IMG Patriot America Plus
Best overall for French Nationals. Largest PPO network, multilingual support, trusted at every major US hospital.
Best for: First-time visitors, families
WorldTrips Atlas America
Best for seniors and maximum protection. $2M coverage, $1M evacuation, highest pre-existing limit.
Best for: Seniors 65+, long stays
Trawick Safe Travels USA
Best budget option. Lower premiums at all ages, free telehealth, flexible deductibles to $5,000.
Best for: Budget buyers, under 65
France's Sécurité Sociale Has No Coverage in the USA
France's Sécurité Sociale provides excellent healthcare coverage within France and, through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), in EU/EEA countries. The United States is not part of this network. France and the USA have no reciprocal healthcare agreement. French nationals visiting the USA for tourism, business, or family visits are fully exposed to American medical billing — which can be 10–20 times higher than equivalent care in France.
A routine appendectomy costs an average of $33,000 in the USA. In France, the same procedure would cost a patient next to nothing through Sécurité Sociale.
Why Visitors Insurance Matters in the USA
The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. A single emergency room visit costs $3,100–$8,000 on average. One night of hospitalization runs $11,700. A cardiac event with ICU care can exceed $150,000. Your home country's health insurance covers exactly $0 of these bills in the USA.
Visitors insurance is specifically designed to fill this gap. It's short-term US health coverage that you purchase before or immediately after arrival. Plans are issued by A-rated US carriers, accepted at any US hospital, and typically cost $1–$3 per day depending on age and coverage level.
Complete Plan Comparison
| Feature | IMG Patriot Plus | WorldTrips Atlas | Trawick Safe Travels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Coverage | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Deductible Options | $0–$2,500 | $0–$5,000 | $0–$5,000 |
| Acute Onset Pre-Existing (under 70) | Policy maximum | Policy maximum | Policy maximum |
| Acute Onset Pre-Existing (70–79) | Not covered | $100,000 | $35,000 (USA) / $25,000 (Elite) |
| Emergency Evacuation | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| PPO Network | UHC Choice Plus | First Health/Cofinity | First Health PPO |
| Telemedicine | Available | Available | Included free |
| Prescription Drugs | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Emergency Dental | Up to $250 | Up to $500 | Up to $250 |
| Repatriation of Remains | Included | Included | Included |
| Maximum Age | 99 years | 99 years | 89 years |
| Coverage Periods | 5 days–1 year | 5 days–364 days | 5 days–364 days |
| Trip Interruption | Up to $5,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $5,000 |
| In-Network Coinsurance | 80% after ded. | 80% after ded. | 80% after ded. |
| Coinsurance Cap | $5,000 max OOP | $5,000 max OOP | $5,000 max OOP |
Monthly Cost by Age — $100K Coverage, $250 Deductible
| Age | IMG Patriot Plus | WorldTrips Atlas | Trawick Safe Travels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 30 | $28/mo | $26/mo | $23/mo |
| Age 40 | $38/mo | $35/mo | $32/mo |
| Age 50 | $52/mo | $48/mo | $45/mo |
| Age 60 | $78/mo | $72/mo | $68/mo |
| Age 65 | $105/mo | $95/mo | $88/mo |
| Age 70 | $145/mo | $130/mo | $120/mo |
| Age 75 | $195/mo | $175/mo | $158/mo |
| Age 80 | $265/mo | $240/mo | Not available |
Representative rates — exact pricing varies by exact age, trip dates, and deductible. Get a live quote for French Nationals above.
Which Plan is Best for Your Situation?
| Situation | Best Plan |
|---|---|
| First-time visitors / tourists | IMG Patriot America Plus |
| Seniors 65–69 | WorldTrips Atlas America |
| Seniors 70–79 | WorldTrips Atlas America |
| Budget-conscious buyers | Trawick Safe Travels USA |
| Pre-existing conditions (under 70) | All three plans tied |
| Pre-existing conditions (70–79) | WorldTrips Atlas America |
| Maximum possible protection | WorldTrips Atlas America |
| Families with children | IMG Patriot America Plus |
How to Get Covered in Minutes
Enter Your Details
Enter the traveler's date of birth, travel dates, and destination. No personal information or account required — just basic trip details.
Compare Live Plans
See real-time pricing from IMG, WorldTrips, and Trawick side-by-side. Filter by deductible, coverage limit, or price. Read full benefit details.
Buy & Get Covered Instantly
Complete your purchase online in minutes. Policy documents and insurance ID cards are emailed immediately — coverage starts your selected start date.
Get an Instant Quote for French Nationals
Compare IMG, WorldTrips, and Trawick live. Enter the traveler's date of birth and trip dates — no account needed. Coverage can start today.
Compare Plans — 🇫🇷 France →Frequently Asked Questions — French Nationals Visiting the USA
Does the EHIC or French Assurance Maladie cover me in the USA?
No. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) only works within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. France's Assurance Maladie has zero jurisdiction in the United States. The moment you land in the USA, you are fully exposed to American medical costs: an ER visit averages $3,100, a hospital night averages $11,700, and a routine appendectomy averages $33,000 — entirely out-of-pocket without visitor insurance.
What visitor insurance is best for French nationals visiting the USA?
For French visitors, we recommend IMG Patriot America Plus for comprehensive A-rated coverage and acute onset pre-existing condition protection. Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers strong value. WorldTrips Atlas America is ideal for French visitors over 60 or those with managed health conditions, providing up to $2,000,000 in coverage specifically calibrated for US healthcare costs.
Do French citizens need a visa to visit the USA?
French citizens can visit the USA for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining an approved ESTA before departure. For stays exceeding 90 days, a B-1/B-2 visa is required. Visitor insurance is not legally required for ESTA, but is strongly recommended — Assurance Maladie provides zero US coverage.
How much does visitor insurance cost for French visitors?
Plans typically start around $1.10–$2.00 per day. A healthy French adult under 60 visiting for 30 days usually pays $35–$75. Rates increase with age and coverage level. To put this in perspective: a single US hospital night at $11,700 would cost more than an entire year's visitor insurance premium.
Does visitor insurance cover pre-existing conditions for French visitors?
Most plans include acute onset coverage — meaning if you have a managed condition like cardiac disease, diabetes, or respiratory issues and suffer a sudden unexpected emergency, that emergency treatment can be covered. Routine consultations, medication maintenance, or elective procedures for stable conditions are not included. This is important for French visitors over 60 who may have managed health conditions.
Can I buy visitor insurance for my French parents or relatives visiting the USA?
Yes — you can purchase a plan online on behalf of family members, even before they depart France. Simply enter their travel dates and age in the quote tool. Policy documents and insurance ID cards are emailed immediately after purchase. Plans are available for all ages up to 99.
Does visitor insurance cover emergency medical evacuation back to France?
Yes — most plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage, which pays for air ambulance transport or medical repatriation back to France if your condition requires treatment that cannot be adequately provided in the USA. This can cost $50,000–$200,000 without insurance — the coverage alone makes a visitor plan worth purchasing.
Related Guides for French Nationals
Written by Ty Taylor, TX #2608479TX · Tower Hill Travel Insurance · Updated May 2026