Insurance · Head to head
Manulife vs Allianz for snowbirds
Canada's two big $10-million travel-medical plans, compared on what decides a snowbird policy — coverage, age limits, the pre-existing stability window, deductibles and COVID-19. Every figure is sourced to each insurer's own policy wording (verified June 13, 2026).
Side by side
| Feature | Manulife (CoverMe) | Allianz Global Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife) | CUMIS General Insurance Company (member of The Co-operators group) |
| Max coverage | $10 million per insured person | $10 million (retail emergency-medical plans) |
| Max issue age | No single maximum confirmed; family coverage requires all members under 60 | No stated age limit on retail plans |
| Stability window | 90 days (Rate Category A / age 59 and under); 180 days (Categories B and C) | 150 days if 65+; 90 days if under 65 |
| Medical questionnaire | None under age 60; required at 60+ | Required at 65+ (quote by phone) |
| Deductible | $0 / $500 (save 10%) / $1,000 (15%) / $5,000 (30%) / $10,000 (35%) | Optional deductible up to $500 (lowers premium) |
| Trip length | Single trip (set your own length); annual multi-trip with 4/10/18/30/60-day per-trip options; extension and top-up available | Single trip up to 365 days; annual multi-trip with 4/8/15/35-day per-trip caps |
| COVID-19 | Covered as emergency medical for departures on/after Feb 28, 2022 if fully vaccinated ≥14 days before the trip; includes a quarantine-expense benefit | Emergency medical covered if no Government of Canada Level 3/4 COVID advisory for the destination at the policy effective date |
| 24/7 assistance | Active Care Management (Active Claims Management Inc.); Manulife TravelAid app — 24/7 | Allianz Global Assistance (AZGA Service Canada Inc.) |
Who wins, by situation
Most snowbirds under 60
Manulife
No medical questionnaire under 60, a 90-day stability window, and five deductible tiers to tune the premium — the simplest, cheapest path for a healthy traveller.
Travellers with shaky pre-existing conditions
Manulife
TravelEase is purpose-built to cover emergency costs tied to a pre-existing condition when you can’t meet a standard stability test.
The oldest travellers
Allianz
Allianz states no age limit on its retail plans, and its 150-day stability window at 65+ is actually shorter (more forgiving) than Manulife’s 180-day window at 60+.
Anyone who wants to buy online instantly
Manulife
Under 60 there’s no questionnaire; Allianz requires a phone quote at 65+, which slows things down.
The verdict
For most snowbirds, Manulife is the more flexible pick — no questionnaire under 60, five deductible tiers, and TravelEase for pre-existing conditions. Allianz is the better answer for the oldest travellers, with no published age limit and a more forgiving 150-day stability window at 65+. Both cap emergency medical at $10 million, so the decision comes down to your age, your health, and how much deductible you'll carry — get a quote from each.
Frequently asked questions
Manulife or Allianz — which is cheaper for snowbirds?
Neither publishes fixed prices; premiums are quoted on your age, health, trip length, coverage amount and deductible. Manulife gives you more levers to lower the premium — five deductible tiers up to $10,000 versus Allianz’s single optional deductible up to $500 — so a healthy traveller can often tune Manulife down further. Always compare actual quotes.
Which has the better pre-existing condition rules?
It depends on your age. Under 60 both use a 90-day stability window. At older ages Allianz’s 150-day window (65+) is shorter than Manulife’s 180-day window (60+) — but Manulife offers TravelEase, a plan designed to cover unstable pre-existing conditions outright. If your health is stable, Allianz’s shorter window may help; if it isn’t, Manulife’s TravelEase is the safer route.
Do both cover COVID-19?
Both cover COVID-19 as an emergency medical expense, subject to conditions: Manulife requires you to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure, and Allianz ties coverage to there being no Government of Canada Level 3/4 COVID advisory for your destination at the policy effective date. Confirm the current terms before you buy.
This comparison is for educational purposes only and is not insurance advice. Coverage, age limits, stability windows, deductibles and COVID-19 terms were taken from each insurer's own wording and verified on June 13, 2026; they vary by plan and change without notice. Premiums are individually quoted. Confirm your pre-existing conditions are covered in writing before you buy. See our methodology.