Destination Travel Group’s Visitors to Canada plan costs about $1,635 a year at 55, $2,624 at 65 and $5,183 at 75 with stable pre-existing conditions covered (rates seen October 2026), and it qualifies for the super visa at $100,000 for one year. It is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch) and has the lowest monthly-plan fee of any carrier at $10. The catch is that pre-existing conditions are excluded from age 80.
Who is Destination Travel Group, and who underwrites the policy?
The Destination: Travel Group Inc. (DTGI) is a Canadian travel insurance program manager led by president Steve Blanchard. On 4 April 2024 THIA published Zurich Canada’s agreement to underwrite DTGI’s Visitors to Canada, Snowbird, Student, Leisure and Expat plans.
The insurer on the certificate is therefore Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), a foreign insurer’s federally regulated branch that issues in the course of its business in Canada, which satisfies the IRCC insurer rule. Claims are administered by Global Excel Management as Zurich Assistance, and Zurich Travel Assist is run by World Travel Protection, a Zurich subsidiary. Beware of a similarly named travel agency with no connection to the insurance program.
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 Destination plan do super visa parents need?
There is one Visitors to Canada plan with selectable limits up to $300,000; choose $100,000 or more for the super visa. Pre-existing conditions are covered automatically when stable, with no medical questionnaire. A separate international student plan is not relevant here.
| Feature | Destination Visitors to Canada |
|---|---|
| Coverage options ($ CAD) | Up to $300,000 |
| Maximum age | None stated overall; pre-existing cover ends at 80 |
| Minimum age | 15 days |
| Medical questionnaire | Not required |
| Deductible options ($ CAD) | $0, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 |
| AD&D | Up to $150,000 |
| Flight accident | Up to $50,000 |
| Emergency return home | Up to $3,000 one way |
| Emergency transport incl. air ambulance | Up to $3,000, pre-approved |
| Return of deceased | Up to $10,000, plus $4,000 burial or cremation |
Source: PolicyAdvisor. The $3,000 transport caps are low; TuGo pays return of remains up to the sum insured.
What are the stability rules for pre-existing conditions?
Stability is 90 days to age 59, 120 days from 60 to 69 and 180 days from 70 to 79, all before the effective date. At 80 and over every pre-existing condition is excluded. Stable means no medication changes, no new symptoms, no new tests and no scheduled appointments for the condition.
| Age on effective date | Stability period (days) | Pre-existing cover |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 59 | 90 | Yes |
| 60 to 69 | 120 | Yes |
| 70 to 79 | 180 | Yes |
| 80 and over | — | Excluded |
These bands match TuGo’s to age 79 and beat Manulife, GMS and 21st Century, which use 180 days at every age. For a 62-year-old whose blood-pressure dose changed five months ago, Destination covers the condition while Manulife would not. Read our pre-existing conditions guide before answering the stability question.
What does Destination cost?
Destination was the third-lowest of eight carriers at 55 and 60 in October 2026 and fourth at 65, 70 and 75. The monthly figures below are what most families will actually pay.
Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Age | With stable pre-existing ($/yr) |
|---|---|
| 55 | $1,635 |
| 60 | $1,840 |
| 65 | $2,624 |
| 70 | $4,179 |
| 75 | $5,183 |
Monthly plan, $100,000 coverage, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Age | Without pre-existing ($/month) | With stable pre-existing ($/month) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | $131.06 | $146.27 |
| 60 | $131.06 | $146.27 |
| 65 | $183.38 | $228.70 |
| 70 | $248.47 | $358.27 |
| 75 | $305.95 | $441.92 |
Sources: BestQuote and PolicyAdvisor. A higher deductible lowers the premium; the full grid is on the cost page.
How does the Destination monthly plan work?
Pay two months’ premium plus a one-time $10 fee at application; the third month is due on the effective date, then monthly billing. The plan needs at least 180 days of cover and a $50,000 limit, both met by a super visa policy. PolicyAdvisor’s monthly-plan guide instead describes a 10 percent surcharge, so confirm the exact cost on the quote.
| Monthly plan term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 2 months’ premium |
| Fee | $10 one-time (PolicyAdvisor review); “10% surcharge” (PolicyAdvisor monthly guide) |
| Minimum coverage | $50,000 |
| Minimum term | 180 days |
| Third payment | On the effective date |
Sources: PolicyAdvisor review and monthly plans guide. IRCC accepts instalments with a deposit; a missed payment lapses cover. See monthly plans.
What are the refund and cancellation rules?
A full refund applies when the trip is cancelled before the effective date, when the parent returns home before expiry, or when provincial coverage begins. Partial refunds must be requested within 90 days of expiry and are void if a claim exists. Our fact sheet records a $150 cancellation fee and $25 for partial refunds.
| Situation | Refund |
|---|---|
| Cancelled before effective date (incl. visa refusal) | Full |
| Return home before expiry, no claim | Unused portion, $25 fee |
| Provincial or territorial coverage begins | Unused portion |
| Other cancellation | $150 fee |
| Claim made, paid or pending | None |
Because India’s processing time swung from 208 days in March 2026 to 70 days in September 2026, set a start date you can move before it begins.
What are the side-trip and coverage-area rules?
Side trips are covered when at least 51 percent of the coverage period is spent in Canada. The home country is never covered, and a temporary return must stay below 51 percent of the period. No excluded provinces are published.
| Rule | Term |
|---|---|
| Side trips | Covered, 51% of period in Canada |
| Home country | Not covered; temporary return allowed under 51% |
| Provinces not served | None stated |
| Hospital notification | Within 24 hours to Zurich Travel Assist |
What do reviews say about claims?
We found no Trustpilot or Google review set specific to DTGI’s visitor plan, and the Zurich partnership is only two years old. Claims go through Global Excel Management, the same administrator Manulife uses, which is known for thorough documentation requests. Call within 24 hours of any hospital admission.
Who is Destination best for, and what should you watch for?
Destination is the pick for monthly payers who want the lowest fee, and for parents 60 to 69 whose condition is stable for 120 but not 180 days. It is the wrong choice for parents over 79 with conditions and for anyone likely to need medical transport.
| Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Monthly payers (2 months + $10, lowest fee) | Fee reported as 10% surcharge elsewhere; verify |
| Parents 60 to 69 with recently adjusted but stable conditions (120 days) | Pre-existing conditions excluded at 80 |
| Families wanting AD&D up to $150,000 at no extra tier | $3,000 caps on emergency transport and return home |
| Hosts who want a Zurich certificate | New program (2024), thin public claims record |
Destination is not sold on SuperVisaDirect; see how it sits against the TuGo plan we sell in the 2026 comparison, or compare Secure Travel for a lower base premium and 21st Century for a two-year lock.
Questions people ask
Who underwrites Destination Travel Group super visa insurance?
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), a federally regulated branch of the Swiss insurer, has underwritten DTGI's Visitors to Canada plan since the partnership announced on 4 April 2024. Claims are administered by Global Excel Management as Zurich Assistance, with Zurich Travel Assist run by World Travel Protection. The certificate must name Zurich as the insurer.
What is the maximum age for Destination super visa insurance?
The plan states no overall maximum age, and our fact sheet records eligibility to about 90. Pre-existing condition coverage, however, ends at 80: a parent aged 80 or over is insured for new emergencies only. For a parent over 79 with heart disease or diabetes, TuGo Comprehensive or Secure Travel (to 84) are the alternatives.
How does the Destination monthly plan work?
You pay two months' premium plus a one-time $10 fee at application; the third month is due on the effective date and billing continues monthly. The plan needs at least 180 days of coverage and a $50,000 limit, so a 365-day, $100,000 super visa policy qualifies. PolicyAdvisor's monthly-plan article describes the cost as a 10 percent surcharge, so verify the fee at quote time.
Does Destination refund the premium if the super visa is refused?
A full refund is available when the trip is cancelled before the effective date, which is the position of a refused applicant. After the effective date, refunds are partial, must be requested within 90 days of expiry and are void if a claim exists. Our fact sheet records a $150 cancellation fee, with $25 for partial refunds.
Does Destination cover side trips to the United States?
Yes, as long as at least 51 percent of the coverage period is spent in Canada. There is no coverage in the parent's home country, and a temporary return home must stay under 51 percent of the period. Emergency return home and emergency transport are each capped at $3,000, so a US hospital bill above that would fall on the family.
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Sources
- THIA, Zurich Canada announces new partnership with The Destination Travel Group Inc. (4 April 2024)
- PolicyAdvisor, Destination Visitor to Canada Insurance Review
- PolicyAdvisor, Visitor insurance monthly payment plans
- PolicyAdvisor, Cheapest Super Visa Insurance in Canada (rate tables)
- BestQuote, Super Visa Insurance rates
- IRCC, Super visa: documents and insurance requirement