Visitor Insurance FAQs

Do I need visitor insurance to come to the U.S.?

The short answer is no. An international travel medical insurance plan is not required to visit the United States as a tourist on a B-2 visa. However, it is strongly recommended due to the high cost of healthcare. For the relatively low cost of an international travel medical plan (plans start at a few dollars a day and increase depending on age and coverage options), you can protect yourself from potentially thousands of dollars in medical bills in the event of an unexpected medical emergency when outside of your home country.

What does visitor insurance cover?

For complete coverage information, it’s best to look at the benefits table of our most popular visitor insurance plan, Patriot America Plus. In general, visitor insurance covers your health in the event of an unexpected illness or injury when traveling outside of your home country. For new, medically necessary emergencies, eligible medical expenses include benefits for local ambulance care, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation, return of mortal remains, trip interruption, and more.

Can I buy insurance for my parents/relatives?

Yes! You may buy visitor insurance for your parents, friends, or relatives, as long as you have the necessary personal information required to purchase the policy and the consent of the insured.

When does the policy become effective?

Policies can become effective as soon as the next calendar day if the insured is or will be outside of their home country’s territory. You may also purchase your plan in advance during the planning stages of your travel with an effective date set for the first day abroad until the day you return to your home country.

Do I need to buy insurance before I leave or can I buy it when I get there?

It is highly recommended to purchase coverage before you leave as there are some eligibility restrictions that may deny eligibility that vary based upon age. In most cases, a new arrival to the U.S. may purchase a visitor insurance plan within 6 months of arrival if under the age of 65. For travelers 65 and older, purchases must be made within 30 days of arrival.

Are any pre-existing conditions covered?

Yes, our Visitors Protect plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions that gradually develop or worsen over time (such as diabetes or high blood pressure). This plan is designed specifically for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For more information, view the full Visitors Protect benefits table.

Other IMG visitors insurance plans may cover “Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions.” This is different than a more traditional definition of “Pre-Existing Conditions.”

Patriot America Lite, Patriot America Plus, Patriot America Platinum, and Visitors Care plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions, but they are only covered prior to age 70 and are subject to the language in the insurance plan. Here is our definition of what would be considered an acute onset of a pre-existing condition (according to a sample insurance plan from May 2024):

A sudden and Unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent medical care. A Pre-existing Condition that is chronic or congenital, or that gradually becomes worse over time is not an Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition. An Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition does not include any condition for which, as of the Effective date, the Insured Person (i) knew or reasonably foresaw he/she would receive, (ii) knew he/she should receive, (iii) had scheduled, or (iv) were told that he/she must or should receive, any medical care, drugs or Treatment.

Do I need to go to the doctor for an exam before I buy?

No, international travel medical insurance plans do not require underwriting, thus a medical exam or review is not necessary to purchase. The primary purpose of an international travel medical insurance plan is to protect you from future (or new) emergencies, thus a medical history review is not needed.

How do I get proof of insurance?

After you purchase your insurance plan, your Declaration of Medical Insurance is emailed to you immediately. Within this document, you may download further related plan documents. You can also access all of your information in IMG’s member portal, MyIMG, where you can find a copy of your certificate, information on how to submit a claim, and our PPO network to find doctors in-network.

Have more questions about buying international insurance? Check out some of these resources:

• Why You Need Travel Medical Insurance Now More than Ever
• How To File an Insurance Claim While Traveling
• What to Look for when Choosing International Health Insurance