Several NRI’s travel to India often to connect back with their family and friends. Traveling international does expose the traveler to different risks. NRIs should buy good international travel insurance while doing a journey back to India. While healthcare in most Indian cities is on par with the best in the world, it is also expensive. It is prudent to have good international travel insurance to cover you for any medical expenses you can incur while outside your country to residence, whether in India, or during the journey back and forth.
As an Non Resident Indian (NRI) traveling to the US on a tourist visa, or any other short term non-immigrant visa, it is important to buy US visitors insurance. As a short term visitor to the US, you will not be eligible for domestic US health insurance policies. Healthcare in the United States is very expensive and it is extremely risky to be in the United States without proper health insurance. Even relatively trivial out-patient medical care is expensive, while hospitalization in an US healthcare facility will be exorbitant.
At American Visitor Insurance, we work with reputed US insurance providers who have designed temporary visitors insurance products that are ideal for NRI’s visiting the country. These insurance products provide coverage for any sickness or accident related medical expenses. We also offer NRIs the option of buying visitor insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions. NRIs can compare several US visitors medical insurance plans based on the price as well as coverage details and buy the policy that best fits their needs and budget. NRIs should review the visitors insurance policy terms so that you are well informed about the coverage limits and any exclusions.
NRIs living in the US but are traveling overseas will also find our insurance products useful. NRIs can also buy our travel insurance when on vacations in Canada, Mexico or other nearby Caribbean destinations since most domestic US health insurance offers little or no coverage outside US borders. NRIs can buy our visitors insurance for their short visits to India. NRIs traveling to Europe and who need the Schengen visa will need to buy Schengen visa insurance which satisfies Schengen consulate requirements. We offer travel insurance for Europe which satisfy these Schengen visa requirements.
Advantages of buying travel Insurance in the US when compare to Indian travel insurance options. Purchasing US travel insurance provides coverage that is custom designed for the US healthcare system. Local US healthcare knowledge and network ties are hugely beneficial while navigating the US healthcare landscape. An US-based medical insurance for visitors to USA from India integrates seamlessly with local healthcare providers and will be advantageous for your expenses. Most US travel insurance plans have a network of healthcare providers (PPO network) within the US. This network facilitates a significantly lower billing for hospitalization costs as well as manage the direct billing arrangements and provides easier access to medical services.
It is much easier dealing with a US-based insurance provider as they offer the advantage of easier communication due to language and time zone proximity. US-based travel medical insurance for USA from India providers have a better understanding of US laws and regulations governing insurance simplifying the claims processes. US travel insurance plans provide comprehensive global assistance services, 24/7 support including emergency medical evacuation. US travel insurance providers also offer specialized coverage that cater to specific needs of international travelers, such as coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or for extending the trip and renewal of an existing policy.
The cost of the travel insurance can vary based on factors like:
The price of the plan is approximate and can change based on the specific needs and circumstances. It is a good idea to compare different plans and get quotes from multiple providers to find the best coverage for your budget.
Pay $370 filling fees +$85 for biometric fees depending on the petition at the USCIS.
The USCIS will issue a receipt with 13-digit case number on submission of the extension application
The Indian tourist should provide this case number to check the status of the application and its processing times (customer service number helpline number is: 1-800-375-5283).
While you are in the US in an unplanned situation thanks to COVID-19, it is very important to buy best travel health insurance for Indians with Covid-19 coverage to secure yourself from unexpected illness. Indian Travelers can compare popular travel health insurance to buy good US visitor insurance with Covid-19 coverage.
The best insurance in the USA is dependent on your travel needs and the top rated companies in the USA. Here are some top choices:
The best company for getting travel insurance are a few and people can get from any of them depending on their requirements and choices. Here are some popular companies whose travel health insurance for Indian parents are very popular:
There is no one insurance plan that is most expensive. Any comprehensive plan that can offer a policy maximum coverage for up to $1,000,000 can be the most expensive. Here are a few listed for you:
In the US, the cost of a routine physician's visit is on average as high as $176. An echocardiogram can cost $1,000 in Massachusetts and around $3,000 in New Jersey depending on the provider. The cost of common ailments like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia admitted to an emergency room will cost around $2,500 -$5,000. Stroke resulting in ICU for about 10 days would cost $120,000, Heart attack treatment with medical bills for ambulance, hospital emergency room, ICU, EKG and MRI heart scans and continuing care from cardiologists would cost about $20,000, The average treatment cost of acute kidney failure in the USA was over $22,000.
Given the high healthcare costs in the US, being uninsured is a very risky. Hospital expenses are much cheaper if you have short-term travel medical insurance, especially if the hospital is part of the insurance provider’s PPO network. In addition to covering medical expenses, having visitor insurance can reduce the overall bill. Therefore, purchasing best medical insurance for visitors to USA is essential for minimizing medical costs and ensuring financial protection during their stay.
The premium cost of the travel insurance isn't fixed and varies based on several factors like the age of the individual, the duration of the travel and stay, coverage needed, policy maximum amount chosen, deductible chosen and hence is a variable factor. Each plan offers different benefits. Travel Insurance plans come in two types. One is a Fixed benefit plan and the other is a Comprehensive plan. Fixed benefit plans specify the charge for the specific limit while the comprehensive plans extend the coverage to policy maximum limit.
American Visitor Insurance has plans both fixed and comprehensive for both US citizens and Non US citizens traveling outside their home country internationally. There are trip cancellation plans available mostly for US citizens traveling outside the US as well as within the US. Here are some popular travel medical insurance plans and their cost:
The cost of best travel insurance for USA from India depends on the age of the traveler, medical maximum coverage and deductible for the plan, type of US health insurance for India (Fixed vs comprehensive travel insurance) and the cost of travel insurance for pre-existing conditions for the average traveler, there are cheap travel insurance plans at less than a dollar a day. The cost of India to USA travel insurance for visitors can start from as low as $15 per month and can go up to $200 per month. Understandably, the more expensive the travel insurance, the better and more comprehensive will be the travel insurance coverage. Compare and buy the best US visitor health insurance from India on American Visitor Insurance.
The best tourist visa travel insurance cost ranges from $20 to $353 a month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible, visitors coverage type (Fixed vs comprehensive coverage), and any visitors insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. For an average traveler, there are cheap travel insurance plans at less than a dollar a day. The cheapest visitor health insurance USA is a fixed benefit plan because it only covers a set amount for each medical expense. Within those parameters, you can choose an economical fixed plan or a more expensive, but complete comprehensive plan. The downside is that you only know what the insurance company will pay on your behalf; you may owe a little or a lot -- it will all depend on how much, specifically, for each service, you are charged. Someone in their Thirties will pay about $40 per month for a fixed plan or $60 for a comprehensive plan if traveling to USA from Europe. That same person would only pay $30 for a comprehensive plan to go to Europe. The price is usually double for someone in their sixties, and even more for older travelers. The price of best visitors insurance for the USA is approximate and can change based on the specific needs and circumstances. It is a good idea to compare different plans and get quotes from multiple providers to find the best coverage for your budget
Given the high US healthcare costs, being uninsured is very risky. In US hospitals, costs are much cheaper if you have short term medical insurance for international travel and the hospital is part of the travel insurance in USA PPO network. Beyond the travel insurance coverage, simply having the best health insurance for travelers to usa decreases the overall bill. It is crucial therefore to buy travel health insurance usa or health insurance for visitors in USA.
In the US, the cost of a routine physician's visit is on average as high as $176. An echocardiogram can cost $1,000 in Massachusetts and around $3,000 in New Jersey depending on the provider. The cost of common ailments like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia admitted to an emergency room will cost around $2,500 -$5,000. Stroke resulting in ICU for about 10 days would cost $120,000, Heart attack treatment with medical bills for ambulance, hospital emergency room, ICU, EKG and MRI heart scans and continuing care from cardiologists would cost about $20,000, The average treatment cost of acute kidney failure in the USA was over $22,000.
The cheapest visitor health insurance USA starts from $20 per month with options up to $191 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible.
The average cost of fixed benefit visitors travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for one month.
Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 | $39 - $102 | $60 - $166 |
Visitors care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $21 - $45 | $40 - $75 | $66 - $148 |
Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 | $50 - $134 | $109 - $155 |
Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $32 - $56 | $49 - $86 | $84 |
VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $34 - $62 | $55 - $76 | $96 - $139 |
Travel Medical USA visitor basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $42 - $52 | $79 - $94 | $173 - $191 |
The best travel insurance cost for USA ranges from $58 to $353 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible.
The average cost of comprehensive travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for one month with $250 deductible.
Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlas Essential America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $109 | $131 - $266 | $263 - $328 |
Safe Travels USA Cost Saver | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $117 | $139 - $250 | $237 - $299 |
Visitors Preferred | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $144 | $148 - $301 | $253 |
Patriot America Lite | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $72 - $130 | $153 - $289 | $252 - $337 |
Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $78 - $154 | $177 - $378 | $355 - $444 |
Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $139 | $164 - $311 | $287 - $434 |
Travel Medical Basic | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $138 | $167 - $314 | $252 - $337 |
Safe Travels USA | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $157 | $147 - $295 | $252 - $332 |
Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $125 -$214 | $229 - $301 | $353 |
Review US visitor insurance plan benefits.
It depends. It depends primarily on where you are traveling to. For travel to Europe, some are required to purchase travel health insurance and many European countries only require $50,000, so that should be enough for travel to those countries. In other countries, like the US, Canada, and Japan costs are rising and one may want a higher amount of coverage if traveling there. The amount that is available for purchase depends on the age of the traveler, so the choice of maximum should be made depending on availability and destination of the traveler.
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.
The Indian diaspora is perhaps the largest globally with around 30 million Non-Resident Indians (NRI’s) worldwide. NRIs even though living outside India have retained strong ties to their family and ancestral roots in India. All this results in frequent travel to and from India to all corners of the world.
NRIs while traveling outside their country of residence whether to India or to other countries, should always buy the best international travel insurance. NRIs can buy good US travel insurance to India or to Europe offered by American Visitor Insurance which is ideal for travelers while outside their home country.
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).
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.
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.
Compare and buy best pre-existing plans
If pre-existing medical conditions is a top concern for you when insuring your visiting parents, then you should consider one of three best US travel health insurance for parents with pre-existing health ailments on American Visitor Insurance 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 X or Elite X 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.
You can compare cost and some benefits for Visitors Protect, Premier X and Elite X plans in below table. Minimum Enrolment should be 90 days to buy these three plans.
Plans for Parents | Premier X | Visitors Protect | Elite X |
---|---|---|---|
Cost | $445* | $954* | $1243* |
Plan type | Fixed plan | Comprehensive plan | Comprehensive plan |
Pre-existing conditions | Covers up to 99 years | Covers up to 99 years | Covers up to 99 years |
* Visitors Protect cost based on $50,000 medical maximum, $500 deductible for 65 years old traveler, for 3 months.
* INF Premier X plans cost based on $100,000 medical maximum, $500 deductible for 65 years old traveler, for 3 months.
* INF Elite X plans cost based on $150,000 medical maximum, $500 deductible for 65 years old traveler, for 3 months.
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.
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.
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. INF plans are open to green card holders
The best US visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage is listed here :
Yes, a non-resident can buy short term travel health insurance in the USA. This works well till they are eligible for domestic US health insurance. Longer term major medical insurance will depend on the visa status and the state that they reside in.
New immigrants or visitors to the US looking to buy travel health insurance in the USA, should research different insurance options and compare different US visitors insurance options on American Visitor Insurance based on costs and coverage benefits and speak with a licensed insurance agent to understand the options and any restrictions that may apply.
There are several US travel insurance plans that are ideal for visitors from India, the best travel insurance will differ for different individuals based on their specific needs and budget. Indian visitors can easily compare best US visitor insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance based on costs as well as coverage benefits and speak with licensed insurance agents at 877-340-7910 to understand the different options. Safe Travel USA Comprehensive by Trawick International , Patriot America Plus by IMG and Atlas America by WorldTrips are some of the popular comprehensive travel insurance plans for Indian tourists.
Yes, an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) can apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence. The Schengen visa allows holders to visit any of the 27 European countries that are part of the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. However as part of the Schengen visa application, NRIs should also buy Schengen visa insurance as mandated by Schengen consulates.
Yes, as an NRI residing outside India, you can buy US visitors insurance for your parents traveling overseas from India. You should compare the best US visitors insurance options on American Visitor Insurance based on costs and coverage benefits and speak with a licensed insurance agent to understand the options and any restrictions that may apply.
Proper student health insurance is strongly recommended for all NRI students in the USA. US healthcare is prohibitively expensive, and it is very risky to be uninsured in the United States. Good student insurance plans are specially designed to provide healthcare coverage for students far away from your home country.
Most US Universities require all students to have proper student medical insurance. International students in particular should have proper student insurance as the cost of US health care is very expensive and it can be traumatic not having proper student insurance and being forced to visit an US hospital.
When traveling to the US, there are different types of travel medical insurance for USA from India to consider, depending on your specific needs. US insurance providers on American Visitor Insurance offer different travel insurance options for different visas, such as tourism, business, employment, study, and family reunification. When traveling to the US on any of these visas, buying the best medical insurance for visitors to USA from India is strongly recommended given the high cost of US healthcare.
Some visa types like the J1 visa require the visa holder to have mandatory health insurance. It's important to ensure that the chosen insurance plan complies with any visa-specific requirements and provides adequate healthcare coverage for all medical expenses during your stay. Keep in mind that U.S. immigration policies may change, so it is important to check the latest information on the official US government website when applying for a U.S. visa.
Travel insurance for parents visiting USA from India vary widely, and while they provide coverage for many situations. It is therefore important to compare plans on American Visitor Insurance to understand what the travel insurance plan covers. Travel insurance to USA from India typically include a set of benefits, exclusions, and limitations, and it's essential to carefully read the policy terms and conditions to understand what is covered and what is not.
Common Inclusions in travel insurance from India to USA for senior citizens:
Common Exclusions in the best medical insurance for visitors to USA from India:
The best time to buy US visitor insurance for parents from India is as soon as you confirm your travel details. Buying travel insurance for USA from India depends on factors, including the type of coverage you need, the nature of your trip, and the specific terms of the insurance policy.
Buying visitors travel insurance early, shortly after booking your trip, is strongly advisable. This ensures that you have coverage for unforeseen events that might occur before your departure. Some policies have waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and coverage is often more comprehensive when purchased early.
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.