Destination Student Insurance

Destination International Student Insurance provides emergency medical and supplemental health coverage for international students enrolled at Canadian schools and for Canadian students studying abroad. Plans are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), with emergency assistance and claims administration provided by Zurich Travel Assist, available 24/7. Up to $2,000,000 in emergency medical coverage is available, with benefits tailored to the unique needs of students — including maternity care, mental health services, tutorial reimbursement, and annual health exams. Dependents may also be covered under the policy.

Who Is Covered

Emergency Medical Benefits

• Emergency hospital accommodation (semi-private room)
• Physician, surgeon, and anaesthetist services
• Diagnostic tests and X-rays (ordered at time of emergency)
• Licensed land, air, or sea ambulance — up to $150 taxi/rideshare if ambulance unavailable
• Private duty registered nurse — up to $15,000
• Medical appliances, oxygen, blood, and plasma
• Prescription drugs — up to $10,000 (one-month supply per prescription)
• Professional services — up to $600 per practitioner (physiotherapist, chiropractor, chiropodist, osteopath, podiatrist, acupuncturist, naturopath, speech therapist)
• Emergency transportation or return home (when medically approved)
• Transportation of a family member to bedside — up to $5,000
• Accidental dental injury — up to $5,000
• Emergency dental pain relief — up to $600
• Return of deceased — up to $15,000 repatriation, or up to $5,000 for local cremation
• Mental health care — up to $25,000 inpatient; up to $1,000/year outpatient
• Prescription glasses, contacts, or hearing aids — up to $200 (from accidental injury)
• Tutorial services — $20/hour, up to $400 total
• Trauma counselling — up to $500
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment — up to $10,000

Non-Emergency & Student Benefits

• Maternity — up to $25,000 (treatment received in country of study)
• Non-emergency treatment — up to $3,000
• Eye exam — one per year (after 12 months of continuous coverage)
• Physical exam — up to $150/year (after 12 months of continuous coverage)
• Wisdom teeth removal — up to $150 per tooth
• Tuberculosis testing — up to $100 (requires minimum 180 days of coverage)

Eligibility

Inbound (International Students in Canada)

To qualify, at the effective date you must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a recognized Canadian educational institution;
• Be under age 69 (dependents under age 59);
• Not be covered by a provincial or territorial health insurance plan;
• Be physically present in Canada; and
• Not be travelling against the advice of a physician.

Outbound (Canadian Students Abroad)

To qualify, at the effective date you must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a recognized foreign educational institution;
• Be age 40 or younger;
• Be covered by a valid Canadian provincial or territorial government health insurance plan (GHIP); and
• Not be travelling against the advice of a physician.

Pre-existing Conditions & Stability

Pre-existing conditions are covered if they were stable for 90 days before the effective date. Stability means no new diagnosis, no new or changed treatment or medication, no hospitalization or surgery, and no specialist referral during that period.

Key Exclusions

• Pre-existing conditions not meeting the 90-day stability period
• Conditions known before coverage began but not disclosed
• Travel against the advice of a physician
• Elective, experimental, or cosmetic procedures
• Treatment that can be reasonably delayed until return home
• Routine dental care (except accidental dental and emergency pain relief)
• Pregnancy complications after the 26th week of gestation (outbound)
• Self-inflicted injuries (unless related to a mental illness)
• Alcohol abuse, prohibited drugs, non-compliance with prescribed treatment
• War, terrorism, riot, civil commotion, or armed forces activities
• Criminal offence or illegal acts by the insured
• High-risk activities: speed contests, skydiving, bungee jumping, heliskiing, parachuting, stunts
• Costs incurred in your home province or country of residence (except as specified)

Claims & Emergency Assistance

Contact Zurich Travel Assist before seeking treatment whenever possible. In a serious emergency, get to hospital immediately and have someone call within 24 hours of admission and before any surgery. Failure to call without reasonable cause may result in reduced benefits. Submit a completed claim form with original bills and receipts to Zurich Travel Assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this plan for?

International students enrolled at Canadian schools (inbound, under age 69) and Canadian students studying abroad (outbound, age 40 or younger). Dependents of the insured student may also be covered.

How much coverage is available?

Up to $2,000,000 in emergency medical coverage, including up to $10,000 for prescription drugs, up to $15,000 for private duty nursing, and up to $600 per practitioner for professional services. AD&D is included up to $10,000.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Yes, if the condition was stable for 90 days before the effective date — meaning no new diagnosis, treatment changes, hospitalizations, or specialist referrals during that period.

What student-specific benefits are included?

Maternity up to $25,000 (in country of study), mental health care up to $25,000 inpatient and $1,000/year outpatient, tutorial services at $20/hour up to $400, wisdom teeth removal up to $150/tooth, TB testing up to $100, trauma counselling up to $500, and annual eye and physical exams after 12 months of continuous coverage.

How do I make a claim or reach emergency assistance?

Call Zurich Travel Assist before seeking treatment: toll-free 1-888-726-1839 from Canada or USA; collect +1 (416) 260-4553 from outside North America. In a life-threatening emergency, get to hospital immediately and have someone call within 24 hours.

Can dependents be added to the policy?

Yes. The insured student's spouse and dependent children may be added, subject to age limits (dependents under 59 for inbound coverage) and eligibility requirements.