Travel insurance is an unnecessary add-on cost. So, most people opt out of it and call it a wise decision. Sorry, but that’s being penny-wise pound foolish!
Yes, you do not need travel insurance to enter the United States of America by law. But it is advisable to buy one to cover any risk during travel.
Why is Travel Insurance Needed?
What if you miss your flight to the USA, or from your home state to the state of the northern lights? Blaming the traffic on the roads will certainly not recover your financial loss, but your travel insurance will!
You may feel that medical emergencies may never happen to you while traveling. But what if they occur? Will your travel budget allow for high medical expenses? Certainly not.
In addition to medical emergency covers, there are other situations against which you must cover yourself when traveling to the U.S. or from the U.S. to other countries.
Will the U.S. Cover Your Medical Needs During Your Stay?
As the U.S. is a dream destination for people from all walks of life and all age groups, travel insurance plans protect against risks like passport loss, flight cancellation, etc. Travel insurance features for a student and that for an elderly parent visiting her child cannot be the same.
The older adult travelling is more likely to need medical attention during travel. If you are traveling to the U.S., your medical insurance from your country will be of no avail in the U.S. because the Federal Medicare and Medicaid programs do not recognize it.
The medical care offered by your sponsorship organization may also be insufficient if you get into emergencies. Medical care is expensive in the U.S., even for its citizens. So, why would you not shield yourself when traveling?
Travel Insurance Features
Travel insurance plans have different coverage against accidental and sickness insurance, passport loss, baggage loss, missing the connecting flight, emergency medical evacuation, trip delay, trip cancellation, and more.
If you, unfortunately, lose your baggage, you need to know that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires you to file for compensation for your lost luggage within 21 days of your travel date. By law, DOT mandates airlines to compensate $3,300 for lost baggage.
However, the claim you receive certainly does not match the cost of your belongings because, in most cases, travelers cannot provide receipts to prove the cost of the luggage and its contents. Travel insurance comes to your rescue!
Protection Against Covid
Most travel insurance plans now include global Covid 19 coverage, the new scare worldwide. The cover includes last-minute cancellation of flights, hotel reservations, meetings, and more because of Covid-related emergencies and lockdowns. All illnesses, including Covid-related diseases, are covered for complete peace of mind.
Factors that Affect Cost of Travel Insurance for the U.S.
There is a direct relation between your travel cost and travel insurance. The price is influenced by factors like duration of stay, whether your organization or relative has sponsored you, your age, and your medical history. You pay up to 10% more if you are 60 years and above versus 3% to 5% if you are within 30 years of age.
Travel Insurance for U.S. Citizens Traveling Within or Outside the U.S.
There are travel insurance plans for different needs, such as traveling within the U.S. for studies, vacation, medical treatment, participation in competitions and sports tournaments, etc. You can choose or select the plan that suits your category and travel covered.
There are places online like the U.S. Government Services and Information website, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, and Investopedia that talk about various companies and travel-related insurance plans.
Conclusion: Free of Stress at a Minimum Cost
The government of the U.S., though, does not mandate you to travel into the state with travel insurance. You would instead want to travel with no fear of emergencies of any sort by purchasing travel insurance to protect you. Because of the peace of mind that travelers want to buy, travel insurance is expected to grow from $19.2 billion in 2019 to $39.3 by 2027.
