Travel insurance for the United States: our comprehensive guide

Are you going to the United States? What if you take care of your back? Discover all useful information for travel insurance in the United States.

Leaving to the United States represents a dream for many lovers of travel. This country with no less than 6 time zones is an immense territory that can meet the expectations of all travellers. From the Great Lakes region to New York, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, the diversity of this country makes its appeal. To make the most of your stay, travel insurance for the United States is required. Of course, it has a price, but it is that of your serenity. So here’s all we need to know.

Comparative travel insurance for the United States

We offer a table that allows you to compare travel insurance to the United States. This will give you a first idea of the guarantees that you can subscribe to to be sure to benefit from refunds to the height of your expectations.

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What is the best travel insurance for the United States?

The best travel insurance for the United States is undoubtedly a tailor-made coverage. Good insurance must be adapted to your health needs, to the nature of your journey, but also to local health care.

If you are accustomed to being often ill, your protection will have to be more important than that of a healthy person. As such, insurance for a trip abroad must be selected in the same way as you choose a health mutual.

We discussed the nature of the journey. If you wish to visit New York or Las Vegas , the risk of injury exists, of course, but it is less than if you plan to hike in the most beautiful National parks United States. Likewise, if you are considering surfing Hawaii , the risk will be more important than if you visit Universal Studios Hollywood to Los Angeles . The level of guarantees will necessarily be different.

Finally, subscribing travel insurance in the United States is taking into account the cost of care. An 80-dollar generalist, a specialist who will charge more than double, must be taken into consideration when you subscribe to your insurance and study the refund ceilings.

To summarize, the best travel insurance in the United States will not be the same according to your age and the activities you want to practice. It will also be different from the best travel insurance in Thailand in Italy or Mexico. The choice is made on a case-by-case basis, which is why it is essential to compare the assurances and guarantees proposed.

What is the fare for travel insurance for the United States?

Similarly, there is no defined tariff. A 75-year-old visiting Washington does not run the same risk as a thirty-year-old party making a road-trip Arizona.

The price of travel insurance is defined by the age, by the nature of the stay and, of course, by the level of the guarantees subscribed. Basic insurance or complete insurance, this makes all the difference. The insurance company must assess a risk based on the compensation it will be likely to offer to its insured.

Another point to emphasize: the price of insurance is free. For equivalent guarantees, Chapka Insurance, Europ Assistance, Global Assistance (Allianz) Avi International, Axa or April will not offer the same rates.

Why take travel insurance for the United States?

As with any stay abroad, taking insurance for your trip to the United States allows you to receive medical and financial coverage. Thus, you start more serenely, assured to get support in case of problems.

What are the guarantees of multi-risk travel insurance?

Travel insurance can include many guarantees. It is up to you to decide what you really need, even if, in the absolute, all the guarantees or almost can be useful. Here is a list of guarantees that can be included in the contract:

• Medical care: medical expenses during consultation, medicines, etc.;
• Repatriated assistance: medical repatriation or early return due to the death of a loved one in France for example;
• Travel cancellation insurance: if you cannot leave;
• Legal assistance: in the event of a dispute, this provides you with support for the steps to be taken, a refund of the costs related to this dispute and assistance if you do not master English;
• Civil liability insurance: You surf in Florida and hurt someone, if you go shopping in Chicago and damage items in store, this warranty compensates the third party;
• Travel change insurance: if you need to change the dates of your trip before leaving or in the course of the world tour;
• Hospitality ;
• Baggage insurance: in case of loss or flight;
• Sports insurance: for sport practice in leisure or competition. Possibility of subscribing extreme sports insurance with some insurers.

Is travel insurance mandatory for the United States?

No, the United States is one of the countries that do not require travel insurance. Does that mean you have to go through it? The answer is still no. Why? Because the price of care and hospitalization in the United States exceeds the understanding. If it is possible to consult a generalist for $80, prices can rise sharply according to the professional.

Consulting a specialist with several hundred dollars is very common in the USA. And if you have to operate, there is no health insurance. $25,000 for uncomplicated delivery, nearly $50,000 for appendicitis surgery, etc. Without travel insurance in the United States, your financial situation will quickly deteriorate. And if you cannot pay, it is your health that will deteriorate.

The importance of repatriation insurance for the United States

Health repatriation insurance or to reach its relatives in France as part of a family problem is a guarantee to subscribe. The cost of a flight ticket is high, if you have to return early to France and take a new ticket, it will impact your budget. If you have had an accident and have to return quickly to France, you will have to pay an airline ticket, perhaps an elongated transport and an attendant. Imagine the level of expenditure. With repatriation insurance, if you have signed a guarantee with a high ceiling, everything will be taken care of.

Am I reimbursed for my care in the United States by Health Insurance?

In the United States, as its name suggests, you do not benefit from the European Health Insurance Card (CEAM) . So you will have to pay your medical expenses on site. However, when you return, you can download the form cerfa n°12267*04 “Care abroad”. Join your request with invoices paid and proof of payment to obtain a refund of the Social security French. This concerns only unforeseen and urgent care.

However, it will refund you to the French conventional rates. But, let's remember, medical care in the US is out of price. As a result, this will not be enough for optimal care, it is better to rely on travel insurance for your vacation in the United States.

Does my Visa or Mastercard card cover me in the United States?

Yes, in the United States and elsewhere, your credit card , whether it is a Visa Premier card, a Mastercard Gold card or any other high-end card, offers you insurance. The question is whether the guarantees are sufficient and whether the ceilings are adapted to the colossal expenses you are likely to face in the US.

Make a comparison between the guarantees of your bank card and those of travel insurance to make the right choice.

What insurance take in case of car rental in the United States?

You are planning to make a road trip on the Route 66 ? You're gonna have to rent a car... and get a car insurance. Of course, this is not mandatory, you can play the map of the economy. Indeed, your car rental will incorporate a civil liability insurance that allows you to pay a third party in case of a responsible accident.

But, if you damage your car, it is hard to bet that your included insurance will not take care of repairs. And, if so, you will certainly have one franchise more than 1,000€ to be paid. Thus, the savings realized upstream will only be a distant memory and you will need to take care of repairs sometimes very costly.

Travel insurance or car rental insurance in the United States must be considered an investment and not an expense.

Administration, health and safety for the United States: our advice

Before leaving in the U.S., see the following points, this could be of great value to you.

What visa for the United States?

In the United States, French nationals do not have no obligation to make a request visa as long as their stay is less than 90 days . Beyond that, the visa becomes mandatory .

On the other hand, to cross the American border, you have to make a request from ESTA . This form allows you to stay less than 90 days and not to apply for a visa. You can apply online, you will quickly receive an agreement or refusal. In case of refusal, no dispute is possible. This time you will have to try to get a visa.

Health & Hygiene

We approached it through this article, health costs are expensive, so travel insurance is more than advised. If you need medication, many of them are self-service in the United States. In terms of disease, there is no major risk. It is simply advisable to get vaccine against rabies if you are considering a long stay in rural areas or if you are in contact with wild animals .

In terms of hygiene, there is no important problem to report either.

Security on site

Of course, the United States is the country of firearms, it is not always extremely reassuring for a Frenchman. However, the risk of getting shot remains minor. The terrorist threat is limited by drastic measures at the country’s entrance.

Security risk is higher on the Mexican border where more crimes are committed.

During your stay in the United States, make sure, as in any country, that you do not have too much liquid on you and do not leave your valuables visiblely.

What to do in the event of an accident in the United States?

If you go to the USA and are the victim of an accident, an assault or you get sick, you must compose the 911 . It includes all emergency services (firefighters, ambulances and police).

If you don't know who to contact, dial 411 , this is the intelligence service, it will give you the most useful number for you.

If you can be covered by your insurance, contact it immediately.

What health insurance for expats in the United States?

You decided to extend your stay in the USA and want to live there for a while? If you have the status of expatriate, know that insurance is appropriate to it. You can join the CFE, Caisse des Français à l’Étranger). But protection is not sufficient in terms of health spending in this country. Expatriate insurance offers a wider guarantee with care, hospitality, and even repatriation in your home country.

Now that you know all the pros and cons, it's time to leave! Stay careful, and when you return, tell us your stay in comment!