Travel insurance for the USA
Travel insurance tips for USA
Catriona Rowntree’s top travel insurance tips for the USA.
Catriona Rowntree
Travel
Video Transcript
Hello there. I’m Catriona Rowntree, host of Australia’s longest running travel and lifestyle show Getaway.
And today, I would love to talk to you about why you need travel insurance for your next USA trip.
A cultural melting pot with bright lights, big cities, open skies and open roads. Where do we even begin?
The US is a destination that just begs to be explored, doesn’t it? And loads of Aussies have, with more than a million people visiting in 2019 to 2020 alone.
But like any destination, no matter how safe, travel insurance should be a key part of planning your trip. Medical care is very expensive in the US. Even if you don’t think you’ll get sick,
you should consider a policy with unlimited medical expenses.
But remember, when applying for insurance to look for a policy that allows you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
So that the insurer can decide whether to provide cover for them or not. That way you can enjoy your trip, understanding what you are and aren’t covered for, and won’t be caught out in a pinch if something happens.
Being cautious is never a bad idea, so you may want to look at a higher level of cover for cancellation fees, lost luggage and car hire just in case you have an accident. And if you’re looking to bring down the premium cost without compromising cover, consider a higher excess.
Your excess is what you pay out of pocket. If you make a claim, it’ll be cheaper upfront,
but just make sure the excess is something manageable for you, just in case you do need to make a claim and finally bring a photocopy of your travel insurance policy, your passport, or any other important documents you bring them with you and leave a copy back home with someone you trust.
If you lose the originals, at least then you can get assistance while you’re on your holiday.
You know, navigating what travel insurance is right for you. It doesn’t have to be difficult. And by comparing, you could save time and money.
More for shopping. Compare the Market can help you compare travel insurance policies online in minutes. So you can travel with confidence.
Why take out travel insurance for the USA?
If you’re heading to the USA, it’s important you get international travel insurance so you can travel with confidence and peace of mind knowing you’re covered. Further reasons to take out a suitable travel insurance company include:
- You can be financially protected in the event of an incident, and your policy may include cover for illness, injury, theft and travel delays.
- You won’t be able to access Medicare or your private health insurance overseas, which is why medical cover is crucial for your trip.
- If an unforeseen natural disaster occurs, you may be covered for cancellations, unexpected accommodation expenses or the rescheduling of your trip.
Choosing travel insurance for the USA
If you’re looking to compare travel insurance quotes and choose a policy, there are a few things you should think about when you get a quote:
- Choose a policy with high or unlimited medical cover that includes repatriation, as medical costs in the USA are much higher than in Australia.
- Consider any optional extras you may need depending on your travel plans including adventure activities, cruising or winter sports.
- Read the fine print of your policy to learn exactly what you’re covered for before purchasing so you don’t get caught out if you need to claim.
Expert tips for choosing the right travel insurance for the USA for you
Our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has insider knowledge on choosing the right travel insurance for the USA.
Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance
Declare your pre-existing medical conditions
Make sure you declare any pre-existing medical conditions so your travel insurance company can assess your application and whether your conditions can be covered. Getting medical assistance in the USA is incredibly expensive, so understanding any limits of your cover is vital.
Match your policy to your trip
The best travel insurance for the USA depends on your needs and the type of trip you’re planning. When travelling to the USA, medical cover is particularly important as medical treatment is expensive in the States. If you plan to drive around, take a cruise or participate in adventure activities, then you may also want to take out add optional extras to your policy to cover these activities.
Frequent travellers should consider annual cover
If you plan to visit the USA or other international destinations multiple times in a single year, it could be worth taking out annual multi-trip cover instead of a single trip policy. Travellers who venture overseas more than three or four times a year may experience greater value from annual cover.
What to know about travelling to the USA
Do I need travel insurance for the USA?
Travel insurance is a great idea for every trip you take overseas, no matter the destination. However, in 2023-2024 the USA saw the fourth highest number of Aussies needing consular assistance while overseas.1
Smartraveller recommends a comprehensive travel insurance policy for the USA due to the high cost of medical treatment, even for minor issues.2 However, if you’re on a budget, a basic level of cover may provide cheap travel insurance for the USA that still has benefits for medical costs, as well as personal liability cover in the event you injure another person or damage their belongings.
Cover will vary between insurers, levels of cover and add-ons, so consider what you want to be covered for and check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see if it’s included. Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to find out more about whether a policy is right for you.
Do I need a visa for the USA from Australia?
If you’re travelling to the USA, then you may not need to apply for a visa as long as you’re visiting for less than 90 days.2 Instead you’ll need to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online before your trip and enter via the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
How much is travel insurance for the USA?
The cost of your travel insurance for the USA will depend on factors such as:
- Who you’re travel insurer is
- How long you’re travelling for
- Your age
- Who you’re travelling with
- If you have pre-existing medical conditions
- If you take out any optional extras.
Comparing travel insurance quotes through our service can help you search for a policy that matches the needs of your trip to your budget.
What should my travel insurance policy for the USA include?
As mentioned above, medical care is expensive in the USA, so you should consider including medical cover in your travel insurance policy, even if you don’t think you’ll get sick or injured.
If you’re planning to get active during your visit to the USA, consider adding cover for extreme and winter sports as an optional extra, as insurers may not automatically cover these activities.
To know what your policy covers, including its limits, sub-limits, inclusions and exclusions, read the PDS before purchasing a policy. Here are a few other ways travel insurance plans can help you during your visit to the USA.
Dealing with theft and lost belongings
Petty theft and pickpocketing are ongoing issues in the USA. In 2023-2024, there were 479 cases of lost or stolen passports in the USA, the second highest in any country for Australian residents.1
It’s important keep a close eye on your valuables. Luggage cover may help protect you from the cost of replacing stolen, lost or damaged belongings, including your electronics, passport, credit cards, cash, travel documents and other personal effects.
Medical treatment and medical expenses
While the USA has a reputable healthcare system, receiving treatment in a medical emergency can be incredibly expensive. Australia and the USA don’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, nor are you covered by Medicare or private health insurance overseas. But travel insurance may help to cover the cost of medical bills and overseas emergency assistance.
Travel insurance may also cover you if you need medical evacuation or repatriation from the USA, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
Trip cancellations and delays
Flights that don’t arrive on time are a common reason for travel delays and cancellations. Appropriate travel insurance could mean the difference between getting reimbursed for travel delays and swallowing the cost of cancellation fees, lost deposits and missing important activities.
It can pay to get travel insurance as soon as you make any deposits or pre-book accommodation so you’ll be covered for events which could disrupt your travel plans.
What does travel insurance for the USA exclude?
Like any type of insurance, there are some things that travel insurance won’t cover. Specific exclusions in your travel insurance cover may vary between insurers, which is why it’s important to always read a policy’s PDS before purchasing.
Here’s a list of some common exclusions you might find in your travel insurance policy:
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Unless you declare your pre-existing conditions and your insurer agrees to cover them, any medical treatment or hospital expenses related to those conditions will not be covered.
- Unattended luggage. If your luggage was stolen while it was left unattended in public, your insurer will likely reject your claim for loss.
- Illegal and reckless activities. If you knowingly acted illegally or dangerously, your insurer may reject any claims resulting from your actions.
- If your claim was caused by an incident where you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it may be rejected by your insurer.
- Extreme and winter sports. Your insurer may not cover you for claims resulting from participation in extreme sports, winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and other adventurous activities like surfing. However, your insurer may offer cover for these activities as an optional extra.
You can find a longer list of what may and may not be covered in our travel insurance FAQs.
Is the USA safe?
According to Smartraveller, the USA is a safe place to visit (accurate as of February 2025).2 However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the potential dangers that could affect you and your holiday.
Crime in the USA
Compared to Australia, crime in the USA is more prevalent, particularly violent crime. Gun violence in the USA is also more common compared to Australia, but it’s still possible to have a safe and relaxing holiday in the States. To keep yourself safe, research which places you plan to visit, monitor the local news and follow any advice from local authorities.
Natural disasters in America
There are a number of natural disasters that occur in the USA, though this can vary depending on the time of year and what part of the country you’re in. The USA is known to experience:2
- Wildfires
- Hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms
- Blizzards and heavy snow
- Floods
- Earthquakes and tsunamis
- Volcanic eruptions
- Landslides and avalanches.
Check Smartraveller regularly before departure in case of a disaster, and while overseas keep an eye on local media and travel alerts. Your travel insurance may cover you for cancelled bookings, emergency accommodation and more if a natural disaster unexpectedly occurs and causing a disruption to your trip. Check the PDS to find out exactly how you may be covered.
Driving in the USA
If you plan on taking a roadtrip across America, you’ll need a valid Australian or international driver’s licence. If you’ve hired a rental vehicle, you need to be careful to observe the road rules of whatever state you’re in. A travel policy may help you pay the rental car insurance excess in the event of an accident, provided rental vehicle excess cover is included in your policy.
Before getting behind the wheel, make sure you understand the local traffic laws and prepare for your journey. Be cautious when driving through snowfall, particularly in isolated or mountainous locations. If you plan to drive through desert areas be sure you’re stocked up on supplies and know where petrol stations are.2
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
Want to know more about travel insurance?
1 Australian Government: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Consular State of Play 2023-24. Accessed February 2025.
2 Smartraveller. United States of America. Last updated February 2025. Accessed February 2025.