Here at VisitorsCoverage, we strive to provide the best plans possible. CoverAmerica-Gold and Atlas America are two of the most popular travel medical insurance plans for visitors to the United States. Both are comprehensive plans with strong coverage limits, access to major PPO hospital networks, and acute onset of pre-existing condition benefits. They come from different underwriters and administrators, and have some meaningful differences on coverage maximums, age limits, cancellation costs, and what happens when you travel beyond the U.S.
This Guide Will Cover:
- What each plan includes and how coverage works
- Which hospitals and doctors accept each plan
- Key differences on policy maximums, age limits, and cancellation
- How each plan handles pre-existing conditions
- Which plan makes more sense depending on who you are
- The most common questions travelers have before buying
While there are many similarities between these two plans, there are some key differences. Here's a quick comparison chart that may help you decide which plan is best for you.
What Is CoverAmerica-Gold and Why Is It So Popular?
CoverAmerica-Gold is a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan designed specifically for non-U.S. residents visiting the United States. It also covers incidental trips to Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. The plan is underwritten by SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation and administered by IMG (International Medical Group), one of the oldest and most established travel medical insurance administrators in the country.
What Does CoverAmerica-Gold Cover?
CoverAmerica-Gold pays 100% of eligible medical expenses within the UnitedHealthcare PPO network after the deductible is met. Outside the PPO network, the plan pays 80% of eligible expenses up to a $1,000 out-of-pocket maximum, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Core coverage includes:
- Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgical treatment, lab work, X-rays, and physical therapy
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions (up to the policy maximum for travelers under 70; up to $30,000 for ages 70-79)
- COVID-19 as any other new illness, plus a Public Health Emergency Screening benefit and quarantine indemnity allowance
- Natural disaster coverage (up to $200/day for 5 days plus replacement accommodations)
- Terrorism coverage
- Loss of passport or travel documents (up to $200)
- Loss of checked baggage (up to $1,000)
- Missed international connection (up to $400)
- Discounts on prescriptions (with free prescription card)
- Direct billing
- Border Entry Protection (up to $750 if denied entry to the U.S. with a valid visa)
- No cancellation fees
- Downloadable insurance ID card
Customers find CoverAmerica-Gold to be one of the best values on the market. The combination of comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing, no cancellation fees, and features like Border Entry Protection and missed international connection coverage makes it one of the most preferred visitor insurance plans overall.
What Is Atlas America and Why Is It Popular?
Atlas America is a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan for non-U.S. residents visiting the United States. It is underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC, one of the largest specialty insurance underwriters in the world, and administered by WorldTrips. The plan uses the UnitedHealthcare or First Health PPO network depending on the insured person's home country, and is available for travelers up to age 99.
What Does Atlas America Cover?
Atlas America pays 100% of eligible medical expenses within the PPO network after the deductible is met. Outside the PPO network, the plan pays 80% of the first $5,000 in eligible expenses beyond the deductible, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Core coverage includes:
- Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgical procedures, labs, diagnostics, and prescriptions
- Emergency medical evacuation up to $1,000,000
- Accidental death and dismemberment (varies by age)
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions (up to the overall maximum, available under age 80)
- Physical therapy and chiropractic ($50 per day maximum)
- Natural disaster replacement accommodations ($250/day for up to 5 days)
- Terrorism coverage (up to $50,000)
- Political evacuation (up to $100,000)
- Trip interruption (up to $10,000)
- Travel delay ($100/day after 12-hour delay, up to 2 days)
- Lost checked baggage (up to $1,000)
- Lost or stolen passport/travel visa (up to $100)
- Emergency reunion (up to $100,000)
- Hospital indemnity ($100/day for inpatient hospitalization)
- Personal liability (up to $25,000)
- Crisis response coverage (up to $10,000)
- Border Entry Protection (up to $500 with valid B-2 visa)
- Adventure sports coverage included
- $25 cancellation fee after effective date
- Downloadable ID card via member portal
Customers are drawn to Atlas America for its very high coverage ceiling for younger travelers (up to $2,000,000), its international coverage scope that extends beyond the Americas, its adventure sports coverage, and a robust set of additional benefits including crisis response, hospital indemnity, and personal liability. For travelers who want the highest possible medical maximum or need coverage that works well both in the U.S. and internationally, Atlas America is a strong option.
CoverAmerica-Gold®
Atlas America
A
A
USA and incidental trips to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, and South America. (For non U.S. Citizens)
Covers international travel, including Americas. (For non U.S. Citizens)
Between 5 days and 12 months, can be extended for 2 years
Between 5 days and 364 days
Covers COVID-19 like any other new illness. This plan also covers screening costs and includes an indemnity allowance.
COVID-19 included. (Policy purchased on or after 15th July 2020)
Free cancellations
$25 cancellation fee, after the effective date.
Despite having a visa, you may be denied entry to the U.S. In this event, the plan pays up to $550; this can help you with any related expenses.
Despite having a visa, you may be denied entry to the U.S. In this event, the plan pays up to $500; this can help you with any related expenses.
$400
Does not cover
$30K
$100K
Yes
No
Plan details are subject to change. This article is for educational purposes only. Always review current plan documents before purchasing any travel medical insurance plan.
CoverAmerica-Gold is underwritten by Sirius International with the U.S.'s oldest and most well-reputed travel medical insurance policy administrator IMG (International Medical Group) as the administrator. Atlas America is underwritten by Lloyds of London with WorldTrips as the administrator. Both plans come with VisitorsCoverage's world-class service.
Like other insurance plans, these plans have some exclusions, eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions. We recommend that you review the plan documents carefully before purchasing a travel medical insurance plan.
Which Plan Should You Pick?
For parents under 65, Atlas America's $2,000,000 policy maximum is a significant advantage over CoverAmerica-Gold's $500,000 ceiling. Both plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the full policy maximum for this age group. Atlas America also includes adventure sports and personal liability in the base plan, though those features matter less for most visiting parents. CoverAmerica-Gold counters with no cancellation fees, a higher Border Entry Protection limit, and the missed international connection benefit.
For parents ages 65-79, both plans offer up to $100,000 in coverage. The decision comes down to specific features. CoverAmerica-Gold has no cancellation fee, a higher Border Entry Protection limit, and a longer maximum coverage period. Atlas America has a $25 cancellation fee but includes adventure sports, hospital indemnity, personal liability, and crisis response in the base plan.
For parents age 80 or older, Atlas America is the only option between the two, with a $10,000 maximum.
Regardless,You should pick your travel medical insurance plan based on your needs and which features of a plan will be useful for you. If you need assistance, you can send your specific questions to our Customer Success Team.
You can also learn more about CoverAmerica-Gold or compare it to some of our other top-rated plans for the U.S. and international travel including Patriot America Plus and Safe Travels USA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do these plans cover pre-existing conditions?
Neither plan covers ongoing or chronic pre-existing conditions. Both cover an acute onset, meaning a sudden, unexpected medical emergency tied to a pre-existing condition that was stable for at least 30 days before coverage started and where treatment is sought within 24 hours.
For travelers under 70, both plans cover this up to the full policy maximum. For ages 70-79, CoverAmerica-Gold covers up to $30,000 and excludes cardiac and stroke, while Atlas America continues coverage up to the overall maximum. Neither plan covers acute onset for travelers age 80 or older.
What if I am denied entry to the U.S.?
CoverAmerica-Gold pays up to $750 toward related costs if you are denied U.S. entry with a valid B1 or B2 visa. Atlas America pays up to $500 with a valid B-2 visa. Both plans include this benefit, but CoverAmerica-Gold's limit is higher.
What if my trip is much longer than a year?
CoverAmerica-Gold can be extended up to 24 months of continuous coverage. Atlas America is capped at 364 days total. For very long stays, CoverAmerica-Gold is the only option of the two.
Does Atlas America cover adventure sports?
Yes. Atlas America includes coverage for adventure sports in the base plan. CoverAmerica-Gold does not offer an adventure sports rider. If your trip involves skiing, mountaineering, or similar activities, Atlas America is the plan to consider.
How do I file a claim?
CoverAmerica-Gold claims go through IMG. In-network providers can often bill directly. For out-of-network care, pay first and submit documentation within 180 days of the date of service. Atlas America claims go through WorldTrips. The same general approach applies: in-network providers can bill directly, and out-of-network claims require documentation submitted within the filing window.
Which hospital network does each plan use?
Both plans use the UnitedHealthcare PPO network. UHC is a widely recognized and accepted network, meaning you have a high likelihood of your plan being recognized by most US hospitals. Before purchasing either plan, confirm that the hospitals and providers near your U.S. destination are in-network. You can see which hospitals will accept your plan by going on the UHC PPO network website.
