Travel Shield is a newer (2015) Canadian brand, underwritten by Berkley Canada (its Starr plans issued by Starr). It's most competitive for older visitors and Super Visa applicants who don't need pre-existing coverage - its no-pre-existing premiums are low at ages 55 to 80 - and it covers up to age 90 with deductible options to $10,000. Plan B adds stable pre-existing coverage up to age 80, but note: none of its plans cover heart, stroke, or lung conditions for travellers in their 70s, and it's only sold in BC, AB, SK, MB and ON.
Travel Shield at a Glance
Provider: | Travel Shield (Mars Empire Group Inc.), founded 2015 |
Underwriter: | Berkley Canada (W.R. Berkley Corporation); Starr plans issued by Starr Insurance & Reinsurance Limited |
Plans: | Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan A (no pre-existing), Plan B (with pre-existing), Starr plans |
Age limit: | Up to 90 (all plans) |
Pre-existing conditions: | Covered on Plan B (stable, 180-day) up to age 80, but no cerebrovascular, cardiovascular or lung conditions covered for travellers in their 70s |
Super Visa: | Yes - popular with applicants under 75 |
Available in: | BC, AB, SK, MB, ON only |
About Travel Shield
Travel Shield is a newer travel insurance brand, founded in 2015 by Amaninder Bharj, owner of Mars Empire Group Inc. (doing business as Travel Shield Canada Insurance Plan Brokers). Its policies are underwritten by Berkley Canada, a Canadian subsidiary of W.R. Berkley Corporation (an American property and casualty insurer), and its Starr policies are issued by Starr Insurance & Reinsurance Limited. So while the brand is young, the underwriting sits with large, established insurers. It's most popular with visitors aged 59 to 75 and Super Visa applicants under 75.
Travel Shield Standout Features
Hospital Incidentals (Telephone, TV)
$150 per day to max $1,500 (Starr Plans, Plan 1 & Plan 2)
Return of Vehicle
$1,000 (Starr Plans, Plan 1 & Plan 2)
Deductible
Up to $10,000 (Starr Plans, Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan A & Plan B)
Travel Shield Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Travel Shield Plan B covers expenses related to stable (180 days) pre-existing medical conditions for travellers up to age 80. | None of their plans cover cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or lung conditions for travellers in their 70s. |
Flexible with deductible options, all the way up to $10,000. | A signature is required upon application, which must be returned by fax or scan/email. |
Travel Shield's no pre-existing conditions policies have a lower premium than most similar policies, especially at ages 55, 65, 70, 75 and 80. | Only available in certain provinces (BC, AB, SK, MB and ON). |
Travel Shield Plan A is similar to Plan B, except that it excludes coverage of any pre-existing medical conditions. | Higher early return fee ($50) and cancellation fee ($250). |
Some Travel Shield policies offer a unique benefit not offered in many other visitors to Canada policies: a Return of Vehicle benefit. | All Travel Shield policies have a long waiting period of 15 days for older travellers who have already arrived in Canada. The 15-day waiting period applies to the following ages:
- Age 86+ (Travel Shield Plan 1, Plan 2, and Travel Shield Starr plans)
- Age 81-90 (Travel Shield Plan A & Plan B) |
Travel Shield for Super Visa
Travel Shield is popular with Super Visa applicants under 75, and its edge is price for applicants who don't need pre-existing coverage - its no-pre-existing premiums are notably low at ages 55 to 80, which suits healthy parents and grandparents. It covers up to age 90 and meets the IRCC Super Visa requirements ($100,000 minimum, one-year validity). Weigh two things before buying: it's only sold in BC, AB, SK, MB and ON, and it has a higher $250 cancellation fee. Compare Travel Shield's Super Visa pricing on our Super Visa insurance rates page.
Travel Shield for Pre-Existing Conditions
Travel Shield's Plan B covers stable pre-existing conditions with a 180-day stability period, up to age 80. But there's a critical limitation to understand: none of Travel Shield's plans cover cerebrovascular (stroke), cardiovascular (heart), or lung conditions for travellers in their 70s. If you're in your 70s and manage a heart, stroke, or respiratory condition, Travel Shield likely won't cover it - a plan with more accommodating wording (for example, one that's Coumadin/insulin-friendly) may suit you better. If you don't need pre-existing coverage, Plan A mirrors Plan B at a lower price. Compare Travel Shield's rules against other insurers on our visitors to Canada pre-existing conditions page.
Who is Travel Shield Best For?
Budget-conscious older visitors and Super Visa applicants who don't need pre-existing coverage - the no-pre-existing pricing is strong at 55–80.
Residents visiting BC, AB, SK, MB or ON - the only provinces where it's sold.
Anyone wanting a high deductible to lower the premium - options up to $10,000.
Travellers who value the Return of Vehicle benefit.
It's a weaker fit for travellers in their 70s with heart, stroke, or lung conditions (not covered), visitors to other provinces, older travellers buying after arrival (15-day waiting period), or anyone who wants low cancellation fees.
How to Get a Travel Shield Quote
Compare Travel Shield against every other insurer available through BestQuote in a single quote - enter your trip details in the tool on this page to see Travel Shield's real price for your age, plan, and coverage next to the alternatives, then buy online and get your documents by email. Insurance rates are regulated, so you pay the same price through BestQuote as buying direct, and as your broker we work for you at no extra cost. Have questions? Call 1-888-888-0510.
