Travel Insurance for the USA

Do I need travel insurance for the USA?

It is not a legal requirement to enter the country, but the USA is probably the one place where going without insurance is the biggest gamble. There is no free state healthcare for visitors, and the UK has no healthcare agreement with the US, so your GHIC is no use there. A trip to the emergency room for a broken wrist can run into thousands of dollars. A few nights in hospital after a heart attack or a serious car accident can cost more than a house deposit.

Hospitals will treat you in an emergency, but they will want to know how the bill is going to be paid. Having a policy with an emergency assistance line means someone can deal with the hospital for you, rather than you handing over a credit card at the front desk.

How much medical cover do I need for the USA?

As much as you can sensibly get. Many advisers suggest at least £5 million for the USA, and some of the policies we offer go up to £10 million. When you compare quotes, look at the medical limit first, then the excess, cancellation limit and baggage cover.

Make sure the area on your policy is worldwide including the USA. A policy that excludes the USA will not cover treatment there, even if you are only passing through on a connecting flight to Mexico or the Caribbean. Our worldwide travel insurance page explains the difference between the two worldwide areas.

What USA travel insurance can cover

Alongside emergency medical cover, the policies you can compare through us typically include:

1. Repatriation, so you can be brought home if you are too ill to fly normally
2. Cancellation, if illness or another covered reason stops you travelling
3. Lost, stolen or delayed baggage, which can matter if your case goes missing on the way to a two-week fly-drive
4. 24-hour emergency assistance, staffed around the clock

Check the policy details for limits and exclusions, as they vary between policies and cover levels.

Driving and car hire in the USA

Road trips are one of the best ways to see America, but there is a gap here that surprises a lot of people. Travel insurance does not include personal liability while you are driving. That means if you cause an accident, any claim against you for injuring someone or damaging their car falls on the hire company's liability cover, not your travel policy. Some states only require a very low legal minimum, so read our FAQ on liability cover for driving in the USA before you collect the car. The excess on the hire car itself is a separate risk again, which is what car hire excess insurance is for.

Other things to sort before you fly

Most UK passport holders travelling for a holiday will need an ESTA before boarding. Apply on the official US government website, as unofficial sites charge extra for the same thing. Entry rules can change, so check the latest FCDO travel advice for the USA before you go.

If you take prescription medicines, carry them in their original packaging with a copy of your prescription. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication has more tips. Hurricanes affect Florida and the Gulf Coast between June and November, so it is worth buying your cover as soon as you book rather than nearer the time.

USA travel insurance with medical conditions

Because treatment costs so much in the States, it is especially important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions. You can do it through our online medical screening when you get a quote. It does affect the price, sometimes noticeably for the USA, but you will see the full cost before you buy and the condition is then covered if it is accepted.

Single trip, annual or cruise cover?

For one visit, a single trip policy is usually the simplest option. If you are going to the US and also travelling elsewhere this year, an annual worldwide policy including the USA may cost less overall. Starting or ending a cruise in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Seattle? You will need cruise cover as well. Planning to ski in Colorado or Utah? Add winter sports cover.

For travel information such as climate, money and entry requirements, see our USA country guide.