Eligibility for buying visitors insurance when travelling to USA, Can I buy travel insurance after arrival to the US

Can I buy travel insurance after arrival in the USA?

After a long period of closing border to international travelers, the United States has again opened its borders after the Covid19 pandemic. There are now no Covid related restrictions, be it the Covid test or proof of Covid vaccination.

One of the more crucial requirements for international travel is visitor medical insurance since medical expenses in a foreign country can be crippling in countries like the US where cost of healthcare is very expensive.

Having sufficient and best international travel insurance makes your international travel an enjoyable experience taking care of your hard earned money in the event of any unexpected injury or sickness.

While buying travel insurance USA for travelling to USA it is important to understand visitors insurance purchase process, that it has to be bought before arriving in the foreign country. There are many insurance companies who have excellent plans for covering unexpected sickness and injury but they stress that the customers purchase the policy before they arrive in their international destination.

Buying US visa medical insurance early is important to ensure that the travel health insurance is used legitimately for incidents that occur after the insurance has been purchased as opposed to buying travel insurance after one has a specific need of a medical treatment. However there are legitimate instances where travellers are compelled to buy the travel insurance after reaching the destination country. Some of these reasons include the inability to renew an existing travel insurance plan purchased from their home country, or students who finish their school work and are not eligible to buy student insurance, but need health coverage for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) status. It is very important to understand that even without an eligibility timeframe, you cannot buy the insurance after having an medical ailment which needs treatment. Any existing medical ailment before you buy the insurance will be considered as a pre-existing condition, and the coverage will be considered under the Pre-existing condition visitor insurance coverage criterion.

Different insurance providers have different eligibility time limits after reaching the destination country for travellers to buy their travel insurance products. Listed below are the criteria for some popular insurance providers.

The International Medical Group (IMG) offers popular fixed and comprehensive visitor insurance plans for all budgets. They have an eligibility criteria which is inbuilt in their online application. Customers will not be allowed to buy their plan once they have exceeded the eligibility time frame of being in the destination country.

Some of the other companies that do not have arrival time restriction in the US are highlighted below:
WorldTrips travel insurance does not have any eligibility time limits to buy their visitor travel insurance plans.

Trawick International is another company that has plans for visitors and they do not have any arrival time restrictions as well. Their comprehensive plans have very good coverage for acute onset of pre-existing condition for even people who are above 70 which makes these plans unique from other comprehensive plans.

Travel Insurance Services has excellent comprehensive plans for Green Card holders and visitors. Their Visit USA Healthcare plan has good sports coverage as well. Their student plans are quite popular as well for their benefits. The plans from this company have a unique advantage where they do not have state restriction in the US where, purchasing of plans while located physically in some states is prohibited although the coverage is still available when purchased in a different unrestricted state in the US.

Global Underwriters is another popular provider and their Diplomat America plan is suitable for visitors as well as US citizens visiting US for brief time. They provide a year coverage with the plan for US citizens visiting US.

Pre-existing conditions visitors insurance

Tips for travelers with pre-existing conditions

Here are some travel insurance tips for travelers with pre-existing conditions

Choose a travel medical insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage.
Read the policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is not.
Be aware of look back period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Consider buying an US travel health insurance plan with higher medical coverage.
Keep a copy of your medical records and list of medications when you travel.
Take your Doctor's prescription and medications during your trip.
Learn how to access healthcare at your destination.
Contact your US traveler insurance provider immediately in case of a medical emergency.
Disclose all pre-existing conditions when purchasing visitor health insurance.
Follow all procedures while submiting a claim.

What is visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions?

There are many health insurance for us visitors options for international travel. However, many usa travel insurance for visitors plans exclude pre-existing conditions. Hence the traveler insurance will not cover the costs of treating a pre-existing medical condition. However at American Visitor Insurance, we offer some travel medical insurance plans that have coverage for pre-existing conditions and the policy clearly states what is covered for a pre-existing conditions, as well as specifying a limit to this coverage.

Some travel health insurance plans like Atlas America, Patriot America Plus offer coverage for an acute onset of a pre-existing conditions, ie, when there is a sudden medical emergency without any prior symptom that needs to be treated immediately. This typically includes emergency medical treatment, hospitalization and evacuation expenses related to the acute onset of the pre-existing condition. INF insurance however has the INF Elite insurance which covers pre-existing conditions going beyond the acute onset coverage. It is important to compare visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions on American Visitor Insurance both for the price as well as pre-existing conditions coverage before making a decision.

How does travel insurance for pre-existing conditions work?

The travel health insurance plans which cover pre-existing conditions have clear definitions of what is a pre-existing condition, the look back period for pre-existing condition, whether the travel insurance coverage is limited to acute onset of pre-existing conditions, and if it provides full coverage for pre-existing conditions the coverage limit within the policy for pre-existing conditons. Any travel health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions will depend on all these.

Factors to consider while purchasing visitors health insurance for pre existing conditions?

The following are important factors for buying travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

The definition of pre-existing conditions and the look back period under the policy.
The eligibility age limit for pre-existing conditions coverage.
Whether pre-existing condition coverage is limited to acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
The coverage limit for pre-existing conditions which is different from the policy medical maximum.
The deductible and out of pocket expenses for pre-existing conditions coverage.

Why is health insurance for travel to USA with pre-existing conditions coverage important?

Traveling anywhere outside worldwide is supposed to be an eye opening, special and a relaxed trip experience. Traveling with a health condition brings in more challenges in order to get covered for the unexpected medical expense in case of odd surprises during the trip. This calls out for an insurance plan that covers the pre-existing conditions that will relieve the unnecessary stress of taking extra care of yourself during your most memorable travel experience.

The plans also will be expensive considering the risks involved to cover pre-existing conditions. Many of the travel insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions. At American Visitor Insurance we offer plans that cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions as well as some cover full pre-existing conditions.

Pre-existing conditions coverage - FAQ's

Unfortunately, this simple question has a fairly complicated answer. The answer is: it depends. Firstly, it depends on whether you are a US resident traveling outside the US or a visitor to the US. US residents can purchase trip cancellation insurance that can cover pre-existing conditions and even plans that are travel medical only without cancellation often are more generous in their coverage of pre-existing conditions. These plans may have specific requirements in order to waive the usual exclusion of coverage for pre-existing conditions (like purchase them within a certain number of days of your initial trip deposit or that you have a primary domestic insurance plan in the US), so you should check these details carefully if this is important to you.

Non-US residents or US residents traveling into the US have much more limited options to insure their pre-existing conditions are covered. Some plans offer coverage for "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions. However, this is misleading, since a careful look at their definition excludes chronic or congenital disorders from such coverage. Chronic illnesses are those that worsen over time and congenital disorders are issues one is born with. They exclude emergencies due to chronic illness because they will say that is not "acute" it is simply a worsening of your condition. There are only two policies we know of that offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. They are INF Premier and INF Elite plans.

Firstly, they define pre-existing conditions in the following way: A pre-existing condition is a condition for which the insured received treatment or took medication for in the previous 12 months before the start of the policy. If the medication dosage has not changed and is taken as a maintenance medication, this would NOT count as a flare up or treatment of the condition. In that case, very stable conditions that have no flare ups in the past 12 months are not even excluded as pre-existing conditions. Conditions that have had flare ups or doctor recommended treatment or change in medication, are still covered by the plans but with a higher deductible and a lower maximum.

INF Elite (also INF Elite 90) are comprehensive plans offering fairly complete coverage. INF Premier is a fixed plan. Find details on these plans here.

The above plans must be purchased for at least 90 days and can be quite pricey for seniors, but they offer the only real coverage for chronic conditions.

The other option, of course, is to take a plans with little ($1K) or no coverage for pre-existing conditions and take a risk that that condition will not flare up during the trip.

INF plans boast they offer "full" coverage for pre-existing conditions. This can be a little misleading. Firstly, any regular treatment or medication that is required by the condition is never covered. The main advantage to the INF Elite and INF Premier is that they cover sudden illness/injury regardless of whether it is pre-existing or not. The only difference is that a pre-existing condition will be covered with a higher deductible at at a lower maximum than any other "new" illness or injury. However, coverage is not limited to an emergency or life-threatening situation.

The "Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition" is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing medical condition which occurs without any advance warning either in the form of physician recommendations or symptoms and requires immediate care (within 24 hours of first symptoms). A Pre-Existing Condition that is a chronic or congenital condition or that gradually becomes worse over time will not be considered acute onset.

The acute onset coverage benefit does not include coverage for known, scheduled, required, or expected medical care, drugs or treatment existent or necessary prior to the effective date of coverage. An example of this might be someone who has a food allergy or bee allergy and is unknowingly exposed to their allergen and requires immediate medical attention.

Acute onset of a pre-existing condition can be defined as the sudden & unexpected occurrence of a pre-existing condition which requires in-patient, emergency hospitalization within 24 hours of exhibiting first symptoms. The main difference between acute onset & full pre-existing is that with Full Pre-Existing coverage, is that one is covered for all pre-existing conditions and associated medical costs and this includes follow up visits, hospitalizations and doctor’s visits, etc. The acute onset coverage will only cover the in-patient hospitalization expense.

Full Pre-existing means we will cover any issue regarding a pre-existing condition, however, if one is traveling to the United States solely for medical treatment, that will not be covered. INF plans do not cover any medical tourism related claims. Pre-existing conditions under the INF plans are covered with a higher deductible and a lower maximum than other illnesses or injuries. These are chosen or specified when you purchase you plan.

Yes, the INF policies will cover any pre-existing issue that the traveler may have during their stay in the United States. This includes blood pressure, diabetes, kidney related issues and arthritis, all of which are covered by the INF Premier, INF Premier Plus, INF Elite, INF Elite Plus and INF Elite 90 Plans.

The insurance company takes on an enormous risk by insuring individuals and including coverage for pre-existing conditions without any prior medical examination. Under the INF plans, you are paying more, but you are getting the full value for the money you pay given the very high cost of US healthcare. With the INF Premier, INF Premier Plus, INF Elite, INF Elite Plus and INF Elite 90 Plans, even though it is expensive, you can have the comfort of knowing that you are covered for any emergency or contingency. This peace of mind given the expensive US healthcare expense is what makes INF plans worth it despite being expensive.

The list of covered services under Visitors insurance full pre-existing conditions coverage can be found on the American Visitor Insurance website of the INF Premier, INF Premier Plus, INF Elite, INF Elite Plus and INF Elite 90 Plan pages. INF plans are open to green card holders

Travel Insurance - FAQ's

Yes, there are many travel insurance options for seniors over 70 from the USA. Many US travel insurance providers offer policies specifically designed for older travelers, and some policies may have no age limit for coverage. However, it is important to note that the cost of travel medical insurance for seniors is higher than for younger travelers due to increased health risks and the likelihood of pre-existing conditions. Additionally, coverage and benefits may vary depending on the policy, and it is important to carefully review policy terms and conditions to ensure that you get the coverage you need.

Some US insurance providers that offer travel medical insurance for seniors over 70 from the USA include Trawick International, Seven Corners, IMG and WorldTrips. It's recommended to research and compare different policies on American Visitor Insurance based on costs, benefits and coverage for pre-existing conditions to find the best traveller insurance and value for your needs.

The most important insurance coverage for senior travelers is extent of medical coverage. Seniors are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions and may be at higher risk for medical emergencies while traveling, making it essential to have adequate medical coverage in case of illness or injury. Travel medical coverage can include coverage for hospitalization, emergency medical treatment, and medical evacuation if needed.

In addition to travel medical coverage, senior travelers may also want to consider trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which can help protect against financial loss if they need to cancel or cut short their trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or weather-related events. There is the option available for US travelers to buy travel insurance with cancel for any reason, which gives full flexibility to cancel a trip.

Among other important insurance coverage for senior travelers is the coverage for lost or stolen luggage, travel delays or missed connections, and accidental death or dismemberment. Older travelers should compare different US travel insurance policies to find the best coverage and value for their individual needs on American Visitor Insurance.

Yes, it is possible to find cheap travel insurance for seniors over 70. Many insurance providers offer specialized travel insurance plans that cater to the needs of older adults. By comparing quotes from different insurers and considering factors such as coverage options, deductibles, and pre-existing condition coverage, seniors can find affordable travel insurance that suits their specific requirements. It is advisable to shop around and explore various options to find the most cost-effective travel insurance policy for seniors over 70.

Older travelers can easily compare different travel insurance over 70 plans on American Visitor Insurance which allows you to compare features, benefits, and prices of different policies. Travelers can review travel insurance plans based on your specific needs and preferences. For example, if you are looking for visitor insurance which focuses on the health of the traveler, you can compare insurance based on the specific coverage for medical ailments, coverage for pre-existing conditions, the co-insurance and deductible for the insurance plan Some of the factors that you should consider while comparing visitor insurance health insurance for the traveler are:

The maximum medical coverage available for the age of the traveler
The cost of insurance and deductible and co-insurance expenses
The Preferred provider organisation (PPO) network of the insurance provider and user reviews
The coverage for pre-existing conditions and any exclusions and limitations of the policy
The customer assistance and emergency helpline of the insurer

Visitor health insurance which insures mainly the health of the traveler against accident or sickness when he/she is traveling overseas is very important since healthcare is very expensive, especially in the USA. Visitor health insurance is important even if you have health insurance in your home country which you believe will work in the US. The main reason for this is that US insurance providers negotiate with the healthcare providers in the US to get a better pricing for medical services, something that is not available to international insurance providers. This makes US healthcare very expensive even with travel medical insurance coverage which do not have negotiated rates with US healthcare providers.

Visitor insurance which focuses on insuring the travel expenses along with the health of the traveler is very important to protect travelers from unforeseen risks and emergencies that may occur during their trip. Travel insurance can provide coverage for various situations such as:

Medical expenses due to illness or injury
Trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen reasons
Loss or delay of baggage or personal belongings
Passport or travel document theft or loss
Emergency evacuation or repatriation
Legal liability or personal accident
Travel assistance and support

Having the best visitor insurance is really important given its relative cost to that of the trip and the cost of healthcare overseas. Visitor insurance can help you save money, time, and hassle in case something goes wrong during your trip. It can also give you peace of mind and confidence to enjoy your travel experience. Therefore, travel insurance is strongly recommended for travelers to travel safely and securely.

It is easy to find the best visitor insurance online by comparing several insurance options on American Visitor Insurance based on cost as well as coverage benefits offered.

The cost of travel health insurance which focuses on the health of the traveler depends on factors such as:

The age and health of the traveler (older the traveler, higher the cost)
The destination and duration of your trip (cost in US is most expensive)
The amount of medical maximum coverage chosen (higher the coverage, higher the cost)
The deductible and co-insurance of the insurance
Any add-on benefits (pre-existing conditions coverage etc.. cost more)

Yes, visitors insurance is the same of travel insurance. However there are several types of travel insurance one can purchase for a trip. Some policies are long-term and meant for a frequent international traveler who wants to choose where they get their medical care (global medical plans). Some are annual travel insurance that require a home plan that will cover for medical expenses while away from home for short (generally under 45 days) trips (annual multi-trip plans). There are trip cancellation plans that allow you to insure the value of your trip should you not be able to take your trip as well as cover your unexpected medical expenses should you go on your trip (trip plans) which are available from US companies for US residents only. And, finally, there are single trip travel insurance which do not insure your trip, but cover you medically while on your trip and are usually completely refundable if you cancel your trip (travel insurance).

The cost of the travel insurance for US visitors is based on the age of the insured, the maximum of the policy, the deductible on the policy, and the number of days of the trip. With visitor insurance, you can choose a fixed or a comprehensive plan. A fixed or limited benefit plan is generally much cheaper than a comprehensive plan because the plan has limits on what it pays out for each medical expense. The comprehensive plan is more expensive because it offers more complete coverage of medical expenses to the medical maximum.

Tourists can use Urgent Care clinics, make appointments at a doctor's office or go the the hospital, if needed. However, they will have to pay out-of-pocket for any and all medical care they receive. This is why we recommend getting a travel or US tourist health insurance plan for the duration of their stay.

Visitor insurance USA is travel insurance that can be purchased for travel in the US and for travel outside one’s home country. Visitors Insurance provides coverage for unexpected health care expenses due to accident or sickness while traveling. Travelers can compare and buy the best US travel insurance plans at American Visitor Insurance.

If you are buying travel health insurance where the focus is on the health of the traveler and not on the trip expenses, then buying the travel insurance just before you start the journey will suffice. If you trying to buy the insurance after your travel, please contact American Visitor Insurance at 877-340-7910 and talk to a licensed agent about your options.

If you are buying trip cancellation insurance, where you are insuring your trip expenses, then the answer regarding when you buy insurance, is "as soon as possible", so that you can get the expenses refunded if you cancel your trip for a insured reason. Ideally, it is good to buy insurance 21 days prior to the trip which gives some additional coverage for trip cancellation plans.

If you are buying travel insurance to insure the health of the traveler and not on the trip expenses, please contact American Visitor Insurance at 877-340-7910 and talk to a licensed agent about your options to buy insurance after your departure.

You can buy coverage before you book the flight, however it is good to wait until the flight is booked and the seat is reserved on the plane. This way we know the ticket price and we can make sure that the travel insurance will cover the full cost of the trip in case we need to file a claim later. The more information you have about the trip and estimated expenses, it is easier to buy coverage that suits your needs.

Flight Insurance is a type of travel insurance policy where it covers some of the things a travel insurance covers although they are not the same and they cover different aspects of the trip:

Flight Insurance: Flight insurance, also known as flight cancellation insurance or flight protection plan, specifically covers the cost of your flight in case it is canceled, delayed, or interrupted. This type of insurance focuses on the risks associated with your flights, such as airline bankruptcies, severe weather conditions, or personal emergencies that may prevent you from traveling. Flight insurance typically reimburses you for the cost of your flight tickets or provides alternative transportation arrangements.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance on the other hand, is a broader type of insurance that covers various aspects of your trip beyond just flights. It typically includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, lost baggage, travel delays, and other potential risks you may encounter while traveling. Travel insurance offers more comprehensive protection and can be tailored to fit your specific travel needs.

In general, the flight ticket does not include travel insurance in it. The purchase of the flight ticket, you are paying solely for the transportation service provided by the airline. But you will have the option to add the insurance to your ticket with additional cost which you will have to opt for while purchasing the flight ticket.

There will be an option to add the insurance during the booking process at an extra cost for the insurance apart from the premium that is paid for the insurance. It is important to understand and carefully read the policy terms and conditions in order to see what it covers, exclusions, limitations. You can buy Travel insurance on American Visitor Insurance by comparing the best US travel insurance plans and selecting what works best for your needs.

To purchase a travel insurance policy, you will typically need to provide the following information:

Personal Information: This includes your full name, date of birth, gender, and contact details (address, email, phone number).
Trip Details: You will need to provide information about your trip, such as the destination(s), travel dates (departure and return), duration of the trip, and the purpose of your travel (e.g., vacation, business).
Number of Travelers: You will need to specify the number of travelers you want to include in the insurance policy. This includes providing the personal information of all individuals who will be covered by the policy.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: You will need to opt in or out for coverage of pre-existing conditions by looking carefully into the benefits of the plan to see how much is covered under this benefit and up to what age limit.
Beneficiary Information: Depending on the insurance plan and policy, you may be asked to provide a beneficiary in case of Accidental death and dismemberment.
Coverage Options: While choosing the coverage options, you can pick the policy maximum and deductible options on the application form. To decide on a plan, you need to look at the coverage options for emergency coverage, coverage for unexpected sickness and injury, trip interruption benefits...

Most of the insurance policies can be purchased online at American Visitor Insurance. Filling out an online application with all the information mentioned above and making the transaction online is the common process of purchasing the travel insurance. After the transaction is complete the customer will receive a confirmation email with the policy details attached with the email.

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