Travel Insurance for USA

 Benefits 

 Online Policy Purchase 

You can purchase TATA AIG travel insurance USA online in a paperless manner by following a few simple steps. All you have to do is choose a plan, provide the details and pay the premium.

 Offers COVID-19 Cover 

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 on your trip, the plan will cover all the medical and hospital charges. It also includes reimbursement for booking cancellations made due to illness.

Medical Emergency Cover 

Tourist medical insurance USA covers a wide range of medical emergencies, including sickness, accidents, injuries and so on. It also covers medical evacuation and repatriation of the mortal remains back to India.

 Non-Medical Cover 

You are also eligible to receive coverage for non-medical issues, such as baggage loss/delay, trip curtailment or cancellation, passport loss, etc.

 Automatic Policy Extensions 

If you face a medical emergency or other problem due to which you cannot return to India as scheduled, your policy will automatically get extended for 7 days.

 Quick Claim Settlement 

We complete the claim settlement process in the shortest possible time. It takes 30-45 days for us to process your claim and pay the amount.

US travel insurance for visitors protects the insured from various unfortunate and unforeseen events. From medical emergencies to trip-related issues, baggage loss/delay, and personal liability, travel insurance offers plenty of benefits.  Here are some of the reasons why you need travel insurance to the USA.

TATA AIG offers customised options under holiday insurance for the USA to suit the varied requirements of travellers. Here are three plan options available under the Travel Guard Plus.

Are you bothered by the question, is travel insurance mandatory for the USA? Then, the answer is no. However, travel insurance is highly recommended for your assistance and safety in a foreign country.

TATA AIG requires travellers to meet the following requirements:

• To be eligible for student travel insurance, you must be between 16 and 35 years of age.
• You can include up to 6 family members under the family travel insurance plan, with a minimum entry age of 6 months.
• The minimum age criteria for a single-trip policy is 3 months, whereas for a multi-trip policy, it is between 12-80 years and for a senior citizen plan, it is above 71 years.
• Solo travellers can opt for individual travel insurance for protection abroad.

TATA AIG USA travel insurance can be purchased quickly in the following steps:

• Step 1: Open the TATA AIG official website and select “Travel”.
• Step 2: Choose the United States of America as the travel destination. Then click “Get Plan.”
• Step 3: Choose from a suitable plan as per your requirements and proceed to make the payment.
• Step 4: Complete the payment and get USA travel health insurance issued instantly.

At TATA AIG, we strive to provide you with excellent services at all times. To seamlessly integrate our claim settlement services, we have partnered with Europ Assistance India. If you wish to make a claim for your travel medical insurance in the USA, you can do so by following the process mentioned below.

Claim Intimation: Let us know about the incident by contacting us on the following:

• Call: +1-833-440-1575 (Toll-free within US and Canada) 
• Email - tata.aig@europ-assistance.in 

Provide Essential Information: Once you inform us of the incident, we shall require some primary information to proceed with the claim process. You must provide us with the following details:

• Travel insurance policy number
• Details of the incident, medical emergency, accident, etc.
• Proof of the incident, such as the medical report, police FIR copy, lab reports, etc.

Documents: Submit all the documents to support your claim through an email for raising a claim request.

Settlement: We shall verify the claim and the documents, and upon successful completion, you will receive the claim amount.

Documents Required to Claim USA Travel Health Insurance 

• Claim form
• Original bills and invoices, including medical bills, pharmacy bills, etc.
• Copy of holiday insurance for America 
• Medical reports (in case of medical emergency claim)
• Incident proof (police report, doctor’s prescription)
• Passport and visa 
• Flight tickets

Note: Additional documents may be required to verify some claims. 

 Emergency Medical Coverage 

• Treatment expenses for medical emergencies in case of any sickness or injury.
• COVID_19 coverage 
• Cover for accidental death disablement
• Expenses for repatriation of mortal remains 
• Emergency dental medical treatment expenses

Non-Medical Coverage 

• Sum insured for delay of the checked-in baggage
• Permanent loss of checked-in baggage 
• Fee for applying for a new passport in India and/or fee for getting an emergency certificate.
• Compensation for flight delay and missed flight. 
• Compensation for bounced flight or accommodation bookings.
• To and fro compassionate travel coverage for a family member in case of the insured’s hospitalisation.

 Personal Liability Coverage 

• Coverage for compensation payable to third-party for any loss caused by the insured.
• TATA AIG’s travel insurance USA provides wide coverage for multiple aspects of your trip, ensuring that you can enjoy your trip and travel smoothly. 

• Travelling for medical treatment disqualifies you from coverage under travel insurance
• Any complication arising from a pre-existing medical condition is not covered. 
• An injury caused due to a suicide attempt or self-infliction will not be reimbursed.
• The harm caused due to being under the influence of alcohol is excluded from the scope.
• The coverage excludes any disease caused by sexually transmitted conditions.
• Loss arising because of war, civil war, invasion, etc.
• Any damage occurring because of the act of terrorism is excluded.
• Congenital anomalies, osteoporosis or any other conditions arising as a result of manual work performance will not be included in the coverage.
• Any medical emergency arising due to pregnancy complications is disqualified.
• Injuries arising to the insured due to participation in adventure sports, such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, etc., will not be covered.
• Lastly, travel insurance for the United States does not cover losses due to acts of military power, civil unrest, revolutions, etc., are outside the purview.

To be able to enjoy your trip to America, it is pivotal to choose the right travel insurance as it covers all the crucial aspects of your trip. Here are some tips for choosing the best medical insurance for visitors to the USA from India.

Plan Coverage 

Look for a plan that offers comprehensive coverage to keep you protected during your trip. Good travel insurance, medical treatment cover, baggage and passport cover, legal liability cover, etc.

 Cost and Efficiency 

It is advisable to opt for a travel insurance plan that strikes the right balance between cost and efficiency. A good plan is one that offers wide coverage at affordable rates. Thus, avoid opting for plans that are low-cost and lack the essential features.

Company Reputation 

The company's reputation also plays an important role in choosing the right travel insurance for a trip to the USA. A company with high credibility and reputation will offer efficient plans to protect you on your journey. 

 Compare Plans 

Compare all the plans that are available for your destination on the basis of their coverage, cost, validity and features. It will help you choose the most suitable one for your trip.

Cover for Adventurous Activities

If you plan to indulge in adventure sports or activities, it is wise to opt for a plan that offers coverage for such risks. Most plans do not cover adventure activities and may require you to opt for an add-on cover for the same.

 Age Limit 

Every travel insurance plan comes with minimum and maximum age criteria. Such considerations may be necessary if you are travelling with your family and need insurance for different ages. 

India is not covered under the US visa waiver program. Hence, all Indians need a visa to visit America. Also, there is no visa-on-arrival facility, which requires one to obtain a pre-approved visa.

 Types of USA Visas 

 Non-Immigrant Visa 

Indian nationals travelling to the USA can apply for various types of visas under the umbrella of a non-immigrant visa. Here are some of the major types of non-immigrant US visas Indian citizens can apply for if they meet the American visa requirements.

• B1/B2 Visa: If you are visiting the USA for a temporary stay with a business-related objective, you should apply for a B1 visa. If, however, the reason behind your temporary visit to the United States of America is personal, including tourism, medical treatment, etc., a B2 visa is the right category of visa for you. 
• F1 and M1 Student Visa: Applicants who have been accepted to educational institutions in the United States of America are eligible to apply for a student visa for their academic programme. 
• H-1 B Work Visa: The H1-B visa is granted to foreigners employed in the USA. Sponsored by the employers, the aforementioned visa is usually valid for a three-year term that can be extended for a further three years. 
• H-2 B Work Visa: Unskilled non-US workers hired to work in the USA are eligible to apply for an H2-B visa that is required to be sponsored by their US-based employer.
• J-1 and Q-1 Exchange Visitor Visas: A J-1 visa accommodates individuals travelling to the USA for pre-approved exchange programmes. The aforementioned category of visitors includes students, business trainees, research scholars and government-assigned visitors.

 Immigrant Visas 

Individuals who wish to immigrate to the USA on a permanent basis can apply for an immigrant visa to the country. The aforementioned visa usually needs to be sponsored by an employer or a permanent resident of the USA who is a relative of the applicant. 

However, persons with exceptional abilities and skills, including investors and some specific categories of immigrants, can apply for this visa themselves.

 US Visa Fees 

• You can apply for a visa to the USA by following the steps mentioned below. 
• Determine the type of visa you wish to apply for. For non-immigrant visas, you can refer to the 'Common Non-Immigrant Visas' guidelines. 
• Fill out the electronic application form (Form DS-160) to apply for a non-immigrant visa to the USA. 
• Make the payment of your visa application fee for a US tourist visa application.
• Create a profile and retain your receipt number to schedule your visa appointment. 
• Schedule an appointment with the US Embassy or consulate in India within 48 hours of submitting your DS-160 form online. 
• Be on time for your appointment and carry the relevant identification documents and credentials. 
• After the second visa interview, your US embassy visa application shall either be accepted or declined by the immigration authorities.

When applying for a US visa the following US travel docs must be submitted. If any of the documents are missing or inaccurate, your application may get rejected.

• Indian passport with a minimum of 6 validity months beyond your stay period.
• US visa form filled out accurately.
• Fee payment receipt for US work permit
• Photo
• Evidence of your financial capacity
• USA visa Documents showing the purpose of the visit
• Return flight tickets

The best time to visit the United States of America is either March to May (spring) or late September to late October (autumn). During spring, most parts of the country have mild and pleasant temperatures, thereby making it the ideal time to visit the nation. Since the summer months of May to September usually witness the highest footfalls from international tourists to the USA, it is advisable to plan your trip to this diverse country during spring or fall.

Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker, the country has a lot to offer you. Here are some of the destinations you must not miss while visiting the USA.

• New York City: No visit to the USA is complete without visiting New York City. It is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Broadway, the Rockefeller Plaza, and the world-renowned Times Square. 
• Washington D.C.: The national capital of the United States of America is a cultural and financial epicentre and home to the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the Smithsonian. 
• The Grand Canyon: The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world and one of the best places to visit in the USA for the first time. Averaging ten miles across and a mile in-depth, the canyon has vast and seemingly endless expanses that unequivocally capture nature’s might.
• Los Angeles: Home to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, the city of angels is a cultural and cinematic force to be reckoned with. Los Angeles is regarded as the heart of California and the US movie industry. The city is adorned with picturesque beaches and incredible vistas. While in LA, you must also visit La Brea Tar Pits, which contains fossils of prehistoric animals.

Las Vegas: Las Vegas is widely considered more of an experience than a tangible point on the global map. With its world-famous casinos, sound and light shows, musical theatre performances and diverse entertainment options, Vegas has been among the top tourist places in the USA for decades. And, as popularly quoted, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!”

 Currency and Foreign Exchange 

The currency of the United States of America is the United States Dollar (USD), which is commonly referred to as the US Dollar and represented by the $ sign. The US dollar exchange rate with respect to the Indian National Rupee (₹) fluctuates on a daily basis. Therefore, it is important to monitor the USD to INR exchange rate applicable before travelling to the USA. 

Embassy Information and Emergency Contacts 

Indian Embassy in the USA: 

• Address: Chancery-I, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
• Website: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
• Telephone number: (202) 939-7000
• Fax number: (202) 265-4351
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:30 AM - 06:00 PM EST
• Consular Services Timings: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• For Visa-related queries: Telephone- (202) 939 9888
• Email: visa.washington@mea.gov.in
• For queries regarding passport and miscellaneous services: Telephone- (202) 939 9864
• Email: cons1.washington@mea.gov.in

 Emergency Contact Numbers 

• If you face an emergency and require assistance, you may reach out to the concerned authorities on the following numbers.
• 211- Public, health and community
• 911- Emergency response
• 711- Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) for hearing and speech impaired.
• 988- Suicide prevention lifeline

List of International Airports 

• John F Kennedy International Airport, New York City (JFK)
• Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C. (IAD)
• San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco (SFO)
• ‘OHare International Airport, Chicago (ORD)
• Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah (SLC)

 Safety and precautionary Measures 

• Keep your passport safe at all times.
• Protect your belongings, especially when you are in crowded places and tourist hotspots.
• Use official commercial means of transport and avoid seeking private help.
• Respect the country’s laws and regulations.
• Avoid travelling to unfamiliar or remote areas, particularly during the night.
• Do not participate in any unlawful activities.
• Do not violate public decorum through your words, actions, or a combination of the two.
• Choose from the best visitor insurance for the USA to financially secure yourself against any unanticipated events.