Top 12 Canadian insurance companies for Super Visa

Why it ranks: It covers ages 15 days to 89, offers $25,000 to $1,000,000 of coverage, and lets families pay monthly. Plan 2 covers stable pre-existing conditions up to age 84.

Standout: Monthly payments with a $120 setup fee. The fee is refunded if the Super Visa is refused and the refusal letter reaches the insurer before the effective date.

Watch out: Plan 2 needs 180 days of stability from age 70. Nothing pre-existing is covered at 85 or older.

Why it ranks: Similar structure to RIMI, including monthly payments: Standard or Enhanced benefits, $25,000 to $1,000,000 of coverage and deductibles from $0 to $3,000. Price it next to RIMI because the two often land close together.

Standout: Monthly payments with a $120 setup fee, the same as RIMI. Enhanced adds a semi-private room and higher prescription and paramedical limits.

Watch out: The same age-based stability rules apply: 180 days from 70, and nothing pre-existing is covered at 85 or older.

Why it ranks: One straightforward plan from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Visitors over 70 who buy after arriving wait only 5 days for sickness cover, shorter than most insurers.

Standout: Monthly payments: the first and last months are charged up front, plus a $90 fee.

Watch out: No pre-existing cover from age 81. Stability is 180 days at 71 to 80.

Why it ranks: There is no maximum age, and side trips are allowed when at least 51% of the policy period is spent in Canada. Stability periods step up gradually with age (90, 120 and 180 days).

Standout: Monthly payments for policies of 180 days or more with $50,000 or more of coverage.

Watch out: Maximum coverage is $300,000. Pre-existing conditions aren't covered from age 80.

Why it ranks: TuGo has no upper age limit on its comprehensive cover and keeps pre-existing coverage at older ages, with stability periods of 90 days to age 59, 120 days at 60 to 69, 180 days at 70 to 85 and 365 days from 86.

Standout: Optional cover for an unstable condition after 7 days of stability, up to age 79. The 48-hour sickness wait applies if bought within 60 days of arrival, which is longer than most insurers allow.

Watch out: From age 86, conditions must be stable for a full year. Premiums at 80+ are high, and the Basic plan stops at 79.

Why it ranks: Three plans: Basic (any age, no pre-existing cover), Standard and Enhanced (to 85). Enhanced covers conditions stable for 180 days, after a medical questionnaire from age 55.

Standout: Side trips up to 30 days, as long as no more than 49% of the period is outside Canada.

Watch out: Coverage tops out at $200,000. The sickness wait after arrival is 72 hours, or 7 days if bought more than 30 days after arrival.

Why it ranks: Visitors under 55 answer no medical questions. The plan covers conditions stable for 180 days, and side trips up to 30 days are allowed.

Standout: Claims are handled through Robin Assist, with a 2-day sickness wait if bought within 30 days of arrival.

Watch out: Only for visitors under 80, and coverage tops out at $150,000. Not sold in Quebec, New Brunswick or Nunavut.

Why it ranks: JF has no stated maximum age and offers a paid option that covers conditions stable for 120 days. Side trips are allowed if at least 51% of the trip is in Canada.

Standout: Super Visa monthly plan: two months plus an $80 fee up front, then 10 monthly payments.

Watch out: From age 86, buying after arrival means a 15-day wait for sickness cover.

Why it ranks: A large worldwide assistance company, with a Super Visa Essentials plan built around IRCC's rules. Stable conditions are covered after 90 or 180 days, depending on age.

Standout: Side trips have no fixed day limit: they are covered as long as most of the coverage period is spent in Canada and the trip isn't to the home country. Also a 48-hour sickness wait and well-known 24/7 assistance.

Watch out: Fewer plan choices than RIMI or 2 Visit Canada, and the monthly option should be checked on the quote. Costs in the visitor's home country are never covered.

Why it ranks: Two clear plans. Essential is a lower-cost plan with no pre-existing cover; Premier covers conditions stable for 180 days up to age 79.

Standout: Monthly payments for stays of 90 days or more.

Watch out: Premier excludes heart, brain and lung conditions at ages 70 to 79. The age limit is 85 and coverage tops out at $150,000.

Why it ranks: A simple visitor and Super Visa plan with coverage from $10,000 to $200,000, and the lowest monthly setup fee on this list.

Standout: Monthly payments with a $50 setup fee.

Watch out: Covers Canada only, with no side trips. The sickness wait after arrival is 5 days.

Why it ranks: Underwritten by Manulife, with Basic, Standard and Enhanced plans to age 85. Enhanced covers conditions stable for 180 days.

Standout: Monthly payments for 365-day policies of $100,000 or more: two premiums plus a $50 fee up front.

Watch out: No online purchase: buy through Pankaj. There is a medical declaration from age 60.