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Trip insurance for the United States is essential for travelers as it offers the ultimate protection against unexpected situations that can disrupt your trip.
While travel medical insurance is also an option for US visitors, trip insurance is another form of travel insurance that can offer both protection for trip expenses and emergency medical expenses for travelers to the United States.
What Is Trip Insurance?
Trip insurance is a type of travel insurance that offers coverage for your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses.
If you have to cancel your trip or if your travel plans are interrupted or delayed due to a covered reason under your policy, you can receive reimbursement for eligible nonrefundable trip costs.
What Can Trip Insurance for Visitors to the US Cover?
Trip insurance can offer a variety of coverage for visitors to the United States.
The benefits of U.S. trip insurance for visitors include:
- Trip Cancellation: Should you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, such as illness or severe weather, trip insurance may cover you. It is also beneficial if your airline does not cover flight changes.
- Trip Interruption: If you need to cut your trip short for an unexpected, covered reason after it has started, this benefit helps reimburse the costs you've already paid for and supports you in getting home safely.
- Trip Delay: If your flight or other transportation is delayed by several hours, this benefit can cover costs such as meals, hotel accommodations, or even new transportation, allowing you to continue your journey without absorbing the full financial hit.
- Baggage Protection: If your baggage is severely delayed or lost while in transit, the policy can reimburse a traveler for the cost of essential items purchased during that time, such as new clothing, toiletries, or other necessary items.
- Accident & Sickness: Accidents and sudden sicknesses can happen anywhere. If you find yourself in this situation, especially coming from abroad, you may be protected.
Most importantly, it covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs such as your flight, hotel, tours, and transportation if your trip was cancelled or interrupted for a covered reason. For example, if you have a covered sickness or injury before your trip that requires medical attention and prevents you from traveling, you can have coverage for any expenses you’ve paid for your trip that aren’t refundable.
What Doesn't Trip Insurance Cover?
When purchasing a trip insurance plan, here are some things that trip insurance doesn’t typically cover that you should keep in mind:
- Costs that are refundable, for example, refundable flight tickets
- Cancellations or interruptions for reasons that aren’t covered under the policy
- Routine, preventative, or elective medical care expenses
- Any loss due to war or acts of war
- Childbirth or pregnancy
- Professional athletic or sporting events
Can Visitors to the US Get Trip Insurance?
Trip insurance is available for non-U.S. residents who are visiting the United States. However, many trip insurance plans are designed for U.S. residents, so it is important to check eligibility of a trip insurance plan before purchasing.
Is Trip Insurance Different From Travel Medical Insurance?
Trip insurance is different from travel medical insurance, or visitors insurance.
Trip insurance is designed to act as travel protection, providing financial coverage for almost all of your trip expenses. Most trip insurance plans offer comprehensive medical coverage, comparable to travel medical insurance, while also providing benefits for travel cancellations and interruptions, lost baggage, trip delays and more. If you are looking to protect the financial investment of your trip, trip insurance might be for you.
Additionally, if you are someone with a pre-existing medical condition, there is more coverage for you with trip insurance. Trip insurance offers a pre-existing condition waiver, meaning that if you are qualified to get the waiver, the majority of claims related to your pre-existing condition will not be excluded.
Travel medical insurance is designed to provide comprehensive protection for emergency medical expenses for any eligible new illness or injury that occurs during your travels. That being said, if you are more concerned about your health while traveling to the U.S. than the trip benefits, it is recommended to do the research on travel medical insurance.
Best Trip Insurance Plans for USA Visitors
These trip insurance plans are designed for non-U.S. residents visiting the United States.
Why Travel Insurance Is Necessary for US Visitors
Travel insurance is extremely important for visitors to the United States from abroad.
Medical expenses in the United States are extremely high. Without coverage, visitors can potentially be left in financial ruin if the unexpected were to occur during their trip and emergency medical attention is necessary. While making sure you are covered medically, trip insurance allows you to be covered financially.
Trip insurance can recoup up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you need to cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. Traveling to the U.S. may be expensive, and it is important to make sure you get the coverage you need so you do not lose all of the money you invested in for your trip.
Travel insurance can ensure that if an unforeseen accident or illness were to happen during your travels, which isn’t as uncommon as you think, you’ll have protection.
Life happens. Although no one wants to think the worst will happen before or during their trip, having security with give you peace of mind in a time where travel can often be uncertain.
Get Covered for Your US Visit
With travel insurance, you can fully enjoy your trip to the United States knowing that you have a vital safeguard in a variety of situations.
Still have questions? Reach out to our Customer Success Team for further assistance.
- Trip insurance for the U.S. offers protection for your nonrefundable trip expenses such as your flight, hotel, and transportation in the event of a covered cancellation or interruption.
- US trip insurance also offers coverage for emergency medical expenses.
- Having medical coverage is crucial for the U.S. where medical costs are extremely high.
- Trip insurance and travel medical insurance offer different types of coverage for visitors to the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does trip insurance typically cost for visitors to the U.S.?
Trip insurance typically costs about 510% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, but the price can vary based on factors like your trip cost, length, age, destination, and any optional add-ons. While it adds a small amount to your travel budget, trip insurance can help protect you from major losses if your plans change unexpectedly.
Can I use my home country's health insurance in the USA?
The majority of health insurance plans from outside the U.S. provide little to no coverage once you are in the country. A trip to the emergency room in the U.S. can be highly expensive for any traveler, especially coming from abroad. It is important to make sure to contact your insurer and see if you are covered in the U.S., and get that extra coverage that trip insurance provides just in case.
Are there age limits or restrictions for coverage?
Generally, there are plans that cap at age 99, but the higher it goes in age, the more premium may increase. Imagine you are an 80-year-old trying to get a trip insurance plan. You might face reduced medical benefits and trip duration. If you are a senior over 65, you should look into plans that are more specialized for your needs and to purchase trip insurance as soon as possible to complete the pre-existing medical condition waiver.
Can I extend my coverage if I decide to stay longer in the USA?
Trip insurance coverage may be extended only if the entire trip is covered by the policy and your return is delayed due to unavoidable circumstances such as illness or natural disasters. This extension will terminate on the earlier of two dates: when you arrive at your originally scheduled return destination, or when the stated extension time frame in your policy lapses. You should refer to your policy documents for specific terms and conditions.
Is there a 24/7 assistance number I can call while in the USA?
Most travel insurance plans come with travel assistance services, however, it is best to double-check your policy to make sure that it is a specific benefit. Additionally, verify that 24/7, medical, and emergency support are offered by your policy, along with assistance for travel disruptions and document support. These services can support your journey and ease any stresses you may have along the way.
While contacting travel assistance services, it is helpful to have your policy ID number and company name on hand, along with your full name, date of birth, and any medical conditions. If you do not have your policy ID, you can also access and download your policy documents by signing into your VisitorsCoverage Account. Some insurance plans will call the ID number by a different name, such as certificate or policy number.
Does the pre-existing condition waiver apply if I was hospitalized for asthma 3 months ago?
Since the time you had asthma falls around the “look-back” period that most insurers use (60-90 days), the waiver is essential for coverage. You must apply for the pre-existing condition waiver, which you would have to do the following:
- Purchase the policy soon after making your first trip payment (often within 1421 days)
- Insure the full cost of the trip including your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses
- Be medically stable at the time of purchase
With the waiver in place, your policy may cover your trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays related to your asthma, which would otherwise be excluded from your policy without the waiver.
If I need to see a doctor in the U.S., do I pay upfront and get reimbursed later?
It typically depends on the care you receive. For emergency hospitalizations, direct billing may be available, but it is best to contact the 24/7 assistance services to explain your situation and they may direct you to a hospital that can provide direct billing. With non-emergency care, you typically pay upfront at a clinic or urgent care and then file a claim for reimbursement.
If my flight is delayed 8 hours, exactly what expenses will be reimbursed?
If your flight was significantly delayed, trip insurance may provide coverage for the following:
- Meals and beverages during the delay (up to a limited amount)
- Accommodation if the delay extends overnight
- Local transportation
- Essential toiletries and clothing if luggage is inaccessible
- Non-refundable prepaid expenses lost due to the delay
What documentation do I need to file a claim?
The necessary documents you will need to file a trip insurance claim can be various items such as copies of your passport and/or US visa/entry stamp, itemized medical bills, and receipts. However, each provider may have slightly different steps. Typically, your insurance company will let you know which type of documents they expect, but if they don’t specify, check your policy or reach out to their customer service team for guidance. The more information or documentation you provide, the better. Keeping clear records and acting promptly can help the process go more smoothly.
