Getting the right travel insurance for your USA holiday
The United States of America is one of the most popular destinations for British travellers.
Before you jet off on your star-spangled stopover, you might like to make sure you have a good travel insurance policy in place.
It’s not just about covering your personal belongings. If you don’t have proper insurance cover in the USA you could face horrifying costs in the event of a medical emergency.
That’s the sort of worry you could do without.
Whether it’s as a single trip or part of an annual multi-trip policy, with us you can holiday in the United States with insurance that’s tailored to your travel and medical needs.
Meaning your holiday can be unforgettable for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones.
It only takes a few minutes to set up your policy… and then you’re all set, pardner.
Get your tailored quote for USA travel insurance online here, or talk to us now on 0800 033 4902.
Do I need travel insurance for the USA?
The USA can be roller-coaster ride of fun, but there are a few thrills and spills that you’d probably rather avoid.
You’re probably already aware that private medical care in the United States can be very expensive. If you are not a US citizen, you won’t be eligible for free healthcare. Even ER (our A&E) is charged for.
So a medical emergency could mean a very large bill. If you are a non-US resident, some hospitals may ask you to pay a deposit or ‘good faith’ payment when you are admitted.
That’s why it’s vital that you take out proper medical travel insurance before you take your trip across the pond.
Of course we hope that all goes well on our travels, but it’s not all that uncommon for there to be a problem. 1 in 20 people made claims on their Annual Travel Insurance in 2017*.
With a Staysure policy you can be well protected if a problem, medical or non-medical crops up. When it comes to your USA travel insurance, isn’t it worth doing right?
Our customers think so and we’ve had a lot of happy ones. In fact they’ve voted us the UK’s Most Trusted Travel Insurance Provider in 2018 by Moneywise.
You can get your tailored quote online, or talk to us now on 0800 033 4902.
Travel insurance for the USA with pre-existing medical conditions
If you’ve got a pre-existing medical condition, we’ll ask you to complete a medical screen. This will help us assess how we can cover you on your American travels.
What is the medical screen process?
It’s really quite straightforward and easy to follow. We’ll ask you some questions about any pre-existing medical conditions you have. And you tell us the answers as fully and truthfully as you can. That helps us to find the right cover for your needs.
If a medical condition that you have is not declared on your policy, it could mean that you are not actually covered if you claim. So it’s a good idea to have details of any of your medical condition to hand during the process.
What kind of questions will I be asked?
Questions will of course vary according to your condition, but the sort of thing we may ask if you have a condition include:
• How long have you had this medical condition?
• Have you had surgery?
• Are you taking regular medication for this condition?
You can answer these questions during our online quote process. Or you can go through it or over the phone with our friendly team.
You can get a quote online now or call us 0800 033 4902.
What are my choices of travel policy?
You have a choice of two types of policy for you and your family’s travel plans in the USA:
Single Trip Travel Insurance is ideal if you’re going for a one-off holiday or trip. A fortnight in Florida? A weekend in the Big Apple? A month in the Pacific North West? That’s fine. With a Single Trip policy you’ll be covered. And it’s flexible. You can add in as many destinations as you want within the trip, from when your travel begins to when you return home, and your cover can last for up to 104 days.
Annual Travel Insurance may be a better arrangement if you’re planning on taking more than one holiday within a year. It can cover any and all trips in the USA in that time plus any trips outside the USA, with our worldwide Region 4 cover.
Annual insurance could save you up to £79** compared to buying a single policy for each trip you take. If you’re under 70, you’ll be able to stay for up to 50 days in any one trip, up to a total of 183 days. And if you fancy staying away for up to 100 days on one trip, that’s something you can extend too, for an additional premium.
How about an even longer US stay?
If you fancy an even longer stay in the USA than the above policies offer, we can help with that too. If you choose a Long Stay policy, you’ll be insured for up to 550 days if you’re under 65.
Cover: Basic or Comprehensive?
Our two main levels of cover are available for both Single Trip and Annual policies. Here’s how they compare:
What does our travel insurance cover?
| Basic | Comprehensive |
|---|---|
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What if I have to make a claim?
If you need to make a claim on your USA travel insurance, you can call the number on your policy and we’ll help you as quickly as we can.
Can I make changes to my policy after I’ve bought it?
Sometimes holiday plans or medical circumstances can change after you’ve bought your policy. Where we can, we’ll always try to help.
If you have an update on your medical conditions or medication, or you’re adding optional extras to your holiday, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to see if we can increase the coverage where necessary.
We really do need you tell us if something changes before you go on your trip. Otherwise it could mean that we can’t cover you for a claim later on.
Also, please be aware: while we can increase your policy coverage, we can’t reduce coverage in return for a partial refund. So please do check that you’re happy you’ve got the right level of cover when you book.
Health and Travel tips for your holiday to America
It’s worth remembering: the American way is not always the same as ours. Don’t even think about jaywalking there, for instance.
US Immigration is very strict, so to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, it’s best not to leave things to chance. That’s especially the case when it comes to conditions of travel and entry.
Passports and Visas
Passports should be valid for the duration of your holiday. Most British Citizens can enter the USA via the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) which allows British passport holders to visit for up to 90 days.
Your passport will need to have an integrated chip (an ePassport) in order to enter under the VWP, and you will need to apply online for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ETSA) at least 72 hours before travel.
If you’re planning to travel to the US using a non-chipped passport or Emergency Travel Documents you’ll have to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate before you travel.
You can find more information on entry requirements here.
Currency
Changing currency is straightforward – dollars are available from most currency exchange providers. Buying dollars well before your travel is a good idea, as exchange rates in airports and train stations are usually poor.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout America, but do bear in mind: you will need to pay foreign currency charges (typically between 2.75% and 2.99%) and withdrawal fees.
Banks usually open from 8.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday and 8.30am-midday on Saturdays.
Tipping
Tipping isn’t compulsory in most bars and restaurants, but it’s certainly customary. As a general rule, the rate is 20%. That is to say, add on a dollar for every five you spend, and you won’t go far wrong.
Taking medication into the USA
There are restrictions on bringing some prescription drugs into the USA. If you’ll need to take medication with you on holiday, the US Department for Homeland Security website offers further information. It’s a good idea to check in advance.
Do I need vaccinations to visit the USA?
The Travel Health Pro website states that travellers should be up to date with routine UK vaccination courses and boosters – for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. It is recommends that most travellers get vaccinated for tetanus.
Get your travel insurance quote for your USA holiday today
Talk to us today on 0800 033 4902. Or, you can get a quote online in just a few minutes below.
