Cancel a visitors to Canada policy before the effective date and most carriers refund in full, or in full less a fee of $150 to $250 at carriers without a free-look period. After the trip starts, an early return earns a pro-rata refund of the unused days less $25 to $50, with proof of departure and no claim. Once a claim has been made there is no refund at any carrier except Manulife, which deducts $300 to $500 per claim. A visa refusal with the IRCC letter is refunded in full at most carriers.
The rules are the carrier’s, written in the certificate. PolicyAdvisor’s refund guide is the most complete public comparison and is the source for most figures below.
What refund applies before the trip starts?
Full, or full less a fee, depending on whether the carrier offers a free-look period and whether the reason is a visa refusal. The effective date is the dividing line: once it passes, full-refund eligibility is lost.
Pre-trip cancellation terms, PolicyAdvisor and SuperVisaDirect fact sheet, Oct 2026 — confirm with the insurer at quote time.
| Carrier (underwriter) | Free-look period | Cancel before effective date, no visa refusal | Visa refused, IRCC letter provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife CoverMe (Manufacturers Life) | Not stated | Full refund before the effective date | Full refund |
| Travelance (Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada) | 10 days | Unused premium less $250; request within 30 days | Full refund, no fee |
| Allianz Global Assistance (CUMIS General Insurance) | 10 days | Refund if the trip is cancelled before the effective date; a fee may apply | Confirm at quote |
| 21st Century (Manulife) | None | $250 processing fee on some cancellations | Full refund before start, proof within 30 days |
| Destination (Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, Canadian Branch) | None | $150 fee on a one-year policy without refusal proof; $25 on partial | Full refund before the effective date |
| TuGo (iA Financial Group) | Not stated | $250 cancellation fee, no travel taken; request within 90 days | Confirm at quote |
| Secure Travel (iA Financial Group, claims by MSH) | Not stated | Admin fee; request within 60 days | Full refund less admin fee |
| GMS (Group Medical Services) | Not stated | Admin fee | Full refund less admin fee; refusal letter required |
| MSH International | Not stated | $250 without super visa denial proof | Full refund within 60 days |
A visitor visa refusal letter from IRCC is the document every carrier asks for. Keep the PDF from the IRCC portal.
What refund applies after an early return?
Pro rata for the unused days, less a fee, if no claim has been made. The parent must have left Canada permanently; carriers “require proof that you have left,” such as a boarding pass, itinerary or passport stamp, per PolicyAdvisor. The refund runs from the departure date, not the request date, so request it promptly.
| Carrier (underwriter) | Early-return fee | Minimum refund issued | Request window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife CoverMe (Manufacturers Life) | $25 minimum | Not stated | Not stated |
| Travelance (Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada) | $50 | Not stated | 30 days |
| 21st Century (Manulife) | $25 fee plus $25 minimum premium retained | Not stated | 30 days |
| Destination (Zurich, Canadian Branch) | $25 admin fee plus $25 minimum | Not stated | 90 days after expiry |
| Allianz Global Assistance (CUMIS General Insurance) | Fee may apply | Amounts under $20 not issued | Not stated |
| MSH International | $25 | No partial refunds under $20 | 60 days |
| Secure Travel (iA Financial Group, claims by MSH) | Admin fee | Not stated | 60 days |
| GMS (Group Medical Services) | Admin fee | Not stated | Not stated |
| TuGo (iA Financial Group) | Confirm at quote | Not stated | 90 days |
The same pro-rata rule applies when the parent becomes eligible for provincial health coverage, for example after permanent residence; proof is the health card or enrolment letter.
Is there any refund after a claim?
Almost never. Allianz states “no refund” once a claim has been submitted; Manulife’s Standard plan requires that you have not “reported or started a claim” and have not “received any assistance services.” Manulife alone allows a refund after a claim is withdrawn (less $300 per claim) or denied (less $500 per claim).
| Situation | Refund? |
|---|---|
| Claim paid, any amount | No |
| Claim submitted, pending | No |
| Assistance line called, no claim filed | Usually treated as a claim; no |
| Claim withdrawn (Manulife only) | Yes, less $300 per claim |
| Claim denied (Manulife only) | Yes, less $500 per claim |
| Injury claim on a plan with a disappearing deductible | No |
This is the strongest argument for buying the full term at the outset: a parent who claims in month one keeps cover to the end of the term, whereas a parent on a short policy cannot extend.
What is not refundable?
Fees, deposits after arrival, and days spent on side trips. The policy stays in force during a trip to the US or elsewhere, so those days are used, not unused. Instalment set-up fees and monthly billing fees are non-refundable at every carrier.
| Item | Refundable? |
|---|---|
| Set-up or policy fee ($10 to $120) | No |
| Monthly instalment fee | No |
| Two-month deposit, cancelled before the effective date | Yes at Travelance; confirm elsewhere |
| Two-month deposit, cancelled after arrival | No at 21st Century; confirm elsewhere |
| Days spent on a US side trip | No; the policy was in force |
| Days between two separate trips, policy still running | No at Allianz |
| Partial months on an instalment plan | No at 21st Century; full unused months yes |
How do I request a refund?
In writing, with proof, inside the window. Email the carrier or the agent who sold the policy with the policy number, the cancellation date, the reason and the document that supports it. SuperVisaDirect clients email [email protected] and we file the request.
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify the reason | Pre-trip cancellation, visa refusal, early return, provincial coverage, death |
| 2. Gather the proof | IRCC refusal letter; boarding pass or passport stamp; health card; death certificate |
| 3. Check the window | 30 days (Travelance, 21st Century), 60 (Secure Travel, MSH), 90 (TuGo, Destination) |
| 4. Submit by email and keep the receipt | Processing 7 to 15 business days, up to 30 in peak season |
| 5. Check the amount | Pro rata from the departure date, less the stated fee |
Disputes go first to the carrier’s complaints process, then to the ombudservice named in the certificate. The THIA Bill of Rights sets out the industry’s commitments; our summary is on the THIA page. Super visa refunds, which turn on the IRCC refusal letter and the one-year term, are on the super visa refunds page.
SuperVisaDirect is operated by Super Visa Direct Insurance Services, an independent Ontario life and accident-and-sickness insurance agency licensed by FSRA (licence [FSRA-LICENCE]). We serve Ontario residents; other provinces are planned for 2028. Email [email protected] or request a callback, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm Eastern Time.
Questions people ask
Can I get a refund if my parent's visitor visa is refused?
Yes at most carriers, in full, with the IRCC refusal letter. Travelance refunds the unused premium with no fee on proof of denial; Manulife refunds in full before the effective date; GMS and Secure Travel refund less an admin fee; Destination refunds in full before the effective date. Submit within the carrier's window, typically 30 to 60 days.
Can I get a refund if my parent goes home early?
Yes, pro rata for the unused days, if no claim has been made and you provide proof of departure such as a boarding pass or passport stamp. Fees: $25 minimum at Manulife, $50 at Travelance, $25 plus a $25 minimum at Destination and 21st Century. Amounts under $20 are not issued at Allianz and MSH.
Is there a refund after a claim?
No, at almost every carrier, even for a small claim. Manulife is the exception: a withdrawn claim allows a refund less $300 per claim, a denied claim less $500 per claim. If the parent has used the assistance line, even without a paid claim, most carriers treat the policy as used.
What is a free-look period?
A window after purchase, typically 10 days, in which the policy can be cancelled for a full refund with no fee, provided coverage has not started. Travelance and Allianz offer 10 days. 21st Century and Destination do not, per PolicyAdvisor; cancellation there before the effective date may carry a fee of $150 to $250 unless a visa refusal letter is provided.
Can I get a refund for a side trip to the US?
No. The policy stays in force during a side trip and covers the parent there, subject to the side-trip clause, so the days are not unused. Only a permanent departure from Canada triggers a pro-rata refund. See the side trips page for what is covered while abroad.
How long does a refund take?
Seven to 15 business days usually, up to 30 in peak season, back to the original payment card, per PolicyAdvisor. Requests must typically be made within 30 to 60 days of the cancellation date: 30 days at Travelance and 21st Century, 60 at Secure Travel and MSH, 90 at TuGo and Destination.
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Sources
- PolicyAdvisor – Refunds on cancelling visitor insurance to Canada (per-carrier fees, free look, proof, timing)
- PolicyAdvisor – Travelance visitor review (10-day free look; $250 and $50 fees; visa refusal no fee)
- PolicyAdvisor – Allianz visitor review (10-day refund; early return; no refund after claim)
- PolicyAdvisor – Destination visitor review (refund before effective date; 90-day request window)
- PolicyAdvisor – 21st Century visitor review (deposit non-refundable after arrival)
- Manulife CoverMe – Visitors to Canada Standard plan (early-return refund conditions)
- Manulife CoverMe – Complete guide to visitor to Canada insurance (full refund before effective date)
- THIA – Travel Insurance Bill of Rights and Responsibilities