Travel Insurance to USA | Columbus Direct Australia

Home > Travel Insurance > Travel Insurance USA

Cheap Travel Insurance Quotes for Travel to the USA

As the kingdom of pop culture, not many destinations rival the USA due to its iconic locations, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City. With Hollywood regarded as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, the USA remains at the front of Aussie’s minds when deciding on a holiday destination.

Ensure you’re covered for your exciting trip to the States. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy your American adventure with the peace of mind our USA travel insurance policies bring. Columbus Direct provides cheap insurance quotes for Australians going to the USA.

Common Travel Insurance Claims USA

The USA is one of the most expensive places in the world to have an accident, fall ill or get admitted to hospital. The healthcare system in the States works very differently to that in Australia. We hope you won’t need to make use of it but, if you do, don’t get lumped with a huge medical bill. Medical expenses are common claims in the USA and the highest claim we’ve had here amounted to close to $1,000,000 (one million).

Other common claims include loss and theft of baggage, travel delay and cancellation.

Medicals bills in the United States are among the highest in the world and can ruin an existence if without travel insurance cover. A medical evacuation situation can cost more than $100,000 AUD. Apart from taking out a policy, we recommend checking practical tips from our Smart Traveller Checklist for common sense planning.

What Our USA Travel Insurance Policy Covers

Our travel insurance policy covers essentials such as emergency medical care, personal money / documents, baggage, travel delay and more. See a list of benefits in our online travel insurance quote process.

Great Travel Experiences USA

Discover the nostalgic romance of Route 66 in a rented classic Mustang or Harley Davidson, explore the heart of the US, taking in some of the country’s most iconic scenes.

Visit Times Square and Central Park in New York, explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art and view the NYC skyline atop the Empire State Building.

Explore California’s beautiful beaches and take in the history and architecture of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Convenient Ways to Travel the US

Travel by subway, train or tram throughout New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco and other major cities with extensive rail lines.

Book domestic flights when you’re in a hurry, as the US has dozens of competing airlines, hundreds of airports and thousands of flights daily. Flights to suit any budget.

When adventuring out into rural America a rental car is a must. Car rental rates come as low as $20 per day, with the exception of NYC.

Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Options

Travelling to multiple destinations on your trip? We’ve got you covered. Compare cover for Australians travelling to South America, Hawaii, Bali, Thailand, Europe, and many more countries. Single Trip and Annual Multi Trip options available, plus cover for winter sports and ski holidays and family travel insurance.

Want to see a quote?

Please note that the benefits we’ve listed below are just a summary – to really understand what you’re covered for it’s important that you read our full policy wording including terms, conditions and exclusions.

24hr Medical Assistance Services: Included
- 24hr multilingual staffed medical emergency helpline in case you need to arrange emergency medical treatment (including hospital guarantees) or need to be repatriated home.
Overseas Medical Expenses & Emergency Repatriation: $25 million
- Dental Expenses Limit: $500 - $1,000
  
  Emergency medical, surgical, dental and hospital treatment (including doctor’s fees), ambulance costs and, when arranged through our emergency assistance, emergency repatriation to your home.
  
  We also cover travel and accommodation costs for someone to stay with, visit or escort you home if medically advised.
  
  Cover for overseas funeral costs in that country or costs for repatriation of bodily remains is also included.
Cancellation and Curtailment: $10,000 - $20,000
- Covers the loss of irrecoverable deposits and payments made in advance for unused travel and accommodation if you need to cancel or curtail your trip. Your claim must relate to one of the events listed in our PDS.
  
  Events listed in our PDS include serious illness or injury, redundancy and being called as a witness to court. Our PDS also lists the illness, injury or death of an immediate family member. The family member must be under 85 and living in Australia. Please note that there is no cover for claims related to the pre-existing medical condition of a family member.
Personal Baggage: $7,500 - $10,000
- Single Article Limit: $750
  
  Valuables Limit (in total): $750
  
  Total and per Article Limit for Personal Computers, Video Recorders or Cameras: $3,000
  
  You are covered for accidental loss and theft of and damage to your personal belongings.
Delayed Baggage: $500 - $1,000
- We cover the reasonable costs to buy replacement necessities if your checked-in baggage is delayed on your outward journey by at least 12 hours from your time of arrival at your destination.
Personal Money & Travel Documents: $2,000 - $3,000
- Cash Limit: $250 - $500
  
  Provides cover for theft of your personal money as well as loss and theft of and damage to your passport or other travel documents (as defined) whilst on your person or in a locked safe. Please note that there is no cover for credit cards.
Personal Accident Benefit: $50,000 - $75,000
- A lump sum benefit is payable in case you sustain accidental bodily injury that, within 12 months of the date of the injury, is the sole and direct cause of death, loss of sight, loss of limb(s) or permanent total disablement, as defined.
Personal Liability: $2.5 million - $5 million
- Covers your legal liability if you cause accidental injury to other person(s) or damage to their property.
Legal Advice and Expenses: $50,000 - $75,000
- Provides cover for legal advice and expenses related directly to legal proceedings seeking compensation and /or damages following your injury or death.
Hospital Cash Allowance: $3,000 - $6,000
- Daily Amount: $50 - $100
  
  A daily cash benefit paid to cover incidental expenses (e.g. magazines, food, WiFi etc.) if you are hospitalised for more than 24 hours.
Travel Delay: $1,500 - $2,000
- We will offer you compensation if you need to incur additional expenses for food, accommodation and transport should your scheduled carrier be delayed by at least 6 hours due to certain circumstances. In case of a covered delay on your homeward journey, the period of insurance is automatically extended (up to a maximum of 7 days).
Trip Abandonment: $10,000 - $20,000
- You are covered for the final invoiced paid and irrecoverable trip costs if you decide to abandon your trip due to it being delayed by 12 hours or more because of certain specified events (e.g. a strike, mechanical breakdown or adverse weather conditions)..
Missed Departure / Connection: $2,000
- You are covered for reasonable additional travel and accommodation costs to reach your booked destination if your trip is disrupted due to certain circumstances (e.g. if there is a failure of public transport services due to strike or if the vehicle in which you were travelling to your departure point has a mechanical breakdown).
Rental Vehicle Excess Waiver: $4,000 - $5,000
- Covers the excess you are required to pay for damage caused during a motor vehicle accident whilst you were the driver, malicious damage to, and loss or theft of a vehicle you have rented from a licensed rental agency.
Hijack: $7,500
- Daily Amount: $250
  
  A daily cash benefit should your means of transport be hijacked for more than 24 hours during your trip.
Catastrophe: $1,250
- You are covered for certain additional travel and accommodation expenses should you be forced to move from your pre-booked accommodation as the result of specified catastrophes (e.g. flood, tsunami or medical epidemic).
Winter Sports Cover: Optional
- Piste Closure: $500
  
  Daily Amount: $50
  
  Covers the cost of travel to and from, and a daily ski pass for, the nearest open ski resort if the piste at your resort is closed due to adverse weather conditions.
  
  Delay due to Weather Conditions: $750
  
  You are covered for reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses in case your arrival at or departure from your resort is delayed due to adverse weather or an avalanche at the resort.
  
  Ski Equipment: $500-750
  
  Covers the loss or damage to ski equipment owned or hired by you.
  
  Ski Hire: $500
  
  The cost of hiring ski equipment due to the loss or damage of personal ski equipment or the delay in its arrival by more than 12 hours on the outbound journey.
  
  Ski Pack: $500
  
  The value of any ski pass, ski equipment hire or ski tuition fee that is unused following an accident which renders you unable to ski or the theft of your ski pass.
Sports/Leisure Activities Pack: Optional
- The following sports/activities are included with every policy as standard:
  - Sports/Adventure Activities: Aerobics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Ballooning (as a passenger)*, Baseball, Basketball, BMX (on‐road, no tricks or jumps), Bungee jumping (up to 2 jumps)*, Cycling (not touring), Dance, Elephant or Camel rides/trekking (1 day), Canoeing/kayaking/white water rafting (inland, grades 1‐5), Fishing/Angling (inland or coastal waters within 10km), Go karting*, Golf, Gym training, Gymnastics, Hiking/trekking/camping (up to 2000m), Horse riding using protective head gear (excluding eventing, jumping or equestrian competitions), Jet boating* , Light aircraft/helicopter/gliding (passenger only)* , Moped / Scooter biking**, Motorbiking (on road, to 125cc)**, Netball, Paddle boarding/Stand‐up Paddle boarding, Parasailing/parascending*, Rollerblading/In‐line skating, Running (half marathon distance or less), Pilates, Scuba diving (to 30 metres, qualified**; or unqualified with qualified instructor*), Safari tours*, Sailing/boating/yachting (inland or coastal waters within 10km), Sea Canoeing/kayaking (in coastal waters within 10km), Snorkelling, Squash, Surfing, Tennis, Water polo, Water skiing (excluding jumps), Windsurfing, Yoga, Zorbing
  - Work Activities: Work (paid or voluntary) in the following areas excluding manual work that requires the use of power tools, operating machinery or working at heights, or hazardous work of any kind (eg. working with animals, offshore rigs etc.): Office (clerical/administration), Hospitality, Tourism, Retail, General farm work, Childcare, Teaching (classroom), Volunteer instructor or guide (Basketball, Cricket, Golf, Gym training, Gymnastics, Martial Arts (non‐contact) and Yoga only).
  The following sports/activities are included with our Sports/Adventure and Work Activities Pack A (in addition to the activities covered as standard):
  - Pack A - Sports/Adventure Activities: Abseiling, Black Water Rafting/Cave Tubing (grades 1‐5)*, Boxing training (no contact), Bungee jumping (more than 2 jumps)*, Canyon Swing*, Cricket, Cycling touring (up to 2000m in elevation), Elephant or Camel trekking (more than 1 day), Fishing/Deep sea fishing (in coastal waters within 20km) Glacier walking*, Gliding*, Hang gliding*, Hockey, Ice Skating (indoor rink only), Jet skiing (adults only)*, Kite surfing, Lacrosse, Martial Arts (non‐contact), Motorbiking (on road)**, Polo, Sailing/boating/yachting (in coastal waters within 20km), Sea Canoeing/kayaking (in coastal waters within 20km), Mountain biking (off road/cross country to 2000m), Rock climbing (indoor)*, Rugby (Union or League), Running (marathon distance), Soccer/Football, Wakeboarding (excluding jumps), Weightlifting
  - Work Activities Pack A: Volunteer instructor or guide ‐ American Football/Gridiron, Australia Rules Football, Soccer/Football, Rugby Union or Rugby League only.
  The following sports/activities are included with our Sports/Adventure and Work Activities Pack B (in addition to the activities covered under Pack A):
  - Pack B - Sports/Adventure Activities: American Football/Gridiron, Australia Rules Football, Mountain biking (off road/cross country to 6000m) Cycling/cycle touring (up to 6000m), Hiking/trekking/camping (up to 6000m), Quad biking (adults only)*, Rock climbing (outdoor)*, Skydiving (1 jump)*, Triathlon (not ultra‐distance)
  - Work Activities Pack B: Volunteer instructor or guide – any other covered activity as listed**, volunteer manual work (involving the use of power tools or working at a height of less than 5m)**.
  * you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator; ** you must have the appropriate certification or licence to do this sport or activity.
Cover for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Subject to Screening
- This is how we define pre-existing medical conditions:
  
  Any medical or dental condition, illness, injury, defect or disease (other than common colds or flu):
  - for which advice or treatment (including medication), or investigation has been received or prescribed in the 12 months prior to the issue of the policy (for Single Trip), or in the 12 months prior to booking your Trip (for Annual Multi-Trip); and/or
  - which is of a recurring or ongoing nature or any complication directly attributable to it; and/or
  - of which you are aware, or the symptoms of which you are aware, or could reasonably be expected to have been aware at the time of applying for this insurance.
  Please note: Pregnancy is not considered a medical condition so you do not need to tell us about this unless you are currently pregnant and have had any complications of pregnancy.
  
  Medical screening:
  
  We only cover medical conditions that we've accepted via a written endorsement on your insurance schedule. To find out if your medical condition/s can be covered, and to include them in your policy, you need to complete our free medical screening questionnaire (online or over the phone).
  
  Cover for some medical conditions will increase the insurance premium, but we'll tell you the exact difference before you buy your policy. You can always choose to exclude cover for your medical conditions and pay the normal insurance premium after you've been screened.
  
  Important to know: There's no cover for pre-existing medical conditions of people on whom your trip may depend (e.g. close relative, business colleague etc.).
Terms & Conditions / Excess
- Some of the benefits offered are subject to an excess. This is the amount each insured will be responsible for paying as part of the claim. Medical Expenses, Cancellation & Curtailment, Personal Baggage, Personal Money & Documents, Personal Liability, Trip Abandonment, Rental Vehicle Excess Waiver and the equipment-related benefits under our Winter Sports cover have an excess of $100-$150 applied. All benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the policy, all of which can be found in our Policy Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Latest from our blog View more

Smart Traveller or prone to #HolidayFails – which one are you?

Do you have a fairly decent understanding of travel insurance? Then you’re ahead of the pack. Recent studies have found that many travellers are lacking basic knowledge when it comes to travel insurance. Here’s some examples: If you already know the importance of insuring each trip, then you’re ahe... Read more

My Essential Pre-Trip To-Do List

In my early twenties I was invincible. When I travelled I was care-free and on occasion, don’t tell my mother, insurance free. These days, I wouldn’t jump on a domestic flight without insurance. Working in the travel insurance industry, I’ve had the benefit of learning not only from my own experien... Read more

Why Columbus Direct?

24/7 emergency medical assistance helpline
Sydney Customer Care Team
19 day money back guarantee*
No credit card surcharge
Secure online purchase process

*Provided you haven't travelled or claimed.

2013: Travel Insurance Intermediary of the year award by the ITIJ

2011: Best Travel Insurance Provider award from the Personal Finance Awards

2012: Best Travel Insurance Provider award from the Your Money Direct Awards

Best Online Travel Insurance Provider award from the Your Money Direct Awards

Customer reviews

Columbus Direct is rated 5 / 5 based on 273 Trustpilot customer reviews.

Flexible travel insurance for USA holidays

Single trip

Annual Multi-trip

Winter Sports

Cheap Travel Insurance Quotes for Travel to the USA

Common Travel Insurance Claims USA

What Our USA Travel Insurance Policy Covers

Great Travel Experiences USA

Convenient Ways to Travel the US

Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Options

24hr Medical Assistance Services: Included

Overseas Medical Expenses & Emergency Repatriation: $25 million

Cancellation and Curtailment: $10,000 - $20,000

Personal Baggage: $7,500 - $10,000

Delayed Baggage: $500 - $1,000

Personal Money & Travel Documents: $2,000 - $3,000

Personal Accident Benefit: $50,000 - $75,000

Personal Liability: $2.5 million - $5 million

Legal Advice and Expenses: $50,000 - $75,000

Hospital Cash Allowance: $3,000 - $6,000

Travel Delay: $1,500 - $2,000

Trip Abandonment: $10,000 - $20,000

Missed Departure / Connection: $2,000

Rental Vehicle Excess Waiver: $4,000 - $5,000

Hijack: $7,500

Catastrophe: $1,250

Winter Sports Cover: Optional

Sports/Leisure Activities Pack: Optional

Cover for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Subject to Screening

Terms & Conditions / Excess