Can You Travel While on Long-Term Disability in Canada?

Yes — you can travel while on long-term disability (LTD) in Canada, but only if your doctor approves the trip, you continue all required treatment, and your insurance company gives permission before you leave.

Travelling without approval can lead to your LTD benefits being paused, denied, or cut off, even when you’re genuinely unable to work.

This guide explains what Canadians need to know before taking a vacation or leaving the country while on LTD.

Can You Take a Vacation While on Long-Term Disability?

Yes, you can — but insurers often treat vacation travel as a warning sign.
Insurance companies may question:

• Whether your injuries or illness are severe
• Whether you’re compliant with treatment
• Whether the activities on your trip match your reported limitations
• Whether you’re medically able to work

A simple trip can lead to increased surveillance or an unexpected claim review.

LTD travel is treated very differently than STD travel — because LTD is meant for long-term maintenance, not active recovery.

Do You Need Permission From Your Insurance Company to Travel?

In most LTD policies, yes.

Insurers usually require that you:

• Notify them in advance
• Provide your doctor’s written approval
• Give your travel dates and location
• Confirm you can access treatment or medication while away
• Stay reachable during the trip

Travelling without notifying your insurer is one of the most common reasons claims are cut off.

Why Insurers Question Travel on LTD

Insurance companies watch travel closely because it can conflict with your reported limitations.
They often raise concerns if:

• The trip involves long flights or extended walking
• You appear active on social media
• You miss a medical appointment
• The destination seems physically demanding
• You take multiple trips in a short time
• Your doctor didn’t approve the travel

Even medically necessary travel (e.g., visiting family for support) can trigger a review if not handled properly.

Do Insurers Use Surveillance When You Travel?

Yes.
Travel periods — especially around holidays — are prime times for insurers to increase:

• Social media monitoring
• In-person surveillance
• Airport or hotel observations
• Activity tracking through public posts

Surveillance is not illegal, and insurers use it to look for inconsistencies — even minor ones.

Does Travel Mean You Are “Able to Work”?

Not necessarily.
But insurers sometimes argue that if you can:

• Sit on a flight
• Walk through an airport
• Go sightseeing
• Attend events
• Carry luggage

…then you might be able to work in a sedentary or modified role.

This is why doctor approval and clear documentation are so important.

How Travel Can Risk Your LTD Benefits

Your LTD claim may be questioned or stopped if:

• You travel without informing your insurance compan
• Your doctor doesn’t support the trip
• You miss therapy, physiotherapy, or assessments
• You appear more active than your medical restrictions
• Medical treatment becomes inconsistent
• You can’t attend an insurer-scheduled medical exam
• Your insurer cannot reach you for updates

Travelling Within Canada vs Leaving the Country

Travelling within Canada

Generally safer, but you still need:

• Doctor approval
• Ongoing treatment
• Notice to your insurer

Travelling outside Canada

Stricter requirements because:

• You may miss appointments
• Medical continuity is harder
• Policies often include specific out-of-country rules

Some policies limit how many days you can be out of Canada per year.

Sun Life, Manulife, and Canada Life: Travel Rules on LTD

Most insurers follow the same principles, but the details vary.

Sun Life LTD and Travel

Sun Life often requires:

• Written notice
• Reason for travel
• Confirmation that travel won’t delay treatment
• Access to medication while abroad

Sun Life is known for increasing surveillance around trips.

Manulife LTD and Travel

Manulife may deny travel if:

• Your medical plan includes weekly therapy
• You have pending assessments
• Your doctor’s note isn’t clear enough

Canada Life LTD and Travel

Canada Life is strict about:

• Continuing treatment during travel
• Staying reachable
• Attending assessments
• Proving the trip is consistent with your limitations

How to Protect Your LTD Benefits Before Travelling

Follow these steps:

1. Get written approval from your doctor
   A clear statement that travel will not interfere with treatment or recovery.
2. Notify your insurer in writing
   Share: Dates, location, contact information, how you’ll continue treatment
3. Confirm access to treatment
   If needed, book local appointments in advance.
4. Keep your activities low-key
   Avoid long hikes, heavy luggage, or anything inconsistent with your limitations.
5. Be careful on social media
   Insurers check posts even when your account is private.
6. Respond quickly to insurer emails
   If they can’t reach you, they may suspend benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling on LTD

Can my LTD benefits be denied because I travelled?

Yes, if the insurer believes the trip contradicts your medical restrictions or interrupts treatment.

Do you always need permission to travel?

Most LTD policies require advance notice and approval.

Can I take a long vacation while on LTD?

Possibly — but long trips often raise more questions and require strong medical documentation.

Can my insurer demand I return early?

Yes. Missing medical assessments or treatment can lead to termination of benefits.

Is it okay to travel for family emergencies?

Yes, but notify your insurer immediately and provide your doctor’s note.

When to Speak With a Disability Lawyer

If your insurer is:

• Delaying approval
• Questioning your travel
• Increasing surveillance
• Suggesting you are “fit to work”
• Threatening to stop payments
• Denying or cutting off your LTD claim

…you should speak with a long-term disability lawyer right away.

Our team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP helps clients across Canada fight unfair LTD denials and get the compensation they’re owed.

• ✅ Free consultation
• ✅ No upfront fees
• ✅ Millions recovered
• ✅ Canada’s most-reviewed disability law firm