I am going to visit San Francisco on a few days, and I am going to stay there for 2 weeks. I already have my ESTA, but I still need insurance. What is the best insurance I can buy for this travel? I might also visit other states. So, what is the best option for me? I don’t want to spend more than 50 dollars… Also, I would like to have more benefits (like insurance for my luggage, for instance).
What is the location you are travelling from/reside in? Fifty dollars max and ‘best insurance available’ aren’t compatible terms. You can probably find some travel insurance for less than $50 but it won’t be the best available. What are you trying to protect yourself against specifically? There are lots of different policies that cover everything from temporarily lost luggage to medical emergency flights to a trauma center.
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
I am sorry, Moderator! It’s been some time I don’t use the forum.
I live now in Brazil. I do have an international travel insurance from the Netherlands, but it doesn’t cover the USA. I will be staying in San Francisco, mostly, but I might travel to Las Vegas if I find a good price for an airline ticket or maybe visit my cousin who lives in Alabama (I don’t wan’t to go to Alabama, but… faimily is family, eh?).
I need protection from accidents, health probems (I do have some allergies, so I could end up in the ER swollen like a strawberry) and, if possible, I would like to be insured if they lose my luggage, or if I get mugged. I am also on sleeping, anxiety and depression medication, but I will bring that with me.
I don’t have any particular experience with international travel insurance but here is an article on how to shop for it with links.
Alabama is one of the most under-appreciated states in the U.S. in my opinion. It is the Deep South with all of the good and bad that goes along with that but it has some features that many people do not realize. Huntsville, in the northern part of the state, is ‘Rocket City’ USA where the literal rocket scientists live and engineer many of the components for space missions. It has really good tours if you are interested in that type of thing. Most people don’t think Alabama = Rocket Scientist but that is the reality.
Alabama also has some of the best beaches in the U.S. even compared to California or almost anywhere else. Seriously, some of them the Gulf Coast look like the Caribbean or better. Whether you appreciate the culture or not, I can guarantee you that everyone will be unusually nice and friendly.
Travel plans invariably cost more for coverage in the United States, so the target $50 limit may not be practical for “the best” coverage.
We’ve never needed to file a claim, but have found policies through http://www.worldmedicalplans.com/ to be competitive for Mrs Iggy in her travels to visit Cayman. You can get a quote and buy a policy online.
Sample quote for their Patriot Travel Medical Insurance® for a 35 year old male for coverage for 15 days ran US$50.33 for a plan with $100 deductible and a $1,000,000 limit.
But you have to go for their Patriot Platinum Travel Medical InsuranceSM to have “Trip cancellation, travel delay and baggage delay benefits available” . For the same 35 year old male you would have to opt for a higher deductible $2500, to keep the premium down to US$53.03 for a $1,000,000 limit and a 15 day stay.
A variety of deductible options and coverage limits are available. See plan for details. Blah, blah, blah. I am not your insurance agent. I am not an insurance agent. etc… etc… etc…
thanks for the tip! I really like rockets (and I am an avid player of Kerbal Space Program).
Okay, I will raise the 50 dollar limit. I am a 27 year old male… Thanks for the help, guys!
I’ve used Squaremouth to compare and buy travel insurance but I’m not sure if it works differently for non-US residents.
When you do shop for insurance companies, check the fine print to make sure that your state of residence does not disqualify you for coverage.
I ended up buying the insurance suggested by Iggy. Thanks, mate! I hope I will never need that insurance. 