Best IEC Health Insurance for 2026 Canada Working Holiday (Tips & Savings)
To ensure a smooth arrival in Canada, IEC participants must meet the government's mandatory insurance requirements. Under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, having comprehensive insurance is required ahead of your entry. Presenting a valid policy at the border is the best way to ensure your work permit is issued for its full duration without any complications.
Your policy must cover your entire stay and include:
- Medical Care: Doctor visits and standard treatment.
- Hospitalization: Stays and surgeries in Canadian hospitals.
- Repatriation: Emergency transport (or remains) back to your home country.
Expert Guidance from Canada’s Leading Specialist
As a Canadian-based agency, BestQuote works with many of the country’s top-rated insurance providers. We specialize in comparing hundreds of policies to ensure you get the best coverage at the best price. While we offer a wide range of plans from these industry giants, we’ve developed our own specialized solution to fix the most common problems IEC travelers face: BestQuote MedEC
Why BestQuote MedEC is the best choice
The MedEC Advantage: Built with Lloyd’s of London
Underwritten by Lloyd’s of London (A+ Rated), MedEC is a custom-built plan focused on the unique requirements of a working holiday. While other Canadian policies are available and may be the most suitable fit for your specific profile, MedEC is a popular choice due to its flexibility and competitive rates for the IEC community. Get a quote to see more details now!
Customize Your Coverage to Fit Your Journey
Every traveler has different needs. Whether you choose MedEC or another leading Canadian provider through our engine, you can fully customize your policy:
- Adjustable Limits: Choose the coverage amount and deductible that fit your budget.
- Winter Sports: Add optional coverage for skiing or snowboarding.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Specialized plans are available for travelers requiring coverage for stable pre-existing medical conditions.
- Travel Flexibility: Most plans include coverage for short "side trips" outside of Canada and allow for home visits without voiding your policy.
Compare and Choose with Confidence
We believe in transparency. Our platform allows you to view all available options side-by-side so you can make an informed decision. Ready to find your plan? Get a quote now to compare live rates. We recommend clicking on "Summary" or "Policy" for any plan to review the specific benefits and find the one that best matches your planned adventure.
What is a GHIP partial refund?
The BestQuote MedEC policy is the only one in the world that offers a partial refund once you enroll in a Canadian provincial health plan (like OHIP, MSP, or AHCIP).
While most policies only refund you if you leave Canada, we put money back in your pocket while you stay. You can receive a 25% refund of your remaining premium (less a $25 fee) once your provincial coverage kicks in.
The Savings in Action: If you buy a 2-year policy for $1,800 and switch to provincial health after 70 days, you could receive a $381 refund. This effectively lowers your total IEC insurance cost by hundreds of dollars!
A provincial health card (like OHIP or MSP) is not enough. Provincial plans do not cover repatriation. If you arrive with a policy that only lasts 12 months, your work permit will expire in 12 months - and you cannot extend it later, even if you buy more insurance.
A Game-Changer for IEC Travellers: Virtual Healthcare Included
We’ve integrated Maple, Canada’s leading virtual care platform, into our BestQuote MedEC policy. This makes us the only IEC insurance provider to offer immediate access to Canadian doctors for both emergency and non-emergency care.
- Skip the Waiting Room: Includes 3 free pre-paid virtual doctor visits per year.
- Massive Value: Access a service that usually costs Canadians $80/month.
- World-Class Security: Underwritten by Lloyd’s, the world’s specialist insurance market for over 300 years.
- Built for Flexibility: Unlike many UK or international policies, our plan is refundable if you head home early.
Looking for more? We also offer specialized coverage for stable pre-existing conditions and extreme sports (backcountry skiing, rock climbing, etc.) through our partner carriers.
How to Buy a Policy Online
As a Canadian travel insurance specialist, BestQuote provides free, transparent price comparisons for travelers from all over the world - whether you’re still at home or have already arrived. Every year, we help hundreds of IEC participants secure the exact coverage they need to satisfy immigration officers and receive their work permits. We make sure your insurance is one less thing to worry about when you land.
