🇫🇷France · Visitors InsuranceUpdated June 2026

Visitors Insurance for French Nationals Visiting the USA (2026)

France's Sécurité Sociale covers you in France and the EU — but the United States is a completely different story. You're on your own without dedicated coverage.

✍️ Ty Taylor · TX #2608479TX·8 min read·A-Rated US Carriers

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.

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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.

What US Medical Bills Actually Look Like

Emergency Room Visit

$3,100–$8,000

Triage, exam, basic tests

One Night Hospitalization

$11,700–$22,000

Room, nursing, meals only

Cardiac Event Treatment

$75,000–$185,000

Catheterization, ICU, meds

Medical Evacuation Flight

$95,000–$250,000

Air ambulance, medical crew

Best Visitors Insurance Plans for French Nationals

All three plans below are accepted at any US hospital and purchased 100% online. Coverage certificate arrives by email in minutes.

IMG Patriot America Plus

Largest US carrier network · UHC PPO

✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$2,500 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $500K
✓ Available ages 14 days–99 yrs
✓ Multilingual 24/7 support

From ~$33/month (age 30–44)

Best for: First-time visitors, families, tourists

Highest Limits

WorldTrips Atlas America

Maximum coverage · Top evacuation benefit

✓ Up to $2,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$5,000 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $1,000,000
✓ Available ages 14 days–99 yrs
✓ Flexible coverage periods

From ~$30/month (age 30–44)

Best for: Seniors 65+, long stays, max protection

Best Value

Trawick Safe Travels USA

Budget-friendly comprehensive · Telehealth included

✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$5,000 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $500K
✓ Available ages 14 days–89 yrs
✓ Free telehealth included

From ~$28/month (age 30–44)

Best for: Budget-conscious, short stays, under 70

Compare All Plans — Get Your Free Quote →

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How Much Does Visitors Insurance Cost?

Price estimates below are for $100,000 coverage with a $250 deductible. Actual quotes vary by plan, exact age, state, and dates.

Age Group	30 Days	60 Days	90 Days
25–34	$28–$42	$55–$83	$82–$124
35–44	$33–$52	$65–$103	$98–$155
45–54	$45–$72	$89–$143	$133–$215
55–64	$72–$118	$143–$235	$215–$352
65–69	$115–$188	$229–$375	$343–$562
70–74	$165–$265	$329–$529	$493–$793
75–79	$215–$355	$429–$709	$643–$1,063

* Estimates based on $100K coverage, $250 deductible. Get an exact quote at towerhilltravelinsurance.com/quote.

Who Needs Visitors Insurance from France?

Tourists & Sightseers

French Nationals visiting US attractions, national parks, or major cities on a B-2 tourist visa. Coverage for the full duration of your stay.

Visiting Family & Diaspora

France's large diaspora in the US regularly brings parents, siblings, and relatives for extended visits. One plan covers the entire trip.

Business Visitors (B-1)

B-1 visa holders attending conferences, meetings, or business negotiations in the US. Full medical coverage while you work.

Students' Visiting Parents

Parents visiting children studying in the US on F-1 or OPT visas often need coverage for 30–90 day stays. Comprehensive plans available.

How to Buy Visitors Insurance in 4 Steps

Enter Your Trip Details

Travel dates, traveler ages, and country of citizenship. Takes 30 seconds.

Compare Plans Side-by-Side

See coverage limits, deductibles, and pricing for all three plans in one view.

Select & Pay Online

Choose your plan and pay securely with any major credit or debit card.

Get Your Certificate Instantly

PDF insurance certificate and ID card delivered to your email in minutes.

What Visitors Insurance Covers

Emergency room visits & hospitalization

Surgery & specialist consultations

Prescription drugs (related to covered condition)

Acute onset of pre-existing conditions

Emergency medical evacuation

Repatriation of remains

Urgent care & walk-in clinics

Ambulance transportation

Routine check-ups & preventive care

Pre-existing condition ongoing management

Dental cleaning / cosmetic procedures

Pregnancy & maternity (unless complications)

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Can I buy visitors insurance after arriving in the USA from France?+

Yes, you can purchase a plan after arrival, but it's strongly recommended to buy before you leave France. Buying before departure eliminates illness waiting periods (typically 0–2 days) and ensures immediate accident coverage from day one. Some plans also won't cover conditions that appeared during any gap in coverage.

What if I need to extend my visitors insurance stay?+

Most plans allow extensions before your policy expires. You can typically extend online through the provider's portal. Extensions must be requested before the current policy ends — you cannot extend retroactively. Some plans allow extensions up to 364 days total.

How do I use my insurance if I need medical care in the USA?+

For emergencies, go to the nearest ER — call 911 if life-threatening. For non-emergencies, call your plan's 24/7 assistance line first; they can direct you to in-network providers. Always carry your insurance ID card (printed or on your phone). Most comprehensive plans reimburse claims within 15–30 business days after documentation is submitted.

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