The Complete Guide to US Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is something you want to have available when going abroad. Whether you’re taking a trip to visit family or friends in another country, having travel insurance is a good idea. Getting cover can be expensive, and picking the right cover can be overwhelming. This article will give you everything you need to buy US travel insurance.

  USA Immigration   Feb 17, 2023   0   1047  Add to Reading List
The Complete Guide to US Travel Insurance

The cost of travel insurance can pile up the minute you step on an airplane. Before you leave home, you’re considering whether or not to buy a travel insurance policy and, if so, which type is right for you. From accommodating changes at any time to potential medical expenses that could get out of hand, there are plenty of reasons why you’d want to take precautions in case something goes wrong while you’re abroad. If you’re planning a trip to the United States and enjoying peace of mind that your family will be safe and comfortable, then it’s worth buying travel insurance. However, what kind of travel insurance should you buy? We’ve put together this comprehensive guide so that you can understand everything there is to know about US travel insurance.

What is US Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that provides cover for you and your family if something were to happen while you’re abroad. Before you buy travel insurance, you’ll need to decide whether or not you want to cover medical costs. If you do, you’ll need to ensure that the policy you choose provides for “medical evacuation” expenses. This refers to the possibility that you or someone close to you may need to leave the country to receive medical care while you’re abroad. Typically, this is covered by insurance when you travel as solo travel, but if you’re traveling with others, you’ll need to get everyone on the same policy. In addition, some travel insurance policies will cover you if you have to leave the country because of arrest or imprisonment, as well as other types of coverage like trip cancellation coverage, assistance with debtors’ prison sentences, or medical aid.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for the United States? Do I Need Travel Insurance for the United States?

No, technically. If you are visiting the United States for a short time, you are not needed by law to obtain health insurance. Nonetheless, the cost of healthcare in the United States is relatively high; therefore, while medical insurance for tourists to the United States is not required, it is strongly recommended.

A consultation with a doctor in the United States might cost hundreds of dollars. Suppose you are involved in an accident and call an ambulance. In that case, the ambulance journey to the ER alone can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention medical care and hospitalization expenses. You will be responsible for all the costs if you do not have health insurance. And we're talking about bills in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars.

If you want to stay in the United States for more than six months, you can check into US health insurance choices. Please look at the distinctions between travel and foreign health insurance here.

The quantity of coverage you receive is determined by the plan you select. Visitors visiting the United States can find cheap health insurance policies through comparison marketplaces such as Insubuy.

How to Buy US Travel Insurance

To buy US travel insurance, you’ll need to find a reputable broker who will guide you through the process and help you find the right policy. To start the search, you’ll want to ensure that the broker has been selling travel insurance for at least a year. You can also check out websites like TripAdvisor and Twitter to find other travel experts who might be able to help you find the right policy. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, there are many options for buying US travel insurance. Many insurance providers offer “savers” and “compilers” versions of travel insurance, which means that you may pay less for the coverage you want but also give up some of the security of a traditional policy.

When to buy US Travel Insurance

The timing of when you buy travel insurance is highly dependent on your travel goals. For example, if you’re primarily concerned with potential medical expenses while abroad, you’re likely better off getting travel insurance in advance and taking preventative care rather than trying to cover it on the go. You might also want to consider buying travel insurance during your annual planning meeting when you’re trying to get a full grasp of your travel goals to better plan for the future.

The Different Types of US Travel Insurance

There are a few different types of travel insurance that you should consider. For example, there’s medical travel insurance, which you may wish to buy in case you become ill during your trip; trip cancellation coverage, which lets you use the policy if you have to cancel your trip because of a death in the family, medical condition, or some other major event; assistance with debtors’ prison sentence or medical assistance; and travel assistance, which refers to services like upward travel money and return travel permission.

The Importance of Finding the Right Cover

When buying travel insurance, you don’t just want to pick a name out of a hat and hope it matches up with your chosen policy. Instead, it’s essential to carefully examine the cover options available to ensure they fit your needs and are risk-based. For example, you don’t want to get stuck with a policy that doesn’t cover you if something happens while you’re abroad. To help make sure you’re getting a good deal, consider how the insurance company is funded. Most companies are not-for-profit, so there’s usually a good chance that you’re getting a good deal.

What Does US Travel Health Insurance for Visitors Cover?

Usually, all health insurance plans for visitors to the US cover the following:

  • Doctor’s visit
  • Hospitalization (the cost of the hospital room)
  • The cost of prescription drugs and medicine
  • Surgical procedures
  • Emergency services, such as the ambulance and ER
  • The cost of lab tests and X-rays
  • Physical therapy

The following medical procedures, however, are not included in all plans:

  • Dental
  • Maternity
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment)

Where to Find the Best Travel Health Insurance for Visitors to the United States?

One of the first things all tourists to the US have to prepare for when planning their trip is travel health insurance. The easiest way to buy travel health insurance in the US is online. Comparison marketplaces such as Insubuy allow you to quickly compare different plans from the convenience of your home.

What Is the Best Health Insurance Plan for Visitors to the USA?

Here are the best health insurance plans for visitors to the United States:

If you need more clarification on these plans, you can use Insubuy to compare them.

How Can I Get Visitor Medical Insurance in the United States?

Before you buy a health insurance plan for travelers to the United States, you should do your homework and pick one that meets your needs. This entails reviewing several plans and thoroughly reading what they have to offer.

Comparison markets such as Insubuy allow you to compare health insurance policies for visitors visiting the United States.

Before picking which medical insurance plan to purchase, read the policy thoroughly to see how much coverage is provided and for what. Then, read the list below for important considerations while buying visitors' health insurance in the United States.

The coverage: What types of travel health insurance plans are there for visitors?

Coverage-wise, there are two types of travel health insurance plans:

  • Plans with a fixed coverage
  • Plans with comprehensive coverage
Fixed coverage Comprehensive coverage
For this type of health insurance plan, there is a fixed amount that the insurance company pays for every medical procedure, regardless of the cost of the procedure.

So, let’s say there’s a fixed amount of $5,000, but you had to undergo a $50,000 surgery; in this case, you will have to pay approximately $45,000 yourself, depending on the deductible.

For this type of health insurance plan, the insurance company pays a percentage of the cost of medical procedures up to a certain amount. For any costs exceeding that amount, the company pays 100% of the costs up to the policy maximum.

(E.g: After the deductible*, the health insurance company will cover 80% – 90% of the first $5,000, then 100% of the expenses up to policy maximum).

You have to pay a deductible every time you get sick or injured. You have to pay a deductible only once for the entire policy.
They have a lower policy maximum**. They have a higher policy maximum.
They are usually cheaper to purchase. They are more expensive.

*The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket for a medical procedure before the health insurance company begins covering you. For example, if you have a $2,000 deductible, you have to pay $2,000 first, then the company will begin paying.

Concluding Words

Travel is a beautiful way to experience another culture; when you’re willing to put in the effort, you can make some money. Unfortunately, not everyone will be a safe traveler, and if you’re unfortunate enough to be in that group, travel insurance could be lifesaving. If you’re going to be traveling to the United States and you’re unsure whether or not you need travel insurance, it’s worth considering. There are plenty of reasons to be confident in your ability to cover any potential expenses, such as the amount of insurance you decide to purchase, the range of cover options you choose, and the level of assistance you receive should something go wrong.