Vaccinations and Visitors Insurance Coverage If your parents are coming to the USA to visit you, you'll want to do everything you can to protect their health while they're here. That's the whole reason to buy visitors medical insurance for them. It can save you from paying a massive medical bill if they become sick or get injured while traveling outside their home country. You may even think that visitors medical insurance will cover preventative vaccinations such flu shots or COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. However, this is not the case. | | Why Doesn't Visitors Insurance Cover Vaccinations? Vaccines are typically preventative measures. You get a flu shot to help you avoid getting the flu. You get a COVID-19 booster to help you avoid the worst effects of a COVID infection. Visitors insurance does not cover preventative treatments. It will not cover routine doctor's exams for this exact same reason. | | What if My Parent Gets the Flu or COVID-19? If your parent is diagnosed with a new medical condition that occurs after the effective date of the policy, the insurance can cover it. The medical treatment in this case is necessary, and not preventative. However, make sure to look at the policy certificate wording of any insurance plan prior to purchasing so you know what conditions it excludes. | | Wouldn't it be Cheaper for the Insurance Company to Just Pay for the Vaccine? While a vaccine almost certainly will cost less than the treatment of the condition it's designed to prevent, you're only looking at this from the perspective of a single patient. On a broad scale, only a small percentage of people covered by an insurance plan will get sick. By comparison, every single healthy person may want to get a preventative vaccine. Paying for every single person to get a vaccine costs the insurance company more money than paying for the treatment of just a few. Remember, visitors medical insurance plans are designed to cover unexpected and unknown conditions. | | How Can I Get My Visiting Parents Vaccinated? You can do it at any physician and at many pharmacies so long as you're willing to pay for it out of your own pocket. Typically, something like a flu shot is only about $15 or $20 at these places. You don't really need to buy insurance just for this purpose. The best idea is to suggest your parents get all necessary vaccines in their home country prior to traveling. However, for the many other medical issues a visiting parent may have when they come to the United States, visitors medical insurance is well worth it. | | How to Get a Schengen Visa If you're from any one of dozens of countries such as India or China, you're required to get a Schengen visa to travel to any of the 27 Schengen countries in Europe, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and many others. Luckily, this single visa will allow you to visit any Schengen country during your trip. So, if you want to see both the Eiffel Tower and Venice, you can do it with just this one Schengen visa. All you have to do is follow these steps. - Apply for a passport – Unless you already have one. Just keep in mind that it can take more than three months to get a passport during peak travel times.
- Determine the type of Schengen visa you need – Most travelers will apply for a Tourism or Business Schengen visa.
- Find out where to apply – You will need to find the Schengen embassy/consulate in the country and jurisdiction where you permanently reside.
- Make sure you apply at the right time – Generally, you should consider applying for a Schengen visa within 30-60 days of your departure date.
- Find out if you need to apply in person – If you have not applied for a Schengen visa before, you will likely be required to apply in person and be fingerprinted.
- Schedule an appointment – You will have to schedule your visa appointment with the embassy/consulate or visa application center if you need to apply in person. Some countries allow you to schedule your appointment online, while others require you to make the appointment in person.
- Complete your visa application form – You can typically download these from many consulates or third parties, or get a copy of the form from the embassy/consulate in person.
- Gather the required documents – Different documents may be required depending on the purpose of your trip, so read the instructions carefully.
- Buy Schengen visa insurance – To apply for a Schengen visa, you are required to purchase Schengen visa insurance. Our website allows you to download an instant visa letter proving your coverage that you can present at your visa interview.
- Pay visa fees and attend the interview – Make sure you have all of the required documentation, and answer all questions at the interview truthfully. Within about 15 to 30 days you will be informed if your Schengen visa application has been approved.
| | What if I Don't Need a Schengen Visa for Europe? Many people, such as those from the United States do not need a Schengen visa to travel to Schengen countries for short-term trips. Furthermore, some countries in Europe are not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is not necessary. In these cases, insurance is not a requirement unless the particular country requires it, but it is highly recommended. Purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance so you're covered against any unexpected mishaps that may occur during your trip. | | The Best Winter Holiday Beach Destinations Though fall has just arrived, winter will be here before you know it, and cold temperatures will begin descending on much of the northern hemisphere. This makes it the perfect time to plan a winter beach holiday for November or December. Escape the cold and snow, and maybe ring in the new year with white sands and sparkling blue waters instead in one of these places. | | | One of the most storied Caribbean destinations has a reputation for being the perfect winter holiday spot for a variety of reasons. Of course it's one of the most popular cruise ship ports in the world, and it has pink sands and national parks to enjoy. But the Bahamas also offers unique experiences such as underwater submarine tours of coral reefs, and even the chance to swim with wild pigs at Big Major Cay. Just keep an eye on your lunch if you don't want it stolen by a cute pig! | | | | Unlike more touristy destinations in the Caribbean, the Maldives has remained relatively unspoiled and unknown until recently. This idyllic archipelago in the Indian Ocean is the perfect place to unwind and relax. Think swaying palm trees, straw cabanas, and fruity cocktails enjoyed in a lounge chair without a care in the world. If this sounds like heaven to you, plan your trip to the Maldives now. | | | | Americans who would rather stay in the US, or even drive to their tropical destination can enjoy ringing in the New Year in Key West, Florida. The southernmost location in the contiguous United States is full of laid-back bars, interesting historical sites, and easy access from the US mainland via car. Plus, Key West still reaches nearly 80°F most days in December, so you can pack your shorts. | | | | Barbados is rightfully called the jewel of the Caribbean. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Caribbean Sea to the west, you can spend the day indulging in watersports, and the evenings enjoying romantic walks on the beach. This is your one-stop destination for sandy shores, surfing, and photographing the glorious colonial architecture. | | | | This beautiful island off of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula combines swimming, surfing, and snorkeling with a rich cultural heritage. There's a little something for everyone here, from ecological parks and historic ruins to posh resorts where you can be pampered as far as your wallet will allow. Cozumel is also an easy flight from many locations in North America, making it ideal for a quick holiday trip. | | | Travel Insured Make sure your holiday is memorable for only the right reasons with insurance coverage that suits your needs. Travel medical insurance is designed to provide coverage for necessary medical care when traveling outside your home country. This is important coverage to have, as your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be accepted abroad. If you're traveling to the USA from another country, shop for visitors medical insurance. US citizens traveling domestically or abroad can consider travel insurance. The holidays are an especially busy travel time, where trip delays and lost baggage can be common. A travel insurance plan can reimburse you for covered expenses in these situations. It can also provide you with trip cancellation coverage and coverage for emergency medical care. Visit Insubuy today to shop and compare plans. No medical exam is required, and you can get coverage in minutes. If you have any questions, our staff of US-based insurance professionals is happy to assist you. | | Application
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