Shopping for US Visitor's Insurance? Here’s What You Should Know!

What is Visitor’s Insurance?

Visitor’s insurance is specially designed for visitors who are travelling to the US for any reason - tourism, visit, study or other reasons. A type of travel health insurance, a US visitor’s insurance plan will provide crucial coverage in case you fall sick or need medical assistance here.

America’s expensive health care is no secret; even simple consultations can cost you a bomb and disturb your finances.

Do I Need Travel Insurance to Enter the USA?

As per the USA’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average American spends approximately USD 5,000 annually on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, let alone the costs that are covered by insurance.

Soaring health care costs and medical expenses in the US have caused a lot of people to turn to insurance. Not just the US, there are many other wealthy nations with high medical costs which may not be affordable for all. For a regular tourist or visitor from a developing country, a medical emergency is more than enough to wreak havoc on their finances.

Visitor's insurance is a great way to deal with these exorbitant expenses if you somehow fall sick abroad or need medical assistance. In fact, one of the most common reasons behind America’s bankruptcy is high medical costs.

Thus, it makes perfect sense for a visitor to have sufficient coverage before coming here. This is because accidents, injuries or even seasonal changes are enough to cost you a ton here.

Which Travel Insurance is Good for the USA?

If possible, you should always go for a comprehensive travel insurance plan for the US which covers all the risks that you’re likely to face. While this can be a long list, most travel insurance companies in India offer plans with the following benefits:

• Cashless hospitalisation benefit
• Daily hospital allowance
• Medical evacuation and repatriation in case of an eventuality
• Coverage for personal liability (legal liabilities with the third party)
• Coverage for a personal accident that may cause disability or death
• Flight delay & cancellation benefits
• Coverage for a lost or stolen passport
• Automatic policy extension

These are some of the benefits you should look for. However, if your budget does not allow a comprehensive option, then opting for travel health insurance is also good.

Since medical expenses are the costliest emergencies while you’re travelling in the US, it makes sense to go for the option tailored to meet all the medical risks that you may face here. Just make sure your visitor’s insurance covers the basic health risks that can pop out of nowhere.

What Does US Visitor’s Insurance Cover?

Your travel medical insurance for the US should cover all the possible medical expenditures that you may be susceptible to. This will depend on who you are, and why you are visiting.

If you're a student coming here to study for a year or more, then a simple visitor's insurance won't be enough for your needs. Some of the most commonly available benefits of an international visitor’s insurance are:

• Hospitalisation and other medical expenses
• Coverage for personal accident
• Daily cash allowance
• Compassionate visit coverage
• Coverage for dental expenses
• Medical evacuation in case the doctor deems it necessary
• Repatriation of remains in case of unfortunate demise

Similarly, if you're an elderly visiting the US for any reason, then the chances of you falling sick because of temperature changes and food differences are higher. All this will need different coverage such as any pre-existing diseases, coverage for dental expenses, etc. that may cause difficulty later.

Tips to Pick the Right Visitor’s Insurance

With so many travel insurance plans available in India, it may be confusing to select the plan that works for you. Here are some ways to shortlist:

• Always compare different trip insurance plans; go for a plan that offers maximum coverage at the same price
• Keep an eye on the deductibles; you may buy the cheapest options available but end up paying more in case of an emergency
• Always declare your pre-existing diseases as most insurers don’t cover PED.
• Read the exclusions carefully; knowing what’s not covered will save you from disappointment later

In a Nutshell,

No matter what the purpose of your US visit, don’t travel without the safety of travel insurance. Smart travellers are aware of the uncertainties that any trip brings. With a travel insurance plan, you can make the most of your trip and remain protected from any disturbances at the same time. It can be purchased at a fraction of your entire trip and customised depending on your needs.