USA travel insurance from €1/day 🇺🇸
In the United States, a hospital stay can exceed $200,000. French Social Security covers nothing outside Europe. To travel without financial risk, check the medical cap, direct billing and cancellation coverage. We compare 45 plans to find the one that fits your situation.
Written by an expert
Antoine Fruchard
Co-founder HelloSafe · Travel insurance expert
Travelling to the United States without insurance is the riskiest bet you can make with your health. One night in intensive care runs between $15,000 and $30,000. French Social Security reimburses nothing outside Europe. At admission, the hospital asks for proof of solvency: cash, card, or insurance certificate.
Four points are non-negotiable before signing. A medical cap of at least €1M, ideally €2.5M. Direct billing so the insurer pays the hospital without you having to advance anything. Repatriation at actual cost, because a medical flight often exceeds €80,000. And solid personal liability, in a country where a simple accident can turn into a multi-million lawsuit.
Budget-wise, serious coverage runs between €3 and €8/day, or €30 to €60 for a week. All-inclusive plans with cancellation, luggage and €2.5M medical start at around €80/week. We compare 45 plans to help you find the one that fits your situation.
Best Travel Insurance for the USA
45 plans compared · 5 selected for this profile · Updated on 5 avril 2026
Antoine F. — For a tourist trip to the US, Secure Gold offers 2 500 000 € in medical coverage with direct billing. The insurer acts as guarantor with the hospital — no upfront payment, no waiting.
Prices are indicative for 1 adult · 1 week with no pre-existing conditions. HelloSafe is compensated by insurers when a policy is purchased through our links — this does not influence our ranking.
Les risques réels d'un voyage aux États-Unis
Some risks depend on the season: tornadoes in spring, hurricanes in autumn, disruptions on transatlantic flights. Others are present year-round : unregulated medical costs, litigious culture, zero public coverage for foreigners. A single uninsured incident can expose you to hundreds of thousands of euros in costs.
Start of tornado season (March–June, central US) — Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas: high risk. Check that your policy covers cancellation for natural disasters and trip interruption. Annulation
ER saturation in major cities — New York, Los Angeles, Miami: ER wait times of 6 to 14 hours. Prefer insurance with direct access to partner private clinics. Frais médicaux
Disruptions on transatlantic routes — Fare turbulence at several airlines. Carrier bankruptcy and extended delay coverage is strongly recommended for spring 2026 departures. Retard
Ce que vous risquez à chaque voyage
Indépendamment de la saison ou de l'actualité, trois risques pèsent sur chaque séjour aux États-Unis. Ils sont structurels : ils ne disparaîtront pas.
Risque N°1
Frais médicaux
250 000 $
une semaine en soins intensifs
Frais médicaux + rapatriement
minimum 300 000 € · frais réels
Risque N°2
Poursuite judiciaire
4 500 000 $
plafond courant en responsabilité
Responsabilité civile
minimum 1 000 000 €
Risque N°3
Annulation de voyage
2 000 $
billet transatlantique A/R
Annulation toutes causes
dès que le séjour dépasse 1 000 €
Les hôpitaux américains exigent une preuve de solvabilité avant toute prise en charge : carte bancaire avec fonds suffisants, justificatif d'assurance, ou dépôt en espèces. Sans preuve, vous pouvez être refusé ou retardé pour les soins non urgents.
For the United States, direct billing is not a comfort option. It's what prevents you from advancing $30,000 to the hospital before waiting weeks for reimbursement. Before signing, also check if the assistance has a US phone number (+1). It makes a real difference when you need help at 3am from Los Angeles.
Les garanties à souscrire pour cette destination
Toutes les garanties ne se valent pas, et toutes ne sont pas nécessaires. Le tableau ci-dessous hiérarchise celles qui comptent vraiment pour les États-Unis, avec les seuils minimums à chercher dans votre contrat.
Combien ça coûte concrètement
Pour donner une idée de l'échelle : une appendicite aux États-Unis coûte entre 35 000 et 70 000 dollars. En France, c'est intégralement pris en charge. Voici les principaux postes de dépense en cas de sinistre.
The average USA claim costs 228× the price of insurance
Protect meHow much does USA travel insurance cost?
Real rates from our comparison tool for 1 week in the USA, no pre-existing conditions. Updated on 5 avril 2026.
Rates from the HelloSafe API · no pre-existing conditions · range min (essential) – max (premium)
Price increases with age and duration. A 60-year-old traveller pays on average 2× more than a 30-year-old. The chosen medical cap (€300,000 vs €2,500,000) also significantly impacts the rate.
Compare offers for USA — free quote in 30 seconds
Is travel insurance mandatory for the United States?
No, no law requires it to enter the United States with an ESTA or tourist visa. But without coverage, the slightest medical incident can cost you tens of thousands of euros, with no recourse.
What the regulations say
The United States does not require any proof of insurance upon entry. Unlike some countries (Schengen, Cuba…), you can enter without coverage.
What it means without insurance
A simple ER visit can cost $3,000 to $15,000. A one-week hospitalisation: $50,000 to $200,000. No recourse without insurance.
Not legally mandatory — essential in practice.
100% of travel specialists recommend insurance for the USA.
Is my bank card enough for the USA?
Premium cards include travel coverage — but it's designed for Europe. Here's precisely why it's caps too low, hidden exclusions, restrictive activation conditions. not enough for the United States :
€150,000 seems like a lot — but open-heart surgery in the USA costs on average $200,000. Three days in intensive care: $180,000. Not counting follow-up care and rehabilitation. The card only covers if the ticket was paid with that specific card. It excludes pre-existing conditions, risky sports, and cancellation for personal or professional reasons.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about travel insurance for the United States — visa, medical coverage, bank card, and more.
No, nothing requires it to enter with an ESTA or tourist visa. But the American healthcare system is nothing like what Europeans are used to. A trip to the emergency room can cost tens of thousands of euros, with no recourse if you are uninsured.
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