Complete 2026 Guide
Visitor Insurance for the USA:
Everything You Need to Know
US medical costs are among the highest in the world — a single ER visit costs $3,000–$10,000 without insurance. This guide covers what visitor insurance covers, how much it costs by age, which plans are best, and how to choose.
Quick Answer
- ✓What it is: Short-term health insurance for non-US citizens visiting the USA. Covers ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, ambulance, prescriptions, and emergency evacuation.
- ✓Cost: $1.10–$10/day depending on age. A 60-year-old pays ~$85–$145/month for $100K coverage.
- ✓Best plans: IMG Patriot America Plus (best overall), Trawick Safe Travels USA (best for pre-existing conditions), WorldTrips Atlas America (highest limits).
- ✓Pre-existing conditions: All three plans cover the "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions — heart attacks, strokes, diabetic emergencies, etc.
- ✓When to buy: Before departure from home country for immediate coverage. Can be purchased after arrival, but a 48–72 hour waiting period applies for illness.
What Does Visitor Insurance Cover?
Visitor insurance is a medical insurance policy, not a trip insurance policy. It covers healthcare costs you incur while visiting the United States — which are extremely high without coverage. Here is what is typically included and excluded:
Typically Covered
- ✓Emergency room visits
- ✓Hospitalization and surgery
- ✓Urgent care visits
- ✓Ambulance services
- ✓Prescription medications
- ✓Emergency dental treatment
- ✓Emergency medical evacuation
- ✓Repatriation of remains
- ✓Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- ✓COVID-19 treatment
- ✓Telehealth visits (most plans)
Typically NOT Covered
- ✗Routine physical exams
- ✗Preventive care and vaccines
- ✗Dental care (non-emergency)
- ✗Vision care and eyeglasses
- ✗Maternity and childbirth
- ✗Elective surgeries
- ✗Ongoing pre-existing condition management
- ✗Mental health therapy
- ✗Hearing aids
- ✗Cosmetic procedures
- ✗Injuries from extreme sports (some plans)
How Much Does Visitor Insurance Cost?
Costs below are based on a $100,000 maximum coverage limit with a $250 deductible — the most common configuration. Prices vary by carrier, coverage amount, and deductible choice.
| Age | 30 Days | 90 Days | 180 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | $18–$32 | $50–$90 | $95–$170 |
| 30–39 | $22–$40 | $60–$110 | $115–$205 |
| 40–49 | $28–$55 | $78–$155 | $145–$290 |
| 50–59 | $40–$75 | $110–$210 | $205–$395 |
| 60–64 | $55–$100 | $155–$280 | $290–$520 |
| 65–69 | $75–$130 | $210–$365 | $395–$680 |
| 70–74 | $100–$175 | $280–$490 | $520–$915 |
| 75–79 | $130–$230 | $365–$640 | $680–$1,190 |
Ranges reflect pricing across IMG, Trawick, and WorldTrips plans. Actual rates depend on specific plan, deductible, and coverage amount selected. Get your exact quote →
Best Visitor Insurance Plans for the USA
Tower Hill works with three A-rated carriers. Here is how they compare:
| Plan | Max Coverage | Network | Pre-Existing | Evacuation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMG Patriot America Plus Most Popular | $50K–$1M | IPA Global / U.S. Nationwide | Acute Onset ✓ | $500K | Best overall value |
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50K–$1M | UnitedHealthcare | Acute Onset + Optional Upgrade | $500K | Pre-existing conditions |
WorldTrips Atlas America | $50K–$2M | UnitedHealthcare | Acute Onset ✓ | $1M | Highest limits + long stays |
Pre-Existing Conditions Explained
This is the most asked-about topic. Here is exactly how pre-existing condition coverage works:
What "acute onset" means
Acute onset of a pre-existing condition means a sudden, unexpected flare-up or medical emergency that is directly caused by a known condition — and requires immediate emergency treatment. Examples: a heart attack in someone with known heart disease, a stroke in someone with hypertension, a diabetic emergency in a Type 2 diabetic, an asthma attack. All three carrier plans cover these situations.
What is NOT covered
Routine management, checkups, ongoing medications for, or elective treatment related to a pre-existing condition are not covered. If your parent has diabetes and needs regular insulin prescriptions, that is not covered. If they have a diabetic emergency requiring hospitalization, that acute onset event is covered.
Trawick's enhanced pre-existing option
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers an optional upgrade that provides broader pre-existing condition coverage — not just acute onset events. This is the best choice if you are concerned about a parent or visitor with multiple active medical conditions.
How to Choose the Right Plan
Parents or elderly visitors
Choose $100K+ coverage. Prioritize acute onset pre-existing coverage. IMG Patriot America Plus or Trawick Comprehensive. Deductible of $0–$250.
Young, healthy travelers
IMG Patriot America Plus at $50K–$100K is excellent value. A $250–$500 deductible reduces premiums significantly. Monthly cost: $18–$45.
Long stays (6–12 months)
WorldTrips Atlas America for higher limits and $1M evacuation. Buy for the full duration. Renewal is straightforward before expiration.
Why US Medical Costs Make Insurance Essential
The United States has the highest healthcare costs of any country in the world. Understanding the cost structure helps explain why visitor insurance — even with premiums — is always financially rational:
| Medical Event | Typical US Cost (Uninsured) |
|---|---|
| ER visit (minor) | $1,500–$3,500 |
| ER visit (major) | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Hospital stay (3–5 days) | $30,000–$80,000 |
| Heart attack treatment | $60,000–$200,000 |
| Stroke treatment | $50,000–$150,000 |
| Emergency surgery | $25,000–$100,000 |
| Medical evacuation (air) | $50,000–$200,000 |
| Ambulance (local) | $1,200–$3,000 |
These costs are before any insurance negotiation. Hospitals bill uninsured patients at chargemaster rates — the highest possible prices. Visitor insurance negotiates rates and caps your out-of-pocket exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Tower Hill Travel Insurance
Tower Hill Travel Insurance is a licensed insurance agency (Texas License #2608479TX) founded by Ty Taylor. We are an authorized agent for IMG, Trawick International, and WorldTrips — three of the most respected A-rated travel medical insurance carriers in the industry.
Since 2019, Tower Hill has insured 60,000+ travelers across 151 countries. We specialize in visitor insurance for parents and family members visiting the USA from India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and 190+ countries worldwide.
Ready to Get Coverage?
Get instant quotes from IMG, Trawick, and WorldTrips. Compare side-by-side. Buy online in minutes. Policy documents emailed immediately.
Compare Plans & Get Instant Quote →Free · No sign-up required · Same-day coverage available