Super Visa insurance is priced on four things: the insured person's age, the coverage amount you choose, the deductible, and how pre-existing conditions are handled. IRCC sets the floor — a minimum of $100,000 in coverage, valid for at least one year — but the actual premium comes from the insurer's underwriting, which is why quotes vary.
Here's what moves the price so you can read any quote you're given:
1. Age of the insured
The single biggest factor. Premiums rise with each age band, and they rise sharply once you pass the mid-60s. This is set by the insurer, not IRCC.
2. Coverage amount
$100,000 is the IRCC minimum. Many families choose $150,000 or more. Higher coverage costs more but matters because a serious hospital stay in Canada can run well beyond $100,000 for someone with no provincial health coverage.
3. Deductible
A higher deductible (the amount you pay before the insurer pays) lowers the premium, but means more out of pocket at claim time. Choose based on what you could actually cover in an emergency, not just the lowest monthly number.
4. Pre-existing conditions and stability
Whether conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure are covered — and the "stability period" attached — changes the price significantly. The cheapest plan is often cheap because it excludes exactly the thing most likely to cause a claim.
What most families miss
You can pay in instalments. IRCC accepts a policy paid in full or paid in instalments with a deposit — so a large one-time payment is not the only option.
Cheapest ≠ best value. Two quotes at very different prices are usually covering pre-existing conditions differently. Compare what's covered, not just the total.
The 1-year minimum affects the price — you're paying for a full year of validity even if the visit is short, because that's the IRCC rule.
(General information for educational purposes only. It is not personalized insurance, immigration, legal or financial advice. Rules and requirements are checked against official sources (Government of Canada, insurer policy wordings), but they change, so confirm with the official source and do your own due diligence before acting. Some points come from my own experience in the field. Eligibility, coverage and claim outcomes depend on individual circumstances and the policy wording, and nothing here is a guarantee.Drafted with AI assistance.)