What insurers mean
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition you had treatment for, or symptoms of, before your trip, within the period your policy sets. That includes complications and recurrences.
"Stable and controlled" means the condition isn't getting worse, and there has been no change to any medication, its dose or how you take it, and no new treatment prescribed or recommended, within that period before you leave. That period is the stability period.
These are the standard definitions used by the Travel Health Insurance Association in Canada.
What this looks like in real life
- Your doctor raises your blood pressure dose six weeks before you leave. If your policy's stability period is 90 days, your blood pressure isn't covered on this trip.
- Stability periods on credit card policies are typically 90 to 180 days. Policies you buy separately vary, so read the wording.
How to make sure you're covered
- Answer the medical questionnaire truthfully and completely. The industry guide says to disclose, for example, a heart attack at any point in your life.
- Get it in writing. The Government of Canada advises getting written confirmation that a pre-existing condition is covered, or your claim could be refused.
- Check for pregnancy. Most policies don't automatically cover pregnancy-related conditions.
- If your doctor changes a medication before you go, follow their advice, then tell your insurer and ask whether the condition is still covered.
Getting covered
With a medical condition, a Canadian insurer that asks a full medical questionnaire is usually the safest choice, because you know where you stand before you leave.
VisitorsCoverage is a US-based marketplace. When you get a quote, enter your Canadian address and check the plan accepts Canadian residents and covers your whole trip and any medical conditions. For long trips, older travellers or pre-existing conditions, also compare a Canadian insurer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Flight delayed, cancelled or overbooked?
That's not an insurance claim. Under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations and the EU's rules, the airline may owe you compensation. These services file the claim for you and take a share only if they win.
We earn a commission if you use these services, at no extra cost to you. You can also claim from the airline yourself for free; the Canadian Transportation Agency explains how.
Common questions
What is a stability period in travel insurance?
The length of time before your trip during which a pre-existing condition must have been stable: no worsening, no change to medication or dose, and no new treatment. If anything changed within that period, the condition usually isn't covered.
Does a change in medication dose affect my travel insurance?
Usually, yes. Under the standard definition, any change to a medication or its dose within the stability period means the condition isn't considered stable and controlled.
How do I know my condition is covered?
Answer the medical questions fully and get written confirmation from the insurer, as the Government of Canada recommends.
Sources
Checked October 15, 2026. Rules and amounts change, so confirm with your province, insurer or IRCC.
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Health insurance
- Travel Health Insurance Association (THIA): Uniform definitions
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel insurance
- Travel.gc.ca: Say Yes to Travel Insurance (factsheet)
- Milesopedia: Travel insurance on credit cards, conditions and limits (updated October 5, 2026)
- CLHIA: A guide to travel health insurance (PDF copy)
- ITIJ: Fine print limits highlighted
More on travel insurance
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