MSH Canuck Voyage travel insurance: limits, stability rules and how to claim
Up to $7 million per person, per trip, with single-trip, annual and top-up options, and cover you can still buy after you've left.
Canuck Voyage is MSH International's emergency medical plan for Canadian residents travelling outside their home province or territory. The insurer is certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, through MSH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA) LTD., and Intrepid 24/7 runs the emergency line and claims. Two features are worth knowing: a 30-day stability period for travellers under 60 on short trips, and the option to buy after you have left.
In short
Canuck Voyage pays up to $7,000,000 per person, per trip, for ages 15 days to 79. Under 60, single trips can run 365 days; from 60 to 79 the limit is 35 days. Annual plans offer trips of 5 to 100 days. Pre-existing conditions need 30, 90 or 180 days of stability depending on age and trip length. You can buy after leaving, with a 48-hour sickness wait. Call Intrepid 24/7 first, or benefits can be capped at 80% and $25,000.
Plan options
Age, trip length, destination zone and deductible decide the quote.
Single-Trip Travel Medical
One trip outside your province or territory. Under 60: up to 365 days. 60 to 79: up to 35 days. Zones: worldwide with the US, worldwide without the US, or Canada only. Can be bought after departure, with a sickness waiting period.
Multi-Trip Annual
Unlimited trips in the year, each up to 5, 10, 20, 35, 50, 65 or 100 days. Ages 60 to 74 can choose 5, 10 or 20 days only. Unlimited travel within Canada outside your home province.
Emergency Medical Top-Up
Adds days after an MSH annual plan, another insurer, employer cover or a credit card. Can be bought after departure, but before the existing cover ends, with no gap.
Deductible options: $0, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000, applied per person, per covered emergency.
Who is eligible
Every rule must be met on the effective date. A quote is not a promise of eligibility.
- A Canadian resident covered by a provincial or territorial health plan for the entire trip.
- Insured for the entire trip, unless the policy allows a top-up.
- At least 15 days old and under 80.
- Not travelling against a doctor's advice, or to get medical treatment.
- No terminal illness, no new or undiagnosed symptoms, and no known reason to see a doctor.
- No home oxygen used or prescribed in the 12 months before the effective date.
Extra rules from 60 to 79
- The trip is generally no longer than 35 days.
- No diagnosis of congestive heart failure.
- No unrepaired aneurysm of 4.5 cm or more.
- No help needed with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, using the toilet, or getting in or out of a bed or chair.
If you have new symptoms or a pending appointment, talk to Pankaj before buying. Don't put private medical details in a website form.
Stability periods
| Traveller and trip | Stable for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60, trip of 35 days or less | 30 days | Single trips up to 365 days allowed under 60 |
| Under 60, trip over 35 days | 90 days | The longer trip brings the longer period |
| Age 60 to 74 | 90 days | Single trips up to 35 days; annual options of 5, 10 or 20 days |
| Age 75 to 79 | 180 days | Single trips up to 35 days; extra eligibility rules from 60 |
Counted back from the effective date. New symptoms, treatment or medicine changes in that period can mean the condition isn't covered.
Canuck Voyage eligibility and stability checker
Enter the traveller's age and trip to see the single-trip limit, annual options and stability period.
A planning aid based on the policy rules above. The application decides.
What Canuck Voyage pays for
Expenses must come from a covered emergency. Many services need Intrepid 24/7's approval or arrangement in advance.
| Benefit | What is covered and the limit |
|---|---|
| Hospital and medical care | Semi-private room, emergency room, intensive care, physicians, surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing, blood and oxygen |
| Diagnostics | Lab tests and X-rays; MRI, CAT scan, ultrasound, biopsy and some other tests need advance approval |
| Prescription drugs | Medically necessary drugs for the emergency, generally a 30-day supply unless hospitalized |
| Paramedical services | Up to $500 per person, per listed profession, approved in advance |
| Emergency dental | Up to $5,000 for accidental damage to sound teeth; up to $500 for emergency pain relief |
| Ambulance and transport | Licensed ambulance, medically required return transport, air transport up to $250,000, remote evacuation up to $5,000 |
| Transport to bedside | Round-trip economy airfare plus up to $150 a day, to $1,500 each, for up to two people |
| Meals and accommodation | Up to $150 a day, to $3,000, for approved extra costs from a covered emergency |
| Repatriation of remains | Up to $15,000 to prepare and transport remains, or up to $5,000 for cremation or burial where death occurred |
| Other travel benefits | Return of children or companion; pet return up to $500; vehicle return up to $4,000; baggage return up to $500; return to destination up to $5,000 |
| Identity fraud recovery | Up to $5,000 for specified recovery costs after identity fraud during the coverage period |
Buying after you've left
A traveller already outside their province or territory can apply for a new Single Trip Canuck Voyage policy. It starts under the policy's effective-date rules once the application and premium are accepted. You still have to meet every eligibility rule, insure every remaining day, and pay the rates in force on the new purchase date. Rely on cover only once you have written confirmation.
The 48-hour wait. When bought after departure, there is no cover for any sickness that begins or shows symptoms in the first 48 hours after the effective date, even if the costs come later. The wording describes this wait for sickness.
Topping up existing cover
A top-up may be available when your MSH annual plan doesn't cover the whole trip, or your trip runs past cover from another insurer, an employer or a credit card. Conditions:
- Bought before the original cover expires, and paid before the top-up starts.
- Starts immediately after the original cover, with no lapse.
- You are still eligible, with no health change.
- No claim made or to be made under the first policy, unless the insurer reviews and approves.
An extension or top-up doesn't cover a condition that first appeared, was diagnosed or was treated after your scheduled departure date and before the top-up starts. For example, suppose your credit card covers the first 15 days of a 30-day trip. A Canuck Voyage top-up could start on day 16 and cover the last 15 days, if arranged before the card's cover ends.
Commonly not covered
Examples only. The exclusions section of the policy governs every claim.
1Unstable conditions
- A pre-existing condition that doesn't meet its 30-, 90- or 180-day stability period
2Expected or ongoing care
- Symptoms that would make a person seek treatment before leaving
- Care that can wait until you're home
- Chronic care, rehabilitation, home care, follow-up after the emergency
3Unapproved services
- Tests or benefits needing advance approval that Intrepid 24/7 didn't authorize
4High-risk activity
- Some climbing, parachuting, bungee jumping, skydiving, motorized racing and professional sport
An emergency ends when you are medically fit to travel or discharged, and no further emergency benefit is payable for that condition.
Emergencies and claims
Intrepid 24/7 can refer you to a provider, monitor your care, help with interpreting and bill directly where possible.
How to claim
- Call Intrepid 24/7 first. If you don't, benefits can be limited to 80% of eligible expenses, to a maximum payment of $25,000, unless it was a life-threatening crisis.
- Report within 30 days of the first medical expense or event.
- Keep originals: itemized medical bills, payment and prescription receipts, doctor and hospital reports, and a copy of your health card.
- Send proof within 90 days: the signed claim form for each new sickness or injury, proof of departure and return dates, and anything else requested.
- Payment is made within 60 days after the insurer has proof of claim and the documents it needs.
Mail: Intrepid 24/7, 150 King Street West, Suite 602, PO Box 75, Toronto, ON M5H 1J9. Email claims@intrepid247.com. Fax 1-416-730-1878.
Cancellation and refunds
- Full refund within 10 days of receiving the contract, if you haven't left and no claim has been or will be made.
- Full refund if the broker or sales agent gets a written request before the effective date.
- Early return: a partial refund may be possible when all insured travellers come home early together with no claim.
- A $25 administration fee applies to partial refunds.
- Ask in writing within 60 days after the policy expires, with proof of return.
- No refund when the amount owed is under $20.
Buying for a visitor to Canada instead?
Canuck Voyage is for Canadians leaving their province. Visitors coming to Canada need MSH's Discover Canada plan. See MSH Discover Canada visitors insurance.
Questions about MSH Canuck Voyage
What is MSH Canuck Voyage?
Emergency medical travel insurance for Canadian residents travelling outside their province or territory, paying up to $7,000,000 per person, per trip.
The insurer is certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, through MSH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA) LTD., a Lloyd's Approved Coverholder. Intrepid 24/7 handles emergency assistance and claims.
What ages can buy Canuck Voyage?
From 15 days old to under 80 on the effective date.
From 60 to 79, single trips are limited to 35 days and there are extra rules on congestive heart failure, unrepaired aneurysms of 4.5 cm or more, and help with daily activities.
What annual multi-trip options are there?
Trips of 5, 10, 20, 35, 50, 65 or 100 days each, with unlimited travel within Canada outside your home province.
Travellers 60 to 74 can choose only the 5-, 10- or 20-day options. Confirm availability and rates at the time of the quote.
What deductibles can I choose?
$0, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000, applied per person, per covered emergency.
The minimum premium is $20.
How long must a pre-existing condition be stable?
30 days under 60 on trips of 35 days or less, 90 days under 60 on longer trips, 90 days at 60 to 74, and 180 days at 75 to 79.
Stable broadly means no new diagnosis, hospital stay, new or changed treatment or medicine, new or worse symptom, or pending test in that period. The policy definition governs.
Can I buy Canuck Voyage after I've already left?
Yes, a Single Trip policy can be bought after departure, but sickness that starts or shows symptoms in the first 48 hours after the effective date is not covered.
You still have to meet every eligibility rule, buy cover for all remaining days, and pay the rates in force on the new purchase date.
Can MSH top up a credit card or another insurer's plan?
Yes, if you buy the top-up before the existing cover ends and it starts right after, with no gap.
You must still be eligible, have had no health change, and generally have no claim under the first policy unless the insurer reviews and approves. Conditions that appeared after your departure date and before the top-up starts are excluded.
What happens if I don't call Intrepid 24/7 before treatment?
Benefits can be limited to 80% of eligible expenses, to a maximum payment of $25,000, except in a life-threatening emergency.
Call +1 800 203 8508 toll-free from Canada and the US, or +1 416 646 3107 collect. Email intrepid@intrepid247.com.
How quickly must I submit a claim, and when is it paid?
Report the claim within 30 days of the first expense or event, and send written proof within 90 days.
Money payable under the contract is paid within 60 days after the insurer receives proof of claim and the documents it needs.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
Yes: a full refund within 10 days of receiving the contract if you haven't left and there is no claim, or if the broker gets written notice before the effective date.
An early-return partial refund, less a $25 administration fee, may be possible when all insured travellers come home together with no claim. Ask in writing within 60 days after expiry. Refunds under $20 are not paid.
Written by Pankaj Bhatia, CHS, PFA
Insure In Canada Inc. · Licensed in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
Pankaj has 11 years of experience helping Canadians compare travel insurance by age, destination, trip length, medical history and policy wording, including top-ups for travellers already abroad.
Sources and related pages
- MSH Canuck Voyage Plan policy wording, form 2025-03EN, and Summary of Benefits, form 2025-02EN, with the claim form
- MSH Americas: Canuck Voyage
- Canuck Voyage summary (earlier edition)
- Government of Canada: travel insurance
An independent summary, not the MSH, Intrepid 24/7 or Lloyd's website. The application, confirmation and policy issued at purchase govern.