Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for the USA?

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for entry into the USA. However, it is always recommended that Indian travellers visiting the USA have a travel insurance plan that helps cover unexpected costs arising from events like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, etc.

Imagine you planned a trip to the USA for months. Suddenly, on the day of travel, your flight gets cancelled, disrupting your entire itinerary. In fact, around 2.76% of flights in the USA were cancelled in 2024 alone. Also, if you have to seek medical help in the USA due to a medical emergency, it can be very expensive. A travel insurance plan can help you avoid such unexpected expenses.

Contents

• Why is Travel Insurance Necessary for Visitors to the USA?
  • 1. High Travel Expenses
  • 2. Expensive Healthcare Costs in USA
• What are the Travel Insurance Requirements for the USA?
  • 1. Sum Insured Amount
  • 2. Broad Coverage
  • 3. 24/7 Assistance from the Insurer
  • 4. Coverage for Extended Stay
• 5 Tips to Buy the Best Travel Insurance for USA
• Final Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Travel Insurance Necessary for Visitors to the USA?

Understanding why travel insurance is required for USA visitors is important before buying a plan. Here are the details:

1. High Travel Expenses

Travelling to the USA involves significant costs like visa fees, flights, and hotel bookings. If your trip gets cancelled or rescheduled due to medical or other emergencies, the financial burden can rise sharply.

However, by spending just 4% to 10% of your total trip cost on USA travel insurance, you can safeguard yourself from these unexpected expenses. Depending on your policy coverage, your insurer may offer full or partial reimbursements, helping you recover losses without added stress.

2. Expensive Healthcare Costs in USA

The lack of a universal healthcare system in the USA is the reason why a large proportion of healthcare services are privatised. As a result, it becomes difficult for tourists to avail reasonable healthcare services during an emergency.

A routine doctor visit in the USA ranges from $250 to $300. Furthermore, emergency treatment costs for a heart attack will be at least $25,000.

By investing in travel insurance for approximately ₹1000-₹1500, you can secure yourself with a sum insured amount of $250,000 for an 8-day trip to the USA.

What are the Travel Insurance Requirements for the USA?

There are no specific requirements for travel insurance in the USA since it is not mandated by law. Nonetheless, if you are considering getting one, you need to ensure the following factors:

1. Sum Insured Amount

An ideal travel insurance for the USA for a 30-day trip needs to have a minimum sum insured amount ranging from at least $50,000 to $250,000 or more. It is smarter to opt for the highest amount possible since it will cover a higher amount for medical, trip-related or baggage-related losses during the trip.

2. Broad Coverage

While choosing travel insurance for the USA, you need to look for the following coverage:

Medical Coverage:

Healthcare coverage for accidental injuries, sudden hospitalisation, OPD expenses, and disability.

Trip Coverage:

While travelling to Ellis Island from Manhattan, your hotel suddenly cancels your booking. In such scenarios, you need to make alternative arrangements. A comprehensive travel insurance plan will cover up to $1000 for the bounced bookings (if you have a bounced booking add-on included).

Baggage Loss

Although automation and technological advancements in 2024 contributed to reducing baggage mishandling issues to 6.3 bags per 1,000, events like these still occur.

Suppose you have a connecting flight from Delhi, and for some reason, your luggage gets lost at the airport. If your policy has coverage for property loss, you will be eligible to receive partial or full compensation up to $500.

Disclaimer: The policy coverage depends on the type of policy, its premium and the sum insured amount. The prices may vary. It is important to go through the policy documents in detail.

3. 24/7 Assistance from the Insurer

It is another significant requirement while purchasing travel insurance for the USA. Choosing an insurer that is available 24/7 will ensure that if you need to locate a nearby network hospital in the middle of the night, you will get assistance instantly.

4. Coverage for Extended Stay

 If due to a natural calamity or health emergency, you need to extend your stay, the right kind of travel insurance plan will cover the expenses.

5 Tips to Buy the Best Travel Insurance for USA

These tips will help you choose the best travel insurance for the USA: 

1. Assess your requirements before starting the search for an insurer.

2. Decide if you require add-ons and finalise your budget.

3. Choose a policy that offers flexibility to modify.

4. Understand what the policy inclusions and exclusions are.

5. Review the claim settlement ratio and claim process of the insurer.

Secure your USA trip with ACKO’s affordable travel insurance plans starting from just ₹49 per day. Get covered for medical emergencies, cancellations, and more, instantly, online!

Final Thoughts

While travel insurance for the USA may not be mandatory, it is a smart and responsible choice for Indian travellers. From covering hefty medical bills to compensating for trip cancellations or lost baggage, it acts as a financial safety net in a high-cost destination like the USA.

With just a small premium, you gain peace of mind and protection against unexpected expenses. So, do not forget to pack your travel insurance along with your passport before you start your vacation in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the travel insurance rules for USA during application?

There are no specific rules for getting travel insurance in the USA. While purchasing a policy online, you need to fill in the personal details of the members, finalised travel dates and a digital payment tool.

What to look for in a USA visa travel insurance?

Since it is not a legal mandate, you have the freedom to incorporate travel insurance for a USA visa. The most reliable travel insurance lets you handle unforeseen medical, baggage and flight-related hassles seamlessly.

How do I purchase travel insurance for the USA from India?

Purchasing online travel insurance takes only a few minutes. First, compare quotes from different insurers. Then, visit the official website of your preferred insurer, and fill in trip details and the number of members. Finally, choose the suitable policy, and necessary add-ons, and pay the premium.

What documents do I need to file a cashless claim for travel insurance for the USA?

Ideally, for a cashless medical claim, you need to notify your insurer. Then, you need to fill out a claim form and submit the supporting documents to a network hospital. Your insurer will take care of the rest.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please check the policy document for cancelation reasons, and terms and conditions of the policy.

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