Australians come to the United States for many different reasons, from business trips to summer getaways. However, there's one thing they have in common: all Australians visiting the U.S. need travel insurance. Whether you're planning a trip to the U.S. for professional purposes or for sightseeing, purchasing travel health insurance for Australians is a way to ensure you'll be covered during your trip.
What Does Overseas Health Insurance Cover?
Benefits can vary by plan, so you'll need to assess your needs as a traveler and read the policy details carefully before making your selection. Without insurance, a simple doctor visit for a minor illness can cost hundreds of dollars and a hospital visit can run up to thousands of dollars. It's unlikely that the Australian government or your domestic health insurance will pay for these expenses. If you're considering purchasing insurance, here are some benefits commonly provided by overseas visitors health coverage for Australians.
Unexpected Illness or Injury
While every traveler hopes their trip will go exactly as planned, accidents can happen anywhere, so it's important to be covered. Adjusting to the cuisine, climate and culture in the U.S. can also pose health risks for international visitors.
Emergency Situations
Most overseas health insurance plans provide coverage for evacuation in the event of an emergencyusually by helicopter or ambulanceeither to the nearest hospital or back to your home country. This can cost up to $300,000 without insurance.
Changes in Travel Plans
If your luggage gets lost or stolen or you find your passport and travel documents are not where you left them, travel insurance can help replace these items. In addition, if your travel arrangements are interrupted for a covered reason, trip insurance can help.
Why Do You Need Overseas Health Insurance?
It's no secret that healthcare costs in the U.S. can be high, even for U.S. citizens. For this reason, it's more important than ever to obtain travel medical insurance for Australians visiting the U.S. Travel medical insurance coverage provides a wide variety of benefits to make your stay worry-free. Remember, as the Australian Government's SmartTraveller program advises, "if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel." A small investment now can save you a small fortune in the future, so protect your health and finances by purchasing overseas health insurance before traveling to the U.S.
For more information on why you need overseas visitors insurance, we've outlined the most common uses.
Why Buy Insurance From the U.S.?
You may be tempted to purchase travel insurance from your home country, but there are several reasons why buying travel insurance from the U.S. is a better option. First and most importantly, travel insurance purchased in the U.S. is more widely accepted nationwide, so you can worry less about your insurance being denied when you need it most. Second, most travel insurance purchased in the U.S. provides instant coverage, so you're less likely to have to pay up front for medical expenses. Lastly, insurance companies operating in the U.S. have a proven track record and tend to be more reliable than agencies elsewhere.
What Kind of Insurance Do You Need?
With a wide range of plans on the market, it may be difficult to select a plan. To find the plan that's best for you, first assess the condition of your health then take a look at your travel plans. From there, you can compare plans side by side with our compare tool. For travelers with pre-existing conditions, senior travelers and those looking for more complete coverage, a comprehensive plan is the best option. If you are looking for basic coverage at an affordable price, a limited plan may be the way to go.
Facts and Tips for Australians Traveling to the U.S.:
- Check that you have the appropriate visa for your stay and purpose in the U.S.
- Be sure to read up on your destination before traveling so you're prepared for the weather, potential risks and any other alerts.
- Do research to make sure you have all the vaccinations needed to enter the country.
- The Australian government won't cover medical expenses incurred in the U.S., so be prepared for anything with a comprehensive coverage overseas health insurance plan.
- It's best to purchase overseas health insurance from an accredited insurance company in the U.S. for the most reliable insurance
