Travel Insurance to USA
The USA has long been one of the safest and most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers. But just like anywhere else in the world, there’s always the chance that something unlucky could happen. Make sure your travel insurance covers essentials like medical expenses, cancellation and baggage.
If you need to buy USA travel insurance, you can get an online quote in just a few minutes.
Be sure to check the FCDO travel advice before travelling to the USA. There could be entry restrictions or rules to follow. If the FCDO advise against travel because of Coronavirus, we may still be able to cover you. Read about our Coronavirus travel insurance for more details.
What is covered by USA travel insurance?
Our policies include activity holiday insurance for over 100 sports and activities, so you can get up to more on your holiday. We also offer a range of benefits, some of which include:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
We want you to be as prepared as possible for your trip away and have the best holiday experience. That’s why we’ve put together some interesting facts, as well as other relevant information you may want to know before your trip to the USA.
| Currency | US dollar |
| Most common languages spoken | English, Spanish, Chinese and French |
| Capital | Washington DC |
| Top destinations | Aspen Boston Chicago Hawaii Key West Las Vegas Miami (Florida) New Orleans New York Orlando (Florida) San Diego (California) San Francisco (California) |
| Continent | North America |
| Population | Approx. 323 million |
| Plug type | Plug type A and B |
| Driving side | Right-hand side |
| Seasons | Spring – March to May Summer – June to August Autumn – September to November Winter – December to February |
| Laws | Local laws and customs |
Can I get travel insurance for USA?
Of course you can! We’ll ask you where you’re travelling before you buy your policy, and will give you a quote based on the destination. If you’re buying an annual multi-trip policy, America travel insurance is included in our ‘Worldwide including USA, Mexico, Canada and Caribbean’ cover.
Do I need a visa for the USA?
The UK is part of the visa waiver programme with the USA, meaning UK citizens with a valid passport don’t need a visa to travel to the USA. Instead all you’ll need to get is an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), through the waiver programme, which allows travellers for up to 90 days in the USA.
What travel insurance do I need for USA?
Make sure you choose travel insurance that covers the USA. You can travel on a single trip policy, or on a worldwide annual multi-trip policy. It’s important to also check the level of medical cover. The government advises at least £2 million of medical cover when travelling to the USA. Our policies start at £5 million. When choosing travel insurance, think about the cost of your holiday and what you’ll be taking with you. You need to know you’re fully covered if anything happens.
What’s the best travel insurance to the USA?
Our Black policies offer the highest level of travel insurance cover for the USA. Black level policies include unlimited medical expenses and up to £10,000 of cancellation cover. And there’s no excess to pay if you do need to claim. We also offer Gold, Silver and Budget travel insurance to the USA, so we’re sure to have a policy to suit your trip.
How much does USA travel insurance cost?
The price of your travel insurance will depend on various things. These include how long you’ll be staying, how old you are, and whether you need travel insurance for medical conditions. We offer 4 cover levels – Black, Gold, Silver and Budget – so we’re sure to have a policy to suit you and your trip.
Why is travel insurance to the USA so expensive?
Travel insurance to America can be more expensive than for Europe. This is because of higher claims costs. Medical treatment especially can be very expensive in the USA. It can also cost a lot if someone needs emergency transport back to the UK.
Will USA travel insurance cover me if I’m pregnant?
Yes – InsureandGo travel insurance will cover you even if you’re pregnant. And at no extra cost! We provide cover for unexpected complications of pregnancy up to the full 40 weeks, and for premature birth up to the end of the 32nd week. See our policy wordings for more information.
Emergency numbers in USA?
You should call 911 in an emergency. You can use this number to request assistance from all emergency services, including the police, the fire department or an ambulance.
What if I have to go to hospital in the USA?
Medical costs in the USA are famously expensive. Most hospitals are large and privately run. If your medical emergency isn’t serious enough to warrant a visit to the hospital, you may be able to contact the hospital and ask for a local physician, which may offer cheaper treatment.
If a hospital discovers you have no insurance, they may transfer you to a welfare hospital if one is nearby – there aren’t many available, however, especially in more rural areas, and may have very long waiting times. For more information on medical travel insurance visit our page, or contact us online.
Are there any laws I should be aware of?
The laws of the USA vary depending on which state you’re in. But it’s always best to read about the local laws and customs to make sure you’re always within your rights. Find out more about USA local laws here.
What are crime rates like in the USA?
The USA is a safe country to visit, but the inner cities have the same dangers as in other countries. Crime can be a reality in these areas, especially at night, so take precautions to protect yourself against theft or other criminal activity. The USA has a relatively high rate of violent crime in the states bordering Mexico – Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Who do I call if I’ve been a victim of crime?
You can call 911 to report a crime or request emergency assistance. There may also be a local police presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any special restrictions on entering the USA?
You don’t usually require vaccinations to travel to the USA, but check here for more information: www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/north_america/usa.shtml
What if I need to get legal help while in the USA?
You should contact the British Embassy or the nearest Consulate if you need to find legal help while travelling in the States. Although they cannot provide a lawyer or give you legal advice, they can give you details and help you find a local lawyer who may be able to provide legal assistance.
How do I contact the British Embassy?
Embassies and consulates where British nationals can get access to essential services – including passport extensions and renewals, visa services, emergency travel documents and guides to the legal system – can be found in some of the major cities across the country, and they can be contacted on the phone from anywhere in the United States. To find your nearest one, click here: www.gov.uk/world/usa
Can I travel elsewhere in the Americas?
Of course you can! If you’re buying a single trip policy, just tell us the countries you’ll be visiting and we’ll give you a quote to cover your whole trip. Alternatively, if you’re after an annual multi-trip policy, our worldwide cover will include both North America and travel insurance for South America.
And importantly – who do I contact about my travel insurance while in America?
Anything can happen while you’re abroad, and we know that your plans might change. If you want to extend your stay or you just have a question, you can contact us.
Can you help if I need medical treatment while in United States?
Yes – all our policies come with access to our 24-hour emergency assistance team, so there will always be someone here to help you if you become ill or are injured while abroad.
If you need emergency medical assistance just give our team a call any time, day or night.
Interesting facts about USA
- The US has a lot of people in jail – a quarter of the world’s total prison population. The “three strikes” law means at least 25 years if you’re convicted of three felonies. Curtis Wilkerson got 25 years in 1995 for shoplifting a pair of socks.
- Terminus 96. That’s what the Atlanta Olympics could have been called. When the US city of Atlanta was founded in 1837 it was called Terminus – it was just a tiny settlement around a milepost marking the terminus of a railway!
- The National Rotten Sneaker Contest (sponsored by Odor Eaters) is held each March in Montpelier, Vermont, US. Children up to age 14 come wearing their smelliest sneakers (trainers) hoping to win $2,500 and get their shoes into the “Hall of Fume”!
- Nearly half of all Americans go to a fast-food joint at least once a week. On offer at one: a sandwich with so much chicken there’s no room for a bun! Two fried chicken fillets are the bun, sandwiching bacon, sauce and two types of melted cheese!
- At Halloween, most people carve pumpkins. In the US they also “chunk” them. “Pumpkin chunkin” is the art of hurling pumpkins as far as possible by any mechanical means, including slings, catapults, trebuchets and pneumatic cannons.
- Just before Thanksgiving, the US president is presented with a live turkey at the White House – but this one’s not destined for the oven. It’s now a tradition that the president pardons the bird and spares it from the dinner table.
- To celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Chicago, US, the authorities dye the Chicago River bright green. The tradition started when plumbers used a flourescent green dye to find the sources of illegal pollution – not much to do with St Patrick!