I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolTravel Insurance for Visiting Parents
Updated on August 25, 2024
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Taking out travel insurance for visiting parents should be one of your top priorities when planning your parent’s visit to the U.S. There are many factors to consider and questions that you may have when comparing the different insurance plans. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions and provide information on the top three travel insurance for visiting parents.
What is Insurance for Visiting Parents?
Having your parents visit you in the U.S will definitely be exciting, but it is important to keep their health and safety top of mind. It is not unlikely that an unexpected health or medical travel emergency can pop up making the trip unnecessarily complicated or stressful. To relieve any financial burdens that come with such events and to ensure that your parents can get proper care, it is advisable that you take out proper visitor and travel insurance for visiting parents.
Loans for Travel Insurance!
Loans for up to $25,000. No cosigner required. No prepayment penalty.
8 Common Questions about Insurance for Visiting Parents
1. What type of insurance should I be looking at for my Parents?
If your finances allow it, the best option would be to look at comprehensive insurance for parents visiting the USA. With a comprehensive insurance plan for visitors, your parents will have higher coverage and additional benefits compared to a limited insurance policy.
2. Should I get different insurance plans for each parent or one application for both?
The benefit of getting a separate policy for each is that it decreases the complications and increases your control if either of them has to leave the U.S earlier than the other. Or, if you want to cancel the policy for one of them. Although these events seem unlikely, they are more common than you would expect and is a factor you should seriously consider.
3. How much should the policy maximum be for each parent’s visitor insurance?
In short – the higher, the better. Factors such as their length of stay, age and the activities they will participate in will influence the preferred maximum. Generally, $100,000 is the preferred maximum. Unfortunately, if your parents are over 70 years old, most policies won’t provide coverage for over $50,000.00. If you parents are 80 years or older, even more restrictions on the policy maximum will apply. Take a look at your coverage options for parents over 70 years here.
4. Can I get insurance for parents visiting the USA on their behalf?
You will be able to complete the insurance application form on their behalf. You can even pay for them with your credit card.
5. If my parents don’t have insurance, will I be liable for their medical bills?
You may be liable for your parents’ medical bills if you signed any sponsorship documents or signed as a guarantor on their behalf.
6. If my parents are only planning to stay at home most of the time, what type of insurance should I look at?
Remember, even if they will stay at home 100% of the time, there is still health risks and accidental risks they should be covered for. If this is the case, you can consider choosing a lower policy maximum. Taking a travel medical insurance policy is still advisable.
7. If my parents will be traveling around a lot, what kind of insurance should I consider?
You should definitely take out a comprehensive coverage policy with a higher policy maximum.
8. I need advice on choosing the right policy for my parents and have specific questions
Platforms such as Visitor Coverage can provide specialized advice and answer any questions you may have.
3 Best Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting USA
There are mainly two types of travel insurance for visiting parents:
- Fixed-coverage plans – these plans provide limited coverage but also come at a low cost.
- Comprehensive-coverage plans – these plans provide better coverage but also come at a higher cost.
Generally, fixed-coverage plans are not recommended as they are insufficient to cover high medical expenses which can run up easily in the U.S. Also, take note that it is recommended to rather buy travel insurance for parents visiting USA from an American based company.
Below we provide a summary of three of the best travel insurance for parents visiting USA.
Atlas America
Atlas America pays 100% up to the policy maximum within the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network after you have paid the deductible.
There is a $15 copay if your parents visit a U.S Urgent Care or Walk-in Clinic. In this case, the deductible is waived or the $15 copay will be waived in case of a $0 deductible.
Atlas America participates in the First Health PPO network, which has a number of participating care providers in the U.S.
A bonus of Atlas America is that their plans also cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy maximum for people below the age of 70. If your parents are between 70 and 79, they will cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy maximum of $100,000.
For more comprehensive information on the Atlas America insurance policy, visit this page.
Patriot America Plus
Patriot America Plus pays 100% up to the policy maximum in the PPO network after you pay the deductible.
If your parents visit a US urgent care, your deductible is waived but you pay a $25 copay (unless you have a $0 deductible, in which case the copay will be waived). If your parents visit a US-Walk-in Clinic your deductible is waived but you pay a $15 copay (unless you have a $0 deductible, in which case the copay will be waived).
Patriot America Plus also participates in the First Health PPO network and covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy maximum for people under the age of 70 years.
For more comprehensive information on the Patriot America Plus insurance policy, visit this page.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
This is the most popular choice if your parents are between 70 and 89 years of age. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive pays 100% up to the policy maximum in the PPO network after you pay the deductible.
If your parents visit a US urgent care your deductible is waived but you pay a $30 copay (unless you have a $0 deductible, in which case the copay will be waived).
Safe Travels USA also participates in the First Health PPO network and covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy maximum for people under the age of 70 years. If your parents are older than 70 years, it will also cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to $35,000.
Conclusion
Make sure you properly cover your parent’s stay during their travels in the U.S. This will not only take off some of the stress of such a trip, but will also prevent undue financial burdens should an unexpected emergency occur.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.