An older man and woman taking a break while travelling. He's looking at a travel brochure while she holds her camera.Top non-U.S. destinations for Canadian snowbirds.

Snowbirds traditionally pick Florida or Arizona as their go-to destination when seeking to escape winter's wrath. But if you're tired of the same old same old and want to explore your options, we turned to the experts, travellers who compared snowbird travel insurance quotes, to see which other popular destinations are favoured. Because while Florida and Arizona are nice, it's always good to spread your wings and try something new.

Top 12 International Destinations for Canadian Snowbirds

For our purposes, we defined snowbirds as people who are 55 or older, travelling for at least a month or more during the fall and winter months (from October to March). We specifically looked at non-U.S. destinations and found that from the Caribbean to Asia to the land down under, snowbird travel interests span the globe.

The most popular destinations for Canadian snowbirds according to our customers are:

  1. Mexico
  2. China
  3. Australia
  4. France
  5. Dominican Republic
  6. Costa Rica
  7. India
  8. Thailand
  9. New Zealand
  10. Philippines
  11. Peru
  12. South Africa

Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Winter Escape

No matter where you plan to go this winter, there are steps you can take today that will go a long way in ensuring that everything is in order when you're ready to leave:

  • Check your driver's licence, licence plate sticker, health card and passport to make sure they do not expire while you are away and renew if necessary. Check the expiry dates on your credit cards too, as well as your auto insurance and home insurance policies.
  • Call your home insurer and ask if there are special arrangements you need to make given that you'll be away for an extended period. For example, you may have to arrange for a family member or trusted neighbour to do a walk though of your home on a regular basis.
  • Hire a snow removal service to ensure your driveway, walkway, and sidewalk are clear of snow and ice during the time you're away. Home insurance claims for slips and falls may only be covered if you've taken the necessary precautions to avoid potential injury.
  • Buy travel insurance before you leave. Travel insurance is an absolute necessity because it will cover the costs of emergency care in the event of an unexpected illness or injury, when your government health plan may not: "Your Canadian insurance is almost certainly not valid outside Canada," says the Government of Canada. "Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover nothing or only a very small portion of the costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad."

Warm up with Travel Insurance Savings: Compare Quotes Today

Travel insurance premiums for snowbirds can differ wildly from one provider to the next by hundreds of dollars. Compare snowbird travel insurance policies today for the coverage you need at the best possible price, no matter where you go.

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