Is buying Super Visa insurance through a broker better than going direct?
Short answer: Going through a broker (BestQuote, Rates.ca, PolicyAdvisor, ParentSuperVisa.ca, Arbetov Insurance) gives you instant cross-quotes from 5-10 carriers in one form fill; the broker is paid commission by the insurer, so the price is identical to what you'd pay direct. Going direct (Manulife.ca, Sunlife.ca, GMS.ca) is fine if you already know the carrier you want and don't need comparisons. For most families a broker saves 30-60 minutes of quote-shopping and often surfaces a cheaper carrier they wouldn't have found.
Brokers do NOT mark up the price. They're paid by the insurer through commission baked into the premium. The actual price you pay through a broker is identical to the price you'd pay direct.
What a good broker adds:
- Side-by-side quote comparison across multiple carriers in one form fill
- Help interpreting "stability period" definitions when pre-existing conditions are involved
- Walks you through the "Confirmation of Insurance" letter that goes with the visa application
- Handles the refund paperwork if the visa is refused
What a broker does NOT add:
- Lower price (commission already baked into the carrier's rate)
- Faster claims processing (claims go through the carrier, not the broker)
- "Exclusive" deals (broker discounts are negotiated by the carrier, not the broker)
For first-time Super Visa applicants, a broker is almost always worth the 5-minute consultation. For families on their second or third Super Visa cycle, going direct to the carrier they already trust is usually faster.
What is the best timeline for buying Super Visa insurance?
Short answer: Start shopping 30-60 days before submitting the visa application. Get quotes from 3 carriers, choose one, pay in full, request the Confirmation of Insurance letter (sometimes called the "Super Visa letter"), submit the visa application with that letter attached, and start the policy on the planned arrival date in Canada.
The step-by-step:
- Day -60 to -45 (before visa submission): request quotes from 3-5 carriers using the parent's date of birth, country, planned arrival date, $100K coverage, and any pre-existing conditions disclosed honestly. (Lying on this form voids the policy and any claim.)
- Day -45 to -30: compare the 3 best quotes side-by-side on premium, deductible options, pre-existing rider terms, and refund-on-refusal policy.
- Day -30: purchase the policy, pay in full, and immediately request the "Confirmation of Insurance" letter (required documents checklist).
- Day -25: receive the letter (usually within 24-72 hours).
- Day 0: submit the Super Visa application with the letter attached as supporting documentation.
- Day +30 to +120 (waiting on visa): keep the policy active in case IRCC asks for clarification.
- If visa approved: policy auto-activates on the planned arrival date.
- If visa refused: submit the refusal letter to the insurer immediately, request the full refund (less administrative fee).
Common mistakes that cost families money:
- Purchasing 6 months before the visa decision: premiums burn down before the parent even arrives
- Lying about pre-existing conditions to lower the premium: the policy is voided when a claim is made
- Choosing the cheapest quote without checking the refund-on-refusal terms: this risks losing the full premium when refused
Frequently asked questions
The following questions address the most common concerns Canadian sponsors have about Super Visa insurance in 2026, from policy costs and pre-existing condition coverage to refunds when a visa is refused and what the Confirmation of Insurance letter must include. All answers reflect current IRCC requirements and 2026 provider terms.
How much is insurance for a Super Visa in Canada?
Super Visa insurance costs between $1,000 and $6,000+ per year for the IRCC-mandated $100,000 coverage. Healthy applicants in their late 50s pay around $900-$1,500. Healthy applicants in their early 70s pay $1,700-$3,400. Applicants 80+ with pre-existing conditions can pay $6,000-$10,000+. Most Canadian sponsors budget $1,800-$3,500 per parent as a realistic working number.
Why is Super Visa insurance so expensive?
Three reasons: (1) the minimum coverage is $100,000, since most Canadian provincial health plans cover roughly that much for residents but Super Visa applicants are uninsured visitors so the carrier takes on the full risk; (2) age skew, as most applicants are 60-80+, the age bracket where actuarial risk and claim cost climb steeply; (3) 365-day minimum, since most travel insurance policies are 10-30 days and pricing a one-year visitor policy is a fundamentally different risk profile. The premium is high because it's real medical insurance for a high-risk demographic, not a token policy.
Which is the best insurance for Super Visa?
There is no single "best" provider; it depends on the applicant's age, health status, and budget. Rules of thumb based on what we see in actual files: Travelance and 21st Century for healthy applicants under 70; Manulife and GMS for applicants over 75 or with pre-existing conditions; Sun Life and Blue Cross for families who value brand trust and clean claims processing. Always compare at least three carriers before deciding.
Do I need insurance for a Super Visa?
Yes. IRCC requires every Super Visa applicant to have qualifying insurance with at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, valid for 365+ days from the date of entry. The Confirmation of Insurance letter is part of the visa application package. Without it, the application is refused. There are no exceptions.
Can I get a Super Visa insurance refund if my visa is refused?
Yes. Every major Canadian Super Visa insurer refunds the policy in full minus a small administrative fee (typically $50-$150) if you submit the IRCC refusal letter to the insurer within their specified window (30-90 days, varies by carrier). Always confirm the refund-on-refusal policy in writing before paying.
Can I pay Super Visa insurance monthly?
Most major providers (Manulife, Sun Life, GMS, Blue Cross, Travelance, Allianz) offer monthly payment plans, but the visa application typically requires proof the full first year is paid up front. Monthly plans usually mean the first year is paid as a single payment and renewals can be billed monthly. Ask the carrier directly.
Can I buy Super Visa insurance from a US or international company?
Since June 2023, yes: IRCC allows insurance from approved foreign insurance providers (not just Canadian-based companies). However, the foreign insurer must be on IRCC's list of approved providers. Most families still buy from Canadian carriers because the approved-foreign-provider list is short and refund-on-refusal terms vary widely. If considering a foreign provider, verify IRCC approval before purchasing.
Does Super Visa insurance cover parents with diabetes?
Yes, in most cases. The condition must be stable for the carrier's stability period (90 days at GMS, 180 days at most others, 365 days at 21st Century). "Stable" means no medication changes, no new tests, no hospitalizations in the lookback window. If stable, the premium increases by 30-80% but coverage applies. If not stable, the insurer either excludes diabetes-related claims or quotes a much higher premium. The best move is to wait out the stability period before purchasing.
Can Super Visa insurance be cancelled if my parent goes home early?
Most policies allow a partial refund for unused months if the parent returns home permanently before the policy expires. The refund is typically calculated as (remaining months / 12) × annual premium, minus an administrative fee ($75-$150). You need to provide proof of departure (boarding pass, passport stamp) within 30-60 days. Confirm this policy in writing at purchase.
Does Super Visa insurance cover COVID-19?
Yes. Every major Canadian provider includes COVID-19 in standard emergency medical coverage as of 2024-2026. This was not universal in 2020-2022, when some policies had COVID exclusions. If you're buying in 2026, COVID coverage is standard, but confirm in writing for the specific policy you purchase.
What documents go with the visa application along with the Confirmation of Insurance letter?
The Confirmation of Insurance letter must clearly show: (1) the insured person's full name matching the passport, (2) the insurance company's name and Canadian address, (3) the policy number, (4) the coverage amount (must say ≥ $100,000 CAD), (5) the effective date and expiry date (must cover at least 365 days from planned entry), and (6) confirmation the policy includes emergency medical, hospitalization, and repatriation. Some insurers provide this as a single PDF; others provide a letter plus a policy schedule.
Sources
The following government sources inform the guidance in this article. All links point to official IRCC and canada.ca resources, which are updated regularly. Verify current insurance requirements, income thresholds, and processing times directly with IRCC before filing a Super Visa application.
This article provides general information about Canadian Super Visa insurance. It is NOT financial, insurance, or legal advice. Insurance rates change frequently and individual quotes depend on health and underwriting. Always confirm current pricing and policy terms directly with the insurer or a licensed insurance broker before purchasing. For immigration questions specific to your case, book a consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at gofarglobal.com.
