How to find the best visitors insurance for the USA
What is the best medical insurance for visitors to the USA?
During peak travel seasons, the number of international visitors traveling to the U.S. with a B-2 visa significantly increases. While travel medical insurance isn’t a requirement for these visitors, it is strongly recommended.
Medical care in the U.S. can be far more expensive than in many other countries, and while you may never expect to need coverage, having a visitor insurance plan can protect you and your loved ones from unexpected illness or injury.
If you’re planning a trip to the U.S. for yourself, family members, or friends, you're likely comparing different visitors insurance options to find the best plan for your needs. With a wide range of choices and varying benefit descriptions, it can be challenging to determine which plan is the best fit.
To assist in your search, we’ve put together a brief comparison of best visitors insurance plans: Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, Patriot America Platinum, Visitors Preferred, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, Visitors Protect, Diplomat America, Safe Travels Advantage, Visitors Care and Safe Travels Elite. Each of these plans is designed for non-U.S. residents traveling away from their country of residence, with differences in cost and coverage level.
Visitors Protect is specifically designed for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. One of the standout features of this plan is its coverage for pre-existing conditions.
It is the only IMG plan that provides coverage for pre-existing conditions, with a $1,500 deductible per injury or illness. The plan offers coverage up to a maximum limit of $25,000 for travelers under 70 years old, and up to $20,000 for travelers aged 70 and older.
Patriot America Platinum Insurance is best suited for travelers expecting first-class medical coverage; vacationing families; individuals up to $8 million. In addition to the benefits offered by Patriot America Plus insurance, this plan provides higher maximum limits (up to $8,000,000), additional benefits for telehealth services and travel intelligence, as well as the option to extend coverage for up to 36 months. Suitable for green card holders. US citizens living abroad and visiting USA can also buy Patriot America Platinum Insurance.
However, it’s important to note that Patriot America Platinum only covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions up 70 years of the age, which is less coverage than the pre-existing coverage available on Visitors Protect insurance plans.
Atlas America insurance is a best plan for visitors to the USA. Atlas America visitors insurance is one of the few visitor insurance plans that waives co-insurance within the PPO network. It is an ideal visitor medical insurance for parents visiting USA and foreign tourists to the United States. This travel insurance is to take the risk out of international travel and includes coverage for Acts of Terrorism, border entry protection , complications of pregnancy and incidental trips home.Ideal for OPT and H1b visa holders.
Atlas America insurance pre existing conditions coverage includes coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the age of 79 years in the event of life threatening conditions.
Patriot America Plus insurance is the best short term medical insurance for non us residents traveling to USA, providing all the benefits of Patriot America Lite with one important addition coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Extends up to 24 months. Suitable for green card holders. US citizens living abroad and visiting USA can also buy Patriot Plus Insurance. This plan offers optional coverage for adventure sports.
This plan offers potential coverage up to the plan maximum limit for acute onset of pre-existing conditions for insureds under 70 years old, along with a $25,000 maximum limit for a related emergency medical evacuation.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive insurance is ideal for non-U.S. residents visiting USA. It is available for travelers up to 89 years and can be purchased for durations ranging from 5 days to 364 days, with options for renewal. Plan offers extensive medical coverage, including up to $1,000,000 for medical coverage for accidents and illnesses. Suitable for green card holders. Covers Emergenecy medical treatment of pregnancy and optional coverage for sports activity rider.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan offers acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to policy maximum limit under 70 years old along with a $25,000 maximum limit for a related emergency medical evacuation.
Visitors Preferred is best for non-U.S. residents traveling to the U.S. This plan is most similar to our Patriot America Plus insurance plan, but with the addition of embedded telehealth services, a border entry protection benefit, a higher maximum limit for lost baggage, and a lower copay for urgent care clinics. Visitors Preferred is also offered at a lower rate than Patriot America Plus, making it the best mix of total benefits and rate.
Visitors Preferred offers potential coverage up to the maximum limit of the plan for acute onset of pre-existing conditions for insureds under 70 years of age and a $25,000 maximum limit for a directly related emergency medical evacuation.
Diplomat America Insurance offers medical insurance coverage for Non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. This valuable travel protection is ideal for students, business and leisure travelers, study abroad, international exchange students, tourists, holiday travelers and church or missionary travellers and US citizens visiting USA.
The coverage includes accident & sickness medical benefits, travel assistance, AD&D benefits and optional coverage for adventure sports. Covers acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to 70 years.
INF Elite Travel Insurance is a comprehensive travel medical plan for non-U.S. citizens visiting the U.S., Canada, Mexico. It covers pre-existing conditions up to age 99, along with benefits like emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, accidental death, dismemberment, and telemedicine. This plan is ideal for Parents visiting USA.
Coverage is available for stays from 90 to 364 days. The plan covers 80% of eligible medical expenses within the United Healthcare PPO network and 60% outside the network after the deductible.
Safe Travels Advantage is a fixed benefit affordable US visitors insurance available for Non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. This is the cheapest US visitor medical insurance plan and covers individuals from age 14 days up to the age of 89.
Covers Acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to policy maximum for ages up to 89 years and includes cardiac conditions or stroke are limited to $25,000 up to 79 years , for ages above 80 it is limited to $15,000
Visitors Care is designed for the budget conscious, healthy traveler that is interested in limited coverage for emergency situations. There are three different plan options for you to choose from (Lite, Plus, and Platinum), with Lite offering the lowest levels of coverage and Platinum offering the highest.
Visitors Care is a fixed benefit plan, which means covered benefits are paid out up to the designated maximum amount listed, then the insured pays the difference. Covers Acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to policy maximum for ages up to 70 years.
While a fixed benefit plan is generally the most affordable option up-front, it may result in higher out-of-pocket costs if covered events accrue higher bills than the maximums listed.
Safe Travels Elite is a fixed benefit affordable US visitors insurance available for Non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. This is the cheap US visitor medical insurance plan and covers individuals from age 14 days up to the age of 89. This plan is similar like Safe Travels Advantage plan , but with addition this plan offers maximum coverage up to $175,000.
In Safe Travels Elite there are five different plan options(Economy, Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum) up to 69 years. For ages above 70 years we have two plan options (Diamond and Diamond Plus).
Covers Acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to policy maximum for ages up to 89 years and includes cardiac conditions or stroke are limited to $25,000 up to 79 years , for ages above 80 it is limited to $15,000.
How much does best travel insurance for USA Cost?
The best travel insurance for USA cost starts from $20 per month and it can goes up to$298 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible, visitors coverage type (Fixed vs comprehensive coverage), and any visitors insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. For an average traveler, there are cheap travel insurance plans at less than a dollar a day.
The average cost based on the quotes for 40 year old traveler with duration of one month.
| Plan Name | Maximum Coverage | Deductible | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage insurance Trawick International | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 |
| Visitors Care insurance IMG | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $21 - $45 |
| Safe Travels Elite insurance Trawick International | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 |
| Visitors Preferred insurance IMG | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $250 | $77 - $144 |
| Patriot America Plus insurance IMG | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $250 | $79 - $147 |
| Atlas America insurance WorldTrips | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $250 | $78 - $154 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive insurance Trawick International | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $250 | $90 - $168 |
| Diplomat America insurance Global Underwriters | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $250 | $125 - $215 |
| Patriot America Platinum insurance IMG | $2,000,000 - $8,000,000 | $250 | $177 - $298 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
What are the factors to buy best travel medical insurance USA?
- Age of the traveler: The cost of medical insurance for travelers is directly proportional to the age of the traveler. The older the traveler and greater will be the cost of the visitors health insurance.
- Type of US travel health insurance: Comprehensive insurance provides exhaustive coverage but is more expensive than fixed benefit insurance which has a specified limit for each treatment.
- Medical coverage and deductibles: Consider the plan’s coverage limits and deductible. A higher deductible typically lowers premiums, A higher deductible means more out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. Choose a balance that fits your budget and risk preferences.
- Coverage for Emergency Medical Expenses: Choose the plan which provides coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and prescriptions. Medical costs in the USA can be high, so having a plan that offers sufficient coverage is essential.
- Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions: If you or a traveling companion has pre-existing health conditions, check if the plan covers the acute onset of those conditions. Some plans offer limited or full coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is important for travelers over a certain age or with specific health issues.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: Choose plan that includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation if you need to be transported to a medical facility or back to your home country for treatment due to a serious illness or injury.
- Duration of travel insurance: The cost of trip insurance directly depends on the length of travel. The longer the duration of visitor medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.
- Network of Hospitals and Doctors: A wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers ensures easier access to care. Some plans have partnerships with networks like United Healthcare PPO and First health care, making it easier to get medical treatment.
- Any add on benefits: Additional add-on benefits to the basic insurance for tourist plan like adventure sports coverage, coverage for pre-existing conditions… will add to the overall cost.
- Cost of the Plan: While the premium is important, it's crucial to consider the overall value of the plan, not just the cost. Make sure the benefits and coverage limits justify the price, as cheaper plans may provide limited coverage.
