Best Travel Insurance for USA: Review of Options in Australia [2025]

Whether you’re planning a Hawaiian Island getaway, a city stay in vibrant San Francisco or New York, or an epic cross-country road trip from LA to Miami and everywhere in between, the USA is an incredible destination.

Yet while booking activities and organising your travel funds might be your primary focus before departing, it is also vital to arrange travel insurance. Often easy to overlook, ensuring you have adequate travel insurance for the US is strongly recommended.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why travel insurance for a US trip is so important. Taking a look at a mix of insurance providers and policy types, inclusions and what to watch out for, we’ve got the details you need to find the best travel insurance for America for your needs and budget. We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

Table of contents
5 providers for travel insurance for the USA 1. Cover-More 2. Southern Cross 3. Medibank 4. 1Cover 5. Fast Cover

Do you need travel insurance for the USA?

While there is no current legislation that makes travel insurance in the US mandatory, travelling there without at least medical insurance is considered incredibly unwise.

The reason for this is that the costs related to healthcare in the US are among the most expensive in the world.¹ Without insurance, an unexpected medical emergency could see you facing a bill into the hundreds of thousands. You may also be restricted in terms of accessing preferred, essential care or unable to be repatriated home if needed, unless you have the means to pay for this yourself.

To avoid these challenges or complications and to ensure you have coverage for other things, including theft, rental car excess, travel delay, cancellations and more, travel insurance is essential.

What is the best travel insurance for a USA trip from Australia?

There isn’t a single travel insurance policy for the US that can be considered the absolute ‘best,’ as the ideal choice for each person varies depending on several factors. This includes things like your age, planned activities, trip length, and the need for coverage of pre-existing conditions.

To find a suitable policy from a trusted insurer, keep these points in mind:

• Confirm that your age and trip duration fall within the policy’s coverage limits
• Check whether family members traveling with you are covered or can be added
• Understand how pre-existing conditions are treated and whether they’re included, excluded, or require special approval
• Review which activities are covered and if extra premiums apply to certain ones
• Find out if an excess applies, how much it is, and when it needs to be paid
• Ensure the policy’s claim limits for medical care and repatriation are adequate
• Assess the insurer’s customer support options to see if they align with your needs while abroad

How much does travel insurance for the United States cost?

Just like with other destinations, the cost of travel insurance for a trip to the USA depends on factors such as your trip details and personal coverage requirements. For instance, older travellers, especially those over 65 with multiple pre-existing medical conditions, can expect to pay higher premiums, as can those embarking on extended journeys.

Similarly, a basic policy that only covers medical and dental expenses will typically be more budget-friendly than a comprehensive plan that includes extras like trip cancellation, baggage loss and coverage for adventure sports.

Additionally, as US medical costs can be very high, you may find travel insurance premiums for America are higher than for other destinations globally. As such, it is advisable to shop around and compare costs and coverage to ensure you are getting the best value.

5 providers for travel insurance for the USA

To assist you in comparing travel insurance options for the USA and finding the best fit for your needs, we’ve compiled a selection of policies from some of Australia’s top insurers. Whether you're looking for the cheapest travel insurance to the USA or a plan that offers extensive protection at a competitive rate, there are plenty of choices available.

To provide a clear overview of how coverage levels vary between basic and premium plans, we’ve also included both a budget-friendly option and a more comprehensive policy from each insurer.

1. Cover-More

With more than 35 years of experience, Cover-More is a leading travel insurance provider, covering an estimated 15 million travellers globally each year.² As one of Australia’s most recognised insurers, they offer:

• 24/7 high-quality emergency medical assistance, supported by specialised centres in Australia, Argentina, the UK, and Canada
• Flexible travel insurance plans with customisable coverage limits and a selection of optional extras
• A range of policy tiers to suit various budgets and coverage needs

Coverage	Basic Plan³	Comprehensive Plan³
Overseas Medical Expenses and Repatriation Costs	Unlimited coverage	Unlimited coverage
Overseas Emergency Dental	AUD 2000	AUD 2000
Hospital Incidentals	Nil	AUD 6000
Luggage and Travel Documents	Nil	AUD 5000
Travel Delay	Nil	AUD 2000
Cancellation	Depends on level of cover chosen	Depends on level of cover chosen
Personal liability	AUD 1.5 million	AUD 2.5 million
Rental vehicle excess cover	Nil	AUD 5000

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 27 March 2025

2. Southern Cross

Southern Cross is a newer player in Australia’s travel insurance market, having only launched in 2009, but advertises as already having insured over 6 million travellers globally in that time. As part of the New Zealand-owned Southern Cross Group, they provide⁴:

• 24/7 emergency assistance for travellers in need
• A streamlined claims process with dedicated support
• A variety of policy options to suit different budgets and coverage requirements.

Coverage	Medical Only Plan⁵	Comprehensive Plan⁶
Overseas Medical Expenses and Repatriation Costs	Unlimited coverage	Unlimited coverage
Overseas Emergency Dental	AUD 2000	AUD 2000
Hospital Incidentals	AUD 3000	AUD 3000
Luggage and Travel Documents	Nil	AUD 25 000 for luggage AUD 1000 for documents
Travel Delay	Nil	AUD 2000
Cancellation	Nil	AUD 2500 (can be increased)
Personal liability	AUD 1 million	AUD 1 million
Rental vehicle excess cover	Nil	AUD 10 000

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 27 March 2025

3. Medibank

Backed by over 47 years as one of Australia’s leading health insurers⁷, Medibank also offers award-winning travel insurance which includes⁸:

• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Unlimited overseas medical expenses coverage
• A range of optional extras to cover adventure activities and snow trips

Coverage	Medical Only Plan⁹	Comprehensive Plan⁹
Overseas Medical Expenses and Repatriation Costs	Unlimited coverage	Unlimited coverage
Overseas Emergency Dental	AUD 2000	AUD 2000
Hospital Incidentals	Nil	AUD 5000
Luggage and Travel Documents	Nil	AUD 25 000 for luggage AUD 10 000 for documents
Travel Delay	Nil	AUD 3000
Cancellation	Nil	Unlimited coverage
Personal liability	AUD 5 million	AUD 5 million
Rental vehicle excess cover	Nil	AUD 10 000

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 27 March 2025

4. 1Cover

1Cover is an award-winning insurance provider that offers a select range of travel policies designed for simplicity and affordability. Their streamlined approach ensures coverage options suit different budgets and travel needs. Their insurance services include¹⁰:

• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Quick and easy online claims processing
• Simple pre-existing condition declarations with optional coverage

Coverage	Medical Only Plan¹⁰	Comprehensive Plan¹⁰
Overseas Medical Expenses and Repatriation Costs	Unlimited coverage	Unlimited coverage
Overseas Emergency Dental	AUD 1000	AUD 1000
Hospital Incidentals	Nil	AUD 5000
Luggage and Travel Documents	Nil	AUD 15 000 for luggage AUD 5000 for documents
Travel Delay	Nil	AUD 2000
Cancellation	Nil	Depends on level of cover chosen
Personal liability	AUD 5 million	AUD 5 million
Rental vehicle excess cover¹¹	Nil	AUD 10 000

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 27 March 2025

5. Fast Cover

Australian-owned and operated, Fast Cover offers multi-award-winning insurance to suit a variety of trip types and traveller needs.¹² They provide:

• 24/7 emergency medical assistance
• A range of policy types and coverage levels for backpackers to seniors and more
• Instant cancellation cover with no waiting periods

Coverage	Basic Plan¹³	Comprehensive Plan¹³
Overseas Medical Expenses and Repatriation Costs	Unlimited coverage	Unlimited coverage
Overseas Emergency Dental	AUD 500	AUD 1000
Hospital Incidentals	Nil	AUD 5000
Luggage and Travel Documents	Up to AUD 2000 for luggage (optional) Nil for documents	AUD 15 000 for luggage AUD 5000 for documents
Travel Delay	Nil	AUD 2000
Cancellation	Nil	Unlimited coverage
Personal liability	AUD 1 million	AUD 5 million
Rental vehicle excess cover	Nil	AUD 8000

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 27 March 2025

Things to keep in mind

• Multi-country trips. Many insurers provide coverage based on approved zones of travel. If you plan to also visit Canada or anywhere in Central or South America on the same trip, your insurer should be notified and coverage for these regions also reviewed.
• Price vs. Coverage. Cheap is not always better when it comes to travel insurance, especially in the USA, where medical costs are so high. Ideally, USA travel insurance should have at least $1 million in medical expense coverage, with unlimited coverage being the gold standard. This should be a primary focus, rather than price.
• Road Trips. If you’re planning on a road trip from coast to coast, make sure your policy has adequate rental excess insurance cover as daily insurance costs with car hire companies locally can be excessive.

Heading to the US? Get more USD for your AUD with the Wise card

When planning your trip, it's crucial to consider how you'll spend in the USA. High foreign transaction fees or unfavorable exchange rates can quickly inflate your travel costs. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://boost-dividend.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Statista - US Health Care
2. Cover-More - About
3. Cover-More - Policy Comparison
4. Southern Cross - About
5. Southern Cross - Medical Only Policy
6. Southern Cross - Comprehensive Policy
7. Medibank - About
8. Medibank - Travel Insurance
9. Medibank - Policy Comparison pg. 4
10. 1Cover - About Us & Policy Comparison
11. 1Cover - Rental Car Excess
12. Fast Cover - About
13. Fast Cover - Benefits Tablepgs. 25-26

Sources checked on: 27 March 2025