Snowbirds: How to Save on Travel Insurance

Updated May 8, 2026
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Alexe Fortier
Alexe Fortier Alexe Fortier
Alexe, a journalist and content creator, is passionate about lifestyle, animals, and sunny terraces. After studying film and communications, she began her career by moving to the small town of Peace River in northern Alberta, before returning to share her discoveries. Curious and always on the lookout for the best places to eat, drink, or unwind, she loves helping people make the most of every experience.
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Snowbirds: How to Save on Travel Insurance - Snowbirds soNomad featured
To the point Are you spending the winter abroad? Discover our travel insurance tips for snowbirds and how to save.

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.

Travel Insurance – How to Choose the Right Long-Term Insurance Policy

As a snowbird, when it’s time to choose your travel insurance, several factors should be taken into account when selecting your coverage:

  • Age
  • Health and pre-existing conditions
  • Travel destination
  • Duration of travel
  • Coverage to be included in the policy
  • Exclusions from 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.

Credit Card Insurance

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:

  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Flight delay
  • Lost or stolen luggage
  • Trip cancellation or interruption
  • Travel Accident
  • Theft or damage to rental cars
  • Hotel burglary

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.

The Best Insurance Options While Abroad

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.

soNomad: Travel Insurance for Snowbirds from Canada and Quebec

Here’s what’s included in soNomad ‘s emergency medical protection for Snowbirds:

  • Emergency Medical
  • Hospitalization
  • 24/7 emergency assistance
  • Doctors
  • Ambulance and Air Ambulance
Snowbirds: How to Save on Travel Insurance - soNomad travel insurance

Many features set soNomad insurance apart from others, making it a valuable option for snowbirds, including:

  • COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost
  • Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
  • An option to make a single deposit to guarantee rates
  • Annual multi-trip options
  • No administrative fees for date changes or cancellations

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.

soNomad: How to Get a Quote and Subscribe

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.

soNomad: Concerning COVID-19

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.

Snowbirds: How to Save on Travel Insurance - soNomad travel insurance

Bottom Line – Travel insurance

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc

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