Travel insurance for the USA
In most countries, travel insurance is a sensible extra. In the United States it is essential: there is no public health care for visitors, and hospitals bill at some of the highest prices in the world. A broken ankle on a trail or a night in hospital with appendicitis can turn into a bill of tens of thousands of dollars.
What medical care costs in the US
| Situation | Typical bill |
|---|---|
| Doctor’s visit at an urgent care clinic | $150–$300 |
| Emergency room visit, a few tests | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Ambulance ride | $500–$2,000+ |
| Broken leg with surgery | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Helicopter evacuation from a park | $30,000–$80,000 |
| Several days in hospital | $50,000–$150,000+ |
What to check in a policy
- Medical expenses: $500,000 minimum, ideally $1 million or unlimited.
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation included.
- Direct payment to the hospital (so you don’t advance the bill).
- The activities you plan: hiking, canyoneering, rafting, diving, skiing.
- Trip interruption and cancellation, especially in hurricane season.
- Rental car excess cover (or buy it separately).
Is your credit card enough?
Premium cards often include travel insurance, but medical cover is usually capped (often well under $100,000 per person), sometimes requires the trip to be paid with the card, and may have a time limit per trip. For the United States, that is rarely enough on its own. Read the terms, then top up with a dedicated policy if needed.
Questions travellers ask
Is travel insurance mandatory for the USA?
No, it is not required for the ESTA or the visa. But without it, you would pay any medical bill yourself, at US prices.
How much medical cover do I need for the USA?
At least $500,000; $1 million or unlimited is better. Lower limits can be exhausted by a single hospital stay.
What if I get sick in the US?
Call your insurer’s assistance line first: they will direct you to a clinic or hospital that accepts their payment. For anything life-threatening, call 911.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026.