When should I buy travel health insurance?
Dear Cautious Traveler,Timing is everything when it comes to purchasing travel health insurance. Many travelers call us after they’ve already left home—or even when their loved ones are in the Emergency Room—wondering if it’s still possible to buy coverage. Here’s what you need to know.
When it comes to buying travel health insurance, timing is everything! We often receive calls from travelers who are already abroad or even those whose loved ones are currently in the Emergency Room, wondering if they can purchase visitors medical insurance right away.
Of course, we recommend that you purchase your visitors insurance after you have your tickets and travel dates in order so that you are covered from the moment you leave until the time you return (for tricky time zone issues note that all policies begin and end using Eastern Standard Time). However, you can still purchase insurance once you are on your trip.
BUT, we also get a number of calls from people whose loved ones are “already” in the Emergency Room or already not feeling well. In that case, I'm afraid, that your insurance plan (even if you purchase it right away) will NOT cover what is already going on. Remember: you need to buy the visitor medical insurance “before” you need it.
To buy a plan and then lie about when symptoms started is not only potentially dangerous to the patient, but would also be constituted as fraud which is a serious crime. Of course, we cannot recommend any such course of action. Better to make your purchase to include all your travel. However, there are sometime reasonable circumstances for not making your purchase until after you or your loved ones have arrived at your destination.
Some people have other coverage that covers them until a certain point, or they change their travel plans and cannot extend a policy they already purchased. People have insurance through universities or an employer and sometimes changing paths may leave without insurance coverage. Or must have just forgotten to purchase it due to the covid19 travel requirement arrangements.
Here is a good news, you need not worry! In most cases, you can still purchase a policy. The soonest a policy can start coverage is the following day after the purchase, so if you do have a policy that is expiring or you change dates, here are some top rated insurance companies we work with who do not mind that you are already in a mid-trip when you start your policies, most of their forms are set up with terms like: trip start date, trip end date, date of arrival in US, etc..
Generally, you can put the date you want the policy to start (even if it was not your actual start date) and end (even if you may have other plans afterwards). However, if they specifically ask for a date you entered the US, you will have to give it as best as you can remember (if it was 5 years ago in Aug, just give a good guess... Aug, 15, 2014, since you cannot do less than give a particular date). If the form asks if you are already in your destination country, you will have to answer "Yes". That answer may restrict what you can purchase, but there are other options for you.
Answering covid related questions need to be completed carefully and accurately.You must always answer the questions honestly and straightforwardly.
Here are some plans that do not care how long you have been at your destination country: Patriot America Lite or Patriot International Lite, Atlas America or Atlas International, Travel Medical Insurance, Diplomat America or Diplomat International, and Safe Travels plans (although they prefer to cover your whole trip).
Here are some plans that “do” care how long you have been in the US (these are specifically for travel to the US), if you are over 65 years, you must purchase Visitor's Care or Patriot Travel plans within 30 days of arrival (these plans are offered by International Medical Group-IMG). However, if you had patriot travel Insurance coverage, you can waive this requirement.
Elite US visitor insurance is not available for visitors who are already in the USA. The Travel Medical USA insurance from Seven Corners must be bought within 12 months of arrival in the USA.
Happy trip planning! Most of these limitations are not an issue at all if you are within 30 days of arrival to your destination. If you are beyond that see what plans are available by using our US Immigrant insurance comparison tool.
How Much Does Visitor Health Insurance USA Cost?
How Much Is Medical Insurance for Tourists in the US?US Healthcare is extremely expensive, and even a simple doctor’s visit can become a financial burden unless insured properly.
In 2025, the cost of travel health insurance for visitors to the US ranges between $19 to $172 per month, depending on
- Age of the traveler
- Insurance company
- Type of visitors insurance
- Coverage limits
- Whether pre-existing conditions are covered
Cheaper options are available for as little as $1 to $5 per day, however the coverage is also limited.
Why is travel insurance USA is so important? A simple doctor’s visit can cost anywhere between $250 to $350, while a heart attack can cost at least $25,000. A stay in the ICU after a stroke can cost upwards of $150,000. As routine echocardiogram can range from $1,500 to $4,000 while emergency treatments for conditions like diabetes can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $7,000. Treatment for kidney failure can result in bills of over $30,000.
How Much Does Cheap Visitor Insurance in the USA Cost?
Cheap visitor health insurance for visitors to USA starts at $19 per month for fixed benefit plans. Following is the cost of visitor insurance per month.
| Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 35 | Age 55 | Age 75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $19 - $54 | $29 - $82 | $59 -$160 |
| Visitors Care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $25 - $44 | $30 - $65 | $66 - $152 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $25 - $71 | $36 - $110 | $105 - $150 |
| Venbrook Essential | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $25 - $74 | $36 - $105 | $66 - $142 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $30 - $49 | $42 -$74 | $81 |
| VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $31 - $55 | $46 - $84 | $93 - $135 |
| Travel Medical USA Visitor Basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $39 - $47 | $56 - $68 | $178 - $196 |
How Much Does the Best Comprehensive Visitor Insurance Cost per Month?
The cost of comprehensive visitor insurance starts around $53 month, depending on the age of the traveler, coverage limits, deductible, and optional add-ons. Higher medical maximum plans including pre-existing condition benefits and lower deductibles are more expensive.
On average, a good comprehensive health insurance plan costs between $58 to $108 per month for a 35 year old traveler.
Following are the cost of best health insurance for visitors to USA per month for a $250 deductible.
| Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 35 | Age 55 | Age 75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Essential America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $53 - $98 | $117 - $200 | $244 - $326 |
| Visitors Preferred | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $53 - $99 | $123 -$231 | $244 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $57 - $106 | $124 - $235 | $279 - $420 |
| Safe Travels USA | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $57 - $103 | $123 - $227 | $244 - $321 |
| Venbrook Premier | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $104 | $129 - $240 | $352 - $437 |
| Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $58 - $114 | $127 - $253 | $344 - $429 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $66 - $122 | $143 - $269 | $285 - $455 |
| Atlas Premium America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $72 - $142 | $158 - $316 | $430 - $537 |
| SafeVista Protect | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | $76 - $97 | $158 - $225 | $320 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $81 - $142 | $176 - $303 | $342 |
| Travel Medical Choice | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $98 - $173 | $186 - $333 | $736 - $1,000 |
| Patriot America Platinum | $1,000,000 - $8,000,000 | $108 - $226 | $240 - $494 | $604 |
| Visit USA Superior | $250,000 | $112 | $233 | $404 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Get the Best Visitor Insurance Today!
Travel worry-free with the best visitor insurance from American Visitor Insurance. Compare top plans instantly and choose coverage that fits your needs and budget. Secure your policy today and stay protected abroad!
How Much Does 6-Month Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA Cost?
For a 60-year-old traveler, the cost of USA visitor insurance for 6 months typically ranges around $122 to $1,050, based different coverage options, medical needs, and traveler’s budget on American Visitor Insurance.
The best 6 month USA travel insurance is the one which is affordable, reliable and allows the traveler stress free.
What Are the Different Types of Travel Insurance for USA?
Fixed Benefit travel insurance
A fixed benefit travel insurance plan is the cheap health insurance for visitors to USA plan, however this is because the fixed benefit travel insurance have a fixed limit of coverage for different medical benefits. Fixed benefit visitor insurance works well for small ailments but can be inadequate for more serious medical conditions involving hospitalisation.
Cheapest fixed benefit visitor insurance plans for the USA
The cheapest US travel insurance is Safe Travels Advantage. The other affordable travel insurance for the US are Venbrook Essential from Venbrook International and Visitors Care from IMG. These plans offer basic coverage at lower cost for visitors to USA.
VisitorSecure is an another affordable travel insurance plan designed for international travelers visiting the US. Offers up to $1,000,000 in emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Safe Travels Advantage
Trawick International
$20 Per monthAge: 40 years | Plan: $25,000 | Deductible: $0
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $25,000 to $150,000
- Deductible option $0
- Coverage from 5 - 364 days
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions related to Cardiac Conditions or Stroke
Venbrook Essential
Venbrook International
$25 Per monthAge: 40 years | Plan: $25,000 | Deductible: $0
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $25,000 to $150,000
- Deductible options $0
- Coverage from 5 days - 12 months
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage up to policy maximum
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $25,000 to $100,000
- Deductible options $0 to $100
- Coverage from 5 days - 2 years
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage
Comprehensive travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance provide full coverage for medical expenses up to the policy medical maximum limit. As opposed to fixed benefit visitor insurance there are no coverage limits for each benefit. It is much more expensive when compared to fixed benefit plans but also provides significantly superior coverage especially in case of a serious medical emergency or hospitalisation.
Best comprehensive visitor insurance plans for the USA
Some of the top recommended best comprehensive plans are Patriot America Plus by International Medical Group, Atlas America from WorldTrips, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Trawick International. These plans are well-suited for travelers to the U.S., offering robust medical coverage along with benefits for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $10,000 to $1,000,000
- Deductible options $0 to $2,500
- Coverage from 5 days to 12 months
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $10,000 to $2,000,000
- Deductible options $0 to $5,000
- Coverage for 364 days
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions, also includes $25,000 lifetime maximum for emergency medical evacuation
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
Trawick International
$87 Per monthAge: 40 years | Plan: $50,000 | Deductible: $250
- Policy maximum limits ranges from $25,000 to $150,000
- Deductible options $0 to $5,000
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage up to 100% policy maximum
Other top-rated comprehensive visitor insurance for USA are:
- Patriot America Lite: Cheap short term health insurance plan designed for visitors to the US. It offers coverage for emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation, with coverage limits up to $1,000,000. However, do not include covid coverage and coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
- Travel Medical Basic: Affordable coverage for emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation during short-term travel to the US. It covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions for visitors aged under 80 years. This plan offers comprehensive travel medical insurance with covid expenses and are recommended for group travelers.
Resourceful Tourist Insurance USA Information
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Claims process for expenses due to injury or sicknessKnow more »
How to buy travel insurance?
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Travel insurance glossary
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Travel insurance for specific groups
Tourists, Cruises, Students, J1 visa, OPT status, Immigrants...Know more »
Compare travel insurance plans
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US Visitor Insurance Reviews
Reviews, Ratings and Experiences from our customers
Charlotte
"I recently visited your website for the first time to buy insurance for travel to US. I found the information very good. Your customer support was fantastic and awesome. You were so dedicated to take care of my inquiries. I would rate your service 100/100."
Shelie
"Thank you for such helpful information. You've impressed me as I have contacted other companies and haven't gotten half of the information from them that you have sent me. I will take what you've said into consideration and hope to be in touch soon......."
Lori Fields
"I am pleased to say that your company is very professional in the field of Insurance. The customer is happy to get easily connected and then you very patiently explain the difference between various plans to suit each customer's need."
Travel tips for international travelers
Travel tips for international travelers – safety, comfort and wellness.
Travel Health Insurance - Frequently asked questions
1. Can you buy travel insurance the day you leave?
Yes. You can purchase the insurance the day you leave. A better day would be the day BEFORE the day you leave since a policy cannot start until the following day, so you will begin your trip without insurance (which we do not recommend).
However, it may make your wait in the airport a bit more productive!
2. Can I buy travel insurance at the airport?
Yes. Nowadays with airports having internet access, you can certainly purchase your travel insurance from the airport. It is not the most ideal situation (be careful of putting your credit card or personal information while on those open networks).
Ideally, you should make your purchase from a more secure location BEFORE you start your travel to get the most out of your policy.
3. Can I buy travel insurance after final payment?
Yes. You can purchase trip cancellation insurance at any point before the start of the trip. Of course, you get the most out of the policy the sooner you make your purchase.
AND, some companies will give you coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you buy it within 10 or 15 days of your INITIAL trip deposit. So, again, this may not be the most ideal time to make your purchase, but better now than never and safer than sorry!
