Updated October 2026 · 7 min read · By Life Advice Insurance Inc., independent broker in Kitchener, Ontario
Key takeaways
If you are flying from Toronto Pearson to India this winter for a wedding, Diwali or a long family visit, check your health coverage before you go. OHIP pays only small daily amounts for emergency care abroad. Many families from Kitchener, Brampton and Mississauga stay two to six months. This guide shows what to buy and what to do first.
In this guide
Every year, thousands of families from Kitchener, Brampton, Mississauga and across Ontario travel to India to visit relatives, attend weddings and spend the winter. Many assume their provincial health plan will cover them abroad. It does not cover much.
OHIP pays only small daily amounts for emergency care outside Canada, far below the real cost of private hospitals. It does not pay for medical evacuation back to Canada, and it does not cover private hospital rooms, many tests, or trip costs. A serious illness abroad can cost thousands of dollars, and a medical flight home can cost much more.
A good emergency medical travel plan can cover:
Many plans also offer trip cancellation and interruption, which covers non-refundable flights if you must cancel or come home early for a covered reason.
If you have a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, it may still be covered if it has been stable for a set period before you leave. Read the stability clause carefully and answer the medical questions honestly.
Many people spend two to six months in India. Make sure:
If you travel more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip plan can be cheaper than buying a plan for each trip. Check the maximum length allowed per trip.
Costs vary by city and hospital, but private hospitals in India can bill thousands of dollars for a short admission with tests, and much more for surgery or intensive care. A medical evacuation flight back to Canada can be very expensive, and costs vary widely. Travel insurance turns these unexpected costs into a fixed, affordable premium.
Common coverage amounts include $1 million, $5 million and $10 million. For travel outside Canada, many travellers choose at least $1 million, and seniors often choose more. The difference in premium between coverage levels is often small compared with the protection it adds.
Flights to India are often booked months in advance and can be expensive. Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs if you must cancel before departure for a covered reason, such as a sudden illness or a death in the family. Trip interruption can cover the extra cost of coming home early.
Each traveller needs their own coverage. Family plans can cover parents and dependent children under one policy, which is often cheaper. Grandparents usually need their own policy because of age limits on family plans.
Many retirees spend the winter in India. For seniors:
Wedding trips often involve travel within India, crowded events and new foods. Make sure your plan covers travel anywhere in India, not just one city. Keep medication in your carry-on and bring enough for the whole trip.
Call the insurer's emergency assistance line as soon as possible, before or right after going to a hospital. Follow the steps in your policy wording.
If you decide to stay longer, ask your insurer about a top-up before your coverage ends; availability and rules vary. Coverage cannot usually be extended after it expires.
Hypothetical example: Imagine a couple from Brampton who plan a three-month winter trip to Punjab for a family wedding. The husband has type 2 diabetes that has been stable for two years. They buy an emergency medical plan for the full 90 days with coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, plus trip cancellation for their non-refundable flights. Midway through the trip, the wife needs a short hospital stay for a severe infection. They call the insurer's emergency line, which helps arrange care, and the covered costs are handled under the policy. Without insurance, the bill would have been paid out of their savings.
OHIP pays only small daily amounts for emergency care outside Canada. To keep OHIP, you generally must be in Ontario 153 days in any 12 months, so about 212 days away may be possible (special rules apply to longer absences, so confirm with ServiceOntario before a long trip).
Need a quote before your flight? Our office is at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, ON N2E 0B6. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Sunday). Call 1-855-500-5041.
Here is a simple timeline:
Holding an OCI card or Indian family ties does not give you Indian health coverage. As an Ontario resident, you still need travel medical insurance for the trip.
Many of our clients travel to India to visit family. You can compare plans online, and we explain them in English, Hindi or Punjabi.
Compare plans on our travel insurance page, or call 1-855-500-5041.
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Life Advice Insurance Inc. compares travel plans from leading Canadian insurers, including plans for seniors and long stays. Call 1-855-500-5041, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Compare quotes online Call 1-855-500-5041Only small daily amounts for emergency care, far below private hospital costs, and no medical evacuation.
Yes, many plans cover long trips. Make sure you stay within OHIP's time-away rules and buy the full length upfront.
Not always. Many plans offer it as an option. It covers non-refundable costs if you must cancel for a covered reason.
Yes. If you live in Canada, OHIP is your main coverage, and it pays very little abroad, so private travel insurance is still important.
Some insurers allow it, usually with a waiting period. It is much better to buy before you leave.
Ontarians generally must be in Ontario 153 days in any 12 months to keep OHIP. That allows about 212 days away (special rules apply to longer absences, so confirm with ServiceOntario). Check the current rules with ServiceOntario before a long trip.
No. An OCI card does not include health insurance. As an Ontario resident, you still need travel medical insurance for your trip.