When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the best travel insurance companies. You can get a 5% discount on Heymondo, the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!
Getting travel insurance for New York is an important part of planning your trip to the Big Apple. While it’s not required, we always recommend getting travel insurance, and we never take a trip without it.
Besides, healthcare in the United States is insanely expensive. We’ve been living here for over 7 years and have seen the high medical care costs first-hand. For example, I visited the doctor once for a splint for two of my fingers, and they charged me $700. Of course, that’s nothing compared to the costs you’ll face if you have to go to the hospital for an emergency.
Needless to say, I always tell my friends and family to get travel insurance before coming to visit. I recommend Heymondo, one of the best travel insurances on the market and the one we’ve been using for years. If you go with this company, use our Heymondo discount code to enjoy 5% off your policy.
I’ll share a few other NY travel insurance options below so you can find the perfect fit for your budget and preferences. Again, travel insurance is always worth it, and when exploring the attractions in NYC or another big city, you never know what could happen. It’s always better to be prepared; it could save you thousands of dollars and a major headache.
Guide to the best travel insurance for New York
To help you choose the best travel insurance for New York, I’m sharing the top four companies. I’ll give you the details on each option, a price comparison, and tips to ensure you’re getting the right coverage for your trip.
- Do you need travel insurance in NY?
- New York travel insurance price comparison
- What is the best travel insurance for New York?
- What does New York travel insurance cover?
I’m sure this guide will convince you that NYC travel health insurance is worth every penny!
Do you need travel insurance in NY?
No, having New York travel insurance isn’t a requirement to visit the United States, but taking out a policy before your trip is a good idea.
The U.S. is notorious for having wildly expensive healthcare, even for residents. Healthcare is privatized here, so even something as simple as a prescription could cost hundreds of dollars.
Do you need travel insurance in NY?
Moreover, the Big Apple is a place full of excitement and attractions, but it’s also a bustling metropolitan hub where accidents and injuries aren’t uncommon. You never know what could happen here, from stolen bags and pickpockets to tripping on the subway.
I don’t say this to scare you; I just want to expose the reality. It’s well worth spending a bit of money upfront on a solid NYC travel insurance policy rather than shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars for medical care.
How much does medical care cost in New York?
To give you a better idea of how much healthcare costs in the United States, here is a chart with the prices for some standard services:
MEDICAL SERVICE | COST |
|---|---|
Price of a medical visit without tests | $450 |
Price of an emergency room visit | $3,300 |
Price of an x-ray | $550 |
Price of an MRI scan | $1,150 |
Price of a CAT scan | $3,270 |
Price of an appendicitis operation | $11,600 |
Price of a night in hospital | $5,220 |
Price of general anesthesia | $8,800 |
Price of ambulance transport | $1,700 |
Price of an emergency room stay | $2,300 |
AVERAGE COST FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE USA IN 2024 |
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As you can see, medical costs can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are great NY travel insurance plans that cover $500,000 or more in emergency medical expenses. Considering these policies cost a little more than a New York cab ride, I’d say it’s worth it!
You should also keep in mind that where you stay in New York is important. Places like the Bronx and parts of Brooklyn could be sketchier, especially after dark. Even popular attractions like Central Park can be dangerous at night, so stay safe and only visit these places during the day.
Also, as with any other big city, the subway in New York is susceptible to pickpockets. It’s a good idea to keep your valuables and travel documents in your hotel. I don’t recommend carrying a lot of money around, either. If you’re out in the city at night, avoid the subway and take a taxi or Uber instead.
New York travel insurance price comparison
Now that you know how much healthcare can cost, here is a price comparison of the 4 best New York travel insurance plans. For this comparison, I simulated the costs for a UK citizen traveling to NYC for one week.
Price | $34.56 | $20.86 | $28.26 | $25.76 |
Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 |
Medical Expenses Paid Upfront | Yes | No | No | No |
Emergency Medical | $5,000,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
Evacuation & Repatriation | $500,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | $50,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $3,500 | Not covered | 100% of $1,500* | Not covered |
Trip Interruption | $2,500 | $5,000 | 150% of $1,500* | $5,000 |
Baggage Loss | $1,700 | $3,000 | $500 | Not covered |
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR NEW YORK |
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You’ll see that these policies are competitively priced but vary in the amount of emergency medical expenses they cover. Heymondo is the most expensive option here, but it has the highest medical coverage and excellent trip cancellation and baggage loss benefits. Plus, it’s the only company that pays your medical bills upfront, so you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket or worry about filing a reimbursement claim.
What is the best travel insurance for New York?
In addition to Heymondo, there are other excellent NYC travel health insurance plans. I’ll share the main advantages and disadvantages of each one so you can decide which one best suits your trip purposes, coverage needs, and budget.
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance for New York
- SafetyWing, a cheap travel health insurance for NYC
- IMG Global, a good New York travel insurance for seniors
- Trawick International, the best NY travel insurance for students
1. Heymondo, the best travel insurance for New York
First, Heymondo is one of the best travel insurances for NY, and the company we use for all our trips. While it costs a bit more than the other plans we looked at, it offers incredible emergency medical coverage, so you can travel in total confidence.
You’ll also have excellent repatriation and evacuation benefits, as well as no deductible. Heymondo’s trip-related benefits are great and include $3,500 in trip cancellation protection and $2,500 for trip interruption. You’ll also have up to $1,700 in coverage for any lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.
You can add electronic equipment and adventure sports coverage to your policy for just a bit more. So, if you love extreme sports or you’re bringing valuable electronics with you, it’s worth adding this benefit.
What I like best about Heymondo insurance is that it pays your medical bills upfront, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement. Just make sure you contact Heymondo via the 24/7 app so they can tell you which hospital or medical center to go to. If you’re in a rush or forget, don’t worry; they’ll reimburse you for any out-of-pocket costs.
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We’ve been using Heymondo for years, first for their annual multi-trip insurance. Now that we’re traveling full-time, we use their long-stay travel insurance. We’ve had to rely on our insurance more often than I would have liked, but Heymondo has always come through for us. If you choose this company, take advantage of our Heymondo discount for Capture the Atlas readers.
2. SafetyWing, a cheap travel health insurance for NYC
SafetyWing is another great NY travel insurance option. This could be a good choice if you’re looking for cheap travel insurance. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance includes $250,000 in emergency medical expenses and $100,000 for repatriation.
A unique feature of SafetyWing is that you can get coverage in your home country for 30 days after you’ve been abroad for 90 days. Your policy automatically renews every 28 days until you choose an end date, so it’s perfect if you’re forgetful about renewing. Just be aware that this insurance plan has a $250 deductible, meaning you’ll have to pay $250 in medical expenses per claim before SafetyWing starts covering your bills.
Overall, it’s a solid plan if you’re interested in medical-only travel insurance. That said, SafetyWing does have some travel-related benefits, such as $5,000 for trip interruption and $3,000 for baggage loss. If you want trip cancellation coverage and your medical bills paid upfront, I recommend Heymondo.
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3. IMG Global, a good New York travel insurance for seniors
IMG Global is another NYC travel insurance I recommend, particularly for older travelers. Individuals 65 and older can take advantage of the company’s GlobeHopper Senior plan and enjoy excellent coverage for emergency medical expenses and repatriation. IMG Global can also cover pre-existing conditions, but you should check your policy terms to know exactly what’s covered.
In addition to being one of the best travel insurances for seniors, IMG Global has various other plans for tourists, students, and business travelers. You can even customize your policy, choosing a deductible and maximum coverage limit that suits your needs.
Along with medical-related benefits, IMG Global covers up to 100% of your trip costs if you have to cancel your trip and up to 150% if you have to interrupt your trip. However, despite being one of the best USA travel insurances, the company only offers $500 in baggage loss protection. In a city like NYC, that’s a big gamble.
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4. Trawick International, the best NY travel insurance for students
Lastly, Trawick International is a NY travel insurance offering great health-related coverage with some trip-related benefits. With Trawick, you get $500,000 in emergency medical and $50,000 in repatriation coverage.
The price is also very competitive, making this an appealing option for students and those on a budget. You can even get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions with Trawick International, although you must purchase a policy within 14 days to enjoy this benefit.
While this New York travel insurance is affordable, it lacks the trip-related benefits you’d expect from other companies, such as Heymondo. For example, trip cancellation protection isn’t included in the plan, but you can add a Cancel For Any Reason clause for an added fee. To be fair, there is $5,000 in trip interruption, but there is zero protection for baggage loss, something you’d greatly be missing in the Big Apple.
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What does New York travel insurance cover?
If you need more help deciding on the best travel insurance for New York, I’ve got you covered. Below are the essentials that any policy should include. Use these as guidelines for choosing your perfect NYC travel insurance plan.
Emergency medical expenses
This is the first thing you should consider when choosing USA travel insurance since healthcare is extremely expensive in this country.
If you get sick or hurt during your trip, this coverage will take care of your doctor’s visits, tests, medications, treatments, and hospitalization. Of course, each policy is different, so I recommend looking through your NY travel insurance plan to know exactly what is covered.
Repatriation & early return
Repatriation is when you have to return to your home country because of an illness, injury, or death. It’s an important component of NYC travel insurance and should include a substantial amount to cover the transportation costs.
Repatriation & early return
Lost, stolen & damaged luggage
Issues with luggage are all too common when traveling, so this type of coverage is essential. However, the amount included in this benefit varies widely depending on your New York travel insurance. It’s important to check the policy to know the exact limits. Some companies include electronic equipment under this benefit, but most consider it an extra add-on.
Trip interruption & cancellation
In addition to medical-related coverage, your travel insurance for NYC should include trip-related benefits. Trip interruption will ensure you get your money back for accommodation and flights if you need to cut your trip short.
Moreover, trip cancellation recovers your expenses if you need to cancel your vacation. Some policies don’t include this coverage, or they offer it as an add-on, but I always make sure I have it. You can check out our guide to the best trip cancellation insurance for more information.
Also, if you want the option of canceling your trip for any reason, look into Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
Other coverage
Depending on the purposes of your trip, you may want other types of coverage. For example, if you like extreme sports, consider adding adventure sports coverage to your policy. This way, you’ll be covered for accidents while participating in risky activities.
If your plan’s baggage benefit doesn’t include electronic equipment, but you’re traveling with a laptop or camera gear, consider adding this coverage.
Another benefit is natural disaster protection, which will cover transportation and hotel costs if you must evacuate due to a flood, earthquake, fire, or other natural disaster.
Tips for choosing travel insurance for New York
Now you know which are the best travel insurances for New York City. However, if sifting through the different policies is still confusing, check out these helpful tips:
- Look for the best coverage, especially in terms of medical expenses. It’s better to spend a bit more for a high amount of coverage so you can travel worry-free. Heymondo stands out for its excellent coverage-to-price ratio.
- Double-check your insurance policy to know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.
- Medical care in the U.S. is super pricey, so if you aren’t too worried about travel expenses, consider getting medical-only travel insurance.
- Pay attention to the provider’s additional benefits besides travel and medical-related coverage. For example, Heymondo has a 24/7 assistance app, which we’ve used several times in emergencies.
If you keep these recommendations in mind, you’ll have an easier time determining which policy best meets your needs.
FAQs – Travel insurance for New York
To wrap up, here are the answers to some common questions regarding New York travel insurance:
Do you need travel insurance to go to New York?
No, you don’t need NY travel insurance to visit New York or the United States. That said, I highly recommend getting insurance, so you’re covered if anything happens to you during your trip.
How much does New York travel insurance cost?
Travelers insurance for New York can cost as little as $3/day.
Can you go to the hospital in New York without travel health insurance?
Yes, you can go to a doctor or hospital in NYC without travel health insurance, but you’ll have to pay all the medical bills out of your own pocket.
What does NY travel insurance cover?
Your NYC travel insurance should include emergency medical coverage for accidents, injuries, and illnesses. It should also cover repatriation, baggage loss or damage, and trip delay or interruption. Some plans include trip cancellation benefits, or you can purchase this coverage for an extra fee.
What is the best travel insurance for NYC?
The best NY travel insurance, and the one we use, is Heymondo.
What is the cheapest NYC travel insurance?
The cheapest travel insurance for New York City that I recommend is SafetyWing.
Buying New York travel insurance isn’t the most exciting part of planning a trip, but it can save you a lot of hassle in the long run. We’ve had to rely on our coverage more than once, and we quickly realized it was well worth getting travel insurance.
Heymondo has been there for us throughout all our emergency travel ordeals, so I can’t recommend them enough. If you choose this company for your trip, use our Heymondo discount code to enjoy some savings on your policy.
If you have any questions or want to share your experience with any of these NY travel insurance plans, leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to hear from you!
Enjoy your time in the Big Apple!
