US travel insurance for Canadians, Travel insurance Canada to US

Naturally, the first thing one thinks about when planning a trip is not how much a trip in that country’s ER will cost you. However, we do suggest you consider the high costs of health care in the US and arrange to have yourself and your loved ones covered in case something does happen.

Emergency room expenses and hospital stays are extremely expensive and regularly impoverish under-uninsured and uninsured people in the US. It is not a great state of affairs, but at the moment, this is a reality.

The cost of a routine physician's visit is significantly higher in the U.S., where it might be $176. An echocardiogram can cost around $1,000 in Massachusetts and around $3000 in New Jersey depending on the provider. The cost of common ailments like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia admitted to an emergency room would cost around $2,500 - $5000. 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.

While there are several reasons for high healthcare costs, the fact remains that one cannot afford to be uninsured while visiting the US. In US hospitals the cost for any treatment is much lower if you have insurance and the hospital is part of the PPO network when compared to getting the same treatment without any insurance. This is beyond the actual insurance coverage itself, so simply having visitors insurance reduces the bill substantially. This high price without insurance is unimaginable for visitors to pay out of their pocket. It is important for Canadians to realize the importance of health insurance while visiting the US.

You must be very careful and bring any prescription medication as well as a prescription or copy of such so that you can show that you have good reason to have medications with you. There are lower cost “Urgent Care” centers that can be used for sudden, non-life threatening situations that will be cheaper and quicker than trying to visit a hospital emergency room. They can assess the situation and often treat the situation quickly and efficiently. They also are open beyond “normal” doctor hours (why do these things seem to always happen on Sunday afternoons?) which can be helpful to be aware of.

Here at American Visitor Insurance, we have many Canada to USA travel insurance plans from reputable US insurance companies who help travelers from Canada receive the care they need! Let us help you find the right travel insurance for Canadian citizens visiting the United States.

The best travel insurance cost for USA ranges from $71 to $332 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible.

YES! Canadians can purchase US travel insurance policies from American Visitor Insurance to cover the remainder of their stay (as long as they like).

Note that our policies are generally renewable, so if plans change (as they so often do these days), the policies can be extended (minimum of 5 days and up to 12 months). Policies are available up to $100,000 for persons in their 70s and up to $50,000 for persons in their 80s. You can use our search engine to determine the best prices for you based on age and deductible you'd like.

The deductible on a comprehensive travel insurance USA policy is generally a one-time payment if there are any medical expenses (doctor visit, ER visit, medications, etc). A higher deductible will give a lower premium cost, so it is a balance of what you feel you can pay out in the unlikely event you will need medical attention, and how much the policy costs you per month and day.

When you purchase the US travel insurance policy, you will enter your Canadian address as your "home" or "residence" address regardless of whether you own a home in the US or not. The "residence" country and the "destination" country CANNOT be the same. Then, you can choose the start date (even if it says trip start date) as the first day you need the policy. And, even though you choose an "Trip end date" you can always extend most policies without issue (just do not wait until they have expired).

Unfortunately, insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions is very limited on most US visitor policies for foreign visitors. Some policies will cover "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions which should mean life-threatening emergencies due to pre-existing conditions, but they have all recently excluded chronic and congenital disorders from that coverage. As a non-medical person, I'm not sure what illnesses/disorders that leaves that WOULD be covered. The Safe Travels Elite (a fixed plan) and Safe Travels Comprehensive offers some coverage $25,000 or $15,000 for a cardiac issue.

While there will always be some risk involved while traveling and staying in the US, travelers do have travel insurance options for visiting the US. Compare US travel insurance for Canada and buy the plan that best fits your needs.

As ever, we wish you safe and happy travels!

The cost of travel insurance from Canada to USA can vary significantly depending on various factors. These factors include:

1. Coverage Types: The type of coverage you choose will have a significant impact on the cost. Basic coverage for emergency medical expenses will be less expensive than comprehensive coverage that includes trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss, and additional benefits.
2. Trip Duration: The length of your trip can affect the cost of travel insurance. Longer trips typically have higher premiums than shorter ones.
3. Age: Your age can influence the cost of travel insurance. Older travelers may pay higher premiums due to increased health risks.
4. Destination: The cost of travel insurance can also depend on your travel destination. Some countries or regions may have higher healthcare costs, which can affect the premium.
5. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you may need to pay a higher premium for coverage or obtain specialized coverage.
6. Coverage Limits: Higher coverage limits for medical expenses, trip cancellation, or other benefits will result in higher premiums.
7. Deductibles: Choosing a policy with a higher deductible can lower the premium, but it means you'll pay more out of pocket if you need to make a claim.
8. Add-Ons and Optional Coverage: Adding optional coverage like Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) or coverage for adventure activities will increase the cost of the policy.
9. Provider: Different insurance providers offer different pricing structures, so it's essential to obtain quotes from multiple providers to compare costs.
10. Number of Travelers: If you're traveling with a group or family, you can often get a discount for insuring multiple travelers under the same policy.
11. Frequency of Travel: If you're a frequent traveler, you may consider an annual multi-trip policy, which can be more cost-effective if you travel multiple times in a year.

To provide a general idea, here are some approximate cost ranges for travel insurance in Canada:

1. Emergency medical coverage: $25 to $50 CAD or more per person for a week-long trip.
2. Comprehensive coverage (including medical, trip cancellation, baggage, etc.): $100 to $300 CAD or more per person for a week-long trip.
3. Annual multi-trip policies: These can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 CAD, depending on coverage levels and the number of trips covered.

It's important to shop around, obtain quotes, and carefully read the terms and conditions of different policies to ensure that you're getting the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget. Additionally, consider factors such as the ratings of the insurance provider and the contact customer service on American Visitors Insurance when choosing a policy.

The main question to consider is if it is very important to have coverage for unexpected issues due to a pre-existing medical condition or not. If it is not important or you are willing to take a risk in that department, you can get very economical policies, both fixed and comprehensive that will cover you while you are away from Canada and wintering in the US. Plans such as Patriot America Plus or Safe Travels USA can be purchased from Canada before you leave for your trip (up to 12 months). The plans are very flexible. You can get a full refund on them before they start or you can extend them for a minimum of 5 days without returning to Canada.

If you do not want or think you need coverage for COVID-19, there are now policies which exclude coverage for that particular illness and they are significantly cheaper than those that include it. A policy such as Patriot America Lite or Safe Travels USA Cost Saver is offered by a good company and is economical because it excludes COVID coverage. Also, if you are concerned about a cardiac or stroke coverage, we have a fixed plan, Safe Travel Elite and a comprehensive plan, Safe Travels Comprehensive which cover $25,000 for cardiac issues and stroke up to age 69 and $15,000 for persons 70-89. There are many options available to you. If you are having difficulty choosing the best option for you, please give us a call and we can help!

Also, in some cases, particularly for clients with pre-existing medical conditions, they are not able to get their Canadian insurance for their trip due to some constraint or another. While, of course, we would never suggest traveling against advice of doctors; some of our plans cover “acute onset” of pre-existing medical conditions.

To be clear, the conditions must be stable and they will not cover required treatment or medication for such a condition, but they will kick in if there is some unexpected recurrence due to the pre-existing condition. o, check our rates and compare USA travel insurance from Canada to what you are offered from your home country or keep us in mind if your travel plans change along the way!

Buy a plan and get coverage for your studies in the USA.

The I-20 Visa for Canadian students in USA

The US enjoys a special relationship with Canada. Students wishing to come to a college or university in the US can obtain an I-20 visa to do so. Oftentimes, the college or institution will offer health coverage for their students. Some do not and the student must find their own policy.

Given the geographical proximity between the US and Canada, the long land border, and the many excellent economic opportunities that the US offers, it is attractive and easy for Canadians to move south of their border to the United States.

It was in the year 1867 that many Eastern Canadians migrated to the United States and started working in the flourishing manufacturing industry. The U.S Census had recorded 747,000 English-speaking and 440,000 French-speaking Canadian immigrants in 1900.

These migrators settled in the borders of the US which allowed them to easily travel between the two countries. During 1990 to 1930 the French Canadian migration increased due to the poor economic conditions in Quebec. Los Angeles had the fourth major Canadian population in North America in 1980s.

In the late 20th Century after the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 Canadian migration expanded significantly. During this the Canadian communities who migrated included highly educated academics, technology professionals, students along with Canadians who wanted retire in warmer areas in the US or to reunify with their family and other retirees. There are about 783,0000 Canadians who lived in the United States according to the 2016 U.S census data. Nearly 2% of the 44 million U.S. immigrants. 47% Canadians became naturalized citizens in 2016 from the total foreign-born population in the US.

Migrating to the US in search for better living and economic status is often very challenging and involves many risks. While planning to relocate one should reflect on all the unforeseen situations that may occur due to difference in weather conditions, food, culture and most importantly healthcare systems. The US while offering excellent opportunities also has a very expensive healthcare system and sudden changes often results in increased chances for illness.

Unlike the government supported Canadian health system, the US health care system is private and very expensive. In the US it is very necessary to have good immigrant medical insurance. Good short term US immigrant insurance plan will provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in case of any injury or illness till one is eligible for domestic US health insurance. At American Visitor Insurance, Canadian immigrants can buy reasonable US immigrant medical insurance according to their requirements.

The proclamation will not allow immigrants from entering the US if they do not have at least one of following approved health insurance. The listed approved health insurance options are

• an employer-sponsored plan, including a retiree plan, association health plan, and coverage provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985;
• an unsubsidized health plan offered in the individual market within a State;
• a short-term limited duration health policy effective for a minimum of 364 days — or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States;
• a catastrophic plan;
• a family member’s plan;
• a medical plan under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, including coverage under the TRICARE program;
• a visitor health insurance plan that provides adequate coverage for medical care for a minimum of 364 days — or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States;
• a medical plan under the Medicare program;
• any other health plan that provides adequate coverage for medical care as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or his designee.

While this rule is focused on those applying for US immigrant visas, we are getting customer feedback that even travelers on tourist visas are expected to have proper short term visitor insurance. The visitor and immigrant insurance plans offered at American Visitor Insurance satisfy the definition of visitor health insurance plans as well as catastrophic plans in the United States as listed above.

After purchasing these US visitor insurance plan, customers will immediately receive the insurance document by email. Customers can use this visitor insurance document as proof of health insurance in the US while applying for the US visa. Irrespective of this proclamation, given the high cost of US healthcare, it is strongly recommended for all prospective immigrants and tourists to buy adequate US immigrant health insurance.