Purchasing Visitors Insurance

Buying visitors insurance is now quick and easy and the most convenient way to buy visitors insurance is to make your purchase online. This allows you to fill out and submit your application using online tools and receive coverage almost instantly. Alternatively, if you are more comfortable with filling out a physical application, most plans offer you the option to print the application out online, and mail the completed forms to them.

Before you purchase a visitors insurance policy, it is highly recommended that you review the plans terms and limitations of coverage to ensure that you are knowledgeable on the provided coverage and plan exclusions as well as confident in the fact that you are choosing the plan that best fits your individual needs. This information can be found in the plan brochure and in the description of coverage.

To purchase a policy, you will need some basic information about the applicant. This includes:

• Insured’s full name
• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Address where they will reside in their destination country
• Coverage dates

Applicant can make the purchase for themselves, or parents, relatives, or friends can purchase for the insured as well and for payment, you will need a credit or debit card. Most major credit cards are accepted.

After you complete the application and payment process, you will receive an email including confirmation of purchase and your visitors insurance identification card, which you can print out and carry with you to use should you need to visit a doctor or hospital during your travels.

When Should You Buy Your Visitor’s Insurance?

You can purchase a visitors health insurance plan either before you depart from your home country, or after you arrive in your destination country. It is advisable to buy your policy at least 24 hours prior to the desired effective date. Policy effective dates can be determined as follows:

• If you are buying a fixed/ limited coverage plan with coverage only in the USA, the start date should be the day the insured arrives in the United States.
• If you are purchasing a comprehensive coverage plan that provides international coverage, the start date should be the day the insured boards the plane to depart from their home country. These plans are effective during the flight and layovers as well.
• If the insured has already arrived in their destination country, any future date can be chosen. The earliest date that coverage can begin is 24 hours from purchase.

How Long Does it Take to Purchase a Policy?

When you purchase the visitors insurance policy online through a simple 3-6 step process, it should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the application and payment process.

What Is The Visitors Insurance Purchasing Process and Acknowledgement

You should be able to take a printout of your virtual ID card once you receive the confirmation email. This is your proof of insurance when you are asked to show it at any medical facility. The email will also include URLs with information pertaining to the policy you purchased for further reference.

On a later date, you may receive hard copies of all the necessary documents along with the original insurance card via regular mail to the billing address stated at the time of purchase.

For more information on the visitors insurance process after you have made a purchase, refer to this article: Visitors Insurance: How Does It Work?