21st Century super visa insurance review (2026)

21st Century’s Enhanced plan costs about $1,891 a year at 55, $3,095 at 65 and $5,712 at 75 with stable pre-existing conditions covered (rates seen October 2026), and every tier qualifies for the super visa at $100,000 for one year. The underwriter is Manulife. It is the plan to pick when you need monthly instalments, a two-year rate lock, or a no-age-limit Basic tier.

Who is 21st Century, and who underwrites the policy?

21st Century Travel Insurance Limited is a managing general agent in Cobourg, Ontario, chartered in 1979, that designs the plan and sells it through brokers. The policy is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, so the certificate names Manulife as the insurer.

On 6 May 2026 Insurance Business reported that SIB Corp., a brokerage group, had acquired the company; president Jeff Pudwell stayed on. The article did not promise unchanged products or pricing, so re-check terms at renewal. Claims run through Manulife’s assistance centre with Active Care Management, reachable 24/7 per PolicyAdvisor.

SuperVisaDirect does not sell this plan. It is reviewed here for comparison; the plan sold on SuperVisaDirect is TuGo’s Visitors to Canada plan, underwritten by iA Financial Group, bought in three steps on the super visa page. The 2026 comparison shows both side by side.

Which 21st Century plan do super visa parents need?

Enhanced is the only tier that covers pre-existing conditions, so it is the default for any parent with a diagnosis. Standard excludes conditions seen in the prior 180 days, and Basic excludes all of them but has no maximum age. All three qualify for the super visa at $100,000 or more for a year.

Sources: brochure and PolicyAdvisor. The $200,000 ceiling is lower than several competitors but twice the IRCC minimum.

What are the stability and questionnaire rules?

Enhanced covers a condition that has been stable for 180 days before the effective date, including “as needed” medications, and a questionnaire is required from 55 to 85. A 90-day provision then requires stability for 90 days before any later claim. Basic asks no questions at any age.

Buying before the parent arrives avoids the waiting period. A flat 180 days is longer than the 90 or 120 days Secure Travel, TuGo and Destination give under 70; see pre-existing conditions.

What does 21st Century cost?

Enhanced sits in the lower half at 55 and the upper half at 60 and over; Basic without pre-existing cover is among the lowest prices at every age. Deductibles cut the premium by 5 to 40 percent, and a disappearing deductible is available on Standard and Enhanced.

Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.

Sources: BestQuote and PolicyAdvisor.

The disappearing deductible applies only to sickness claims of $2,500 or less; larger claims pay from the first dollar. Companions save 5 percent each. Full carrier comparison on the cost page.

How does the monthly plan and two-year rate lock work?

Pay two months’ premium plus a $50 policy fee at application; the third month is due at activation and the balance follows monthly. The plan needs $100,000 or more for 365 or 730 days. The 730-day option locks today’s rate for two years with the fee paid once.

Sources: HelloSafe and PolicyAdvisor monthly plans. IRCC accepts instalments with a deposit paid; a missed instalment lapses cover, which would leave the parent uninsured at the border. See monthly plans.

What are the refund and cancellation rules?

If the visa is refused before activation, the full deposit is refunded less the $50 fee, with proof within 30 days. Once the parent has arrived, the two-month deposit is non-refundable even if cover is cancelled. Our fact sheet records a $250 cancellation fee outside the refusal case.

What are the side-trip, repatriation and coverage-area rules?

Side trips of up to 30 days to any country except the home country are covered, provided at least 51 percent of the insured period is spent in Canada with no gaps. Repatriation benefits are included but the brochure does not publish a dollar cap. No province exclusions are stated.

What do reviews say?

Independent customer review volume for 21st Century is thin. HelloSafe reports no complaint themes and lists only its own cons: no online purchase and a questionnaire for older applicants. Because claims route through Manulife’s assistance centre, expect Manulife-style documentation demands and allow weeks for reimbursement.

Who is 21st Century best for, and what should you watch for?

It is the strongest choice for families who need instalments or a two-year lock, and for healthy parents over 85 via Basic. It is weaker for parents 60 to 75 with conditions, where Secure Travel, Destination and GMS were cheaper in October 2026.

21st Century is not sold on SuperVisaDirect; see how it sits against the TuGo plan we sell in the 2026 comparison, or compare Manulife CoverMe and Secure Travel.