Part 2 - Canada Visitor's Travel Insurance: Recommended Coverage Amounts.

You're planning that trip to Canada. Visitor visa approved. Flights booked. Excitement real. Then someone tells you: "Buy $50,000 CAD in insurance." You pause. That number sounds random. Too high? Too low? Who decided that anyway?

Where that $50,000 number comes from

IRCC doesn't publish a minimum coverage amount for standard visitor visas. Unlike the Super Visa with its strict $100,000 rule, regular visitors get more flexibility. But the $50,000 recommendation? It's not pulled from thin air.

Industry experts and immigration consultants landed on this number because it covers most common emergencies. A broken arm. A bad case of food poisoning. A few nights in hospital. Even a minor surgery.

Go below $50,000 and you're basically covering a consultation and some paracetamol. Any real emergency and you're paying the balance from your pocket.

When $50,000 isn't enough

Now here's where context matters. My uncle's friend travelled to Montreal last Christmas. He was 62. Good health for his age. Bought a $50,000 policy because someone told him it was "enough." He had a heart scare on day three. Spent four nights in hospital. The bill was $68,000.

His insurance covered $50,000. He had to pay $18,000 from his own pocket. Almost 15 million Naira at the time. That's the thing with minimums. They cover the average case. But emergencies don't read averages.

Here's a quick guide based on what I've seen from people I know and from comparing policies for years:

The difference between $50,000 and $100,000 (real talk)

You might be wondering: "How much extra will $100,000 cost me?"

For a 35 years old staying 30 days, here's the rough difference:

• $50,000 coverage: about $50 to $65/month
• $100,000 coverage: about $75 to $95/month

That's maybe $30 extra. About 45,000 Naira depending on exchange rate. Thirty dollars. For double the protection.

If you're under 40, $50,000 is a reasonable baseline. For seniors visiting family in Toronto or Vancouver, I'd lean toward $100,000 or more. That gap between 50 and 100 can mean the difference between fully covered and fighting a medical bill for years.

One trick I learned about buying visitor coverage

Always declare pre-existing conditions honestly. Even if you think it will raise the premium. Because here's what happens: You hide your high blood pressure to save $20. You get sick. They find out from your medical records. The insurer denies the entire claim.

I saw this happen to someone from my church. She had a condition she didn't mention. Thought it was minor. The company denied the full claim, not just that condition, but the entire emergency visit.

So, be honest. It's better to pay slightly more upfront than to pay everything later.

Insubuy lets you compare plans with different coverage amounts side by side. You can see exactly what $50,000 vs $100,000 looks like for your age. Check quotes.

If you're 60 or older, BestQuote, senior visitor plans have options that go up to $200,000 and cover more pre-existing conditions than most.

What I personally advise Nigerians I know

If you're going for 2 to 3 weeks and you're healthy? $50,000 works. Going for a month or more? $100,000. Bringing your elderly parent? $150,000 minimum. Business trip where you're meeting clients and can't afford to look stressed? $100,000, not because you're sick, but because peace of mind is worth something.

The real question isn't "what's the minimum?" It's "what would I need to feel safe?" For me, that answer changed when I saw my uncle's friend's hospital bill. Now I don't recommend anything under $100,000 to anyone over 50. No matter how healthy they seem.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only. Insurance policies, costs, and medical fees vary. Always verify current terms with official providers before making decisions.

What coverage amount are you considering for your Canada trip? Or did you already travel and wish you had more? Drop your story in the comments, good or bad. It helps the next person.