Indian travelers coming to the US must know a few things about travel insurance, according to Visitor Guard®.
Travelers coming to the US from India must carry a travel insurance policy. Ever since the pandemic hit the world, people have become cautious travelers and are taking insurance seriously. Although it is not mandatory by US law to carry a visitor insurance policy while crossing the border, it is recommended for travelers’ financial safety.
The US is the prime destination for leisure holidays, education, study trips, research, vocational training, business, and entertainment. Still, one cannot deny that the country's medical costs have surpassed many other developed nations.
The US government has healthcare plans for US nationals, citizens, and Legally Permanent Residents (LPR) or green card holders. However, the visitors have no access to these healthcare programs, leaving them with the option of purchasing visitor health insurance plans from third parties, such as travel agents or insurance providers.
Visitors from India can arrive in the US as employees, travelers, students, or simply as visitors to meet their families. Employees and students can get medical coverage via companies or institutions. However, when it comes to visitors and travelers, they can buy coverage from insurance companies or providers, like us, Visitor Guard®.
Types of Travel Insurance Policy
Before buying a policy, Indian travelers must understand the difference between fixed benefits and comprehensive insurance policies. Though both policies are designed to protect visitors from unforeseen medical and travel mishaps, there are significant differences between the two. For example, comprehensive policies offer better protection but are more expensive than fixed plans, whereas fixed benefit plans are economical and have pre-defined limits on all the benefits you get through the policy.
Moreover, first-time buyers will come across new insurance terms that can appear confusing. For example, words like deductible, co-insurance, co-pay, in-network, out-of-network, policy maximum, etc., can be confusing initially. That is why, it is suggested that Indian visitors read and understand insurance terminology as it will be helpful later.
One of the most crucial points to understand is that your standard health insurance from India may or may not support you in the US. It is advisable to buy a US travel insurance for Indian citizens from a US insurance agent as doctors, hospitals, and clinics can easily recognize the plans compared to your insurance plan from India. Your standard health insurance can offer you complete coverage in your home country but offer limited to zero coverage internationally.
Factors That Affect Travel Insurance
When buying a plan, you must know that age is vital in determining the policy maximum. Younger travelers pay a lesser premium than older travelers because there are more risks associated with elderly adults. As you age increases, your policy maximum options also become less. Also, the higher the policy maximum, the higher will be your premium. The premium is also affected by the deductible you opt for. If you opt for a higher deductible, it usually lowers the premium.
Typically, visitor insurance plans cover you for hospitalization, surgeries, dental, prescription drugs, doctor’s visit, urgent care, in-patient and out-patient services, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and more. If you are a senior traveler and suffer from a pre-existing condition, ensure to buy a plan that covers the acute onset of a pre-existing condition.
There are some comprehensive plans that can cover non-chronic acute onset of pre-existing medical illness, enabling cashless treatments to the insurers. Checking the plan's brochure is a good practice as each plan has its definition of a pre-existing condition and acute onset of a pre-existing condition.
Apart from this, some plans also provide optional add-ons like extreme sports coverage, AD&D (Accidental Death and Dismemberment) coverage, faculty, and chaperone rider coverage, and more. To add optional benefits, you must pay an extra premium. Finally, besides medical-related benefits, some plans let travelers enjoy trip-related benefits, such as trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, baggage loss, personal effects, etc.
Best Travel Insurance Plans
Safe Travel USA Comprehensive, Patriot America Plus, and Atlas America are some popular comprehensive travel insurance plans for Indian tourists. Adventure enthusiasts seeking extreme sports coverage can opt for a plan like Diplomat America and Diplomat Long Term. Buying the plans is easy. Selecting the plan and getting confirmation in your email takes just a few minutes.
Do you want more information about travel insurance plans? Call us at (804) 325-1385 or drop an email at contact@visitorguard.com
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