Family Travel Insurance
• Senior Citizen Travel Insurance
• Student Travel Insurance
• Corporate Travel Insurance
• Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
• Group Travel Insurance

The degree of coverage provided under a travel insurance Canada plan differs from one type of plan to another. For instance, a student travel insurance Canada plan provides dedicated covers including compassionate visit, sponsor protection, bail bond and study interruption.

Several insurance providers in India offer customized travel insurance for visitors to Canada. You should opt for such plans in order to get tailor-made coverage against risks that you are more likely to face during your trip to Canada. Moreover, such travel insurance Canada plans also offer you a sum insured amount which is more suited for your travel to Canada.

A travel insurance Canada plan can be bought both online and offline. You can visit the official website of the insurance provider and buy your travel insurance Canada plan. You can also compare the coverage and premiums of various travel insurance Canada plans offered by different insurers online.

Best Time to Visit Canada

Canada is mesmerizing 365 days a year and anytime you visit is going to be an amazing experience. The country is flocked by tourists during the summer months of July and August. You can witness the Montreal Jazz Festival and Calgary Stampede in July. But if you want to witness snow and want to engage in skiing activities, you should travel in the winter season starting December.

Ideally, the best time to visit Canada is from mid-September to October which lies in the fall season. During this time, the tourist crowd has reduced quite a bit and the hot summer weather gets replaced by pleasant weather of the fall. The country is buzzing with apple, pumpkin and wine festivals around this time of the year. Moreover, it will be easier to find hotels and book flights at an economical rate during the non-peak season.

Transportation in Canada

 Transportation in Canada is readily available from one part of the country to another. If you are aware of the different modes of transport available in Canada, you can travel effortlessly between different cities. It is intelligent to possess a travel insurance Canada plan to stay covered from any adversities that may disrupt your travel in Canada.

Here’s how you can move around Canada during your trip:

• Air - A lot of people in Canada opt to travel by air. Given the vastness of the country, air travel is a more viable travel option when you have to cover longer distances in a shorter time period. Most cities including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Edmonton are well-connected to smaller towns and cities making airports accessible.
• Rail - Canada offers both Rapid Transit System or metro and commuter train services. While metro service is available in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, public train services are available in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal only.
• Car - Canada has awell-laid road network. You can easily hire a car and drive along the country-road while gasping in the beautiful landscape.
• Streetcars - Streetcars or trams is one of the most convenient modes of transport in Toronto. It is the only city in the country that offers streetcar services, which operates on eleven routes.
• Bus - Most cities in Canada have a vast network of the public bus transport system. It is one of the cheapest modes of transport and offers discounts to children and senior citizens.
• Ferry - Travel by ferry is very common in coastal areas of Canada including British Columbia and the Atlantic region. It can be used to transport both people and vehicles from one point to another.
• Taxis - Cabs and taxis are easily available throughout Canada. You can hire a cab or taxi to take you from one location to another. However, they are quite expensive as compared to the public transport system.
• Cycling - Cycling your way from one place to another is a cheaper alternative to taxis. You can rent a cycle in most Canadian cities and towns.

International Airports in Canada

In case you get stuck at a Canadian airport due to an unforeseen incident, you can save yourself from any losses with the help of a travel insurance Canada plan. Incidents including loss or delay in check-in baggage arrival, hijack distress cover, trip delay, missed connection flight, etc can be covered by a travel insurance Canada plan.

Canada Weather

Canada is believed to have a cold climate with freezing temperatures for most parts of the year. While this stands true for some areas of Northern Canada, the rest of the country experiences a variety of climate. Canada typically experiences four seasons in a year:

• Winter: December to March
• Spring: April and May
• Summer: June to September
• Fall: October to November

Winters are usually cold in most of Canada with temperatures going below zero degrees and occasional Chinook wind in Alberta. Snow is also common in winters in Canada, however, the southwest British Columbia region experience rains in winter. Southern Canada is mostly hot and humid in summers. January is the coldest month with temperature going as low as -25 degrees. July, on the other hand, is the hottest month with average daily temperature going up to 22 degrees Celcius.

Given the change in climate, there are chances of you getting ill and seeking medical treatment at a healthcare facility during your trip to Canada. You can get your medical expenses covered if you have a travel insurance Canada plan.

Top Tourist Spots in Canada

Canada is the country of gorgeous views and rich culture. Right from glaciers and lakes to museums and the country has a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists. Here are some of the top tourist spots in Canada:

• Niagara Falls
• Banff National Park
• Okanagan Valley
• Pyramid Lake
• Churchill
• Butchart Gardens
• Gros Morne National Park
• Takakkaw Falls
• CN Tower
• Lake Louise
• Bay of Fundy
• Whitehorse or Dempster Highway
• Cheakamus Lake
• The Forks
• Notre Dame Basilica Cathedral
• Parliament of Canada
• Cavendish Beach

Don’t forget to buy a travel insurance Canada plan that may come handy in case you face an eventuality while visiting any of these places.

Shopping Attractions in Canada

No holiday is complete without a little shopping and a few souvenirs. You can shop till your heart’s desire in various Canadian cities and towns. You can shop the biggest brands at Toronto’s Yorkville or enjoy everything Asian at Markham’s Pacific Mall. Some of the best places to shop in Canada are:

• Best shopping places in Toronto - Yorkville, Pacific Mall, Winners, Chinatown
• Best shopping places in Vancouver - Yaletown, Granville Island, Robson Street
• Best shopping places in Ottawa - ByWard Market, CF Rideau Centre, Bayshore Shopping Centre
• Best shopping places in Winnipeg - The Forks, Osborne Village, Academy Road
• Best shopping places in Halifax - Halifax Waterfront, Bayers Lake Industrial Park

Eating Out in Canada

A trip to Canada is incomplete unless you try the authentic local food. Since Canada has a majority Caucasian population, its food too has a touch of French flavors.

Make sure to try Poutine, which is a celebrated Canadian fries-dish, at any diner or at the famous Smoke’s Poutinerie. Sunday brunches or ladies’ night outs can be accompanied by a glass of Caesar cocktail. You can end your day with on a sweet note by gorging on the delicious BeaverTails donut at any of its outlets across Canada.

While in Toronto, do try the world-renowned Canadian Bacon Sandwich at Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market. For desserts, you can try the mouth-watering Butter Tarts at the Maple Key Tart Co. by Baker Sisters.

A visit to Quebec City is incomplete without trying the famous French Canadian dish ‘ Tourtiere’ at the Aux Anciens Canadiens.

Lovers of Asian food can visit the Richmond Night Market between May and October in Vancouver and Night It Up in Markham. Other markets to try delectable food are Market 707 in Toronto and Calgary Night Market.

You can try food trucks at Shipyard’s Night Markert in Vancouver, What the Truck in Edmonton, First Friday’s in Montreal and Truck-Side in Halifax.

Some of the popular Indian restaurants in Canada include Sula in Vancouver, Udipi Palace in Toronto, Guru in Edmonton, Vij’s in Vancouver, Coconut Lagoon in Ottawa, Curry Village in Halifax, Pukka in Toronto, Spicy Bite in Saskatoon and Moti Mahal in Calgary.

Hotels in Canada

There are a lot of accommodation options for tourists in Canada including hotels and Airbnb. You can avail the best hospitality and stay at the best Canadian hotels mentioned below:

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Fogo Island Inn
• Wickaninnish Inn
• Fairmont Chateau Whistler
• Ritz Carlton Montreal
• Four Seasons Resorts and Residences
• Auberge Saint - Antoine
• Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
• Rosewood Hotel Georgia
• Fort Garry Hotel
• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

In case you postpone your travel due to an emergency, you can save yourself from incurring huge losses on pre-booked hotel bookings using a travel insurance Canada plan. Your losses will be reimbursed by your travel insurance Canada provider.

Things to Do in Canada

Canada is very diverse when it comes to geographical terrains and has encompassed people with several cultures in itself. Right from the snow-laden mountains in the north to the grasslands of the prairies, Canada offers a lot of numerous activities for tourists and locals to engage in.

Catch the northern lights at any of the northern provinces of British Columbia or embrace the majestic view of the Niagara Falls by riding on the Maid on the Mist boat. You can also visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum to witness the varieties of dinosaurs and fossils.

If you like water sports, you can go kayaking or canoeing in the pristine lakes at Banff National Park in Alberta. Wildlife enthusiast can engage in Polar Bear Safari at Churchill or go for Whale Watching tour at Vancouver.

Thrill-seekers can go Bunjee Jumping at The Rock near Ottawa or sit on the world’s largest indoor triple looping roller coaster at the amusement park in West Edmonton Mall. You can also go edge-walking at a height of 1168 feet at Toronto’s CN Tower. You can go skiing on the coastal mountain range at Whistler.

Engaging in different adventure activities in Canada puts you in a lot of risks. In order to stay protected from such eventualities, you should buy travel insurance for Canada from India. It is one of the wisest decisions that you can make for your trip to Canada as a travel insurance Canada plan will help provide you with necessary financial assistance, when needed.

Top Hospitals in Canada

Every traveler strives to have a wonderful time on their trip and only brings back good memories. However, an unforeseen incident can happen anytime during your stay in Canada leading to a medical emergency. Medical treatment in Canada can get expensive and thus, every Indian traveler is advised to purchase a valid travel insurance Canada plan before they commence their trip. You can opt for adequate coverage under travel health insurance Canada or travel medical insurance Canada plans.

In case you need to avail healthcare facilities during your trip, you can get the best treatment at these hospitals in Canada:

• Toronto General Hospital
• Rockyview General Hospital
• North York General Hospital
• Jewish General Hospital
• Montreal General Hospital
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• The Royal Victoria Hospital
• Royal Jubilee Hospital
• Foothills Medical Centre
• Vancouver General Hospital

No matter which Canadian city or town you are in, you will be able to find a good hospital in your vicinity. Moreover, you can easily get your medical expenses covered if you have a travel insurance Canada plan. You can also avail cashless facility if you get admitted at a network hospital of your travel insurance Canada provider.

Local Law and Etiquette in Canada

Every country has its own laws and etiquettes that should be followed when visiting that country.

• People in Canada are mostly friendly, respectful and polite
• Canada is informal when it comes to relationships but expects the elderly and the specially-abled people to be treated with respect and courtesy
• People in Canada are quite punctual and arriving even 15 minutes late is considered rude
• People in Canada greet one another for the first time usually with a handshake
• It is considered rude to call someone in Canada very late at night or very early morning
• In Canada, it is expected from every person to tip about 15% of the total bill to the waiter

Make sure that you have a travel insurance Canada plan to help you out of a difficult situation in case you land yourself in trouble with the local authorities.

Money-Saving Tips

A trip to Canada can turn out to be highly expensive if you are not careful with your money. For starters, you should have travel insurance for Canada from India. With a travel insurance Canada plan, you can stay protected with any unforeseen emergency expenses that you may face during your trip. Besides, we also have some tips that can help you save huge during your trip to Canada:

• Fly into an alternative airport, mostly located in smaller towns near a big Canadian city. For instance, you can book your flight for Hamilton Airport instead of Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is just 45 minutes away from Toronto.
• It is always smarter to travel to a place in the non-tourist season. Visiting Canada after August not only helps you book flights and hotels at a lesser cost but also lets you experience the best of Canada without any rush.
• Plan to stay in smaller towns instead of big cities. The hotel rates in smaller places are much lesser and you can witness Canada in its purest form there. You can plan day-long trips to visit bigger cities.
• Book your stay through home rental places like Airbnb. They are more economical than the hotels and offer you the services of a hotel with a homely feel.
• Eating out at restaurants is quite expensive in Canada. You can instead choose to dine at a discount during lunchtime or keep self-prepared meals with you.
• Prefer to travel through public transport within Canada instead of taking taxis or cabs in order to save money on commuting.
• Buy a travel insurance Canada plan to get your emergency expenses covered during the trip

Embassy Information

In case you face an emergency situation during your trip to Canada which needs the intervention of the authorities, you can contact the Indian Embassy situated in Canada. You can also contact your travel insurance Canada provider that can reach out to the Indian Embassy for you.