Travel medical insurance for travelers stranded in the USA, Canada or Mexico because of Coronavirus
It is heartbreaking to hear of so many people stranded due to COVID-19. So many borders are closing and travel plans have had to be altered. At American Visitor Insurance, we are committed to getting you the best insurance coverage we can in these uncertain times. Of particular note, the company INF insurance which offers travel insurance plans with coverage in the USA, Canada and Mexica. These plans usually have a restriction on coverage of pre-existing medical conditions for their two plans: INF Elite Network Insurance and INF Advantage Insurance unless it is purchased BEFORE the traveler leaves their home country. In light of the coronavirus epidemic, INF is lifting this restriction on pre-existing condition coverage even if purchased after coming to the US.While many other insurers are NOT covering COVID-19 and even voiding policies due to the pandemic, INF insurance is a REAL option for travelers stuck in the US and needing insurance coverage. The INF travel insurance policy is good if you are replacing an existing travel policy that has expired or maybe you didn't have an insurance policy to begin with. International students in the US, Snowbirds from Canada or the UK, tourists from European nations, even US green card holders can purchase these plans. Note that the INF Advantage plan ONLY offers coverage in the US, while the INF Elite can be used in the US, Canada, and Mexico (even by US citizens who ordinarily reside outside the US). The INF Advantage plan is quite affordable and many travelers and students are even buying this plan to complement their existing insurance option if it has limitations in coverage for COVID-19.
Please know we are here to help you make the best, informed decision to get coverage even for COVID-19! Let us know how we can assist you. Feel free to contact us by email or phone at any time.
Coronavirus travel insurance coverage for US citizens visiting the United States
There are two insurance providers who offer short term travel medical insurance for US citizens living outside the United States, but who are visiting the US. The two travel insurance providers are :- International Medical Group (IMG)
- INF Insurance
INF travel insurance
INF travel insurance coverage for Coronavirus is straightforward. The coronavirus will be covered as per any new sickness in the policy since it is not explicitly excluded. Note that their plans only offer coverage in the US and Canada.INF Advantage US visitors insurance Covers Coronavirus for Visitors Already in USA INF provides insurance coverage for any COVID-19 infection and it will be covered fully by INF Advantage as a new sickness. INF Advantage is available to visitors who are already in the United States and does not have any restriction on the length of time the visitor has been in the US. INF Advantage will cover COVID-19 infections for major in-patient hospitalization, need for oxygen cylinders, and medication or other miscellaneous expenses required to treat the Coronavirus.
International Medical Group (IMG)
For new policies starting after March 11, 2020, there is no coverage for COVID-19 disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) in announcing coronavirus as a pandemic has designated the entire world a “level 3” travel zone. Since the coronavirus and COVID-19 is now a known threat (not an unknown possibility), it will no longer be covered by IMG policies. However, if your IMG policy had already started prior to the March 11th announcement and it was NOT to travel into a level 3 travel area (at the time of travel), you will be covered for COVID-19 and that coverage will continue on renewals to that policy. If the travelers visits the country that the CDC, WHO or US Department of State has issued an alert to not visit, the coverage for coronavirus will be excluded. The Patriot travel insurance will not offer coverage benefits if the traveler visits the country after the alert has been issued. If the traveler is already in the country before the alert was issued, then the insured may be covered.If the travelers visits the country that the CDC, WHO or US Department of State has issued an alert to not visit, the coverage for coronavirus will be excluded. The Patriot travel insurance will not offer coverage benefits if the traveler visits the country after the alert has been issued. If the traveler is already in the country before the alert was issued, then the insured may be covered.
International Travel Insurance plans are normally for people traveling outside their home country. There are US citizens who are residing outside the USA and visit US for short durations visiting family, for holidays, business, during Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays or other similar occasions. US citizens who are in this category are not eligible for domestic healthcare in US as they are permanently residing abroad.
Some companies consider the US to be the home country for US citizens regardless of where they live and this makes them ineligible for the international travel insurance plans offered by these companies while visiting the US.
However, they do make exceptions for this specific situation with special conditions included. The common conditions include are that the traveller must be residing outside the US continuously for 6 or more months. Some companies might require the traveller to have a primary insurance already in force before applying for the travel insurance to visit US. American Visitor Insurance provides international travel and health insurance plans for US citizens residing abroad making short term visits to US occasionally.
PATRIOT AMERICA:
PATRIOT AMERICA PLUS:
INF travel insurance:-Non-US Residents who are visiting the United States but are US Citizens can enroll in an INF plan.
NOTE: If the non US residents (who are US citizens) are in transition to move back to the US until the end of the year (domestic plan enrollment) or employer plans kick in, then these plans cannot be used as a gap insurance for US Citizens.
Following are the list of US travel insurance plans: