Get travel insurance before you visit the US
This is very important. If you are visiting New York City from outside the US, get travel insurance before you come.
This tip doesn’t get mentioned enough, but it is one of the most important things you can do before a trip to NYC.
You never know what might happen. You could get sick, slip on the snow, or suddenly need medical treatment.
And this is where the US is very different from many other countries.
Healthcare in NYC is very expensive
New York has excellent medical care. But it is very expensive if you don’t have insurance.
A simple doctor or urgent care visit can cost hundreds of dollars. An emergency room visit can cost considerably more. If you need tests, an ambulance, hospitalization or surgery, the bill can quickly reach thousands of dollars.
Even prescription medicines can be surprisingly expensive without insurance coverage.
Your health insurance at home will not cover you in the US – check with them before you travel.
What should your travel insurance cover?
At the very least, look for strong emergency medical coverage, including:
- Adequately high sum-insured for each traveller in your family or group.
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Ambulance/medical transportation
- Medical evacuation or repatriation
- Prescription medication, where covered
Also check the policy limits, deductible, exclusions and whether any pre-existing conditions are covered.
If you have cancellation or interruption coverage, that’s an added benefit.
Don’t wait until you’re in New York
Buy your insurance before your trip begins. Some benefits, particularly trip cancellation coverage, may require you to purchase the policy before your trip.
We hope you will never need to use it.
But that’s the point. I’d personally much rather spend a little money on travel insurance and pray I never use it – than save that money and face a massive medical bill in New York.
It also lets you enjoy your “Dream” NYC trip without worrying about unexpected expenses.
