Travel Insurance for the USA

Travel insurance for The States

Explore comprehensive travel insurance covering trips to the USA. With Medical Travel Compared, you can compare quotes between a range of different providers to help you get the best deal and level of cover for your trip to the USA.

You’ll probably already be more than aware that purchasing the right type of policy will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your holiday – but while you’re here, you can scroll down to find out even more about travel insurance for USA holidays.

Currently planning a trip to the USA? We answer all of your travel questions in our blog.

READ MORE: FAQ's About Travelling to the USA

Do I need travel insurance for USA?

Travel insurance is not a compulsory item for the USA – but it comes highly recommended.

Reason being is that medical bills are notoriously expensive in the States. Hospital bills and medication expenses can be costly if you fall ill, so it’s worth bearing that in mind (especially if you find yourself surprised at how high some premiums for travel insurance are).

Repatriation costs from the USA back to the UK are also high.  The last thing you want to do is foot the bill for these when you can get covered beforehand at a reasonably competitive price.

Peace of mind is one of the most important things when it comes to travelling – especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Getting travel insurance ahead of your trip is therefore a vital consideration before booking your USA holiday.

What does USA travel insurance cover?

If you read our travel insurance destinations guide, you’ll see insurance providers generally rank costs by geographical location in the following order:

1. UK
2. Europe
3. Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean
4. Worldwide (this will include USA, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean)

If you're looking for an annual multi-trip policy, you generally won’t find cover that’s exclusive to the USA only. You’ll need to find worldwide policies that include USA, Canada and the Caribbean – to ensure you get the cover you need for your trip.

These policies will generally cover you for a number of key things including cancellation, loss of personal belongings and most importantly medical costs and repatriation should anything unfortunate happen regarding your health while you travel.

Travel insurance for USA with pre-existing conditions

It’s important to understand that it can be tricky for people over the age of 60 and people living with specific pre-existing medical conditions to get the sufficient level of cover they need for the USA.

Therefore, we urge people to explore what’s on offer in terms of insurance before actually committing to booking their holiday.

You might find that many USA travel insurance providers won’t cover certain pre-existing conditions that other worldwide insurers will. As a result, if you fall into these two categories it’s vital to do you due diligence beforehand.

USA travel advice

If you’re confident that you can access USA travel insurance cover suitable for your personal circumstances, you’re as good as ready to start thinking about booking your trip.

However, travel insurance isn’t the only thing you need to consider. There are certain entry requirements for the USA – and yes, obtaining a tourist visa is one of them.

Most UK passport holders can apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).

This is a simple application process which can be done via the ESTA website. The visa lasts 90 days from your first date of entry.

Taking medication into USA

There are certain restrictions when it comes to taking certain prescription medications in the USA.

You should always consult with your doctor beforehand – and in many cases you’ll need a letter signed by them, a copy of your prescriptions and in most importantly, the prescription printed on any medicine containers you intend to bring into the country with you.

There’s also a limit on the supply (the rule of thumb is that you should take no more than 90 days’ worth – which is essentially the duration of your visa).

Do I need vaccinations for USA?

In most cases you won’t need specific jabs or vaccinations – unless your doctor says you do.

Again, it’s important to consult with them beforehand as they might advise you to get a certain vaccination based on your health condition.

It also depends what part of the USA you intend to visit. Certain territories have a high volume of mosquito activity – so it’s worth taking the necessary precautions along for that if needed.

Finding the best travel insurance for USA

To compare quotes for policies including USA travel insurance cover, you’ll need to specify this at the start of the process.

You’ll need to let us know when and for how long you’re travelling – before declaring any conditions that need to be covered under your chosen policy.

From there, you can purchase a policy to suit your needs in minutes.