Premiums step up at 65, 70, 75 and 80, and eligibility narrows at each step. On October 2026 rates from the PolicyAdvisor and BestQuote tables, Secure Travel moved from $2,051 at 65 to $3,380 at 70 to $4,000 at 75. GMS stops issuing at 79. Destination excludes pre-existing conditions from 80. Manulife and Travelance stop at 85, Allianz at 89, Secure Travel at 90. TuGo and 21st Century Basic have no maximum age.
Age matters because the super visa lasts up to 10 years and the stay up to 5 per entry. A parent who arrives at 66 renews at 67, 68, 69 and 70. IRCC’s report shows 24 per cent of applicants are 65 to 74 and 6 per cent over 75, so the cliffs are not a niche problem.
What does each insurer charge at 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75?
The gaps between insurers widen with age. At 55 the spread is about $800; at 75 it is about $5,900. Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, stable pre-existing conditions covered, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Insurer (underwriter) | 55 | 60/61 | 65 | 70/71 | 75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Travel/RIMI (iA Financial Group; claims by MSH) | $1,577 | $1,621 | $2,051 | $3,380 | $4,000 |
| GMS (Group Medical Services) | $1,602 | $1,799 | $2,405 | $4,296 | $5,533 |
| Destination (Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, Canadian Branch) | $1,635 | $1,840 | $2,624 | $4,179 | $5,183 |
| 21st Century Enhanced (Manulife) | $1,891 | $2,741 | $3,095 | $4,683 | $5,712 |
| TuGo (iA Financial Group) | $2,093 | $2,398 | $2,986 | $3,985 | $5,295 |
| Manulife CoverMe Plan B (Manufacturers Life) | $2,165 | $2,529 | $2,874 | $4,181 | $5,427 |
| Travelance Premier (Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada) | $1,716 | — | $3,030 | — | $6,161 |
| Allianz Global Assistance (CUMIS General Insurance) | $2,373 | — | $4,201 | — | $9,910 |
How big is each step?
The 65-to-70 step is the largest in proportional terms at most insurers. The 70-to-75 step is smaller in percentage but larger in dollars at some. Percentages below are calculated from the table above.
| Insurer | 60 to 65 | 65 to 70 | 70 to 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Travel | +27% | +65% | +18% |
| GMS | +34% | +79% | +29% |
| Destination | +43% | +59% | +24% |
| 21st Century Enhanced | +13% | +51% | +22% |
| TuGo | +25% | +33% | +33% |
| Manulife Plan B | +14% | +45% | +30% |
TuGo’s curve is flattest and its 70 rate was the lowest of the six with full pre-existing cover. Secure Travel was lowest at 55, 60, 65 and 75. The lowest-priced insurer at one age is not the cheapest at the next, so the renewal how-to recommends re-quoting every year.
Where are the eligibility cliffs?
At 79, 80, 85, 89 and 90, depending on the insurer. The cliff is on the effective date of each new policy, so a parent can be insured at 79 with GMS and uninsurable there at 80. Terms seen October 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Insurer (underwriter) | Maximum issue age | What changes with age |
|---|---|---|
| GMS (Group Medical Services) | 79 | Not eligible if 80 or over on the effective date, per the policy wording; no medical questions under 55 |
| Destination (Zurich, Canadian Branch) | About 90 | Pre-existing conditions excluded from 80; stability 90 days 0-59, 120 days 60-69, 180 days 70-79 |
| Manulife CoverMe (Manufacturers Life) | 85 for Plan B; Basic any age | 180-day stability at all ages |
| Travelance (Old Republic) | 85 | — |
| 21st Century (Manulife) | 85 for Standard and Enhanced; Basic none | Basic excludes pre-existing conditions |
| Allianz Global Assistance (CUMIS General) | 89 | Stability 90 days under 60, 180 days 60-89 |
| Secure Travel/RIMI (iA Financial Group) | 90 | Stability 90 days to 69, 180 days 70-84 |
| MSH-administered plans | 89 | — |
| TuGo Comprehensive (iA Financial Group) | None | Stability 90 days to 59, 120 to 69, 180 to 85, 365 at 86+; optional 7-day unstable rider to 79 |
What should a family do at each milestone?
Re-quote at every renewal, and plan two years ahead of an eligibility cliff. A parent approaching 80 on GMS needs a new insurer at the renewal before their 80th birthday, with the stability period measured for that insurer.
| Milestone | Action |
|---|---|
| Turning 65 | Re-quote; expect +13% to +43%; check whether the deductible saving now justifies a $500 deductible; see deductibles |
| Turning 70 | Re-quote all eight; the ranking changes; TuGo’s flat curve may now win |
| Turning 75 | Compare the no-pre-existing plans only if the parent genuinely has no conditions |
| Turning 79 on GMS | Move before the 80th birthday; the stability period at the new insurer applies |
| Turning 80 on Destination | Pre-existing cover ends; move if the parent has any condition |
| Turning 85 on Manulife, Travelance or 21st Century Enhanced | Move to Secure Travel, Allianz or TuGo |
| Turning 89 or 90 | TuGo Comprehensive and 21st Century Basic remain; Basic excludes pre-existing conditions |
What are the no-pre-existing prices at older ages?
Lower, because the insurer carries less risk. They suit only a parent with no diagnosed conditions and no medications. Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, pre-existing conditions excluded, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Plan (underwriter) | 55 | 65 | 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Travel, no pre-existing (iA Financial Group) | $1,026 | $1,621 | $2,920 |
| 21st Century Basic (Manulife) | $1,387 | $1,807 | $3,347 |
| MSH-administered | $1,307 | $1,413 | $2,712 |
A 75-year-old with controlled hypertension who takes the $2,920 plan instead of the $4,000 plan saves $1,080 and gives up cover for any blood pressure or cardiac event. The CP24 case on the pre-existing conditions page shows how that ends. The stable definition page and the 2026 comparison help place a parent with conditions at the right insurer for their age.
Questions people ask
How much does the price rise at 70?
Between about 33 and 79 per cent over the 65 rate on October 2026 figures. Secure Travel went from $2,051 to $3,380, GMS from $2,405 to $4,296, Destination from $2,624 to $4,179, TuGo from $2,986 to $3,985, Manulife from $2,874 to $4,181 and 21st Century Enhanced from $3,095 to $4,683.
Which insurers stop selling at a certain age?
GMS will not issue to anyone 80 or over on the effective date. Manulife CoverMe, Travelance and 21st Century Enhanced stop at 85, Allianz at 89, Secure Travel and MSH at 90, Destination at about 90. TuGo Comprehensive, 21st Century Basic and Manulife Basic have no maximum age, but Basic plans exclude pre-existing conditions.
What changes at 80 apart from price?
Destination excludes pre-existing conditions from age 80. GMS no longer issues. TuGo's stability period is 180 days from 70 to 85 and 365 days at 86 and over. Several insurers add medical questions or tighten them. A parent turning 80 during the stay should plan the next renewal six months ahead.
Is there a cheaper option for a parent over 75?
Plans that exclude pre-existing conditions are cheaper: Secure Travel's no-pre-existing option was $2,920 at 75 against $4,000 with cover, and 21st Century Basic $3,347 against $5,712 for Enhanced. They are only sensible for a parent with no conditions at all, because any flare of an existing condition is unpaid.
Does the stability period get longer with age?
At most insurers, yes. TuGo requires 90 days to 59, 120 days from 60 to 69, 180 days from 70 to 85 and 365 days at 86 and over. Allianz requires 90 days under 60 and 180 from 60 to 89. Secure Travel requires 90 days to 69 and 180 from 70 to 84. GMS and Manulife use 180 days at all ages.
Does the parent's age at purchase or at the effective date count?
The age on the effective date, at every insurer we compare. A parent who is 69 when you buy and 70 when the policy starts pays the 70 rate. If the visa is delayed past a birthday, the premium is recalculated when you move the date. Buying before the birthday does not lock the lower band.
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