A pre-existing medical condition is an ongoing health or dental issue – or the related complications you have from it – which you are aware of, or which is currently being or has been investigated by a physician prior to your policy start date.
So any irregularity in your health which required or requires medical advice, consultation, investigation, treatment, care, service or diagnosis by a doctor; including complications of pregnancy within the first 31 weeks of pregnancy, count as a pre-existing condition.
There may be no coverage if you have a pre-existing condition. An extension of coverage is not provided for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and/or for conditions You suffered during the term of Your original Policy.
What if my pre-existing condition is stable and controlled?
If your condition has been stable and controlled for a set period of days prior to your policy start date, you may have coverage.
Stable and controlled means there has been:
No new treatment, medical management, or newly prescribed medications;
No change in treatment or management;
No change in prescribed medication;
No new or more severe symptoms or findings;
No test results or test results showing deterioration;
No investigations or future investigations initiated or recommended for symptoms whether or not your diagnosis has been determined;
No hospitalization and/or referral to a specialist (made or recommended)
Pre-existing condition medical exclusions ages 0-49
Up until age 49, your emergency medical and dental coverage is subject to all of the exclusions set out in the General Exclusions Section of the policy, as well as the following exclusions:
If your medical condition or any related condition has not been stable and controlled in the 90-day period immediately preceding your start date
you have been required to use, take or been prescribed to take nitroglycerin in any form, more than once per seven-day (7) period for a heart condition
If you had to take oral steroids (for example prednisone or prednisolone for a lung condition) more than once per seven-day (7) period or for more than 10 consecutive days.
Pre-existing condition medical exclusion ages 50-59
Between the ages of 50-59, your emergency medical and dental coverage is subject to all of the exclusions set out in the General Exclusions Section of the policy, as well as the following exclusions:
your medical condition or any related condition has not been stable and controlled in the 180-day period immediately preceding your start date
you have been required to use, take or been prescribed to take nitroglycerin in any form, more than once per seven-day (7) period for a heart condition
you had to take oral steroids (for example prednisone or prednisolone for a lung condition)
Pre-existing condition medical exclusion ages 60-65
Between the ages of 60-65, your emergency medical and dental coverage is subject to all of the exclusions set out in the General Exclusions Section of the policy, as well as the following exclusions:
your medical condition or any related condition has not been stable and controlled in the 270-day period immediately preceding your start date
you have been required to use, take or been prescribed to take nitroglycerin in any form, more than once per seven-day (7) period for a heart condition
you had to take oral steroids (for example prednisone or prednisolone for a lung condition)
What about Trip Cancellation – does a pre-existing medical condition apply?
Yes. The following pre-existing medical exclusions apply to trip cancellation:
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything and this is a summary only – it does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions. Take the time to read the policy wording for full details, limits to cover, and exclusions. That way there are no surprises if you need to use it.
If you have any questions, feel free to send a message or call Travel Guard Canada's team directly:
Telephone: +1 416 646 3723 (outside Canada)
Telephone: 1 877 328 2528 toll-free from Canada and Continental US
We're here to help (CST): Monday – Friday 7am-8pm; Saturday: 8am-5pm; Sunday & Holidays: 8am-4pm.
We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:
Within Canada & continental USA, toll free:
1 877 328 2528
International collect:
+1 416 646 3723
Before your trip, check the latest government advice – for your destination and any travel alerts including important COVID-19 coverage advisory and limitations.