When to buy travel insurance for Nepal
Buy travel insurance for Nepal before you leave Canada — emergency medical must be active from departure, and trekkers should confirm altitude and evacuation coverage first. Add trip cancellation when you book prepaid treks, since it only covers events that occur after the policy begins.
Key takeaways
- Emergency medical must be in force from the day you leave Canada.
- You cannot buy coverage once abroad or already ill.
- Confirm altitude limits and evacuation before you depart, not on the trail.
- Buy trip cancellation at booking to protect prepaid treks and flights.
For a Nepal trip, timing matters more than usual, because the coverage that counts — trekking and evacuation — has to be sorted before you reach the trailhead, not after.
Emergency medical: before departure, with the right options
Emergency medical coverage must be in force from the day you leave Canada, and it is designed to be bought here before the trip. You generally cannot buy it after departing, and you cannot add it once a medical issue has started. For Nepal, buying early also means you have time to add a sports and activities option, confirm that your trek’s altitude is within the plan’s limit, and verify that emergency evacuation is included. These are the features that make the policy worthwhile, and they have to be in place before you are on the mountain.
Trip cancellation: at the moment you book
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage protects prepaid, non-refundable costs — international flights, guided treks, permits, domestic flights to trailheads — but only for covered reasons that arise after the policy is in force. Nepal treks are often booked and paid months ahead, so the day you commit that money is the day to add cancellation protection. We offer Trip Cancellation & Interruption, a Trip Interruption Only option, and a Cancel for Any Reason add-on for travellers who want the widest flexibility.
Earlier helps with health conditions
If you manage an ongoing condition, plans often look at whether it has been stable for a defined period before departure. Buying sooner, while you are well and settled, makes that window easier to satisfy — and gives you time to discuss altitude and fitness honestly. Travellers 60 and over complete a medical questionnaire that sets the premium, not eligibility; do it early and completely.
Single trip or annual
A single-trip emergency medical plan with trekking coverage suits most Nepal journeys. If Nepal is one of several trips this year, a multi-trip annual plan may cover your departures, but confirm it handles the altitude and activities you have planned — annual plans vary in what they include. Match the plan to the trip, not just the dates.
Timing checklist
Book the trip, then add trip cancellation the same day you commit non-refundable money. Confirm your emergency medical plan is dated from departure to return, includes evacuation, and covers your trek’s altitude. If you are 60 or over, complete the medical questionnaire carefully. Save the 24/7 assistance number offline and keep your policy details with you. If the trek extends, arrange an extension before the original coverage ends.
In short: buy emergency medical with the right trekking options before you fly, and cancellation when you book. When you are ready, compare your options and get a quote for Nepal.
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Purchase now →Frequently asked questions
Can I buy coverage once I arrive in Nepal?
No. Emergency medical travel insurance is purchased in Canada before departure. Once you have left, or a medical problem has started, you cannot add coverage for it.
When should I sort out trekking and altitude coverage?
Before you leave Canada. Confirm your trek's altitude is within the plan's limit and that evacuation is included — this cannot be arranged once you are already on the route.
When does trip cancellation need to start?
At booking. It covers only covered reasons that arise after the policy is in force, so prepaid, non-refundable treks and flights are at risk until you buy.
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.