Visitor Insurance for a 1-Year (364-Day) Stay in the USA — 2026 Cost & Coverage Guide

A 1-year stay in the USA is the longest duration available under visitor insurance — and it represents a meaningful commitment for families who want a parent or relative to spend an extended period with them. Whether the visit is for childcare support, health recovery, family bonding, or simply a long-awaited extended stay, getting the right insurance for a full 364 days is one of the most important decisions you'll make before arrival.

Over 364 days, the risk of a medical event requiring treatment is substantially higher than for shorter trips. US healthcare costs for uninsured patients are among the highest in the world. A single cardiac hospitalization can exceed $150,000. Emergency surgery can cost $50,000–$200,000. An emergency medical evacuation back to a home country can cost $30,000–$80,000. For families sponsoring a year-long visit, comprehensive visitor insurance is the only financially responsible choice.

This guide covers everything you need: exact pricing by age, what a 364-day policy covers and excludes, why plans stop at 364 days, how to handle stays that exceed a year, and which plans Tower Hill recommends for year-long visits in 2026.

How Much Does 1-Year Visitor Insurance Cost?

Premiums are based on three main factors: age, coverage amount, and deductible. Here are representative estimates for a 364-day policy with $500,000 in coverage:

Annual Cost Breakdown

Dividing a 364-day policy by 12, the effective monthly equivalent cost for a senior age 60–65 with $500,000 coverage is approximately:

• $0 deductible: ~$181–$254/month
• $250 deductible: ~$128–$181/month
• $1,000 deductible: ~$83–$122/month

Compared to US domestic health insurance for the same age group (often $600–$1,200+/month), visitor insurance is dramatically more affordable — though it covers far less (no routine care, no chronic disease management). For visitors who are generally healthy and need protection primarily against unexpected emergencies, visitor insurance provides outstanding value.

What Does 1-Year Visitor Insurance Cover?

Coverage applies to all new illnesses and injuries that first occur during the 364-day policy period. Standard comprehensive coverage includes:

• Emergency medical and urgent care: ER visits, urgent care clinics, physician visits for new conditions
• Hospitalization and surgery: Inpatient room and board, ICU stays, surgical procedures, anesthesia, specialist consultations
• Diagnostic services: Lab work, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging for covered conditions
• Prescription medications: Drugs prescribed for illnesses or injuries that begin during the trip
• Emergency medical evacuation: Transport to appropriate care or repatriation to home country
• Repatriation of remains: Return of remains to home country in the event of death
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions (premium plans): Sudden emergencies triggered by known chronic conditions, covered up to full policy maximum for travelers under 70

What Is NOT Covered?

These exclusions are standard across all visitor insurance plans regardless of duration or carrier:

• Routine preventive care, annual physicals, and wellness visits
• Dental care (except emergency dental caused by accidental injury)
• Vision care — exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses
• Ongoing management of chronic conditions (blood sugar monitoring, blood pressure management, etc.)
• Refills of maintenance medications taken before arrival
• Elective or cosmetic procedures
• Maternity care (except unexpected complications)

Annual Policy Considerations

Most visitor insurance plans max out at 364 days per policy. If the visitor plans to stay longer than a year — or if the stay was initially planned as shorter but extended — you can purchase a new policy immediately after the first one expires. There is no mandatory gap between policies. The new policy will have a new effective date, and any condition that was treated during the first policy period will likely be treated as a pre-existing condition under the new policy.

For families with parents spending the majority of each year in the US (typical "snowbird" patterns), buying a 364-day policy and renewing annually is a clean, manageable solution. Some families buy 6 months twice per year instead, particularly if the visitor returns home between stays.

Is a 1-Year Policy the Right Choice?

A 364-day policy is the right choice when:

• Your visitor has a long-stay visa and will be in the US for most or all of the year
• You want the simplicity of a single annual purchase without mid-year renewal decisions
• The cost per day for a 364-day policy is marginally lower than shorter policies and you want to maximize that saving
• You're providing ongoing care for a family member and want uninterrupted coverage through the full authorized stay

It may be better to buy 6 months (180 days) if your visitor plans to return home mid-year, or if the stay is uncertain and you want flexibility to cancel for a partial refund.

Plan Recommendations for 1 Year

Tips for Year-Long Visitor Insurance

• Buy before arrival to avoid the 5-day illness waiting period that applies to purchases made after the visitor arrives in the US
• For travelers with chronic conditions, choose $0 deductible and $1M+ coverage — over 364 days, the risk of needing care is real
• Confirm your plan's position on brief international trips — if your visitor plans to travel outside the US during the year, verify coverage applies seamlessly on return
• Save the insurer's 24-hour emergency number in your phone — for a year-long stay, you're likely to need it at least once
• If cancelling early (guest returns home), contact the carrier promptly with the departure date. Pro-rated refunds are typically available if no claims were filed
• Set a calendar reminder 30 days before expiration so you're ready to renew without any gap in coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Related: 6-Month Guide · Compare Plans · Parents Guide