COVID-19 pandemic and travel insurance policies in the Philippines Learn more

Travel Insurance for Philippines to USA trips

Travel insurance is required by the Philippine Immigration for all outbound Filipinos traveling on tourists visas. The USA government does not require travel insurance for incoming tourists.

Travel to USA - View of New York from an airplane window

USA Travel - What type of insurance is needed

A well known fact is that medical costs in the United States are much more expensive than most countries. This is because medical drugs, supplies, and possibly salaries of medical workers are relatively higher among developed countries worldwide. Healthcare costs in the U.S. are among the highest in the world in all categories. 

We do not expect to get sick during our travel in the states, but unfortunate events can happen. If you are a Filipino, most likely you do not have insurance coverage that can cover expenses if you need medical attention while you are in the US.

 

Golden Gate bridge, California, USA

Getting travel insurance is a cost-effective way to protect you against unfortunate events while traveling, especially in the United States.

 

How much travel insurance do I need for USA?

Entering the borders of the United States does not require travel insurance. Unlike traveling to the Schengen area in Europe where it is required before you get a visa, insurance is not mandatory for US travel.

If you are a Philippine passport holder traveling to USA on tourist visa, you are required to have a travel insurance policy with COVID-19 coverage. No specific amount of coverage required. Simply ensure COVID-19 medical expenses are covered while you are in the US. This is for immigration purposes upon your departure from Philippines.

 

USA travel during this pandemic

Before leaving the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration will require you to have travel insurance with COVID-19 medical coverage. This is true if you are traveling on a tourist visa, which will signify that your travel is non-essential. This is in addition to the many required documents needed in prepration for a US trip.

More than travel insurance being a requirement by the Philippine government for outbound non-essential travel, it can protect you from expensive medical costs while traveling in the US, which can cost thousands or even millions of pesos, depending on the seriousness of your illness or injury.

 

COVID-19 Insurance Coverage

Common travel insurance plans available in the Philippines cover medical expenses while traveling outside the country. Do note, however, that most travel insurance plans available will not cover COVID-19, so it will be best to double check it with your insurance provider.

COVID-19 medical cover is an important coverage if you will travel in the middle of this pandemic. Especially if you acquire COVID-19 that cause you to have moderate to severe symptoms. It may need you be hospitalized, potentially costing you thousands of dollars.

COVID-19 medical document

 

When the outbound travel has been allowed almost two years ago, in the middle of global lockdowns, travelinsurance.com.ph's clients usually purchase the following plans for their USA travel, in which the COVID-19 medical cover can be added to the policy:

  • Starr TraveLead Essential
  • Starr TraveLead Extra
  • Assist Card AC 35
  • Assist Card AC 60

This is because during this time, when the risks of COVID-19 are yet to be deeply explored, only Starr and Assist Card provide COVID-19 coverage for their travel insurance products. 

 

For Starr and Assist Card travel insurance plans, maximum limit for COVID-19 medical expenses up to Php 1,000,000, Php 2,500,000, or US$ 50,000, depending on which TraveLead or Assist Card plan is selected.  

If the insured person is diagnosed COVID-19 positive while in the United States, the insurance policy can cover medical expenses to treat and manage COVID-19, up to the maximum medical expense limit indicated in your plan's travel insurance policy.

 

Starr and Assist Card are accepted by Philippine Immigration

traveler walking inside the airport

If the outbound traveler is a Philippine-passport holder and will be traveling to the United States on a tourist visa, the Philippine Immigration will check if you have travel medical insurance with COVID-19 cover.

Starr's travel insurance plans can cover up to Php 2,500,000 or US$ 50,000 medical expenses (including COVID-19), making it eligible for PH immigration requirements for outbound travelers.

 

 

How much is travel insurance for USA trips?

travel insurance application form and other documents

The cost of travel insurance is determined through a variety of factors. This includes the age of traveler, the duration of coverage and the benefit limits. Destination can also influence the premium.

Below are cost estimates of travel insurance, depending on the duration of travel. This already includes COVID-19 medical coverage:

      • 2 weeks: starts at Php 1,300 
      • 1 month: starts at Php 2,300 
      • 2 months: starts at Php 4,200 
      • 3 months: starts at Php 6,200 
      • 4 months: starts at Php 8,400 
      • 5 months: starts at Php 10,200 
      • 6 months: starts at Php 12,000 

Cost indicated is per person. Estimates of premiums above assume the traveler is below 75 years old.

 

If you wish to know the exact cost and interested in further details, you may Contact Us or send a message through Facebook.

 

Other travel insurance coverages included

  • Accidental Death & Disablement Benefits
  • Medical expenses (COVID-19 is covered)
  • Travel delays
  • Baggage delay
  • Baggage loss
  • Personal Liability
  • Emergency Assistance 
  • Medical Evacuation & Repatriation

 

Is it allowed to travel to USA?

Travelers from the Philippines are allowed to travel to the USA, even if travel is non-essential.

 

Why Starr Travel Insurance is best for USA trips

Starr, which is also the parent company of Assist Card, has a wide presence globally, especially in the USA. Its global headquarters is located in New York City. It also has regional offices in key US cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas.

Also, Starr has been rated A (Excellent) by AM Best, a credit rating agency that focuses on the insurance industry. This means Starr is financially strong and is more than capable of paying its obligations to its policyholders.

In addition, Starr is closely affiliated with Assist Card, a reputable & experienced travel assistance company with wide reach within the Americas. Having a Starr or Assist Card travel insurance policy gives you access to the Assist Card network, which can act as your travel concierge wherever you are in the United States of America. In this way, you can focus on enjoying your USA travel to the fullest, knowing that there is a company that can assist you in case of unfortunate events, especially emergencies that may happen during the course of your travel.

 

How to get travel insurance

travel insurance policy with a commercial aircraft in the background

For questions and quote requests about these travel insurance plans, please send us a message through our Contact Us form or send us a message through Facebook. 

Kindly provide your name, age, destination and duration of travel and we will get back to you with your travel insurance options as soon as possible.