International travel health insurance, overseas travel medical insurance
American Visitor Insurance is the ideal place to find best international travel insurance from top rated insurance providers. International travelers and visitors to foreign nations need to buy international travel insurance as their domestic health insurance will not cover them outside their home country.
The health care in the US and in European countries is very sophisticated and perhaps the best in the world, however as a result the cost of treatment is also very high. Therefore it is important to buy a best international travel medical insurance. The visitors health insurance plans we cater here are underwritten exclusively by reputed companies with sound financial rating and having an excellent reputation for their claims settlements.
We have international travel insurance for all travelers ranging from young backpackers on vacations, solo travelers with multiple trips to family based travelers including vacationing couples to senior citizens.
There are some vital aspects of insurance which travelers need to know before buying travel insurance. The travelers need to familiarize themselves with the different insurance types based on what kind of coverage they need. Some plans offers limited coverage and are inexpensive while others offer comprehensive coverage and are expensive. These plans are commonly known as fixed benefits insurance plans and comprehensive plans.
Most overseas travel medical insurance plans have a deductible and coinsurance. Now what are they? And Why does an Overseas travel insurance plan have deductible and coinsurance? Deductible is the initial amount the insured has to pay before the insurance plan actually starts paying. Insurance companies always design insurance products with a payment from the customer.
In regular health insurance plans, it is often called 'Co-pay'. In visitor travel insurance, it is referred to as a 'Deductible'. The main reason that there is a deductible is to dissuade customers from making frivolous claims. Since the insured should pay the ‘Deductible’ amount before the insurance plan starts payment, the insured will use the insurance plan only where there is a genuine need. Without a deductible, the insured can have the tendency to file to misuse the insurance plan by making frivolous claims. Customers have the option of buying a 'Zero deductible' plan at a higher cost, which means the insurance plan covers from the first Dollar.
The Co-insurance in a visitor medical insurance is a percentage of the medical bill that the insured should pay, typically 20% for the first $5000.00 in a bill. One of the reasons that insurance plans have the 'co-insurance' is that it is a mean of influencing where the customer get his/her medical treatment. Insurance companies have working agreements with certain hospitals and medical practitioners, which they refer to as the 'Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)'. Customers are encouraged to get medical treatment within the PPO network, and one of the means of influencing customer behaviour is by having either a lower 'Co-insurance' or 'Zero Co-insurance' if customers use the PPO network.
Senior citizens generally above 60 years are usually confused on which insurance coverage to buy and being older they are more prone to fall ill. Without good medical insurance for older travelers they will end up in a financially messy situation as the cost of health care overseas is exceptionally high. Many of the older travelers would also have pre-existing ailments.
We also offer international travel insurance plans covering pre-existing conditions which many older travelers look for. Some pre-existing coverage plans have age limits while other cover up to any age with limited coverage. Be sure to check the coverage offered by insurance plans as some diseases like Cancer and AIDS would be excluded from coverage.
To name a few of the best international trip insurance plans that provide coverage for US citizens traveling outside and Non US citizens traveling outside their home country:
Atlas International: This plan is from WorldTrips and provides worldwide coverage including and excluding US. This plan has access to international provider network called Equian International Network. This covers acute onset of pre-existing condition.
Patriot International Lite: This plan is from IMG(International Medical Group) and is a comprehensive plan and provides excellent coverage for people traveling outside their home country.
Diplomat International: This plan is from Global Underwriters and provides excellent coverage when outside your home country.
Travel Medical Basic: This is a plan from Seven Corners and for Individuals and families including unmarried dependent children traveling outside of their Home Country.
Travel Medical Choice: This is a plan from Seven Corners and for U.S Citizens while traveling outside of Home Country.Individuals and families including unmarried dependent child(ren) traveling outside of their Home Country. Elite Plan from INF offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Overseas travel insurance coverage
Planning to travel Overseas needs detailed and well balanced planning of the trip. It is very important for travelers to buy travel health insurance while travelling away from their home country. A travel insurance cover will provide protection towards all sudden accidents and illness. While traveling to the US, international travelers should include a visitors insurance cover for a safe and stress free travel.
The domestic health insurance of the home country invariably provides little or no coverage in a new country. A visitors medical insurance plan will protect the insured from huge medical bills in case of hospitalization in a foreign country. An insured traveler can get cashless medical facilities up to the insured amount within the US.
Resourceful tourist insurance USA information
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Claims process for expenses due to injury or sickness
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Guide to buying the best international travel insurance
Click here to read more »Travel insurance glossary
Commonly used international travel medical insurance terms
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Overseas travel insurance General - FAQ's
01. What is international /oversea travel insurance?
International travel insurance refers to international health insurance for travelers around the world. International travel insurance usa is available for different groups for travelers be it for short term single trip visitors, families on vacation, older travelers with pre-existing medical ailments, US citizens with Medicare, student travelers, business travelers, expatriates traveling and living abroad, global travelers who need long term coverage, missionaries
02. Which is the best international travel insurance?
There is not one single international travel insurance plan that can be considered the best plan for all travelers. International travelers need to understand the different coverage benefits as well as the factors on which international travel insurance are based by using the different resources offered on American Visitor Insurance.
We work with top rated US insurance providers to offer a wide range of US international travel insurance plans. Compare international health insurance for travel plans to find the best international travel insurance for your specific needs.
03. How much does best international trip insurance cost?
The cost of best International trip insurance plans depend mainly on the following factors.
- The age of the traveler
- The maximum medical coverage limit
- The co-insurance and deductible options
- The length of insurance coverage
- Any add-on coverages such as for pre-existing conditions and hazardous sports
04. When should I take out travel insurance?
It is always recommended to purchase travel insurance before you depart your home country and start the travel that is best for international travel. This is to make full and genuine use of the insurance so that you are covered from day One when you are in a foreign country. However, you can also purchase the insurance after arriving at your destination country.
Some insurance plans might have arrival time restriction where the insurance must be purchased within 30 days after arriving in the destination. This time could be 6 months as well depending on the age of the person.
05.Is travel insurance worth getting?
Insurance is always purchased keeping in mind the unexpected sudden incidents in mind. Travel insurance especially is something that is exclusively meant for unexpected accidents or sickness. These are not for preventive care, planned health check-ups or appointments.
Having said that, it is definitely worth buying insurance paying a few hundred dollars and enjoy the travel peacefully instead of taking the risk of no insurance and end up paying a huge amount for unexpected accidents and sickness treatments at the hospitals.
06. Is travel medical insurance necessary?
Some of the countries have made it mandatory to have travel insurance before starting the travel. While the travel insurance takes care of the unexpected incident coverage travel plans extend their coverage benefit to cover emergency coverage in case of sudden recurrence of a pre-existing condition, repatriation, evacuation, trip interruption, baggage delay and loss which definitely makes a very necessary requirement for a traveler.
07. What are the benefits of travel insurance?
Travel insurance not only covers the unexpected incidents and injuries and takes care of the hospital costs, it also extends coverage for acute onset of pre existing condition, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage loss or delay...some of the travel insurance plans offer coverage for adventure sports.
08. What is the Purpose of Travel Insurance?
- Protect the cost of your trip if you have a travel delay or need cancellation.
- Offset added expenses due to a travel delay or lost, delayed or damaged luggage.
- Protect from expensive medical bills in case you are injured or become ill while traveling abroad.
09. What is travel health insurance plan?
A travel health insurance (also known as visitors insurance) plan provides coverage for travelers outside their home country for both long and short trips as opposed to domestic health insurance which cover offers protection for the insured within their home country.
The visitors medical insurance offers protection both for medical and travel accidents and illness while on an international trip. The insured receive medical care and assistance for unexpected medical and travel events while travelling overseas.
Visitor health insurance is available for all categories of the travelers like for vacationers, business men, Students, short visits and annual multi-trips depending on the duration of the stay and the visa type of the traveler.
10. What does overseas travel medical insurance cover?
A visitors overseas travel medical insurance plan covers:
- Any new sickness or injury that occurs during the trip after the start of the policy.
- Accidents or illness occurred during the trip
- Medical emergencies and medical evacuation
- Cover for hospital treatment ,doctor expenses and prescribed drugs
- Some plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Dental emergencies (again offered by some insurance plans)
11. What does the visitor health insurance not cover?
- Preventive care like routine health checks, physical examinations, inoculation, vaccination
- Regular treatment for pre-existing conditions
- Maternity coverage if conception occurs before purchase of visitor health insurance.
12. What are the different types of visitor insurance plans?
There are broadly two types of visitors health insurance that a traveler can choose based on their travel requirements.
Fixed benefit travel insurance coverage
A fixed benefit insurance plan is a basic plan with lower benefits and lower premiums. These covers offer basic standard medical coverage and stay in case unforeseen medical or travel events occur while traveling away from home country. There are few plans that cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to a certain limit.
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
Comprehensive travel insurance offers exhaustive coverage but are more expensive when compared to the fixed benefit plans that are best for international travel. Most of the comprehensive plans offer coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. The insured can visit doctors within their PPO network to get cashless services.
There are many US insurance providers who offer good comprehensive visitors health insurance plans like Patriot America Plus, Safe Travel USA Comprehensive, Atlas Travel and Travel Medical Plus.
13. How can the insured use the best international travel medical insurance?
- Hospitals and Urgent care–the Insured can produce their visitor medical insurance card at the urgent care in an event of falling sick or injured while in the US. If the insured requires medical assistance then he can visit a hospital where cashless medical services can be availed.
- Prescriptions–The insured can buy prescribed medicines for a medical ailment that occurs during travel and file a claim for reimbursement along with the proof of the receipt.
Travelers to the US or anywhere outside their home country should have adequate visitor insurance coverage for a safe journey.
Steps to buy US travel health insurance
1: Find best health insurance for foreigners
Complete the travel insurance quote request form by providing details of the traveler and insurance requirements.
2: Compare best travel insurance USA options
Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance options to identify what fits your needs best.
3: Buy US travel health insurance that you like best
Purchase the best plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
4: Review emailed travel health insurance foreigners documents
Review the international travel health insurance policy for coverage details and relevant contact numbers
What is the best US visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage?
The best US visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage is listed here:
- The INF Elite plans are designed for travelers who need coverage for full pre-existing medical conditions up to age 99 years. INF Elite plans are comprehensive plans available for people traveling to the US and provide flexible coverage. Minimum Purchase of 90 days is required on the plans.
- Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers coverage for acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to 89 years. For persons under 70 covers medical treatment to policy maximum (cardiac-related treatment up to $25,000). For persons above 70 Acute Onset benefits is reduced to a maximum of $35,000 (cardiac-related treatment up to $15,000).
- Atlas America Insurance is a comprehensive visitor insurance for acute on set of pre-existing conditions that covers Non-US citizens and Non-US residents while visiting the US up to age 79 years.
The plan provides acute onset of non-chronic pre-existing conditions coverage.. - Patriot America plus is Comprehensive travel insurance covers acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to chosen maximum limit aged up to 70 years. This plan is available for Non US citizens travelling to the USA and US citizens and Non US citizens living abroad can buy this plan for visiting the US for short while. Plan is suitable for Green Card holders as long as they reside outside the US.
- Visitors Protect is Comprehensive visitor medical insurance offers pre-existing conditions up to age 99 years. Minimum Purchase of 90 days is required on the plan. It is an affordable plan for visitors visiting the US.
- Safe Travels USA is a cheap travel medical insurance plan that covers sudden, unexpected recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition for Non-US Citizens and Non-US Residents while visiting the USA up to 89 years.
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 maximum coverage
The price of visitors insurance is directly dependent on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.
Region of coverage
Travel insurance depends on the coverage region. The cost for visitor insurance for the United States is most expensive when compared to Europe or Asia.
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.
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.