If you’re planning a trip to the United States then travel insurance should be at the top of your shopping list. Whether you’re heading into the USA for several months to spend time with family or going to a metropolis like New York City or Chicago for a long weekend, you need to ensure you’re protected.
Travel can be incredibly fun, but there are high costs associated with accidents, injuries, or even delays that can occur while you’re away from home. Travel insurance helps to protect against these unexpected costs and gives you a resource to contact in the event of an emergency while you’re away from the rest of your support network. This makes it easier to enjoy your vacation without worrying about unexpected costs.
What is USA Travel Insurance?
USA travel insurance is insurance available specifically for foreign nationals who are spending time in the United States. It is not available to American citizens. Depending on what type of coverage you purchase, travel insurance for the USA will typically cover costs associated with travel, including:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Emergency healthcare
- Medical expenses
- Car insurance
- Repatriation of remains
- Lost baggage
Travel insurance for USA visitors is typically available for trips as short as one day and can be purchased for up to 364 days at a time.
If you’re a frequent traveler, you may be able to purchase policies that cover multiple trips at once. However, you should check the fine print of your insurance details carefully. Since the United States has such high healthcare costs (more on that below), many worldwide travel insurance policies have specific language excluding the United States from coverage.
Why Travel Insurance for the USA is so Important
While you can visit and spend time in the United States without it, purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended. The United States has the most expensive healthcare costs in the world, and if you need to seek medical care without established insurance, the out-of-pocket costs can be astronomical.
Even something as simple as visiting a community health clinic can cost hundreds of dollars, and emergency room visits with hospital stays can reach well into the hundreds of thousands. A travel insurance policy with healthcare coverage can help ensure the costs you may have to pay are reimbursed.
Some types of travel insurance also provide assistance and resources that can help you find and access medical care, ensuring you don’t have to navigate the complex American medical system alone.
Essential Components of Travel Insurance for the United States
While healthcare coverage is a critical component of any insurance you buy for travel to the USA, it’s not the only form of protection you need. There are several standard components of travel insurance that you should be aware of before you arrive on American soil.
Healthcare coverage
Travel healthcare coverage, also called travel medical insurance, is a component of most travel insurance plans that cover medical treatment costs. Most of the time, only emergencies are covered. This includes unexpected illnesses, injuries, or accidents. Some of the most common emergencies covered by travel medical insurance include:
- Broken bones
- Heart attacks
- Slip and falls
- Strokes
Unlike standard medical insurance, travel medical insurance is not meant for routine or preventative treatments.
In recent months, more people than ever before have been buying travel medical insurance for the USA because of fears of exposure to COVID-19. However, not every plan includes Covid coverage, so checking before you make a purchase is essential.
Trip cancellation coverage
Trip cancellation is a component of most travel insurance plans that covers expenses associated with canceling your trip due to an unforeseen event. For example, if you have a death in the family or an accident at home, this coverage will help reimburse you for costs associated with rescheduling or canceling your hotel stay, airfare, and more.
Disruption and delay coverage
Any time you travel, especially if you transit through an airport, there is a potential for delays. In 2022 alone, flight delays and route changes have affected 20% to 25% of customers, a considerable rise compared to the previous annual standard of just 3% to 5%.
In these situations, even minor delays can lead to significant costs, especially if you end up needing to book a hotel near an airport or stay in the United States for an extra night or even more.
Disruption and delay coverage can help offset these costs, offering reimbursement for canceled flights, unexpected hotel stays, and more.
Baggage and personal effects coverage
Any time you leave home with your valuables, you’re putting them at risk. This is particularly true if you’re traveling by air and are checking luggage.
Baggage and personal effects policies cover incidents of lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal items that may occur while you’re in the United States. While airlines may pay for baggage that is lost or damaged while in their care, there are often delays and limits to their reimbursement. Having this coverage independently ensures you’re never stuck on vacation without clothing, toiletries, or other necessities.
Car insurance for travel to the USA
If you plan on renting a car while you’re in the United States, you may be interested in travel insurance that covers this type of liability. Bundling this coverage with your overall travel insurance can often save you money compared to buying car insurance directly from the rental agency.
Common United States Travel Insurance Providers
Now that we’ve covered a few of the most essential types of coverage you should have, let’s discuss how to purchase it. Travel insurance is often offered as part of a vacation package and can even be bought from your airline. However, to ensure your coverage provides what you need, it’s often a good idea to purchase travel insurance from dedicated providers.
Here are some of the best options for purchasing travel insurance for the United States.
How to Compare USA Travel Insurance
To save you from having to go through all the fine print, there are several different insurance marketplaces available for visitors to the USA. These marketplaces are a great resource to help you compare and contrast plans and policies offered by various insurance providers.
Here are some of our favorite travel insurance marketplaces and comparison sites to help you find the best insurance for your needs.
Find the Right Travel Insurance for Your Next Trip to the United States
Planning a vacation or a trip to see family in the United States is exciting. Don’t let worries about trip delays, illness, or other incidents ruin your anticipation. There are so many options for travel insurance available, so make sure you do your research to find the one that works best for your needs.