Travel insurance for Hawaii: coverage, costs & tips
For Hawaii, Ontario travellers need emergency medical travel insurance with a high limit because it is a U.S. state with U.S. hospital prices. OHIP pays almost nothing and never up front, and inter-island or mainland medical transfers can be very expensive.
Key takeaways
- Hawaii means U.S. hospital prices, so a high coverage limit matters.
- OHIP pays almost nothing in the U.S. and never pays hospitals up front.
- Water sports are usually covered, but confirm diving and guided tours.
- Inter-island or mainland medical transfers are costly without evacuation coverage.
Hawaii feels relaxed, but it is a U.S. state, which means U.S. hospital prices and the same coverage gap every Canadian faces south of the border.
Why OHIP leaves a gap
OHIP pays little or nothing toward care outside Canada and never pays the hospital up front — most out-of-country coverage ended in 2020 — so the bill lands on you unless you carry travel insurance. American health care is among the most expensive in the world. A short hospital stay, an emergency surgery or an air ambulance between islands can run into tens of thousands of dollars, and OHIP will not cover it. In practice that means you could be asked to pay a hospital directly, then claim back only a small fraction from the province later — which is why emergency medical travel insurance does the heavy lifting here.
What emergency medical coverage includes
A travel medical plan for Hawaii is built around sudden, unexpected illness and injury. Coverage typically pays for emergency hospital and physician care, diagnostics, prescription drugs related to the emergency, and ambulance service, plus emergency medical evacuation and, if needed, a medically supervised return to Canada. Just as important is the help behind the coverage: TripCovered provides 24/7 emergency assistance in multiple languages, so a single call can confirm coverage, direct you to an appropriate facility and arrange payment or transport. Telemedicine services can also connect you with a doctor for minor issues before they become an emergency room visit.
What to look for in a plan for Hawaii
Hawaii is built around the water — snorkelling, surfing, diving, boat trips — plus volcano hikes on the Big Island. Most recreational activity is covered by a standard emergency medical plan, but confirm scuba diving and any guided adventure are included, and add a sports and activities option if needed. Check the coverage amount, the deductible, how pre-existing conditions are handled, and whether the activities on your itinerary are listed or need an add-on. If you are 60 or over, you will complete a short medical questionnaire; answer it carefully and completely, because an inaccurate answer is a common reason claims are reduced or denied.
Island transfers
Serious cases are sometimes flown between islands or to the mainland for specialist care. That air transport is expensive and is exactly what medical evacuation coverage is for. Choose a high medical limit and keep the 24/7 assistance number saved.
What drives the cost
Price is driven by your age, trip length, the coverage amount and any declared health conditions. Travellers 60 and over complete a medical questionnaire that sets the premium, not eligibility. Because U.S. medical costs are so high, do not trim the coverage limit to save a few dollars. Insure only your travel dates, pick a single trip plan for a one-off visit, or a multi-trip annual plan if you cross the border several times a year.
Before you buy: a quick checklist
Confirm the plan covers your full travel dates to and from Hawaii, choose a coverage limit you are comfortable with given local medical costs, declare any health conditions honestly, and add a sports and activities option if your plans call for it. Save the 24/7 assistance number somewhere you can reach it offline, and keep a copy of your policy details with you. A few minutes of setup now is what turns a stressful emergency abroad into a phone call someone else helps you handle.
When you are ready, compare your options and get a quote for Hawaii so the coverage matches your trip length, your activities and your health before you leave.
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Purchase now →Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance for Hawaii if it is relaxed?
Yes. Hawaii is a U.S. state with U.S. medical prices. A single emergency can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and OHIP covers almost none of it, so emergency medical coverage is essential.
Are snorkelling and surfing covered?
Common recreational water activities are typically included in an emergency medical plan. Scuba diving and guided adventure tours can require a sports and activities option, so check the wording first.
What if I need to be flown to the mainland?
Medical evacuation coverage pays for emergency transport to appropriate care or back to Canada. Given the distances involved in Hawaii, a plan with clear evacuation coverage is important.
TripCovered is a licensed insurance referral service operating in Ontario. Insurance is administered by North American Air Travel Insurance Agents Ltd., doing business as TuGo®, a licensed insurance broker in all provinces and territories. The issuer of the contract is Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and Industrial Alliance Pacific General Insurance Corporation. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. This website provides general information only and is not a contract of insurance. Always read your policy wording before you travel.