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Every year, thousands of Canadians escape the winter cold towards sun destinations like Florida, Mexico, or other countries abroad. This trend is particularly popular with retirees. Since snowbirds often spend several months travelling during the winter, choosing the right travel insurance policy that covers medical expenses is a crucial step when planning a long-term stay.
As a snowbird, when it’s time to choose your travel insurance, several factors should be taken into account when selecting your coverage:
You may already have a preferred provider, as there are many options available: Blue Cross, CAA, Desjardins, and more. To get the best value, it’s a good idea to review the different offers on the market and consider a new medical insurance policy that provides the coverage best suited to your needs and covers emergency situations.
For snowbirds, soNomad offers comprehensive insurance for long-term stays at competitive rates.
For snowbirds, certain credit cards stand out for their benefits for extended travel and their comprehensive travel insurance. The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, and the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard offer not only financial rewards and benefits, but also insurance coverage tailored for long-term stays, ideal for worry-free travel.
These cards offer advantageous travel insurance with coverage for the following events:
These insurances often complement existing insurance plans, thus offering additional protection for snowbirds during their stays abroad.
However, the duration of some of these coverages can shorten as we get older (sometimes as early as 54 years old). Although some cards, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, allow you to extend emergency medical care insurance, most credit cards do not offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As snowbirds, you therefore need to turn to other insurers who offer personalized options tailored to your needs.
Finding the travel insurance that’s right for you can take some research, and now it’s possible to get quotes directly online. Take soNomad, for example.
Here’s what’s included in soNomad ‘s emergency medical protection for Snowbirds:
Many features set soNomad insurance apart from others, making it a valuable option for snowbirds, including:
In case of an early return to Canada, you could receive a refund for the unused portion of your insurance premium, provided you have returned to your province of residence and have not made (or are not in the process of making) a medical claim to the insurer.
Plus, soNomad gives you access to a range of exclusive insurance products and can quickly assess your needs online. The commission soNomad takes on its insurance products is lower than traditional brokers’, which allows you to save.
To get a quote, go to the soNomad website and click on “Get a quote”. Read our complete guide to filling out the online form easily. You can then get an instant quote and pay your insurance premium directly online. If you have questions or need more information, contact soNomad at 1-855-360-7225, available Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
All soNomad travel insurance plans include COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost, provided you have no symptoms before the departure date and meet the contract’s stability requirements.
Whether you choose to spend the winter in the United States, Europe, Mexico, or another sun destination as a snowbird, it’s important to purchase adequate travel insurance tailored to your needs. While many credit cards offer attractive insurance plans, the duration of coverage is often not long enough for people aged 54 and over who travel for several months at a time. soNomad offers comprehensive, affordable coverage that saves you money.
As a snowbird, don’t forget to check your home insurance and renew your prescription drugs before you leave! And to save 2.5% on your purchases, be sure to pay with a credit card that has no conversion fees.
Travel plans often involve unforeseen circumstances. Travel cancellation insurance, offered by many credit cards, will protect you if your situation suddenly changes.
soNomad is the ideal choice for Canadian snowbirds’ travel insurance, as this company offers comprehensive, affordable coverage specifically designed for long stays abroad. It includes protection for emergency medical care, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, and allows for significant savings thanks to reduced administration fees and customized offers. Getting a quote is simple and quick, and it’s possible to adjust deductibles and payment terms according to your needs.
The price of travel insurance depends on a number of factors, including the length of your trip, your destination, your age and your state of health.
If you require medical care, it’s best to be covered abroad to avoid significant financial consequences. In some countries, hospitals may refuse to treat you if you don’t have insurance or money to pay your bill, according to the Government of Canada.
Many credit cards offer advantageous insurance to cover emergency medical care and travel accident cases. We suggest you read our guide on the best credit cards for travel insurance.
However, most credit cards do not offer adequate coverage for a full winter abroad. As a snowbird, you will need to turn to insurance companies that offer options tailored to your needs.
For information on visas, we invite you to consult the Government of Canada website, in the Country Travel Advice and Advisories section. You can also contact your travel agency for more details.
The Canadian Snowbird Act is a proposed US legislation aimed at allowing Canadian citizens aged 50 and over, who own or rent a residence in the United States, to extend their annual stay from 182 to 240 days without a visa. This measure aims to strengthen economic ties between Canada and the United States, while supporting the tourism sector and protecting local jobs.
Yes, simply visit the soNomad website and fill out the online form with your personal information and travel details to quickly receive a personalized offer, which you can compare with other protections if needed. This simple, quick, and transparent process allows you to choose insurance tailored to the needs of Canadian snowbirds, while benefiting from the best rates.
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