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Expertise in offering travel insurance
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Expertise in offering travel insurance
20+ years!
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Customers from over
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Customers from over
180 countries!
Travel insurance from India is not mandatory for visitors to the USA, but it is highly recommended. While the U.S. government does not require travelers to have insurance, healthcare in the USA can be very expensive. Having travel insurance for the USA helps cover potential medical emergencies, and other travel-related issues. For more details please contact us at (877)-340-7910 or email and one of our licensed agents to get help finding best medical insurance for visitors to USA from India for family.
| Travel insurance from the USA | Travel insurance from India to the USA | |
|---|---|---|
| PPO Network | Seamless integration with the US healthcare infrastructure. Provides access to vast network of hospitals and providers at lower hospitalization costs with direct billing options, hence minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. | No PPO network in the USA. |
| Direct Billing | Most US insurance plans, through PPO networks, allow direct billing with healthcare providers, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses by having doctors and hospitals bill the insurance company directly. | Operates on a reimbursement basis, requiring upfront payment for medical services. Some providers may require prior approval for doctor visits, and there are no network-negotiated discounts. |
| Healthcare System Expertise | Extensive knowledge of the US healthcare system, regulations, and provider networks. US insurance companies can help navigate hospitals, claims, and billing with ease. | Limited knowledge of the US healthcare system. Indian insurance companies may not be aware of the details of US medical facilities, which can lead to issues with claims. |
| Language and communication | Easier communication in English, aligned with US cultural and operational norms. | Native language communication simplifies understanding of terms, but cultural and operational gaps may arise in US-specific cases. |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | Most visitor insurance plans cover unexpected medical expenses but exclude pre-existing conditions, though some offer coverage for acute onset of such conditions. Ideal for parents visiting the US | Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions or limit coverage for them, reducing options for travelers with ongoing health concerns. |
| Renewal / extension | Easy renewals and policy extensions available for up to three years, ensuring continued coverage for extended stays. | Policies must be repurchased if extended. Some insurers do not allow extensions if claims are made or if the policy has expired. |
| Claim Process | Direct billing through the PPO network. | Requires paperwork and no direct billing, resulting in delayed reimbursement. Reimbursement is usually made to Indian accounts in Indian Rupees, even if expense is in dollars. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 emergency assistance aligned with US time zones. Fast response and support tailored to US healthcare needs, ensuring efficient claims handling. | Support available during Indian business hours; time zone differences may delay responses while in the US. |
| Cost | US travel insurance premiums can be high, but offers comprehensive coverage for medical and trip-related needs. | Can be cheaper but with less coverage, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses for medical services. |
| Outpatient Coverage | Coverage includes outpatient services like doctor visits, preventive care, and outpatient surgeries as part of the policy, subject to terms. | Policies may limit outpatient coverage or only cover hospitalization, leading to additional costs for outpatient treatments. |
| Purchase Process and ID card | Get instant quotes on American Visitor Insurance and buy easily online. Coverage can start as early as the following day. Customers get an online ID card with your policy details, enabling direct billing with in-network providers. | Manual paperwork required with some plans, including medical exams for older individuals for some companies. Online purchase may or may not be available. |
When traveling to the USA, buying the best travel health insurance is very important. Indian travelers have the option to buy visitors insurance coverage from either a US-based or an India-based insurance provider, each offering a variety of plans. How do you decide whether to buy visitor insurance from the USA or India for your family? Which is the best medical insurance for visitors to the USA from India?
Buying the right travel insurance for parents visiting the USA is important to protect against high US medical costs and emergencies. A good visitors coverage covers doctor visits, urgent care, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions while offering benefits like direct billing through PPO networks.
Purchasing the best medical insurance for visitors to USA from India with US insurance providers is advisable over travel insurance from India because US hospitals are more familiar with US insurance providers, making direct billing simpler. Also, US travel insurance are part of US PPO networks which will significantly decrease hospital bills.
Travel insurance from the USA is the best option for Indian travelers visiting the US due to these key advantages:
Buying travel insurance from India might have limited coverage, lack of regulations, and difficulties in navigating medical care and filing claims in the USA.
The cheapest US travel insurance is Safe Travels Adavnatge. The other affordable travel insurance for the US from India are Safe Travels Elite from Trawick International and Visitors Care from IMG.
Chepeast travel insurance cost for USA from India| Insurance Plans | Plan Maximum | Deductible | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 | $0 | $20 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 | $0 | $25 |
| Visitors Care | $25,000 | $100 | $27 |
*Disclaimer: The average cost of cheapest travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old for one month. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
The best travel insurance for USA from India are Patriot America Plus by International Medical Group, Atlas America from WorldTrips, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Trawick International. These are comprehensive plans and offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
| Insurance Plans | Plan Maximum | Deductible | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas America | $50,000 | $250 | $76 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 | $250 | $76 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 | $250 | $118 |
*Disclaimer: The average cost of travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old for one month. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
The most commonly used short-term USA visitor visas are:
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization): For travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, ESTA allows for visa-free travel to the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days. This is not a visa but an authorization for eligible travelers.
US visa health insurance »
Travel insurance for the USA is so expensive due to the high cost of healthcare, which includes significant medical expenses associated with doctor visits and emergency services. The US healthcare system operates with high costs and a lack of regulation, leading to variability in medical costs that insurers must account for in their premiums. The comprehensive coverage, such as emergency medical evacuation, 24/7 support, and protection for various travel-related concerns, also adds to the higher cost.
Indian health insurance plans do not provide coverage in the USA. Most Indian insurers offer limited or no coverage for medical expenses incurred abroad. If you're traveling to the US, it’s recommended to buy a US-based travel insurance plan designed for international coverage to ensure comprehensive medical coverage.
Yes, you can buy travel insurance after arriving in the USA, but it is recommended to buy it before your trip begins. If you buy insurance after arrival, it may not cover any medical expenses incurred before the policy was activated. Some insurance providers may have a waiting period before certain coverage takes effect. Buying in advance ensures your protected from the moment you arrive.
Yes, you can buy travel insurance from both India and the US for the same trip. However, it's important to understand how the benefits will work together if you need to file a claim. While purchasing travel insurance from India is an option, it is generally recommended to buy US visitor insurance for US trips. US-based plans are well-recognized by hospitals, offer smoother claims processes, and provide more seamless coverage in the US.
If pre-existing medical conditions is a top concern for you when insuring your visiting parents, then you should consider one of three plans that actually covers any emergency whether due to something new or due to a pre-existing condition. The policies are: Visitors Protect by IMG, or Premier or Elite from INF.
The Elite plan and the Visitors Protect plans are comprehensive which make them fairly complete. The Visitors Protect plan is a 25/75 plan meaning that after the deductible, they pay 75% and you would pay 25% of medical expenses. The Elite plan is a 20/80 plan, or you can opt for the Elite 90 plan which is a 10/90 plan. The third plan is a fixed plan offered by INF. A fixed plan or limited plan has caps on what it pays out for each medical expense, so it may not pay 100% of any bill (and it does not cover a percentage like the comprehensive plans).
The definition of pre-existing conditions and how they cover is unique to these plans. Firstly, if a condition is VERY stable (has had no flare up nor change in medication 12 months before the start of the plan), then the policy covers it like any other condition (at the maximum and deductible you chose). If there HAS been a flare up or change in the past year, then it is still covered, but it will be subject to a higher deductible and a lower maximum (on the fixed plan, you choose these). Please call us if you have any questions or need assistance at (877)-340-7910.
For minor illness or injury, $50,000 might be enough coverage. However, if you are concerned about an (albeit unlikely) stay at a hospital, those expenses can run up quickly beyond $100,000 in a few days. When asked, I typically recommend at least $100,000 maximum. If a person is at risk for multiple fractures or a longer hospital stay (they are older, perhaps?), then I would go as high as I could. Often, the age of the insured will limit the maximum allowed.
The cheapest $50,000 travel insurance with deductible $250 for 65 years old traveler is Safe Travels USA whose cost starts from $160 per month, then is the Patriot America Plus insurance cost starting from $173 per month while Atlas America insurance can cost $206 per month.
Visitor travel health insurance plans never cover regular, required medical care for a chronic condition. For example, if a traveler takes medication regularly or requires treatment like dialysis, those things will have to be paid for out of pocket by the traveler and should be calculated into the cost of their trip. If medications are lost or stolen and need to be replace, that will require a doctor visit to get a prescription and then the purchase at the pharmacy all of which would have to be paid for by the insured.
If the concern is for a sudden, unexpected flare up with a chronic, pre-existing condition, then there are a few plans which will cover that, but they are quite expensive and must be purchased for at least 90 days. Note also, that those plans also must be purchased BEFORE the travel begins and cover only travel to the US (some include Canada and Mexico).
No. Visitor policies do not cover wellness visits and routine checkups. So, vaccinations, for example, will not be covered, nor an annual ob-gyn exam. Also, there is often limited or no coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (check carefully on the policy if these are a major concern). Also, all policies have exclusions of particular illnesses.
For example, maternity is specifically excluded from most policies as are UTI’s and other diseases (particularly sexually transmitted diseases and issues or expensive and lengthy ones, like cancer treatment). Also, if a person is traveling to get a particular medical treatment, that will not be covered nor any issue arising therefrom.