Diplomat America Hazardous Sports Travel Insurance for USA Visitors

What Is Diplomat America Insurance?

Diplomat America is a comprehensive travel medical insurance designed primarily for non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. It provides accident and sickness medical coverage along with emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, emergency reunion, trip interruption, emergency dental benefits, baggage coverage, and other travel assistance benefits.

The plan is available for coverage periods from 15 days to 365 days. Medical maximum choices range from $50,000 to $1 million, subject to age-based eligibility restrictions.
The standard plan does not automatically cover every hazardous or athletic activity. Travelers participating in activities listed under the Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider need to purchase the appropriate optional rider.

Diplomat America visitor medical insurance is underwritten by Crum & Forster SPC and has an AM Best rating of “A” (Excellent). For covered medical expenses, after the selected deductible is met, the plan pays 80% of eligible costs up to $5,000, and then 100% up to the selected medical maximum. An additional $250 deductible may apply for an emergency room visit due to an illness, but this ER deductible is waived if the traveler is admitted to the hospital within 12 hours.

Diplomat America Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider

The Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider provides coverage when an insured person's injury or illness results from an eligible athletic sport or hazardous activity listed in the plan. This coverage is available for an additional premium and is offered through specific bundled options of athletic sports and hazardous activities.

The activities are divided into Low, Middle, and High Options based on the type and level of risk. It is important to select the appropriate option for the activity you plan to participate in.

Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activities

This applies to athletic sports and hazardous activities that are NOT intercollegiate or interscholastic athletics, club sports, or organized amateur sports.

For eligible activities listed here, covered expenses are payable up to the applicable policy maximum, subject to the deductible, policy terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.

Intercollegiate, Interscholastic, Club & Organized Amateur SportsThis applies specifically to intercollegiate or interscholastic athletics, club sports, and organized amateur sports.

Unlike the activities listed in here, covered expenses under the medical maximum for these organized sports are limited to $20,000.

Important Difference Between Hazardous Activities and Organized Sports

The main difference between the two coverage categories is the medical maximum available for covered expenses.

For recreational and hazardous activities, eligible covered expenses can be paid up to the selected policy maximum, subject to the policy terms, deductible, limitations, and exclusions.

For organized and amateur sports, including intercollegiate, interscholastic, club, and organized amateur sports, covered expenses are limited to $20,000

Therefore, travelers should check how their planned activity is classified before purchasing the Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider. The same sport may have different coverage depending on whether it is performed recreationally or as part of an organized athletic activity.

Why Choose Diplomat America Travel Insurance for Visitors to the USA?

Diplomat America is an Accident & Sickness insurance plan designed for non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. It provides coverage for eligible medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, emergency medical reunion, trip interruption, baggage loss, emergency dental treatment, and other travel assistance benefits. Coverage is available from 15 days up to 365 days.

• Up to $1 million medical maximum: Choose from $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, or $1 million in medical maximum coverage. Availability depends on age. Travelers ages 60–64 can choose up to $250,000, ages 65–69 up to $100,000, and ages 70–79 up to $50,000. Travelers age 80 and older have a maximum benefit of $20,000.
• Flexible deductible options: Choose from $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 per person per plan period.
• 80% coinsurance after deductible: After the selected deductible is paid, the plan pays 80% of eligible costs up to $5,000, and then 100% up to the selected medical maximum, subject to the plan terms and limitations. There is also an additional $250 deductible for each emergency room visit due to an illness, which is waived if the insured is admitted to the hospital within 12 hours of the incident.
• Coverage for non-U.S. residents: Diplomat America is designed for non-U.S. residents traveling to the USA. The brochure also states that it is available to U.S. citizens returning to the USA for vacation or business while living abroad, provided they have a valid international address.
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: Coverage is available up to $250,000 for eligible emergency medical evacuation and repatriation expenses. The evacuation or repatriation must be pre-approved and arranged by the assistance company in consultation with the attending physician.
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions: The plan provides an Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition benefit for non-U.S. citizens under age 70, subject to the plan's definition and requirements. Treatment must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence. This benefit does not apply to plan participants age 70 or older.
• Athletic and hazardous activity coverage: Diplomat America offers an Athletic & Hazardous Activity Benefit. Travelers can purchase the optional rider for an additional premium and select from eligible Low, Middle, and High Option activities, including various adventure sports and organized athletic activities.
• Political and natural disaster evacuation: Coverage is available up to $50,000 when an eligible emergency evacuation is required because of imminent bodily harm or a natural disaster that makes the insured's location uninhabitable, subject to the plan's conditions.
• Strong financial rating: Diplomat America isunderwritten by Crum & Forster SPC. The brochure states that the Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company (2024).

Important Restrictions on Diplomat America Sports Coverage

Before purchasing Diplomat America with the Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider, travelers should understand the following important restrictions and requirements.

1. The Sports Rider Is Optional

The Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider is not automatically included with the standard Diplomat America plan. Travelers must purchase the rider for an additional premium and select the appropriate activity option.

2. Only Listed Activities Are Covered

Travelers should not assume that every hazardous or athletic activity is covered.
The rider specifically lists eligible activities under the Low, Middle, and High Options. An activity that is not listed may not be covered unless it is approved by the company before purchase or otherwise qualifies under the applicable policy terms.

3. Organized Sports Have a $20,000 Medical Maximum

This is one of the most important limitations of the sports rider.
For intercollegiate, interscholastic, club, and organized amateur sports, covered medical expenses are limited to $20,000.
This limit applies even when the traveler's overall Diplomat America medical maximum is higher.,br>

4. The Sports Rider Is Not Available for Travelers Age 80 or Older

The Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider is not available to travelers age 80 or older.
Travelers should check their eligibility before purchasing the rider, especially when selecting coverage for older parents or relatives visiting the USA.

5. Available Medical Maximums Depend on Age

Diplomat America's overall medical maximum is subject to age-based limits.

• Ages 59 and under: Up to $1,000,000
• Ages 60–64: Up to $250,000
• Ages 65–69: Up to $100,000
• Ages 70–79: Up to $50,000
• Age 80 and older: $20,000

The applicable medical maximum is important when considering sports coverage because eligible expenses under the hazardous activities benefit can be payable up to the applicable policy maximum, subject to the policy terms and limitations.

6. Certain Activities Have Specific Requirements

Some sports and hazardous activities have additional requirements that must be followed for coverage to apply.

Examples include:

• Aerial photography: Proper restraints are required.
• Mountain climbing up to 14,000 feet: Ropes and proper safety equipment are required.
• Mountain climbing at 14,000 feet and above: Ropes, proper safety equipment, and a certified guide are required.
• Rock climbing: Ropes and proper safety equipment are required.
• Scuba diving below 30 feet: PADI or NAUI certification is required, or the insured must be accompanied by a certified diving instructor.
• Scuba diving up to 30 feet: A resort course or equivalent is required.
• Inline skating: A helmet and proper equipment are required.
• Trekking: Limited to Class IV difficulty on the Yosemite Decimal System.
• Whitewater rafting: Limited to Class I through V rapids.

Travelers should review the requirements for their specific activity before participating.

7. Recreational and Organized Sports Are Treated Differently

The same type of sport may have different coverage depending on how it is performed.
For example, recreational skiing is listed under the Low Option for hazardous activities, while organized skiing, including slalom, giant slalom, and downhill, is listed under the Middle Option for organized sports.

Similarly, recreational surfing is listed under the hazardous activity section, while organized surfing appears under organized sports.

Travelers should therefore make sure they select the coverage that matches how they actually plan to participate in the activity.

8. Some Activities Have Specific Level or Participation Restrictions

Certain activities have additional limitations. For example:

• Football: No Division One
• Rugby: No Division One
• Mountain climbing: Different options apply depending on whether the altitude is below or above 14,000 feet.
• Scuba diving: The applicable option depends on the diving depth.
• BMX: Recreational BMX and competitive/racing BMX fall under different options.
• BMX: Recreational BMX and competitive/racing BMX fall under different options.

Travelers should carefully check the activity description before purchasing the rider.

9. The Rider Does Not Remove Other Policy Exclusions

Purchasing the Athletic Sports & Hazardous Activity Rider does not mean that every injury connected with the activity will automatically be covered.
The claim must still meet the requirements of the Diplomat America policy and rider. Other exclusions, limitations, deductibles, benefit maximums, and policy conditions may apply.