Best Travel Insurance for Visiting the USA
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KEY POINTS
Travel insurance protects you against an array of unforeseen financial events, promoting a hassle-free journey
Visitors from other countries touring the USA can opt for all-inclusive insurance plans or those customized specifically for medical needs
Coverage can encompass a wide range of risks, including potential disruptions, delays, and numerous unforeseen events
Importance of Travel Insurance
Travel insurance plays a crucial role in ensuring financial security against unexpected events like trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, or lost luggage, thereby alleviating potential financial burdens and unnecessary stress.
Many travel insurance providers offer 24/7 assistance for both travel and medical needs, with some extending services such as identity theft protection and concierge services. These offerings prove invaluable during travel-related crises, providing necessary support to navigate unanticipated challenges.
International Travelers Need Medical Insurance
Travelers from abroad should prioritize securing medical coverage, as the potential financial repercussions stemming from unforeseen medical incidents can far surpass those associated with non-medical risks.
You may enjoy comprehensive medical coverage at home, but such coverage may not extend beyond your borders.
In extreme circumstances, medical emergencies in foreign jurisdictions can lead to mounting medical bills, prolonged litigation, and potential personal bankruptcy.
Travel insurance can fill the gaps in healthcare expenses during international trips for things like accidents, illnesses, emergency evacuations, surgery, and more.
Moreover, travel insurance goes beyond medical coverage, encompassing non-medical aspects like trip cancellations, interruptions, and lost belongings. This comprehensive support ensures you have the financial assistance needed to navigate unforeseen challenges while traveling.
Key Travel Insurance Coverages
You have a wide array of insurance options. They typically fall into two categories: coverage specific policies (e.g., medical, adventure/extreme sports) and all-inclusive plans that encompass diverse insurance types.
Comprehensive plans are typically offered in different tiers, providing the flexibility to customize further with various upgrades. Specialty plans may also offer tiered options with optional upgrades.
The following outlines the typical coverages found in travel insurance policies.
Medical
Coverage may extend to accidents, sickness, emergency dental issues, evacuation, repatriation, burial expenses, accidental death & dismemberment, and more.
Generally, pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage. However, some travel insurance providers offer waivers in specific situations, and typically require the coverage to be purchased within a designated timeframe from the trip's purchase date.
Adventure travel and extreme sports are usually excluded from standard coverage. Nevertheless, some policies provide optional upgrades for such activities, while others are specifically tailored to cater to the risks associated with these ventures.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
This provides protection for unforeseen trip cancellations, reimbursing non-refundable trip costs. Reasons for cancellation may encompass illness, job loss, family death, natural disasters, personal emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Certain insurance plans include or offer optional add-ons such as Cancel for Any Reason, Cancel for Interruption, and Cancel for Work. These are highly sought-after features that can provide a high degree of financial security.
Flight Delays & Missed Connections
This insurance coverage becomes invaluable in instances such as missing a cruise departure due to a connecting flight delay, an overnight stay due to a significant flight delay, experiencing disruptions caused by airport closures and severe weather conditions, and more.
Personal Belongings & Baggage Delays
Normally, this coverage extends to the replacement of personal items and compensation for delays in timing. There is usually a maximum claim limit and maximum limit per item for personal belongings.
Additionally, the baggage delay coverage comes into effect after a specified time outlined in the policy, which can vary from 3 hours to 24 hours or more. This ensures that you receive reimbursement for delayed baggage, providing financial support for essential items during the specified waiting period.
Having discussed the fundamentals of travel insurance, let's delve into the options offered by the industry leaders that are designed specifically for individuals from other countries traveling to the USA.
Best Travel Insurance for Visiting the USA
Trawick offers a variety of Safe Travel plans tailored for non-U.S. residents journeying within and outside the USA. The following outlines key features of their premium-tier plans (upgrades reflected when applicable):
|
Highlights |
Inside USA |
Outside USA |
|
Trip Protection |
||
|
Trip interruption |
$5,000 |
$7,500 |
|
Trip delay |
- |
$7,000 |
|
Medical |
||
|
Emergency medical |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Emergency reunion |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Evacuation |
$2,000,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
Pre-existing conditions |
$1,000 |
$20,000 |
|
AD&D |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
Baggage / Belongings |
||
|
Personal items |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Other |
||
|
Return to home country |
$25,000 |
- |
|
Sports activities |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Underwriter |
||
|
Crum & Forster SPC |
||
Seven Corners offers both single trip and annual medical plans specifically crafted for non-U.S. travelers exploring destinations within and outside the USA. Below are the highlighted features of these plans (upgrades reflected when applicable):
|
Highlights |
Single trip |
Multi-Trip/Annual |
|
Trip Protection |
||
|
Trip interruption |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Medical |
||
|
Emergency medical |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Emergency reunion |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Dental - accident |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Dental – pain relief |
$200 |
$250 |
|
Evacuation |
$500,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Pre-existing conditions |
$50-$75,000 |
$20,000 |
|
AD&D |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
AD&D – Flight |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Baggage / Belongings |
||
|
Personal items |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Other |
||
|
Return of children |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Personal liability |
$50,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Adventure activities |
To med max |
To med max |
|
Underwriter |
||
|
Company |
Crum & Forster |
Lloyd’s of London |
AIG offers a range of Travel Guard plans tailored specifically for Canadian travelers. Here are key features of their comprehensive All-Inclusive plan:
|
Trip Protection |
|
|
Trip cancellation |
100% Trip cost |
|
Trip interruption |
100% Trip cost |
|
Trip delay |
$5,000 |
|
Missed connection – change fee |
$2,000 |
|
Cancel for any reason |
75% Trip cost |
|
Wedding cancellation |
Included |
|
Medical |
|
|
Emergency medical 0-59 years |
Unlimited |
|
Emergency medical 60+ years |
$10,000,000 |
|
Dental – blow to face |
$1,500 |
|
Dental – other |
$600 |
|
Evacuation |
$300,000 |
|
Pre-existing conditions |
Waiver option |
|
AD&D – Travel |
$50,000 |
|
AD&D – Flight |
$100,000 |
|
Baggage / Belongings |
|
|
Personal items |
$1,000 |
|
Delay |
$750 |
|
Other |
|
|
Return dependent child |
Included |
|
Return travel companion |
One-way ticket |
|
Return vehicle |
$2,000 |
|
Pets – return |
$1,000 |
|
Pets – vet services |
$300 |
|
Underwriter |
|
|
AIG Insurance Company of Canada |
|
AIG also provides medical-only plans for individuals who do not require the non-medical coverage included in the all-inclusive plan.
Tailored for Canadians, Travel Insured's Trip Protector plan comes with the following key features:
|
Trip Protection |
|
|
Trip cancellation |
100% Trip cost |
|
Trip interruption |
150% Trip cost |
|
Trip delay |
$1,000 |
|
Missed connection |
$500 |
|
Cancel for work reasons |
Included |
|
Medical |
|
|
Emergency medical |
$1,000,000 |
|
Evacuation |
$1,000,000 |
|
AD&D – Travel |
$10,000 |
|
AD&D – Flight |
Up to $1,000,000 |
|
Baggage / Belongings |
|
|
Personal items |
$1,000 |
|
Delay |
$300 |
|
Underwriter |
|
|
Northbridge General Insurance Corporation |
|
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is advisable to adopt a proactive stance regarding your travel insurance requirements and not simply opt for your travel provider's insurance for the sake of convenience.
The mentioned insurance providers present compelling coverage choices and are supported by underwriters with outstanding credit ratings.
Feel free to explore our Travel Insurance Guide for valuable insights on protecting both your journey and your finances.
Wishing you safe travels and an enjoyable trip!
