GuardMe Canada vs. Ingle TuGo International Student Insurance

Each school sets its own GuardMe fee, and most add it to the international student fees. For example, Northeastern University's Canadian campuses charge CAD 1.93 per day for one person (2026) — about CAD 58 per month or CAD 704 for 365 days; Northeastern tells September starters to expect CAD 700–750 upfront. Adding family members increases the cost. Check your school's GuardMe page for your exact fee.

GuardMe says it supports 300+ colleges, universities and schools. Many schools enrol their international students automatically and add the fee to their student fees. In British Columbia it bridges the wait before MSP starts; in Ontario, where international students cannot get OHIP, many colleges use it as the main plan. Some schools make GuardMe mandatory — at Northeastern University's Canadian campuses it is the only plan accepted.

It depends on the province. In Ontario there is no gap to bridge: international students are not eligible for OHIP at all, so GuardMe (at many colleges) or UHIP (at universities) is the main coverage for the whole stay. In British Columbia, students with a study permit valid for 6 months or more can join MSP after a wait period of the rest of the arrival month plus two months. Many BC schools, such as Simon Fraser University and Okanagan College, automatically enrol new international students in GuardMe to cover that gap. Each school sets the fee (for example CAD 281 for the first term at SFU and CAD 250 per semester at Okanagan College).

Yes. Outpatient psychiatrist or psychologist care is covered up to CAD 1,000, and inpatient psychiatrist fees after an emergency up to CAD 10,000. Up to 6 trauma counselling sessions are covered after a loss under the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit. Telemedicine via Mobile Doctor (powered by Maple) lets you talk to a Canadian doctor anytime — included with every international plan.

Most students buy through their university's customised GuardMe portal (e.g., guard.me/yourschool). If you do not have a school code, contact GuardMe customer care at +1-877-873-8447 or via guard.me/en/apply-for-insurance.html. Coverage is activated within minutes of payment.

Three reasons: (1) it accepts students aged 69 or younger at application, while Manulife's student plan is limited to applicants under 45; (2) it pays up to CAD 6,000 for dental injuries, compared with CAD 4,000 at GuardMe Canada and CAD 2,500 at Manulife; (3) it includes a maternity benefit of up to CAD 25,000 per pregnancy — useful for student families. TuGo does not publish its price, so compare the online quote with your other options before you buy.

It depends on your school. The plan offers CAD 2 million in coverage, including emergency medical, hospital and prescription drug benefits, but each school decides which plans it accepts — many enrol international students automatically in their own plan. Check with your school before you buy. In Ontario, UHIP is mandatory for students at participating universities — TuGo can serve as supplementary cover there, or as the main plan only at schools that allow an opt-out.

Yes — worldwide travel is covered during the policy period as long as the majority of your time is spent in Canada. Visits to your home country are allowed but expenses incurred there are not covered, and any condition that arose in your home country is excluded.