Based on our review of 27 companies, the best travel insurance for parents visiting their children in the U.S. is Seven Corners, WorldTrips, IMG and Trawick.
Healthcare in the U.S. comes at a high cost. While travel insurance is not a requirement for every U.S. visitor, it can provide visiting parents peace of mind regarding unexpected health expenses and costly medical bills.
Best Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S.
After extensive research on the top travel insurance companies offering coverage to parents visiting the U.S., we found the following providers offer plans worth considering.
- Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic: Our top pick for parents visiting the U.S.
- WorldTrips Atlas America: Most affordable comprehensive coverage
- IMG Patriot Lite: Best for medical coverage
- IMG Patriot America Plus: Best for medical coverage
- Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive: Best for student travel insurance
Seven Corners: Travel Medical Basic
Our pick for COVID-19 coverage
4.5
Our Review
Cost$285Medical Expense Max $100,000Medical Evacuation Max $250,000
Why We Picked It
Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Basic plan provides comprehensive travel medical insurance for up to 10 travelers under one plan. In addition to general medical expense coverage, Seven Corners specifically provides COVID-19 coverage up to a chosen medical maximum. You can purchase a plan with up to $1 million in maximum coverage for travelers up to 69 years old.
However, available coverage maximums drop to $100,000 for travelers 70 to 79 years old and to $10,000 for those 80 years and up. In addition, acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage is only available for those under 80 years old.
Pros and Cons
Pros Covers COVID-19 expenses up to the medical maximum your policy offers Provides 24/7 emergency assistance Coverage is extendable for up to a year Cons Low trip interruption benefits Out-of-network care only pays for 80% of the first $10,000 in covered expenses
Coverage Details
The Travel Medical Basic plan from Seven Corners includes the following:
- Up to $1 million in maximum coverage
- Your choice of deductible (up to $5,000)
- Coverage for up to a year, with a year extension available
- COVID-19 coverage up to your chosen medical maximum
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
- $2,500 in trip interruption coverage
Learn more: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review
WorldTrips: Atlas America
Our pick for high coverage limits
4.0
Cost$317Medical Expense Max $100,000Medical Evacuation Max$1,000,000
Why We Picked It
The Atlas America plan from World Trips is our pick for high coverage limits. Available to various types of U.S. visitors — such as tourists, temporary workers, students and more — this plan provides overall coverage maximums of up to $2 million. It also offers COVID-19 coverage, treating it as any other illness under medical coverage.
As with other travel medical insurance policies, maximum coverage limits drop with age through an Atlas America plan. However, note the starting age for reduced coverage is lower than that of other providers in our review.
Pros and Cons
Pros Offers overall coverage limits of $2 million Fully covers out-of-network expenses Provides trip interruption coverage of up to $10,000 Cons Acute onset pre-existing condition coverage is only available for certain ages No adventure sport coverage available
Coverage Details
The WorldTrips Atlas America plan offers the following coverages to policyholders:
- Up to $2 million in maximum coverage
- Your choice of deductible (up to $5,000)
- Coverage for up to a year
- COVID-19 coverage
- Emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million
- Up to $10,000 in trip interruption coverage
Learn more: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review
IMG: Patriot Lite
Our pick for budget coverage
4.4
Cost$251Medical Expense Max$100,000Medical Evacuation Max$500,000
Why We Picked It
IMG’s Patriot Lite plan is our pick for budget coverage, as it offers the best overall price versus competitors on our list. The company enforces maximum coverage caps of $1 million for medical expenses and emergency evacuations and covers 80% of out-of-network expenses up to $5,000. Customers can also extend their plans for up to 24 months.
While the America Lite plan is overall cheaper than other plans in this review, it doesn’t provide COVID-19 coverage or coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. IMG is partnered with UnitedHealthcare, meaning policyholders must use the company’s network of providers to fully cover unexpected medical expenses.
Pros and Cons
Pros Offers affordable coverage Customers can renew plans for up to 24 months Variety of add-ons to choose from Cons No COVID-19 coverage No pre-existing condition coverage
Coverage Details
The America Lite plan from IMG provides the following coverages:
- Up to $1 million in maximum coverage
- Your choice of deductible (up to $2,500)
- Coverage lasting up to two years
- Emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million
- Optional adventure sports rider (up to age 64)
Learn more: IMG Travel Insurance Review
IMG Patriot America Plus
Our pick for continuous coverage
4.4
Cost$273Medical Expense Max $500,000Medical Evacuation Max$1,000,000
Why We Picked It
IMG’s Patriot America Plus plan is a step up from the company’s America Lite plan. We named this plan our pick for continuous coverage, as it offers a robust plan customers can renew for up to 24 months. In addition to a medical maximum of up to $1 million, the Patriot America Plus plan covers medical treatments related to COVID-19 and acute onset of pre-existing conditions for travelers under 70 years of age.
Like its sister plan, Patriot America Plus only covers 80% of out-of-network expenses up to $5,000. The main differences between the two plans are the cost and included coverages. If your parents are looking for travel medical insurance on a budget and are not concerned about COVID-19, the America Lite plan may be suitable over America Plus.
Pros and Cons
Pros Offers COVID-19 coverage Customers can renew plans for up to 24 months Generous return travel coverage limits Cons Does not fully cover out-of-network expenses No pre-existing condition coverage
Coverage Details
The Patriot America Plus plan offered by IMG provides protection such as:
- Up to $1 million in maximum coverage
- Your choice of deductible (up to $2,500)
- Renewable plans for up to 24 months
- Acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage
- Optional adventure sports rider (for travelers up to age 64)
- COVID-19 coverage
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
4.5
Our Review
Cost$271Medical Expense Max$150,000Medical Evacuation Max $1,000,000
Why We Picked It
Trawick’s Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan is our pick for wellness coverage. It offers a rare covered general wellness visit of up to $125, which may benefit parents visiting the U.S. for a longer time. Trawick offers up to $1 million in medical expense coverage and a generous limit of $2 million in emergency evacuation coverage, which is more than the other providers we’ve reviewed.
Note that for parents visiting the U.S., this plan offers limited coverage for cardiac conditions no matter your policy maximum. A $25,000 limit is imposed for those aged 69 or younger, and those aged 70 or older have a limit of $15,000 per policy period.
Pros and Cons
Pros Provides up to $2 million in emergency evacuation coverage Offers a covered general wellness visit Includes trip interruption benefits of $5,000 Cons No coverage for pre-existing medical conditions Limited cardiac condition coverage
Coverage Details
Trawick’s Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan offers coverage such as:
- Up to $1 million in maximum coverage
- Your choice of deductible (up to $5,000)
- Emergency evacuation limits of up to $2 million
- $5,000 in trip interruption coverage
- One covered wellness visit (up to $125)
- COVID-19 coverage
Read more: Trawick International Travel Insurance Review
Compare U.S. Visitors Insurance Plans For Parents
See the table below for a direct comparison of costs, deductibles and more between travel medical insurance plans for parents visiting the U.S.
| Provider | Plan Name | Cost | Medical Maximums | Networks Used | Deductibles | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Medical Basic | $285 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Atlas America | $317 | $2 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot Lite | $251 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot America Plus | $273 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $271 | $1 million | FirstHealth or Aetna | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Provider | Plan Name | Cost | Medical Maximums | Networks Used | Deductibles | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Medical Basic | $285 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Atlas America | $317 | $2 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot Lite | $251 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot America Plus | $273 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $271 | $1 million | FirstHealth or Aetna | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
*We based plan costs on quotes we obtained for a 60-year-old German citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days. We used a medical maximum of $500,000 with a $250 deductible. Your actual cost will depend on factors such as your age, number of travelers, chosen deductible and more.
Do Parents Visiting the U.S. Need Health Insurance?
According to a study by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the U.S. spends more on healthcare than other developed countries — with a spending gap of about 25% between the U.S. and second-place Switzerland. The bottom line is that health care in the U.S. is expensive for citizens and visitors alike.
If you do not have a valid health insurance policy that can provide coverage during your visit to the U.S., you could pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for emergency medical treatment. While health insurance is not required with certain visitor visas, you can still consider a health insurance plan when visiting the U.S. for peace of mind.
Medical Insurance Requirements
Visiting the U.S. on certain visas requires you to have medical insurance for the duration of your stay. For example, a J-1 or F-1 visa for students studying abroad at a U.S. college or university requires acquiring a health insurance plan or comparable equivalent. However, if parents strictly visit the U.S. for tourist purposes, health insurance is not required to enter the country.
Types of Visitor Insurance Plans for Parents Visiting the U.S.
There are various types of health insurance available for parents visiting the U.S. For example, parents might consider a travel medical insurance plan if they are looking for emergency medical and evacuation coverage. A short-term health insurance plan is also an option, with domestic insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare working with providers to offer policies that utilize a network of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. You can find fixed and comprehensive health insurance policies from a number of reputable providers.
It’s worth mentioning that if you have a domestic health insurance policy administered by your home country, it likely will not be accepted by U.S. doctors and medical facilities. Still, it is worth contacting your insurance provider to ensure this is the case.
Fixed Medical Insurance
Fixed benefit medical insurance is a policy that will pay a predetermined limit for specific medical services and procedures. These plans are more affordable than comprehensive plans but leave you responsible for paying the remainder if your medical bills exceed your policy’s limit. In addition, you’re not restricted to a certain provider network, which means you can receive treatment from any hospital or doctor of your choice.
However, fixed medical insurance plans offer much less coverage than comprehensive plans, meaning a hefty doctor or hospital bill could have you paying out-of-pocket for more than expected. Also, these plans do not typically provide protection for your actual trip, such as trip cancellation or interruption coverage.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Unlike fixed medical coverage, comprehensive insurance for visitors to the U.S. provides coverage up to a policy maximum without fixed amounts for certain services. Deductibles typically apply to comprehensive coverage. Once you’ve met your deductible, your insurer will cover medical bills up to the maximum amount allowed.
These plans typically offer additional coverages like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss and delay, evacuation coverage and more.
Comprehensive medical insurance usually limits you to medical facilities and doctors within your insurer’s network. Coverage is also more pricey than fixed medical, but travelers who prefer having extensive limits in a medical emergency may find the robust coverage worthwhile.
What Does Travel Insurance For Parents Visiting the U.S. Cover?
Travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. can offer coverage for both emergency medical services and general travel-related situations. If parents opt for a comprehensive travel insurance policy that bundles together different types of insurance, they may find the following protections:
- Emergency medical coverage
- Emergency evacuation coverage
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
- Trip cancellation coverage
- Trip interruption coverage
- Trip delay coverage
The specifics of your coverage will depend on your choice of plan. For example, you could opt for a travel insurance plan that strictly offers travel medical coverage but does not include trip cancellation or interruption coverages. We encourage you to consider a travel insurance policy that addresses your unique travel needs before choosing on a plan.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Emergency medical insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical expenses while traveling. If you’re hospitalized due to an unforeseen illness or injury, your insurance policy will cover a predetermined amount of healthcare bills. Emergency medical is the most common type of coverage offered by providers. However, it is for emergencies only and doesn’t cover medical costs related to routine medical checkups or procedures.
Emergency medical evacuation is often a component of a travel medical insurance plan. If you’re traveling to an area without access to medical care, this coverage can provide financial protection if you require transportation to an adequate facility. This transport may involve the use of helicopters, ambulances or other means of transportation, depending on the severity and urgency of the situation.
When selecting a travel insurance plan that includes medical coverage, make note of the coverage levels and deductibles offered to you. Each policy has a maximum limit the insurer will pay out, and some require you to pay a deductible before it will cover any of your medical expenses. These amounts will also affect the overall price of your plan.
Considering COVID-19
Since COVID-19 has become a regular part of life and travel, many travel health insurance plans provide coverage in conjunction with emergency medical plans. This means many insurers cover testing and necessary treatments if you contract COVID-19 during your travels. Be sure to read through your policy to understand whether or not a provider offers this coverage.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
If you’re traveling with a pre-existing condition, note that travel insurance policies generally exclude these conditions from coverage. However, a company may cover the acute onset of pre-existing conditions, which is the sudden, unexpected onset of a pre-existing medical condition that requires immediate care. Be sure to read the fine print of a policy to fully understand how your insurance provider will handle pre-existing conditions (or the sudden onset of one) and medical expenses incurred from these conditions.
Some travel insurance companies offer what’s known as a pre-existing condition waiver. To meet the eligibility requirements for this waiver, you must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan. Without this waiver, your policy will not cover any emergency healthcare bills related to your recent medical history. Note that to qualify for a waiver, you may be required to submit a letter from your doctor stating you’re healthy and fit enough to travel without issue.
Trip Interruptions and Cancellations
If you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan, you may find coverage for trip interruptions and cancellations. Limits depend on the provider and your chosen plan. Still, these coverages can help you recover nonrefundable expenses — such as plane tickets and hotel reservations — if your trip is interrupted or canceled for a reason listed in your policy.
Note that canceling your for any reason is not with this type of travel insurance. If you foresee needing greater flexibility around cancellations, you may consider opting for a provider that offers optional “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage.
How Much Does Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S. Cost?
Our research found that travel insurance costs for parents visiting the U.S. can range from $251 to $317. We gathered quotes for a 60-year-old German citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days to calculate this range. The medical maximum for each plan we obtained quotes for is $500,000, with a $250 deductible.
If you’re looking for costs specific to your needs, we encourage you to gather quotes from the providers mentioned in this review. Your actual cost will depend on your age, number of travelers, chosen deductible and more.
How Parents Use Visitor Medical Insurance
Understanding how to use your visitor medical insurance policy is important when seeking emergency medical care and services. Healthcare facilities in the U.S. typically require you to present information on your policy — usually in the form of an insurance card. This card helps your care provider file a claim with your insurance, so if you’re provided a card with the purchase of a visitor medical insurance plan, keep it with you at all times as you travel.
Some visitor medical insurance plans will require preauthorization before paying for any treatments or procedures. Pre-approval is not usually needed for an emergency, but other circ*mstances may prompt your insurance provider to request it.
Locating Healthcare Providers for U.S. Visitors
Most insurers provide online tools to assist you in locating a healthcare provider that accepts your visitor insurance plan. Companies may give you a list of facilities and providers in your area considered in-network with your policy. If you do not have a preferred provider organization (PPO) network requirement with your plan, you can receive treatment from the doctor or healthcare establishment of your choice.
The amount of treatment costs that you’re responsible for depends entirely on your provider and plan. If you have a plan with a maximum covered limit, it will cover your eligible medical expenses up to that designated amount. If you have a plan with a deductible or co-pay, you must pay that amount before your insurer will provide coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visitor Health Insurance for Parents
Visitor health insurance costs depend on factors like age, number of travelers, coverage level and more. After gathering quotes for a 60-year-old German citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days, we found that travel insurance costs for this traveler profile ranged from $251 to $317.
After gathering quotes from the top-ranking providers in our review of the best travel insurance companies, our research team found that the average cost of travel insurance ranges from $35 to $400, with the average being $221 for a standard policy. Remember that your costs will vary depending on your chosen plan, provider, number of travelers, etc.
Yes, it’s possible for travelers to purchase insurance coverage while abroad in the U.S. However, the available options will vary based on the type of visa each visitor holds for the duration of their trip. We encourage you to research the options available based on your visa requirements before purchasing insurance coverage.
No, travel insurance is relatively easy to purchase for trips to the U.S. If you’re a non-U.S. citizen seeking coverage for unexpected medical expenses, trip interruptions and more, companies such as IMG, Trawick, Seven Corners and WorldTrips all provide plans that offer coverage to U.S. visitors.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
- A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
- A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
- A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
- Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
- Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
- Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursem*nt amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursem*nt after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
- Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.
A.M. Best Disclaimer
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If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
