With the world slowly moving towards modernization, it is no surprise that it is getting more accessible to people.
Moreover, people’s purchasing power all across the globe has risen drastically. This also indicates that people are more likely to travel and take out time for leisure activities. No wonder world tourism has become a rage among Americans, and travel insurance companies benefit from that. Because of this, people have started searching for the best travel insurance to the United States.
Travel Insurance
Travelers are more vulnerable when there is no sure way to prevent unfortunate incidents in an unfamiliar region. Therefore, travel insurances help a lot.
Travel Insurance is short-term insurance. It is supposed to cover unfortunate travel expenses that may arise. These include emergencies, either inside or outside a country.
Insurance arranged at the booking time to cover the trip duration is usually a temporary one. Substantial travel insurance, however, has to be bought by travel insurance companies or travel agents. Travels have to pay a fixed amount as a premium in order to buy travel insurance.
As travelers are regarded as captive audiences, policies may be overpriced. In some cases, an existing deal may keep the travel insured, whereas sometimes, credit card companies are used for insurance for the trip. The condition is that specific credit has to be bought. Business travelers usually prefer Company-wide insurance.
Most travel insurances are based on risk. They take a lot of aspects into account to decide if someone can purchase the policy or not. Destination, trip duration, and age of the travelers are some of the examples they may consider.
To determine the price, companies consider the traveler’s estimated value and their affordability. The package may apply to a single trip that includes the upcoming trip, whereas other packages may offer unlimited trips in a year. However, there is a limit to their duration.
Benefits of Travel Insurance
International travelers mainly obtain travel insurance due to the fact that it covers medical expenses. However, some travelers like to take medical plans into their own hands. Besides medical costs, travel insurance benefits you in other ways too.
During a medical loss, travels only pay for claims in the country of residence to cover the expenses. However, if the traveler is already a patient, as an example, if he is subject to a fatal disease or AIDs, the insurance will not cover that.
In case of accidental death, repatriation of a dead person’s remains is typically included in medical benefits.
Due to an unexpected event, travel may have to either postpone or cancel the trip. Travel insurance is a huge help in the circumstances like these; it provides protection. If a traveler has decided to change their Plan due to an emergency, he is likely to lose a lot of money. If they have such insurance, travelers will get compensation for the interruption or cancellation.
In addition to this, this policy will also save your personal belongings in the case of theft or loss!
Travel insurances may also include other benefits such as travel delay, personal liability, accidental death, legal expenses, emergency union, adventure points, preexisting medical needs, rental vehicle access, information about laws in the region, and repatriation.
Besides full insurance for your losses, you will also have access to other types of valuable services to aid you in case of emergencies. With 24-hour emergency services, most travel insurance companies promise to be available for customers to deal with any kind of unfavorable situation.
Furthermore, they will not only provide the local emergency center but will also give you the best pieces of advice in order to help you solve problems immediately.
This kind of service will be especially helpful if you are traveling to US for the first time and do not understand the emergency laws.
The Need for Travel Medical Insurance in the United States
Even though in the United States, there are the world’s best healthcare services available, they are extremely expensive. A visit to a hospital for a mere checkup may cost a person thousands of dollars. On the other hand, an unforeseen accident may lead to bills running into hundreds of thousands. Without adequate travel insurance, it is simply impossible for the travel to pay for medical expenses.
Hence, it is highly advisable to buy a travel insurance policy when visiting the United States. Travel Insurance, even if you are an immigrant, is a green card holder, and especially visiting the US, you have some great medical coverage options.
What’s not covered by Medical Insurances?
It mostly depends on the company, but here are a few omissions:
1. Preexisting Conditions
The meaning of preexisting conditions varies from company to company. One company may not consider a condition big enough for exclusion, whereas another might. In order to determine if a medical condition already existed before, companies like to look at your past medical records. Many plans will cover preexisting conditions as long as you bought your plan 15 days after making your first trip deposit.
There is a possibility for a condition waiver. Because of this, the money will not exclude a preexisting medical condition. However, to verify the waiver, you are supposed to meet certain requirements. Only after you pass these, the company will cover any expenses due to preexisting conditions.
For instance, Allianz Travel has the following requirements:
- You purchased the policy as a US citizen.
- The policy was bought during the mentioned duration.
- When you purchased the policy, your medical condition did not hinder you from traveling.
- A full non-refundable cost of the trip was ensured with Allianz travel.
2. Risky Activities
Many travel insurance companies do not insure due to dangerous activities such as mountain climbing, skydiving, or rafting. It is important to choose a plan that will cover you for such activities if an accident occurs. As people mostly opt for adventurous places.
3.Childbirth
In case you are pregnant while traveling, it is possible for you to have coverage for your pregnancy complications. However, your travel insurance will not cover childbirth expenses. It is advisable to make sure of this if you are pregnant and planning on traveling. Make sure to take care of this part.
4. Natural Disasters Exist Before You Purchased Insurance
The purchase must be made before a natural disaster has arrived; otherwise, trip insurance will not cover losses due to hurricanes or tropical storms. This rule applies to other natural disasters as well; you will not be covered for any losses if a volcano starts erupting before you bought the policy.
5. Drug and Alcohol Use
If the illness or injury is due to alcohol or drug usage consumption, the majority of policies will not be covering medical expenses from that. For instance, if you are drunk and driving, the company will not be responsible in the case of an accident.
Travel Medical Insurances
Stand-alone medical insurance: This Plan includes emergency dental and medical costs that the traveler incurs. However, other travel insurance coverages like baggage, personal item insurance, and trip cancellation are not included in this travel insurance plan: Besides medical expenses, a comprehensive travel insurance plan can offer trip delay and cancellation services. This Plan is the best if you want to cover multiple problems.
Best Travel Insurance to the USA
If you are planning on going for a vacation to the USA – or maybe some other country – we are sure you are looking for good travel insurance in case your trip goes south. These are the top seven best travel insurance to the US, according to us.
1. HTH Worldwide Insurance
HTH Worldwide Insurance operates as a worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC. As a subsidiary of Worldwide Insurance Services, HTH helps travelers in identifying and accessing healthcare. It also covers travelers’ medical expenses all over the world. To bring innovative healthcare services and insurance to the international level, WIS offers HTH Worldwide plans.
With HTH Travel Insurance, consumers have a wide range of options that can fit with different goals. You can buy medical-only coverage for single trips or multiple trips, stand-alone trip cancellation coverage, and more.
Expatiate living, international study, and leisure time are guaranteed services offered by HTH Worldwide offers. With top-rated travel and medical protection to travels and students, HTH has an amazing reputation. Additionally, it offers technology-powered assistance services and excellent support.
Travels that have bought HTH Worldwide Insurance policies enjoy full insurance of hospital expenses (including tests, hospital stay, and surgeries).
However, their trip cancellation and theft coverage are not as strong. Because of this reason, people choose HTH for medical coverage rather than other advantages. This policy is for applicants that are under the age of ninety-five.
In addition to coverage for specific components of your trip, HTH Travel Insurance also offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Plans come in three tiers: Economy, Classic and Preferred.
2. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz Global Assistance is one of the most well-known companies that provide a variety of plans and coverage options for domestic and international travelers.
When it comes to purchasing travel insurance for a specific trip, Allianz offers several levels of coverage. While each Plan has its own inclusions and coverage limits, its most popular single-trip Plan is the OneTrip Prime plan.
With OneTrip Prime, you can receive trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000, trip interruption coverage up to $150,000, emergency medical coverage for $25,000, up to $1,000 in baggage loss, theft, or damage, and up to $500 in change fee coverage, among other benefits.
The OneTrip Prime plan also covers children ages 17 and younger for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent, and you can customize with additional coverage for rental cars or preexisting conditions.
Allianz also lets you apply for a travel insurance quote, file a claim, manage your policy or follow up on a claim online. Plus, the company offers a smartphone app that lets you manage your Plan, your preferred mobile device. Customers can also receive 24-hour hotline assistance in case any issues arise.
3. Travelex
Based in Nebraska, Travelex is one of the top insurance providers. It was formed in 1996 and provided multiple benefits for travelers worldwide. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, a company with an A++ rating from AM Best, underwrites the policies.
The most affordable plan called the Travel Basic Plan, which covers 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellations and interruptions and up to $500 for trip delays. For emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, it also offers up to $100,000, whereas there is $15,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage and up to $500 in coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal effects.
Aside from this, you have access to primary coverage with no deductibles. This Plan is mostly for domestic travelers.
For International Travel, such as to US, its Travel Select Plan is the best because of high limits. In medical emergency and repatriation, it offers $100,000, whereas there is a $1000 coverage for baggage loss or theft. In addition to this, Travelex does not charge anything for children under the age of seventeen.
Travelex also offers an exclusion waiver for fifteen-day preexisting conditions.
4. World Nomads
World Nomads is one of the best insurance companies for travelers searching for adventure. The company is based in Australia, with policies underwritten by Generali Global, AIG, and Lloyd’s.
The best part about World Nomads is that they offer customizable travel insurance plans. World Nomads also consider the customer’s affordability. Unlike most other companies, it covers adventure sports, such as rafting, mountain biking, bungee jumping, and skiing.
There are two travel plan options available.
Standard Plan offers $2,500 in trip protection coverage, while the Explorer Plan promises $10,000. Both plans provide $100,000 in emergency medical coverage. However, Standard Plan assures $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage, whereas the Explorer Plan offers $500,000 worth of coverage.
Both plans cover trip cancellation, baggage loss, rental car damage, accidental death, and many more.
5. Seven Corners
For more than 25 years, Seven Corners has promised to protect travelers all over the world. Their insurance plans are designed to offer truly-needed benefits and services.
Despite offering travel plans for US citizens, it also offers plans with medical coverage to visitors.
Travel medical coverage plans can be purchased with up to $5 million in coverage, but you can also purchase travel insurance for students, group travel insurance plans, and annual travel insurance plans for frequent travelers.
Seven Corners’ featured travel insurance plan is its Round Trip Cancellation Insurance, which is the type of policy you might be inclined to buy to cover a single vacation you have planned for the year. This coverage is for US residents and is available in three tiers – economy, choice, or elite.
Trip Cancellation coverage for up to $20,000, trip delay coverage of $600, missed connection coverage worth $1000, and Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $500,000 are a few of the benefits of Seven Corners.
6. IMG Travel Insurance
IMG Travel Insurance’s three main coverage’s really shining in the eyes of a traveler.
Though IMG has three coverage selections for trip insurance, it really shines when it comes to travel medical insurance. IMG offers medical coverage for vacations or other trips as well as international health insurance. Due to these reasons, It is considered one of the best travel insurance for US.
The company is a great option to consider for groups, students, or others who will be working or studying abroad for extended periods of time.
This company also offers a GlobeHopper Senior plan suited for retired travelers ages 65 and older, as well as plans geared specifically toward ex-pats, students, and business travelers. Rental car damage up to $40,000 can also be added if the traveler wills.
Furthermore, you’ll have access to a few non-emergency travel benefits like coverage for the financial default of a supplier government workers. Coverage for loss of travel documents or passports is also included.
Bottom Line
Even though travel insurance is a life-saver, it is not recommended for short trips as they might not meet the affordability of some. Moreover, on vacations with low risks, it is not beneficial for you to purchase a package.
Travel insurance premiums can cost hundreds of dollars, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide if it’s worth the cost. It might not be worth it on lower-cost trips and low-risk vacations. Before you buy travel insurance, make sure to tally up the total amount of money you spent on the trip in question. That way, you can decide whether ensuring your trip will be worth the financial cost.
The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind; some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.
Above mentioned company rankings are based on costs, coverage, and excludability. It is entirely up to you to choose the one that suits you.
