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Travel Insurance for America

Travelling to America for a much-needed holiday? Compare your travel insurance options with Savvy.

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, updated on September 4th, 2023       

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Whether you’re planning to soak up the sun of Los Angeles or take a front-row seat at a Broadway show in New York City, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to America. If you’re searching for the right travel insurance cover for your next international journey, Savvy can point you in the right direction.

By comparing with us, you can find a policy which offers you the right protection, whether your flights are delayed, your luggage goes missing or you fall ill while overseas. We provide instant quotes from our partners, so you can consider their pros and cons and compare the cost of each policy. Before you take off overseas, compare your travel insurance options with Savvy today.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to America?

You don’t necessarily ‘need’ travel insurance if you’re taking a trip to America. However, it’s strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off to enjoy the bright lights of Las Vegas or get in touch with Mother Nature by walking across Yellowstone National Park.

America is a country rich with history and popular culture, which can make it a must-see place for many Australians. However, there are also many risks and dangers, which is why it’s essential to compare with Savvy and get the best travel insurance for your holiday.

If you’re taking a trip to America, some of the incidentals to watch out for include:

  • Civil unrest: it pays to keep a close eye on local media, as political tensions can flare up at any moment. In the US, these types of demonstrations are often triggered by elections or social and political issues. Try to avoid travelling to areas where there are known rallies, protests or marches, as they can quickly turn violent without warning. For example, the January 6th insurrection on the Capitol building in Washington DC increased in size rapidly and quickly turned into a large-scale riot resulting in the deaths of five people.
  • Violent crime: the rate of gun violence in the US is 23 times higher than that of Australia, so it will pay to remain vigilant when you’re walking the streets of your chosen destination. Tourists are very rarely the targets of gun-related attacks or mass shootings, but it’s worth familiarising yourself with some of the US government advice on how to deal with an active shooter situation.
  • Terrorist attacks: there is a heightened threat of terrorism in the United States posed by small and large groups with different political and ideological beliefs. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on the local news, report any suspicious activity and take any warnings by US officials with the utmost seriousness.
  • Theft of personal items: if you’re in a crowded tourist location, such as Times Square on New Year’s Eve or on public transport, you’re at a greater risk of having your wallet or purse swiped when you least expect it. Make sure you conceal any valuables and only carry the belongings you need to take with you to reduce the likelihood of being targeted by a pickpocket.
  • Natural disasters: America has its fair share of natural disasters, with floods, fires, earthquakes, volcanic ash clouds, hurricanes and blizzards some of the most common across various parts of the country. Make sure you pay attention to local warnings and news coverage before you depart for your holiday, as your travel insurance policy will be voided if you knowingly fly into an emergency situation.
  • Insect-borne diseases: conditions such as Lyme disease can make you very sick, and are spread to humans through mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. If you’re travelling to an area with an outbreak of infectious disease, make sure you wear long clothes and insect repellent and make sure your accommodation is insect-proofed.

What’s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to America?

Depending on the policy and level of protection, international travel insurance can help if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Some travel insurance benefits are:

  1. Overseas medical bills: The cost of medical treatment is eye-watering if you don’t have travel insurance because the country doesn’t offer universal healthcare. A stint in the emergency room could set you back more than $2,000, with the costs potentially rising significantly depending on the severity of your condition. As such, travel insurance can save you a significant amount of money if you’re hurt or sick and need treatment.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: if you're critically ill and your insurance company's physicians say you need to return home, they'll pay for your evacuation and repatriation. This includes if you need to leave ship on a trip, which may cost up to $100,000 without insurance.
  3. Cancellation: many travel insurance carriers may refund pre-paid deposits on hotels, flights, or excursions if you cancel your trip due to a covered occurrence. Illness, injury, or a sick or dying family member are among the valid reasons for cancelling a trip.
  4. Lost, stolen or damaged bags: most insurance providers will compensate or replace lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to an agreed claim amount, which can reach up to $15,000.
  5. Individual items: taking a phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen property. For example, some may cover up to $3,000 for lost or damaged laptops, cameras and smartphones.
  6. Travel delays: most travel insurance cover hotel, food, and other expenses if your flight is delayed longer than 24 hours. This includes delayed luggage owing to a delayed airliner.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, your insurance company may pay up to $5 million.
  8. Accidental death: if you die overseas in a covered accident, your insurance company can repatriate your remains. They may pay up to $25,000 for funeral or cremation fees.
  9. Optional extras: riding a motorcycle across Route 66 or wanting to take part in some adventure sports? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically but offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.

However, most travel insurance companies won’t cover you for the following incidentals:

  1. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
  2. Lost possessions left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  5. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice
  6. Travelling for medical tourism

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to America?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to America. However, by comparing with Savvy, you may be able to make the experience of searching for the perfect policy a whole lot easier.

Premium cost

It is, of course, in your best interest to keep your insurance premium costs to a minimum. To avoid overpaying for your travel insurance, it is crucial to shop around and get the best possible policy at a price that works for you no matter if you’re travelling to Hawaii or jetting off to the stately capital of Washington DC.

The type of policy you need

Numerous options exist for travel insurance, whether you're looking for single-trip, annual or one-way cover, so it’s important to consider your travel requirements. For example, if you’ll be taking multiple international trips across the year, you may be better off finding the best multi-trip policy rather than purchasing individual policies for each trip. Take a look at your itinerary, think about how often you’ll be flying and compare it with Savvy so you can get the best insurance for your trip. 

What you’re doing in America

Carefully consider which insurance company provides the greatest value and level of protection if you’re looking to partake in high-risk pursuits before signing up. If you’re planning to motorcycle across San Fransisco or carve up the ski slopes in Yosemite National Park, make sure you get a policy that covers you. 

Claim limits

In most cases, the amount you may claim from your overseas travel insurance policy will be capped. Check if these limits are enough for your trip and the items you want to take with you by doing a side-by-side comparison of several brands with Savvy.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to America, make sure you opt for a policy that best suits your needs. Before settling on one choice, do your homework and weigh what's included and what isn't. For example, a pre-existing condition you suffer from may not be automatically included under one policy, while it could be covered by a competitor.

Types of travel insurance

International

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

Domestic

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

One-way

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

Cruise

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Seniors

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Ski

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Families

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

Couples

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

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We’re partnered with some of Australia’s most trusted travel insurance providers, enabling you to compare quality offers.
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Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to America

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you, your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most providers allow you to include up to 25 people under the same policies, which, if the costs are divided among the travellers, can save you money.

Consider increasing your excess

You can pay less for your travel insurance by increasing the excess you're willing to pay if you need to file a claim. A higher excess can help you save money in the long term, but it shouldn't be so high that it causes you financial hardship to pay it.

Only pay for what you need

There's no point paying for cover you're not going to use on your holiday. Before you purchase a policy, read the PDS and make sure you aren’t paying extra for add-ons such as rental car hire or cruise coverage if you don't have any intentions of either hiring a car or sailing across the seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which provider gives you the best coverage for the lowest price. You can compare policies side by side so you can weigh what's included, what's not included, the price of your premium, and any other essential factors.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for America

Does travel insurance for America cover me for COVID-19-related costs?

Yes – most travel insurance policies cover any COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment while you’re in America and the need to cancel your holiday if you test positive before you leave. However, cancellation due to COVID-19 isn’t usually available on basic policies and you won’t be covered for border closures. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if you’re travelling to America as of September 2022, so it’s best to wear a mask when possible if you’re worried about contracting the disease.

Can I take out travel insurance if I’m already in America?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to America for your holiday. You’ll be afforded the exact coverage you would usually get if you purchased before departure. However, these policies have waiting periods of between 48 and 96 hours. This means that if you suffer a claimable incident inside this period, you won’t be able to make a claim.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance for America?

Most people in the know will tell you the best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you know your travel dates. That allows you to be covered for the maximum amount of pre-paid bookings, such as those for hotels or tours if something unforeseen happens and you need to call off your holiday. There are also often sales on around holiday periods, such as Easter, Christmas and the End of the Financial Year, which means you could snap up a policy at a discount. In most cases, you won’t be able to get instant cover, as most policies have waiting periods of at least 72 hours.

How do I make a claim on my travel insurance if I’m in America?

When you do it online, claiming on your travel insurance is a pretty easy process. When you go to your insurance company's website, enter your policy number and the email address that goes with it. From there, you can do the following:

  • Fill out your claim form with plenty of detail
  • Attach any documents, such as receipts, medical evidence, or proof of purchase
  • Submit your claim

 
The majority of the time, you should hear back from your insurance company within about ten business days. It's best to quickly answer any requests for more information to avoid slowing down the process.

How much will my travel insurance to America cost?

The cost of your travel insurance to America will be determined by a range of interchangeable variables, including:

  • Your age
  • The length of your trip and destinations
  • Whether you suffer any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need optional extras
  • The insurer you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What parts of America you’re visiting (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling to a region that has just suffered a terrorist attack or natural disaster)

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

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Sign up to our newsletter

Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

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