Do You Need Travel Insurance for a Trip to the USA?

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Whether you need travel insurance for a US trip depends on your situation. Here are the questions many travelers ask themselves.

Why visitors consider it

Health care in the United States can be expensive, and your home health plan may not cover you abroad
You may have prepaid flights, hotels or tours that are hard to refund
You may be traveling with family or on a long trip

Questions to ask before you decide

Does my home health insurance cover me outside my country? What are the limits?
Does my credit card include any travel protection, and what are the conditions?
How much of my trip is non-refundable?
Do I have any health conditions I should check against the policy's exclusions?
Do I plan activities, such as hiking or water sports, that the policy may treat differently?

Visa and entry notes

Requirements differ by visa type and change over time. Check official government sources, and ask your visa sponsor if you are unsure whether insurance is required.

Next step

If you decide to buy, compare plans using a checklist and read the policy documents before you pay.