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!
If you’re looking for insurance for travel to the USA, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compared the top travel insurance companies to find the most convenient coverage for tourists, students, visiting relatives, and workers.
Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2023
For those who want a quick answer, I’ll say that Heymondo is overall the best travel insurance for the USA, especially for visitors who need single-trip insurance, although its long-term travel insurance is excellent for students and expats. Heymondo is the only U.S. travel insurance that pays your medical expenses upfront instead of having you pay them and then file a claim, which is very important in a country like the U.S., where medical bills can be incredibly costly. They even cover COVID medical expenses if you get sick during your trip to the United States.
However, it’s not the only insurance for traveling to the US that we recommend. In this article, we’ll cover the top travel medical insurance for the USA for foreigners visiting the country. You’ll even find the best options for U.S. citizens living abroad and visiting the U.S., although if you’re specifically looking for domestic travel insurance (U.S. residents traveling within the U.S.) or insurance for Americans traveling abroad, I recommend you read our other guides on that.
Best travel insurance for the U.S.
If there’s a country where having travel insurance is crucial, it’s the United States. However, finding the best health insurance for USA travel isn’t always straightforward since it depends on the reason for your trip. Maybe you’re only visiting for a few weeks, or perhaps you’ve come here to work or study abroad. Don’t worry because this guide will help you choose the perfect coverage plan for your needs.
In a nutshell, these are the top five travel insurance companies in the USA:
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance for the USA
- SafetyWing, the best health insurance for visitors to the USA
- IMG Global, the best travel insurance for U.S. citizens visiting the USA
- World Trips, a great work visa health insurance for U.S. travel
- Trawick International, a great student travel insurance for the USA
Cost of travel insurance for the USA
Before we dig into the specifics of each company, here is a quick comparison of USA travel insurance costs. Remember, the price of your coverage will depend on several factors, such as the term length, your age, how much protection you want, and whether you’re purchasing medical-only travel insurance.
Below, you can see the price for travel insurance for foreigners in the USA, using the example of a 30-year-old British citizen taking a two-week U.S. vacation with a trip cost of $2,500:
Price | $69.12 | $41.72 | $53.90 | $53.62 | $42.70 |
Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $250 |
Medical Expenses Paid Upfront | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Emergency Medical | $3,800,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
Evacuation & Repatriation | $540,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $50,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $3,800 | Not covered | 100% of $2,500* | Not covered | Not covered |
Trip Interruption | $1,000 | $5,000 | 150% of $2,500* | $10,000 | $5,000 |
Baggage Loss | $1,800 | $3,000 | $500 | $1,000 | Not covered |
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE USA |
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*price used for example
While Heymondo is a bit more expensive, it’s our favorite insurance since there is no deductible, medical expenses are paid upfront, and many of the coverage limits are higher compared to the other insurance policies.
If you want to know exactly how much travel insurance for the USA will cost, you can get a free quote from the companies I’m sharing below.
1. Heymondo, the best travel insurance for the USA
Whether you’re taking a short vacation to the U.S., studying abroad for a few months, or starting a new job here, Heymondo has the best USA travel insurance overall.
There are several reasons why Heymondo travel insurance is one of the best. First of all, they offer a variety of plans, including single-trip insurance, annual multi-trip travel insurance, medical-only travel insurance, and long-term travel insurance (which is the cheapest option for students and those with U.S. work visas).
Not only that, but Heymondo is the only travel insurance company that pays your medical expenses upfront instead of making you pay for it yourself and then file a claim for reimbursement. This is especially important in the USA, where healthcare fees can be insanely high. Instead of covering those costs upfront and stressing about money until you get reimbursed, Heymondo saves you the hassle and simply pays your medical expenses for you.
Third, Heymondo has an excellent coverage-to-price ratio, giving you a high level of protection for quite an affordable price. Whenever we’ve compared travel insurance for the USA and other purposes, such as when we reviewed the best travel insurance companies of 2023, Heymondo has always stood out for offering competitive pricing while matching or even exceeding similar insurances’ coverage.
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We’ve personally had a great experience using Heymondo on all of our most recent trips. The Heymondo app offers 24/7 customer support, and any time we ran into trouble, the friendly and knowledgeable team was a huge help. Also, our family always buys Heymondo medical insurance for travel to the USA whenever they visit, and they love it too.
Also, just for being our reader, you can get a discount on Heymondo insurance by using the link below.
2. SafetyWing, the best health insurance for visitors to the USA
If you’re on a budget, studying or working abroad, or taking a long-term trip, you should definitely consider getting health insurance for travelers to the USA. As I mentioned, American medical services and healthcare can be incredibly expensive, so buying health insurance is the best way to avoid paying those fees out of your own pocket.
Just be aware that this type of coverage typically doesn’t include coverage for travel-related expenses like baggage loss, trip cancellation, and trip delays. Also, while looking for U.S. health insurance, it’s best to get it through international insurance companies since most American insurance companies require policyholders to be U.S. residents for 6-12 months.
SafetyWing is the best travel health insurance for the USA and one of the overall best medical-only travel insurance options. SafetyWing’s plans are specifically tailored for travelers who want comprehensive medical coverage and can be renewed automatically every month until you choose an end date, so you never have to worry about traveling without coverage.
The Nomad Insurance plan includes coverage for medical-related expenses, such as hospital room and board, ambulance transportation, and emergency dental. You’ll also be covered for several travel-related fees, including evacuation and repatriation, trip interruption, and lost luggage, so it really gives you the best of both worlds.
It’s true that if you don’t want to deal with having to file a claim and waiting for reimbursement, Heymondo also has medical-only travel insurance, which is the best option for anyone who wants the convenience of having their medical bills paid upfront for them.
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3. IMG Global, the best travel insurance for U.S. citizens visiting the USA
If you’re a U.S. citizen living or working abroad, you may be looking for short-term travel insurance to cover you while you return to the States. In this case, getting insurance for U.S. travel can be complicated because while many insurance companies provide great coverage for U.S. citizens traveling abroad, very few of them actually offer coverage for U.S. citizens traveling back to the United States.
Note: If you’re a U.S. citizen living in the States and traveling within the country, what you need is domestic travel insurance. Check our guide on this topic for the best options.
Moreover, American travel insurance companies typically require you to have lived in the U.S. for a certain number of months (usually at least 3-6 months) before they’ll offer you coverage.
That’s why IMG Global offers the best travel insurance for U.S. citizens visiting the USA. IMG Global is known as one of the best trip cancellation insurance companies, and it has excellent cancel for any reason insurance. That said, it’s also a great choice for American expats since its three Patriot America plans not only offer extensive medical coverage but also include basic USA travel insurance.
For example, the Patriot America plan includes comprehensive medical coverage as well as accidental death, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, lost luggage, and natural disaster coverage. Patriot America Plus includes everything in the Patriot America plan, plus the acute onset of pre-existing conditions for people under 70 years of age. Patriot Platinum America is similar to the Patriot America Plus plan, with much higher maximum coverage options ($2,000,000 to $8,000,000) and a renewal period of 36 months instead of 24.
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4. World Trips, a great work visa health insurance for U.S. travel
You just got a job in the U.S. Congrats! So, what’s next? It can be difficult to find travel insurance for foreigners in the USA since most American insurance companies want you to have resided in the country for 6-12 months first.
However, you don’t want to be without coverage for that long since U.S. healthcare is super expensive, especially if you’re paying for those medical expenses out of your own pocket.
Fortunately, World Trips offers the Atlas America Work Visa Health Insurance plan, which is designed for anyone with a temporary work visa for the USA. This plan covers all the things you’d expect your health insurance to cover, such as hospital room and board, local ambulance service, emergency medical evacuation, intensive care, and urgent care.
Another great option for those with a U.S. temporary work visa is Heymondo’s long-term travel insurance. You’ll get all the benefits of Heymondo insurance, including affordable prices, upfront medical payments, and 24/7 app assistance, for a 3-month period, with the option to renew your insurance after that.
It’s true that the Atlas America plans are competitively priced, even for policies with a $0 deductible. In addition, World Trips is one of the best travel insurances for seniors and excellent travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, even for patients up to 79 years old.
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5. Trawick International, a great student travel insurance to the USA
Studying abroad is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re not prepared. Studying in the U.S. is a life-changing experience, but if you suddenly fall ill and have to pay all your medical expenses, that experience will have more negative, long-lasting impacts on your life.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: U.S. healthcare is expensive. Save yourself the stress of dealing with medical expenses and get medical insurance for USA travel before you begin your studies abroad.
Trawick International provides the best international student travel insurance in the USA, offering great coverage and a variety of plan options so you can tailor your policy to fit your needs. For example, the International Student and Scholar Medical Evacuation and Repatriation plan is ideal for students who want to save money and just have coverage for evacuation and repatriation to their home country.
For more coverage, consider the Collegiate Care Essential plan, the most basic and affordable of Trawick’s international student healthcare policies. It has a $250 deductible and includes medical expense protection up to $300,000, as well as coverage for evacuation and repatriation, emergency medical expenses, and accidental death and dismemberment.
Other alternatives include the Collegiate Care Enhanced plan, which offers everything in the Essential plan with higher coverage amounts (up to $500,000) and a lower deductible ($150), or the Collegiate Care Elite plan, which includes everything in the Enhanced policy with an unlimited maximum medical coverage amount and a $100 or $500 deductible.
Finally, the Collegiate Care Exclusive plan offers the most coverage, including everything in the Elite plan with the choice of a $100, $500, or $1,500 deductible.
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If you want other options, IMG Global has several USA travel medical insurance plans geared toward students. The Patriot Exchange Program is designed for those students who meet the US J1 and J2 visa requirements, as well as their spouses and children. The plan covers many medical expenses, including hospital room and board, physician visits, prescriptions, urgent care, emergency room visits, and more.
Alternatively, students who meet the US J1 visa requirements are also eligible for the Student Health Advantage plan, which covers mental health, ambulance, and sports, among other things. It also offers coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions, but only after a twelve-month wait period. You can get even more coverage with the Student Health Advantage Platinum plan, which includes everything in the previous policy, as well as maternity and newborn care.
Of course, you can also get Heymondo’s long-term travel insurance. Student budgets can be tight, so Heymondo is perfect if you want comprehensive U.S. visitor travel insurance that is still affordable. Plus, you’ll have your medical expenses paid upfront for you, so you won’t have to pay anything out of your own pocket.
Do I need health insurance to travel to the USA?
While it’s not an entry requirement to get into the U.S., having travel insurance for the USA is a good idea, and I highly recommend getting coverage before your trip.
Do I need health insurance to travel to the USA?
Many people might think buying travel insurance for the USA is a waste of money, but as we’ve already learned, American healthcare costs are expensive. People who don’t have insurance and need healthcare are often forced to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for medical attention.
If you want to see for yourself, here is a chart of some common medical expenses and their prices in the United States:
PRICES OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES |
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| 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 | $8,774 |
| Price of ambulance transport | $1,700 |
| Price of an emergency room stay | $2,306 |
| AVERAGE COST FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE USA IN 2023 | |
As you can see, the price of any of these procedures is way more costly than what you’d pay for USA travel insurance, so purchasing some coverage is definitely worth it.
Also, travel insurance for a USA trip doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of options for cheap travel insurance that can still give you the coverage you need.
What should travel insurance for the USA cover?
Now that you know how important it is to have travel health insurance for the USA, let’s dive into what exactly you need coverage for. Your U.S. travel insurance should include:
- Medical expense coverage: This coverage is the most important and absolutely necessary since healthcare prices in the United States can be astronomically high if you don’t have insurance. Don’t risk paying out of pocket for a trip to an urgent care center or hospital; make sure you at least have U.S. visitor medical insurance before you travel to the USA.
- Evacuation and repatriation coverage: This type of coverage ensures that you can be sent back to your home country for treatment if you fall seriously ill.
- Trip delay, cancellation, and interruption coverage: You never know when a flight’s going to get canceled or if an illness is going to interrupt your trip. Make sure you’re covered if an emergency causes you to cancel or interrupt your travel plans by getting this type of coverage.
- Baggage loss coverage: Replacing clothes and toiletries can get expensive, so a policy with baggage loss coverage can help you replace your precious items without shelling out your own money.
What should travel insurance for the USA cover?
FAQs – Travel insurance for USA
If you still have questions about buying insurance to travel to the USA, check out the answers to some commonly asked questions below.
Is buying insurance for travel to the USA worth it?
Without a doubt, getting medical travel insurance for the USA is absolutely worth it. Just one visit to an urgent care center or one simple procedure could end up costing you a huge sum that could affect your finances for years to come.
How much travel insurance for the USA should I get?
It depends on how long you’ll be in the U.S., the purpose of your trip, and any underlying health conditions you have. That said, your USA travel insurance should include at least $250,000 in medical expense coverage.
Is travel insurance mandatory for the USA?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for USA entry, but it’s highly recommended since healthcare expenses are notoriously high.
What should travel insurance for the USA cover?
Your health insurance for U.S. travel should definitely include medical expense coverage. You should also get a policy that includes evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and coverage for trip delays, cancellations, and interruptions.
What’s the best insurance for travel to the USA?
The overall best USA travel insurance is Heymondo since it offers comprehensive coverage, affordable prices, a $0 deductible, and, best of all, no upfront, out-of-pocket payments.
In conclusion, the best health insurance for travel to the USA is whichever plan suits your needs. If you just want travel medical insurance in the USA, focus on policies that deliver the most medical coverage.
For those who want to save money and get cheap travel insurance for the USA, look for plans with higher deductibles and lower maximum coverage. If you’re a foreign student or work visa holder, you’ll want to purchase a plan that’s specifically tailored to your situation.
Of course, we consider Heymondo to be the overall best USA insurance for visitors and travelers, thanks to its affordability, $0 deductible, and medical expense coverage. Plus, you’ll never have to pay for U.S. healthcare out of pocket since Heymondo covers the cost upfront.
Remember that you can save even more on Heymondo’s U.S. travel insurance by clicking the discount link below.
I hope this guide helps you choose the best travel health insurance for the USA. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below so I can help you out. Happy traveling!
