Travel Insurance for USA Trips – Why It Is Essential and What UK Travellers Should Check Before Flying
The United States is one of the most expensive countries in the world for medical treatment. A simple doctor visit can cost more than one hundred pounds, and an overnight hospital stay may reach several thousand pounds. Without travel insurance, these costs fall entirely on you.
If you are travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme, make sure your ESTA is approved and your insurance details are easy to access on your phone. If you need help, see Contact or start at Home.
Why travel insurance is essential for USA trips
Do UK citizens need travel insurance for the USA
Yes. While not a legal entry requirement, travel insurance is strongly recommended by the UK government. It protects against unexpected medical bills, cancellations, and lost belongings.
Can you travel to the USA without insurance
Technically yes, but it is not advisable. Travellers can face large bills after minor issues such as dehydration or food poisoning.
What happens if you have no travel insurance
If you become ill or injured you may need to pay upfront for treatment. Many hospitals require a guarantee of payment.
What happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance
They are charged the full private rate. Even a basic ambulance trip can exceed one thousand pounds.
Do you need proof of insurance to enter the USA
Border officers do not require proof of insurance, but airlines or tour operators may ask about your cover.
What does USA travel insurance cover
Good policies offer financial protection for medical and non medical incidents. Always read the policy wording and understand what each section means.
Medical cover
Most policies include emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation to the UK. Aim for at least ten to twenty million pounds of medical cover.
Baggage loss and delay
Travel insurance can cover lost, stolen, or delayed luggage. Keep airline reports and receipts for claims.
Trip cancellation and delays
Cancellations due to illness, bereavement, or airline strikes are often covered. Check that your policy covers missed departures if you rely on connections.
COVID nineteen cover
Many insurers include COVID related cover. Some pay only for medical treatment while others include cancellations due to illness or isolation.
Excess amounts
An excess is the amount you pay when you claim. Lower excess usually means a higher premium but less to pay if something goes wrong. Many travellers choose an excess around fifty to one hundred pounds.
How much medical cover do you need for the USA
Medical costs in the USA are far higher than in Europe. A sensible range is fifteen to twenty million pounds of medical cover. This helps protect against rare but very expensive scenarios such as repatriation flights or surgery.
Why is USA travel insurance expensive
Policies cost more because potential claims are much higher than in many destinations.
Does UK health insurance cover the USA
Private UK health insurance rarely covers treatment abroad. Even when it does, it will not cover baggage or travel delays, so a separate travel policy is still needed.
Choosing the right policy
Best type of cover for USA travel
For most travellers a single trip policy is enough. Frequent flyers or families who take several holidays per year may save with annual multi trip cover.
Does worldwide travel insurance cover the USA
Check the small print. Some worldwide policies exclude the USA and Canada because of higher medical costs. Confirm before buying.
Should you buy travel insurance before or after booking
Buy as soon as you book so your cancellation cover starts immediately. You will be protected if you need to cancel before you fly.
Can you buy insurance after booking
Yes, but events that happen before purchase are not covered. You cannot claim for something that already happened.
Which travel insurance does Martin Lewis recommend
Consumer advice from reputable sources suggests choosing a policy with at least ten million pounds of medical cover and around two thousand pounds for baggage, and using comparison tools to compare policies and exclusions.
Declaring medical conditions
Always declare relevant medical issues even if stable or controlled. Failure to declare can invalidate your policy.
Do I have to declare pre existing conditions
Yes. This includes long term conditions such as diabetes, heart issues, or asthma.
What happens if you do not declare
If you claim for something related to an undeclared condition, the insurer can refuse to pay. It is safer to disclose and pay a small premium increase.
Do insurers check medical records
They can verify details with your GP if there is uncertainty during a claim.
How far back do pre existing conditions go
Many insurers ask about the previous five years. Always answer according to your policy wording.
What travel insurance does not cover
No policy covers everything. Common exclusions include reckless behaviour, alcohol related incidents, and ignoring government travel advice.
Typical exclusions:
- Accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Travelling against medical advice
- Lost valuables left unattended
- Unapproved adventurous activities such as extreme sports
Does travel insurance cover mental health
Some policies include emergency mental health treatment or cancellations due to severe anxiety. Coverage varies by insurer and policy tier.
Are strikes and delays covered
Many policies cover flight cancellations or strikes that begin after your policy starts. Events announced before purchase are usually excluded.
How to make a travel insurance claim
Before you travel
Save your insurer emergency number. Keep receipts, medical notes, and police reports if relevant.
During your trip
Call the emergency helpline as soon as possible if you need medical help or hospital admission. The insurer can often pay the hospital directly.
After you return home
Submit your claim promptly with all documentation. If your claim is rejected you can appeal with additional evidence or contact the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Quick pre departure insurance checklist:
- Compare at least three travel insurance quotes
- Choose fifteen to twenty million pounds of medical cover
- Declare all medical conditions honestly
- Confirm baggage, cancellation, and COVID cover
- Save the insurer emergency number
- Keep a digital and printed copy of your policy
- Read the exclusions section before paying