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By Indira Duarte
Canada along with the UK and Australia are the most popular Working Holiday destinations, and having the right working holiday travel insurance makes a real difference. Not because you expect something to go wrong, but because if it does, costs can add up fast.
The goal is simple: choose a travel insurance policy that matches your plans, covers the right risks, and lasts for the full duration you’ll be abroad.
Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical and travel-related expenses while you’re outside your home country, providing protection for the insured throughout their Working Holiday visit.
For a Working Holiday, travel insurance can include:
Many working holiday travel insurance policies also provide cover for different types of work and activities, including both manual and non-manual jobs. That may include bar work, retail, hospitality, admin roles, and other occupations.
A good rule of thumb: your policy should cover the full duration of your trip (and, if you’re doing a Working Holiday, the full duration of your work permit) and include repatriation costs so you’re fully insured for your entire visit.
Travel insurance protects you from expenses that could otherwise reach thousands of dollars. Key benefits include:
Emergency medical expenses can be very high, so it’s important to choose a policy with higher limits for medical expenses. A common benchmark people look for is at least £2 million for European travel and £5 million for worldwide travel, especially if you are visiting the USA or Canada.
Healthcare in Canada is excellent, but without insurance, it can be expensive for visitors.
Medical cover is the most important part of your policy. Many travel insurance policies include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but this may vary by provider.
A strong Working Holiday travel insurance policy should include:
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, check whether they’re covered and under what conditions. Some policies cover them automatically, others require disclosure, a medical screening, or an additional premium.
Missed departure cover helps pay for extra transport and accommodation costs if you miss your flight, train, or bus due to circumstances outside your control.
This is especially useful if you’re travelling across Canada, dealing with weather delays, or heading home at the end of your stay.
Travel insurance can help if your passport or visa is lost or stolen, covering replacement costs and emergency travel assistance.
Even with coverage, it’s still smart to protect yourself:
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Different trips suit different policies. Here are the most common options Working Holiday travellers compare.
Single-trip cover protects you for one continuous trip, often up to 365 days.
It’s ideal if:
Most IEC participants choose single-trip cover because it’s simple and built around one long stay.
Annual multi-trip cover is designed for frequent travellers who make multiple trips per year.
It can be useful if:
Be careful here. Many annual policies limit how long you can stay abroad per trip. If the per-trip limit is short, it might not work for a long Working Holiday stay.
Backpacker or Working Holiday insurance is built specifically for long-term travel and working abroad.
These policies usually include:
This is often the best match for Working Holiday travellers because it’s built for long stays and real-life travel.
Many gap year and working holiday insurance policies also provide coverage for travel around the world, which is useful if Canada is only one part of a bigger trip.
Working Holiday visas are often part of a gap year. Gap year travel tends to be longer, more flexible, and more unpredictable, which is exactly why insurance matters.
Gap year insurance is designed for:
It usually offers broader coverage than standard vacation insurance and can be a good fit if Canada is one stop in a larger trip.
Once the basics are in place, you can tailor your coverage with add-ons.
Common add-ons include:
Choose add-ons based on how you actually plan to live and work in Canada. If you’ll spend weekends on the slopes, get winter sports cover. If you’ll be doing physical work, check the policy’s work restrictions.
Canada is famous for skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports, especially in British Columbia and Alberta.
Important note: winter activities like skiing and snowboarding are often considered high-risk. Standard travel insurance often excludes winter sports, so you may need to add winter sports cover as an optional extra.
If you plan to ski, snowboard, or work at a ski resort, don’t assume you’re covered. Check the policy wording and add the correct cover if needed.
Before you buy, read the insurance policy carefully. It’s not the fun part, but it’s where you avoid problems later.
Pay attention to:
Not all insurance policies provide cover for every situation. Knowing the limitations up front can prevent unexpected medical expenses or denied claims later.
Common limitations include:
If you’re unsure, ask the insurer directly before you buy. It’s better to clarify than to find out during a claim.
A simple way to choose the right policy:
When it’s set up properly, insurance fades into the background, and you can focus on your trip.
If something goes wrong, you’ll need to file a claim. That usually means uploading or sending digital copies of forms, bills, and receipts related to your travel expenses or issues.
Make sure your travel insurance provider offers:
And always keep:
A claim is much easier when you have documentation ready.
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Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they are not the same. Health insurance is designed specifically to cover medical expenses, while travel insurance can include various other types of coverage.
While travel insurance is optional, health insurance is mandatory for a working holiday. Proof of comprehensive insurance is a legal requirement for obtaining or activating your Working Holiday Visa in countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Check the differences in every country, for example:
Read our full article here about what must be covered by a Health insurance for a Working holiday in Canada.
Health insurance focuses on medical care:
Travel insurance includes health coverage, but also adds protection for travel-related risks:
That’s why many Working Holiday travellers choose a combined policy: it covers medical needs and travel disruptions in one plan.
For Working Holiday participants under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, insurance is not just a good idea. Health insurance is mandatory, and you must show proof when you enter Canada.
Important points to know:
This requirement applies even if you plan to apply for provincial health coverage later.
While previously referred to as travel insurance, IEC health insurance is specifically geared towards healthcare needs rather than general travel aspects. It must cover medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, which are not typically the focus of standard travel insurance policies.
Yes, repatriation coverage is a mandatory component of IEC health insurance. It covers expenses for returning you to your country in cases of severe illness, injury, or death.
You must purchase IEC health insurance before arriving in Canada.
Costs vary based on factors like age, coverage limits, and duration. Compare at least three providers to find the right balance between cost and coverage.
Your IEC health insurance policy should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. If the policy is valid for less than your work permit’s potential validity, your work permit will be issued to match the insurance coverage period.
The possibility of extending IEC health insurance depends on the policy terms and the insurance provider. Participants should consult their insurance provider to understand the options for extension.
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