Why You Need It
The USA has the most expensive healthcare in the world. A 20-minute ER visit for a simple injury can bill at $2,500. A broken arm setting bills at $5,000-10,000. A helicopter medical evacuation bills at $50,000+. A week-long hospital stay is easily $100,000. None of this is covered by any foreign health system — it is all on you.
Unlike most countries, there is NO reciprocal healthcare agreement between the USA and other nations. European EHIC, Australian Medicare, UK NHS — none cover you here. Even US residents without insurance can go bankrupt from a single accident.
💀 The grim reality: Medical bills are the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy in the USA. 1 in 3 bankruptcies cites healthcare debt. If you cannot afford a $10,000 bill, you cannot afford to visit America uninsured. Period.
Real Cost Examples
| Incident | Typical Uninsured Bill |
|---|
| ER visit — sprained ankle | $1,200-2,500 |
| ER visit — broken bone with X-ray | $3,500-6,000 |
| Ambulance (ground) | $1,200-3,000 |
| Ambulance (air) | $20,000-60,000 |
| 3-day hospital stay | $30,000-60,000 |
| Appendectomy | $33,000-80,000 |
| Heart attack treatment | $100,000-300,000 |
| COVID-19 hospitalization | $40,000+ |
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Budgeting for a US trip? Insurance should be a line item — get your full trip estimate including insurance with our free USA trip cost calculator.
What to Look For
For the USA, prioritize these coverage levels:
- Medical: minimum $500,000, ideally $1 million
- Emergency evacuation: $100,000+ (for helicopter transport)
- Repatriation of remains: $50,000+
- Trip cancellation: 100% of trip cost (optional but helpful)
- Lost baggage: $1,000+
- Activities coverage: make sure what you plan (skiing, hiking, diving) is included
- Pre-existing conditions: check if yours are covered
- COVID-19 coverage: should be standard by 2026
SafetyWing
From $45/month | Best for digital nomads and long trips
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is subscription-based — you pay monthly like Netflix. $45/month for under-40 travelers covers $250,000 medical, $100,000 evacuation, COVID treatment and some trip interruption. You can buy it after departure, pause it, and cancel anytime. It is the best option for flexible long-term travelers.
Pros: Cheapest, flexible, easy online claims, monthly billing, can buy abroad.
Cons: $250,000 medical limit is lower than alternatives; deductible $250.
IMG Patriot
From $55/week | Best for higher coverage limits
IMG Patriot is a traditional trip insurance policy. You can select up to $2 million medical limit, $1 million evacuation, zero deductible options and add-ons for adventure sports. Quality claims process and good customer service. Popular with visitors to the USA from Asia and Latin America.
Pros: Very high medical limits, strong claims reputation, zero-deductible option.
Cons: More expensive; must buy before departure.
World Nomads
From $4/day | Best for adventure travel
World Nomads offers two plans (Standard and Explorer) covering 150+ adventure activities including skiing, surfing, rock climbing, even bungee jumping. Medical limits $100k-300k. Strong for travelers doing more than sightseeing.
Pros: Adventure sports covered by default, extensible, good app.
Cons: Higher deductibles; medical limits lower than IMG.
Allianz
From $90/trip | Best for comprehensive trip protection
Allianz Travel covers medical plus strong trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays and baggage. Popular with Americans traveling internationally, also used by inbound visitors. Solid brand recognition and 24/7 hotline.
Policy Comparison
| Provider | Medical | Evac | Deductible | Monthly |
|---|
| SafetyWing | $250k | $100k | $250 | $45 |
| IMG Patriot | $2M | $1M | $0-$2,500 | $200+ |
| World Nomads | $300k | $500k | $100 | $160+ |
| Allianz | $50-$500k | $500k | $0 | $90/trip |
How to Claim
- 1. Save receipts. Every bill, every pharmacy receipt, every transport cost.
- 2. Contact the insurer immediately. Most have 24/7 hotlines. They will direct you to in-network hospitals if possible.
- 3. Keep medical records. Get copies of diagnoses, tests, treatment plans.
- 4. File within 30-90 days. Most policies require claims within a fixed window.
- 5. Appeal denied claims. Insurers sometimes deny valid claims; appeal with documentation.
💡 Our pick: For most visitors, SafetyWing at $45/month offers the best value — enough coverage for typical emergencies, low cost, and the flexibility of monthly billing. For higher-risk travel or families, step up to IMG Patriot with $1M+ limits.
Do not visit the USA uninsured. Whatever your budget, the cost of insurance is 1-2% of your trip — and could literally save you from life-changing debt.
Why You Need It
The USA has the most expensive healthcare in the world. A 20-minute ER visit for a simple injury can bill at $2,500. A broken arm setting bills at $5,000-10,000. A helicopter medical evacuation bills at $50,000+. A week-long hospital stay is easily $100,000. None of this is covered by any foreign health system — it is all on you.
Unlike most countries, there is NO reciprocal healthcare agreement between the USA and other nations. European EHIC, Australian Medicare, UK NHS — none cover you here. Even US residents without insurance can go bankrupt from a single accident.
💀 The grim reality: Medical bills are the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy in the USA. 1 in 3 bankruptcies cites healthcare debt. If you cannot afford a $10,000 bill, you cannot afford to visit America uninsured. Period.
Real Cost Examples
| Incident | Typical Uninsured Bill |
|---|
| ER visit — sprained ankle | $1,200-2,500 |
| ER visit — broken bone with X-ray | $3,500-6,000 |
| Ambulance (ground) | $1,200-3,000 |
| Ambulance (air) | $20,000-60,000 |
| 3-day hospital stay | $30,000-60,000 |
| Appendectomy | $33,000-80,000 |
| Heart attack treatment | $100,000-300,000 |
| COVID-19 hospitalization | $40,000+ |
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Budgeting for a US trip? Insurance should be a line item — get your full trip estimate including insurance with our free USA trip cost calculator.
What to Look For
For the USA, prioritize these coverage levels:
- Medical: minimum $500,000, ideally $1 million
- Emergency evacuation: $100,000+ (for helicopter transport)
- Repatriation of remains: $50,000+
- Trip cancellation: 100% of trip cost (optional but helpful)
- Lost baggage: $1,000+
- Activities coverage: make sure what you plan (skiing, hiking, diving) is included
- Pre-existing conditions: check if yours are covered
- COVID-19 coverage: should be standard by 2026
SafetyWing
From $45/month | Best for digital nomads and long trips
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is subscription-based — you pay monthly like Netflix. $45/month for under-40 travelers covers $250,000 medical, $100,000 evacuation, COVID treatment and some trip interruption. You can buy it after departure, pause it, and cancel anytime. It is the best option for flexible long-term travelers.
Pros: Cheapest, flexible, easy online claims, monthly billing, can buy abroad.
Cons: $250,000 medical limit is lower than alternatives; deductible $250.
IMG Patriot
From $55/week | Best for higher coverage limits
IMG Patriot is a traditional trip insurance policy. You can select up to $2 million medical limit, $1 million evacuation, zero deductible options and add-ons for adventure sports. Quality claims process and good customer service. Popular with visitors to the USA from Asia and Latin America.
Pros: Very high medical limits, strong claims reputation, zero-deductible option.
Cons: More expensive; must buy before departure.
World Nomads
From $4/day | Best for adventure travel
World Nomads offers two plans (Standard and Explorer) covering 150+ adventure activities including skiing, surfing, rock climbing, even bungee jumping. Medical limits $100k-300k. Strong for travelers doing more than sightseeing.
Pros: Adventure sports covered by default, extensible, good app.
Cons: Higher deductibles; medical limits lower than IMG.
Allianz
From $90/trip | Best for comprehensive trip protection
Allianz Travel covers medical plus strong trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays and baggage. Popular with Americans traveling internationally, also used by inbound visitors. Solid brand recognition and 24/7 hotline.
Policy Comparison
| Provider | Medical | Evac | Deductible | Monthly |
|---|
| SafetyWing | $250k | $100k | $250 | $45 |
| IMG Patriot | $2M | $1M | $0-$2,500 | $200+ |
| World Nomads | $300k | $500k | $100 | $160+ |
| Allianz | $50-$500k | $500k | $0 | $90/trip |
How to Claim
- 1. Save receipts. Every bill, every pharmacy receipt, every transport cost.
- 2. Contact the insurer immediately. Most have 24/7 hotlines. They will direct you to in-network hospitals if possible.
- 3. Keep medical records. Get copies of diagnoses, tests, treatment plans.
- 4. File within 30-90 days. Most policies require claims within a fixed window.
- 5. Appeal denied claims. Insurers sometimes deny valid claims; appeal with documentation.
💡 Our pick: For most visitors, SafetyWing at $45/month offers the best value — enough coverage for typical emergencies, low cost, and the flexibility of monthly billing. For higher-risk travel or families, step up to IMG Patriot with $1M+ limits.
Do not visit the USA uninsured. Whatever your budget, the cost of insurance is 1-2% of your trip — and could literally save you from life-changing debt.