GMS was the lower of the two at 55, 60 and 65 on 18 October 2026, and Destination Travel Group at 70 and 75, at $100,000 cover with stable conditions and no deductible. The gaps are small under 65 and widen after. GMS asks no medical questions under 55 and prices stable conditions at no extra charge, but stops at 79, caps repatriation at $5,000 and is annual-pay only. Destination offers a $10 monthly fee, 120-day stability at 60 to 69 and cover to about 90.
Both qualify under the IRCC rule. Full reviews: GMS and Destination Travel Group.
Who is the insurer behind each plan?
GMS is the rare case where the brand is the insurer: Group Medical Services of Regina issues its own policy. Destination is a programme manager whose plan is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch) since April 2024, with Global Excel Management handling claims as Zurich Assistance.
| Item | GMS | Destination Travel Group |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter named on certificate | Group Medical Services (GMS Insurance Inc. outside Saskatchewan) | Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch) |
| Brand or distributor | GMS itself, Regina, SK | The Destination: Travel Group Inc. (DTGI) |
| Claims and assistance | GMS Travel Assistance (Robin Assist from 1 Nov 2025) | Global Excel Management as Zurich Assistance; Zurich Travel Assist |
| Assistance line | 1-800-459-6604; 905-762-5196 collect | Zurich Travel Assist, number on certificate |
| Insurer type | Canadian not-for-profit health insurer | Federally regulated Canadian branch of a Swiss insurer |
Sources: GMS brochure and THIA announcement. Both certificate types pass the IRCC test; underwriters explained covers the foreign-branch case.
What does each cost by age?
GMS was lower under 70 and Destination from 70, which mirrors their age limits: GMS prices for a book that ends at 79, Destination for one that runs to 90. The crossover sits between 65 and 70.
Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, stable pre-existing conditions covered, rates seen 18 Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Age | GMS ($/yr) | Destination ($/yr) | Lower of the two | Difference ($/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | $1,602 | $1,635 | GMS | $33 |
| 60 | $1,799 | $1,840 | GMS | $41 |
| 65 | $2,405 | $2,624 | GMS | $219 |
| 70 | $4,296 | $4,179 | Destination | $117 |
| 75 | $5,533 | $5,183 | Destination | $350 |
Sources: BestQuote and PolicyAdvisor. GMS charges the same without pre-existing cover; Destination’s monthly instalments without it were $131.06 at 55 and $305.95 at 75 against $146.27 and $441.92 with. Both were behind Secure Travel at every age; see the cost page.
How do the age and stability rules compare?
Destination’s 90, 120 and 180-day bands are more forgiving than GMS’s flat 180 days for parents under 70. GMS’s advantages are no questions under 55 and no waiting period when bought before arrival. Above 79 only Destination is available, and then only for new emergencies.
| Rule | GMS | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum age on effective date | Under 80 | None stated; about 90 per our fact sheet |
| Pre-existing conditions covered to age | 79 | 79 |
| Stability, 59 and under | 180 days | 90 days |
| Stability, 60 to 69 | 180 days | 120 days |
| Stability, 70 to 79 | 180 days | 180 days |
| Medical questions | None under 55; disqualifying list from 55; daily-living test from 70 | None |
| Waiting period, bought before arrival | None | Not stated |
| Waiting period, bought after arrival | 2 days within 30 days; 7 days after | Not stated |
| Provinces not served | Quebec, New Brunswick, Nunavut | None stated |
Sources: PolicyAdvisor GMS review and PolicyAdvisor Destination review. For a 62-year-old whose dose changed five months ago, Destination covers the condition and GMS does not. See pre-existing conditions.
What are the benefit limits and payment options?
Destination offers double the maximum cover, a wider deductible ladder, $150,000 AD&D and a monthly plan. GMS has a $1,000 hospital allowance and $2,000 injury dental. On transport, GMS caps repatriation at $5,000 and Destination caps emergency transport at $3,000, so neither funds an air ambulance.
| Item | GMS | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum sum insured | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Deductible options | $0, $100, $500, $1,000 | $0, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 |
| Emergency dental, injury | $2,000 | Covered; limit not stated |
| Hospital allowance | Up to $1,000 | Not stated |
| AD&D | Not stated | Up to $150,000 |
| Repatriation or emergency transport | Up to $5,000, pre-approved | Up to $3,000, pre-approved; return home $3,000 |
| Return of remains | Within $5,000 repatriation cap | $10,000 plus $4,000 burial or cremation |
| Side trips | 30 days or 49% of days; not home country | Covered if 51% of period in Canada; not home country |
| Monthly plan | None | 2 months’ premium plus $10 fee |
Sources: GMS brochure, PolicyAdvisor Destination review and PolicyAdvisor monthly plans. The transport caps are explained on repatriation explained. Monthly terms are on monthly plans.
How do refunds and claims rules compare?
Destination refunds a refused applicant in full before the effective date; GMS deducts an administration fee. Both void refunds once a claim exists. GMS publishes the harshest late-call penalty of the carriers we track: benefits fall to 70 percent or $50,000 if the assistance line is not called within 24 hours.
| Rule | GMS | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Visa refused, before effective date | Full less administration fee | Full |
| Early return, no claims | Partial from departure date, less fee | Unused portion, $25 fee |
| Other cancellation | Administration fee | $150 fee |
| Claim made or pending | No refund | No refund |
| Call the assistance line | Within 24 hours; 70% or $50,000 otherwise | Within 24 hours of hospitalization |
| Claim deadlines | Notice 30 days; proof 90 days | Report 30 days; written proof 90 days |
| Extension | 48 hours’ notice, no treatment, under 80, under 365 days total | Per policy |
Sources as above. Claim steps: GMS and Destination.
Which profile does each plan fit?
GMS fits a parent under 55 who wants no questions, a parent 55 to 65 with conditions stable 180 days who pays annually, and a family that wants a direct insurer on the certificate. Destination fits a parent 70 and over, a parent 60 to 69 with a recent dose change, and monthly payers.
| Profile | Lower or better fit on 18 Oct 2026 | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Parent under 55 | GMS | No medical questions; lower price |
| Parent 55 to 65, stable 180 days, annual pay | GMS, by $33 to $219 | Lower price |
| Parent 60 to 69, stable 120 to 179 days | Destination | 120-day rule against 180 |
| Parent 70 to 79 | Destination, by $117 to $350 | Lower price |
| Parent 80 and over | Destination only | GMS maximum age 79; pre-existing excluded at Destination |
| Monthly payments | Destination only | GMS annual-pay |
| Host in New Brunswick | Destination | GMS does not sell there (SuperVisaDirect serves Ontario now) |
| Visa refused before start | Destination | Full refund, no fee |
Neither plan is sold on SuperVisaDirect; the plan we sell is TuGo, and the 2026 comparison shows all three side by side. Each against the plan that beat both on price: Secure Travel vs GMS and Destination vs Secure Travel.
Questions people ask
Is GMS or Destination lower in price?
GMS at 55 ($1,602 against $1,635), 60 ($1,799 against $1,840) and 65 ($2,405 against $2,624); Destination at 70 ($4,179 against $4,296) and 75 ($5,183 against $5,533). All figures are $100,000 cover, no deductible, stable conditions covered, seen on 18 October 2026. The gaps are under $120 except at 65 and 75.
Who underwrites GMS and Destination?
GMS insures its own plan: Group Medical Services of Regina, operating as GMS Insurance Inc. outside Saskatchewan, so the certificate names GMS directly. Destination's plan is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch), with Global Excel Management as claims administrator. Both meet IRCC's requirement.
Which has the better stability rules under 70?
Destination: 90 days to 59 and 120 days from 60 to 69, against GMS's 180 days at every age. From 70 to 79 both use 180 days. Destination excludes all pre-existing conditions from 80; GMS does not insure anyone 80 or over. Neither requires a questionnaire, though GMS lists disqualifying conditions from 55.
Can I pay monthly?
Only with Destination: two months' premium plus a one-time $10 fee at application, the third month on the effective date, then monthly. PolicyAdvisor's monthly guide describes the cost as a 10 percent surcharge instead, so confirm at quote time. GMS collects the full premium at purchase.
Which is better if my parent might need to be flown home?
Destination, but neither is strong. GMS caps repatriation at $5,000 with or without an attendant. Destination caps emergency transport and emergency return home at $3,000 each, but pays $10,000 for return of remains plus $4,000 for burial. For a realistic air-ambulance need, compare TuGo or Travelance Premier.
Get the policy IRCC requires, in minutes
Three questions, one price, one button. The certificate your parent needs is emailed the same day.
Sources
- GMS, Visitors to Canada brochure (April 2025)
- PolicyAdvisor, GMS Visitor to Canada Insurance Review
- PolicyAdvisor, Destination Visitor to Canada Insurance Review
- THIA, Zurich Canada announces new partnership with The Destination Travel Group Inc. (4 April 2024)
- PolicyAdvisor, Visitor insurance monthly payment plans
- BestQuote, Super Visa Insurance rates
- PolicyAdvisor, Cheapest Super Visa Insurance in Canada (rate tables)