Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for the US 

1. What is travel insurance for the US? 

Travel insurance is designed to protect travelers from sudden and unexpected medical emergencies during their short stay in the US. The plans offer medical and travel-related benefits so that visitors to the US do not have to pay hefty bills from their pockets. Travel insurance plans can cover eligible medical incidents, evacuations, hospital visits, doctor visits, urgent care, COVID-19, and more. These plans can also cover financial losses dues to trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, loss of baggage, personal effects, etc. These policies can be of two types- comprehensive and fixed. Not all plans cover everything, so check the brochure or plan certificate for coverage and limitations. 

2. Which travel insurance is best for the US? 

Comprehensive plans like the Safe Travel USA Comprehensive, Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, and Limited or Fixed benefit plans like Visitors Care, and Safe Travels Elite are the popular travel insurance plans for visitors coming to the US. 

3. Do I need travel insurance to travel to the USA? 

Visitors do not need to carry travel insurance to the US. However, the healthcare system in the US is complicated and expensive. Therefore, not every visitor can spend money from their pockets if there is a medical emergency. With an insurance policy, one can receive cashless treatment in hospitals and clinics for a new medical illness or injury during travel.  

If parents are visiting the US, it is suggested to get a medical insurance policy keeping their medical history in mind. Purchasing insurance becomes mandatory if international students are coming to the US on a J1 or F1 visa. J1 students need medical insurance that meets the visa requirements set by the US Department of State. 

Most F1 students need to buy insurance from their schools/universities, or they will not be allowed to enroll in the programs. However, they may get the choice to opt-out of their school-sponsored insurance program with a waiver form and buy a policy from outside. 

4. Can I get travel insurance to travel to the US? 

Yes. Visitors coming to the US for business, leisure, and entertainment can get travel medical insurance for their brief stay. 

5. Who is the best travel insurance provider? 

Visitor Guard® has been operating in the insurance industry since 2003. It displays various plans for visitors, parents, new immigrants and green card holders, international students, and more. The plans are designed while keeping every traveler’s need in mind. The company aims to provide the best insurance insight before buying any plan. Contact us to find out more. 

6. Can visitors to the US get insurance? 

Visitors coming to the US cannot buy domestic plans from healthcare.gov. These plans are available only to US residents or citizens. Hence, the visitors can buy health insurance policies from any reputable private insurance company, like us, as per their traveling needs. 

7. How much does the US travel insurance cost? 

It can be hard to generalize the US travel insurance cost as several factors decide the cost.  There are fixed and comprehensive plans. Visitors must pay a higher premium if they choose a comprehensive plan but enjoy better protection. Whereas the fixed benefits plans are economical but come with pre-defined limits and offer lesser protection. 

The premium depends on four main factors- traveler’s age, number of days coverage is needed,  policy maximum, and deductible one opts for. The higher the policy maximum, the higher will be the premium, but the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Moreover, the premium increases when optional benefits are added to a plan. 

Visitor Guard® site allows visitors to compare the plans and get quotes. For more details on the plan cost, call us or drop us an email. 

8. Why is US travel insurance so expensive? 

The US travel health insurance is a one-time payment that can save visitors from spending thousands of dollars from their pockets on doctor’s bills and hospitalization charges. They must pay the deductible as the policy states; After the deductible has been met, the plan covers as per the schedule of benefits of the chosen plan. Insurance protects finances and provides peace of mind while traveling abroad. There are Fixed and Comprehensive plans. The Fixed are more economical plans, but these plans offer coverage with certain pre-defined limits. If visitors are willing to take risks and are all right for paying out of pocket, they can consider the fixed-benefit travel plans. 

9. Who is the best company for travel insurance? 

Visitor Guard® has been in the insurance market since 2003.  The company is reliable and popular in the US. The robust plan choice is well-liked by customers. The reviews and testimonials further show how happy the clients are with the services. 

10. Is travel insurance mandatory for the US in 2022? 

Travel health insurance plans for foreigners are not mandatory to come to the US in 2022. However, without an insurance policy, one must be prepared to pay out-of-pocket medical costs, which are exorbitantly high. Furthermore, as medical emergencies can happen anytime, it is recommended to be covered with a health insurance policy to safeguard finances. 

11. Is travel insurance worth the cost? 

It may seem an unnecessary expense initially, but it comes with many benefits, especially in a foreign land. The US has the most expensive healthcare system worldwide, so not everyone can afford to pay their medical bills. The plans can also cover emergency medical evacuation, accidental death, and dismemberment, repatriation of remains, etc. Overall, it saves travelers from spending much on medical emergencies during their vacation. So, yes, it is worth the cost. 

12. Does Indian insurance work in the US? 

Indian insurance can work in the US, depending on the plan one buys. Typically, standard health insurance plans in the home country may offer little to zero coverage in the US. If plans provide coverage, the processing of a  claim from India may take time. The hospitals and doctor’s offices find it more convenient to reach out to local insurance companies to verify benefits and submit claims.  

13. Should I buy travel insurance from India or the US? 

When visiting the US, buying US travel insurance plans is recommended. These plans are recognized within the network, healthcare providers, doctors, and hospitals. When travelers buy the plans, they get confirmation on their email and a health insurance ID. On showing the ID, the hospitals recognize the insurance and can reach out to the insurance company to verify benefits and charge the members accordingly. In addition, the claim process is smooth and hassle-free.