United States · Travel insurance
USA Travel Insurance — Cover for B-1/B-2 and ESTA Visitors
The United States is the world's most expensive country for medical care. A single ER visit can exceed USD 10,000. While neither B-1/B-2 visitor visas nor ESTA travellers are legally required to hold travel insurance, the State Department and every reputable embassy strongly recommend it.
Recommended minimum coverage: USD 100,000 medical (USD 250,000+ for older travellers)
Requirements
- Recommended: at least USD 100,000 in emergency medical coverage; USD 250,000+ if travelling with pre-existing conditions or aged 65+.
- Coverage for ER visits, hospitalisation, ambulance and specialist consultations.
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation cover.
- Optional: trip cancellation, baggage and accidental death & dismemberment.
Coverage recommendations
| Coverage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical | The most critical line item — US hospital pricing has no realistic ceiling. |
| Repatriation | Medical evacuation home can cost USD 50,000–250,000 if needed. |
| Trip cancellation | Covers prepaid flights and hotels if you must cancel for covered reasons. |
| Baggage delay & loss | Reimbursement for essentials during delays and permanent-loss compensation. |
Real-world example
2-week NYC family trip — Brazilian ESTA traveller
A family of four entering on ESTA for tourism. Recommended: USD 250,000 family medical policy covering the full 14-day stay, plus trip cancellation for prepaid hotels and flights.
Indicative cost: Single-trip family policies for the US typically run USD 80–180 for 2 weeks at this coverage level.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Travel insurance may help cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, lost baggage, and other unexpected travel expenses while abroad.
- Medical emergencies
- Trip interruption
- Lost baggage
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance required for ESTA or B-1/B-2 visas?
No — the US does not legally require travel insurance for visitors. It is strongly recommended given healthcare costs.
Does Medicare or Medicaid cover visitors?
No. Federal health programmes do not extend to non-residents.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless you buy a specific waiver — usually within 14–21 days of booking the first trip component.
Official references
More travel insurance guides
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