Canadian Expat Insurance: A Guide

Canadian expat insurance is something expats need to protect their health, life, and property, especially if they plan on living abroad for the long-term.

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Navigating these challenges requires understanding both international insurance options and how Canadian insurance policies are affected by residency changes.

Proper insurance planning is critical to protect against unexpected risks and ensure compliance with local and Canadian regulations.

What is Expat Insurance?

Expat insurance refers to insurance policies specifically designed for individuals living outside their home country for an extended period.

These policies provide coverage tailored to the needs of expatriates, such as international health insurance, global life insurance, or property insurance for assets left in the home country.

Unlike domestic insurance, expat insurance accounts for cross-border living situations, such as accessing healthcare in multiple countries or protecting against risks unique to foreign locations.

What is a Canadian expat? When are you considered one?

You are generally considered a Canadian expat if you reside outside Canada for an extended period, typically to live, work, or study in another country. From a legal and insurance perspective, your residency status plays a key role:

• Tax Residency: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determines tax residency based on your residential ties to Canada (e.g., maintaining a home, spouse, or dependents in Canada) and the length of time spent abroad. Tax residency status impacts access to Canadian public health insurance and taxation of insurance payouts.
• Provincial Residency: Provinces define residency for eligibility under public health insurance plans. Most provinces terminate healthcare coverage after a specified period of absence (e.g., 183 days in a 12-month period in British Columbia or Quebec).
• Insurance Residency: Some Canadian insurance policies (e.g., life, disability, and auto insurance) may have residency clauses, requiring you to notify the insurer if you relocate abroad.

Do you need Canadian expat insurance?

Living abroad exposes expats to a range of risks that may not be adequately covered by Canadian insurance policies or local systems in the host country. Key reasons to secure proper insurance as an expat include:

1. Healthcare Gaps: Provincial health insurance often expires after extended absences, and host country healthcare systems may require private insurance or fail to meet adequate standards.
2. Property and Liability Risks: Assets left in Canada, such as homes or vehicles, require ongoing insurance coverage. Expats may also need liability protection for damages caused in their host country.
3. Income Protection: Expats working abroad need income replacement options in case of illness, injury, or job loss.
4. Compliance with Host Country Laws: Many countries require mandatory health, auto, or liability insurance for residents or workers.

Canadian Expat Health Insurance

Health insurance is one of the most critical considerations for Canadian expats.

Upon leaving Canada, provincial or territorial health coverage typically expires after 90 to 212 days, depending on the province.

Expats must secure alternative coverage to avoid high out-of-pocket costs for medical services abroad.

For a detailed exploration of health insurance options, considerations, and providers, please refer to our separate, comprehensive guide on Canadian expat health insurance.

Canadian Expat Life Insurance

Life insurance is an essential financial tool for expats, offering security for loved ones and mitigating risks associated with cross-border living.

Canadian expats have two main options: retaining existing Canadian life insurance policies or exploring international life insurance plans designed specifically for expatriates.

Do you keep Canadian life insurance policies when moving abroad?

Most Canadian life insurance policies can be retained after moving abroad, but expats must notify their insurer of the residency change. Failure to do so may void the policy or complicate claims processing.

Typically, residency changes do not affect premiums for existing policies, which must continue to be paid in Canadian dollars.

However, expats should review their policies to ensure compliance and accessibility for beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries should be clearly designated and able to access policy benefits easily, even if they reside in a different country. Expats should also evaluate the type of life insurance they hold.

Term life insurance is ideal for short- to medium-term needs, offering fixed premiums for a specified period.

In contrast, permanent life insurance, including whole life and universal life policies, provides lifelong coverage and builds cash value over time, making it a more versatile option for long-term financial planning.

International Life Insurance Options

Expats without existing Canadian policies can consider international life insurance plans, which are tailored to the unique needs of expatriates. These policies provide global portability, multi-currency options, and customizable features, such as riders for critical illness or disability.

The primary advantage of international life insurance is its global validity, ensuring coverage regardless of location changes.

Multi-currency options help reduce exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, and customizable terms allow expats to tailor the policy to their specific needs.

Do Canadian expats pay taxes on life insurance abroad?

Life insurance policies are typically not taxable in Canada. However, expats may face tax implications in their host country:

• Taxation on Payouts: Some countries tax life insurance payouts if the policyholder or beneficiaries are residents.
• Estate Taxes: Depending on the jurisdiction, payouts may be subject to estate taxes if considered part of the policyholder’s estate.
• Compliance with Foreign Reporting: Expats may need to disclose life insurance policies to local tax authorities, especially in countries with strict asset reporting rules.

Property Insurance for Canadian Expats

Canadian Property Insurance While Abroad

If expats own property in Canada, maintaining adequate insurance is essential to protect against risks such as damage, theft, or liability.

Canadian home insurance policies typically remain valid while the owner lives abroad, but insurers must be notified of the change in residency or property usage to avoid invalidating the coverage.

• Vacant Properties: If a property is unoccupied for an extended period, standard home insurance policies may not provide full coverage. Expats may need to purchase a vacancy permit or a specialized vacant home insurance policy.
• Rental Properties: For properties rented out while abroad, expats must switch to a landlord insurance policy, which covers risks like tenant damage, liability, and loss of rental income.
• Additional Coverage Considerations: Policies should account for natural disasters (e.g., flooding, wildfires) if the property is in a high-risk area.

Host Country Property Insurance

Expats renting or owning homes abroad should secure property insurance in their host country. This typically includes:

• Renter’s Insurance: Covers personal belongings, liability, and temporary accommodations in case of damage to the rental property.
• Homeowners Insurance: Provides coverage for damages to the home and its contents, liability protection, and additional living expenses if the property becomes uninhabitable.

Some host countries may require mandatory property insurance, particularly for mortgage-backed homes.

Expats should familiarize themselves with local regulations and ensure adequate coverage for high-risk areas prone to natural disasters or political instability.

Car Insurance for Canadian Expats

Maintaining Canadian Car Insurance

Expats who leave a vehicle in Canada while living abroad must notify their insurer to maintain appropriate coverage. Policies may need adjustments based on the vehicle’s usage:

• Storage Coverage: If the vehicle is not being driven, expats can reduce premiums by switching to comprehensive-only coverage, which protects against theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage.
• Occasional Use: For vehicles that will be used intermittently during visits to Canada, policies should reflect this limited usage to reduce costs.

Securing Car Insurance Abroad

For expats driving in their host country, purchasing local auto insurance is often mandatory. Coverage typically includes:

• Third-Party Liability: Required in most countries to cover damages or injuries caused to others.
• Collision and Comprehensive Coverage: Optional but recommended for protecting the vehicle against damage or theft.
• International Driving Permits (IDPs): Some countries require an IDP in addition to local auto insurance.

Expats importing a Canadian vehicle may need to comply with local regulations, such as vehicle inspections, taxes, and registration, before securing insurance.

Travel Insurance for Canadian Expats

Travel insurance is an essential supplement for expats who frequently travel between countries or return to Canada for short visits.

While international health insurance may cover medical emergencies, travel insurance provides broader protection, including:

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Reimburses non-refundable expenses for canceled or interrupted trips due to emergencies like illness or natural disasters.
• Lost or Stolen Baggage: Covers replacement costs for personal items lost during transit.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Ensures transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility or repatriation to Canada in case of severe illness or injury.

Expats should confirm that their travel insurance covers high-risk activities, such as adventure sports, and be aware of exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Do you get unemployment insurance as a Canadian expat?

Unemployment insurance options vary by country. In Canada, Employment Insurance benefits are generally not available to expats unless they are temporarily working abroad for a Canadian employer.

Expats should explore private income protection plans that cover job loss while living in their host country.

Canadian Expat Insurance Costs

The cost of expat insurance varies significantly based on factors such as coverage type, age, location, and policy limits.

International health insurance typically ranges from CAD 1,500 to CAD 6,000 per year for comprehensive coverage, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services.

Life insurance premiums depend on age, health status, and policy type, with term life policies costing less than permanent life policies.

Property and liability insurance costs depend on whether the expat owns property in Canada or abroad, with home insurance for vacant Canadian properties often carrying higher premiums.

Expats should compare providers, evaluate local insurance options, and consider whether Canadian or international policies offer better value based on tax efficiency and coverage portability.

These insurance options are essential for Canadian expats to protect their assets, income, and liabilities while living abroad. For more guidance, it is recommended you seek the help of an expat financial advisor.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.