Guide for American visitor insurance, Resource for visitors insurance to USA
When should I buy visitors insurance?
It is advisable for visitors to purchase
visitors medical insurance before leaving one’s home country. It is prudent for visitors to purchase visitors travel insurance after the confirmation of the travel plans and purchase of the airline tickets. It is safe to request for the start date of visitors insurance coverage which will be the departure date from one’s native country. However, do note that the insurance plans offered on American visitor insurance can be purchased at any time even after the journey has started.
How do I buy visitors insurance plan?
Buying visitors medical insurance is very simple as customers can compare various quotes according to one’s age group and then make an online purchase using a credit card. Our
visitors insurance compare tool is very easy to use and also will be useful for customers to access quotes according to their age group.
Can I go to any hospital covered with visitors insurance?
The hospital you visit depends on the insurer chosen and the visitor’s insurance plan purchased. Under some insurance plans, there will be PPO (Preferred Provider Network) or a network of hospital where a visitor can expect cashless hospitalization. However, if the insurer is hospitalized outside of the PPO network then there is will usually be a reimbursement of the medical bills paid. Insurance customers can understand about visitors insurance and PPO network using our
visitors insurance compare facility.
How are the visitors insurance providers rated?
The insurance companies who offer visitors insurance are rated by A.M. Best rating an independent rating company. Using visitors insurance compare facility at American Visitor Insurance customers can access the details of A.M. Best ratings of respective insurance companies. Insurance customers can find the A.M. Best Ratings under the plan details column provided at
visitors insurance compare tool.
There are so many options in insurance policies, how do I know which plan suits me best?
To help you answer that question we offer 24/7 customer support. This can be a very appropriate question which cannot be answered simply. There are many factors that go into this answer -- your age, the length of your stay, where you are going, etc. You cann call us at 877-340-7910 or
email American Visitor Insurance and a licensed agent who understands the policies very well can tell you your best options. At American Visitor Insurance, a user-friendly utility that can
compare visitors insurance is available for the customers to evaluate quotes before making a purchase.
What is the difference between the fixed policies and comprehensive policies?
Fixed benefit and comprehensive benefit policies are two types of visitors insurance plans available for the visitors. Insurance customers can enter their age in the
visitors insurance compare tooland get various visitors insurance plans that are distinguished as fixed and comprehensive benefit policies and their premium cost and other details according to the age group. Click here for the difference between fixed and comprehensive plans .
How much insurance should I buy?
The answer, of course, depends on the individual traveling and your appetite for risk. Do note that the policies we offer are covered and paid out in US dollars. If you are travelling to the US, then we recommend coverage anywhere in the range of $50,00 to $300,000, this given the high cost of healthcare in the United States. This is the coverage that most colleges and universities also require of their international students and should fully cover even a serious accident or medical problem. However, if you are travelling to Europe, the Schengen visa requires only $50,000 ($30,000 Euros), so this is the amount I usually suggest for that part of the world.
Can I get a discount if I buy from you?
The insurance industry is highly regulated. It is illegal for us as an agency to offer rebates or valuable incentives to purchase through us. However, given that we offer a wide range of options, you can find the best priced policy and you do not pay any extra when you buy through us or any other agency. In fact, some policies that we offer may not even be available directly from the insurer.
What advantage is there to buying insurance from AVI?
While you pay nothing extra for going through an agency like American Visitor Insurance, you do get an additional support help for free. We have customer service hours after the insurance company has closed and we also have contacts with all the companies which we can use to expedite your issues or requests with the companies. We work hard to be sure our customers are treated appropriately and get responses in a timely manner. Also, at American Visitor Insurance a user friendly
visitors insurance compare tool is available for the convenience of the insurance customers.
Is it safe to purchase insurance through your website? Why should I buy insurance online?
Yes, absolutely. We make sure that all our sites are secure when you choose to buy the insurance. After your purchase, you will immediately get a certificate or ID number issued to you; write this down in case other emails or notices do not reach you. This will allow you and us to communicate with the insurance company. Furthermore, purchasing the insurance online keeps the cost down for the insurance company and they pass this savings on to you. If you were to purchase the same insurance via fax or mail, some companies use higher rates than those offered for on-line purchases.
Do you sell insurance for international students and their dependents?
Yes, we do sell insurance for F1 and F2 visa holders. International students can use our
student medical insurance compare tool and get of insurance according to your needs. Note that if the student already has insurance and the dependents do not, the dependents themselves are NOT eligible for special student insurance unless they are students themselves. In that case, they can purchase insurance in our "visitor insurance" category.
Do you sell insurance for F1 and F2 visa holders?
Yes, we do sell insurance for F1 and F2 visa holders. International students can use our
student medical insurance compare tool and get of insurance according to your needs.
Do you sell insurance for J1 and J2 visa holders?
Yes, we do sell insurance for J1 and J2 visa holders at our J visa insurance section. Customers can
compare J visa insurance plans and then make an online purchase at American Visitor Insurance.
Do you sell insurance for immigrants and Green card holders in the US?
Yes, we do sell insurance for Green card holders and new immigrants to the USA and a user friendly
immigrant insurance compare tool is available where immigrants can compare several quotes and then make a purchase.
How medical insurance works
When you purchase visitor or travel health insurance, the premium that you pay is collected along with the premiums of other customers to form a pool of money. This collected premium money is used to pay the medical bills of individual customers who need health care. Your insurance coverage remains valid only as long as you continue to pay your premiums. Premiums are based on the age of the insured and so are not going to be the same for every applicant.
You should know that purchasing insurance through a broker service like ours does NOT increase the price. Rather, you get a greater selection of products (some companies will not allow you to buy them directly from them) AND you get additional customer service from us as well as the company.
When you purchase insurance, the insurance provider will give you an unique insurance plan number and an identification card which you refer to when you visit a hospital or medical practitioner.
The insurance plan will also have details about filing claims. This involves filing a claims form along with providing all relevant documents about the medical expenses. The insurance provider will evaluate all claims that are filed and make the appropriate payment under your plan. Usually for hospitalization (In patient services), there will be direct billing to the insurance provider, while for outpatient services, the company will reimburse you after you have paid the bills.
Categories of Visitor Insurance
Visitor Insurance plans provide cover for medical expenses as a result of illness or injuries that happen while traveling outside your home country. Visitor Medical Insurance plans can be purchased anytime even during the trip and offer many levels of medical coverage ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000.
Visitor Insurance plans cover medical costs (limited cover for pre-existing conditions), prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death & dismemberment. Other benefits include, trip interruption, baggage loss, baggage delay etc.
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Global Health Insurance (Expatriates and regular international travelers)
Global Health Insurance plans offer comprehensive major medical coverage in all countries including USA and are designed to the special needs of Expatriates and regular overseas travelers. Global Health Insurance plans offer comprehensive medical benefits including maternity, mental health, wellness (preventive check ups) and medical evacuation.
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International Students in America (US F1 visa), their spouses and children (F2 dependents) are required by American Universities to have good medical insurance coverage.
International Student Health Insurance plans cover medical expenses (pre-existing conditions & pregnancy may be covered), prescription drugs expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
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US Immigrant Health Insurance are long term plans designed for the health needs of new immigrants (Green Card holders sponsored by family members) to the US and potential immigrants (H4 & F2 visa holders).
Immigrant Health Insurance plans cover healthcare costs resulting from illness or injuries during the period of coverage. These plans offer coverage ranging from 2 to 5 years.
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US Government regulations stipulate that J-1 exchange scholars in the US and J-2 dependents must have health insurance, and if one fails to carry health insurance, the J-1 sponsor must terminate the exchange visitor program and inform the US Department of State.
Benefits include coverage for medical expenses (pre-existing conditions may be covered), prescription drugs expenses, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death & dismemberment.
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Trip Insurance plans are packaged solutions designed for short term travel, vacations and tours. These plans offer good coverage at affordable prices.
Benefits include coverage for medical expenses (pre-existing conditions may be covered), dental expenses, prescription drugs expenses, emergency medical evacuation. These plans can also cover your losses (non refundable ticket costs) due to a trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost baggage etc.
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Europe Travel Insurance (Business travel, vacation and Scehengen visa)
The common Schengen visa allows travelers to go to all schengen countries. However Schengen visa countries require visitors to have health insurance coverage.
Schengen Visa insurance have specific requirements defined by the consulates. These plans satisfy Schengen visa consulate requirements.
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Babysitter (Nanny) Health Insurance protects nannies and au pairs from hospital and doctor bills. Au Pairs and nannies who are non US citizens will often require health insurance to cover for medical expenses during their engagement. New immigrants to the country (green card holders) and au pairs while in the US are eligible for special classes of medical insurance.
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Temporary medical insurance quote & plans are designed to protect against sudden accidents or illnesses and they usually do not include benefits for preventive care, physicals, immunizations, dental or vision care. These Short term plans typically do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. However the plans displayed in this page do provide some coverage for pre-existing conditions.
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Choosing an insurance policy
Overseas Insurance while very important can be difficult to understand and choose for your specific needs. There are many plans, various coverages, options and restrictions. Deciding on a plan that best suits your needs is not always easy.
One can compare all the major insurance policies, select, and purchase a policy that best suits your preferences using our Visitors Medical Compare Engine.
Feel free to call us if you have further questions, toll free at 877-340-7910.
Visitor Medical Insurance Guide disclaimer:
AmericanVisitorInsurance has tried to provide relevant information to the best of our knowledge. However we make no guarantee regarding the accuracy of our answers. The exact answers for some of the questions can change periodically as insurance companies change their policies. AmericanVisitorInsurance is not liable for any problem resulting from the content on this Guide.
Call : 877-340-7910
