Best time to buy travel health Insurance

travel plans and cannot extend a policy they already purchased. People have insurance through school or an employer and now they are changing paths and find themselves without coverage. Or you just forgot. We forgive you, not to worry! In most cases, you can still purchase a policy. The soonest a policy can start coverage is the following day after the purchase, so if you do have a policy that is expiring or you change dates, just be aware of that.

So, while many top rated Visitor insurance companies we work with do not mind that you are already mid-trip when you start your policies, most of their forms are set up with terms like: trip start date, trip end date, date of arrival in US, etc. You must always answer the questions honestly and straightforwardly. Generally, you can put the date you want the policy to start (even if it was not your actual start date) and end (even if you may have other plans afterwards). However, if they specifically ask for a date you entered the US, you will have to give it as best as you can remember (if it was 5 years ago in Aug, just give a good guess... Aug, 15, 2014, since you cannot do less than give a particular date). If the form asks if you are already in your destination country, you will have to answer "Yes". That answer may restrict what you can purchase, but there are other options for you.

Here are some plans that do not care how long you have been at your destination country: Patriot America or Patriot International, Atlas America or Atlas International, Liaison Travel Series, Diplomat America or Diplomat International, and Safe Travels plans (although they prefer to cover your whole trip).
Here are some plans that “do” care how long you have been in the US (these are specifically for travel to the US), if you are over 65 years, you must purchase Visitor's Care or Patriot Go Travel plans within 30 days of arrival (these plans are offered by International Medical Group-IMG). However, if you had patriot travel Insurance coverage, you can waive this requirement.

Elite US visitor insurance is not available for visitors who are already in the USA

The Inbound USA insurance from Seven Corners must be bought within 12 months of arrival in the USA.

Happy trip planning! Most of these limitations are not an issue at all if you are within 30 days of arrival to your destination. If you are beyond that see what plans are available by using our US Immigrant insurance comparison tool.