Travel insurance

[Chloe1981 9]

Hi, I am travelling to the USA permanently on the 26th of this month on my k1 visa. I always get travel insurance to cover me whilst in holiday but as this is a one way ticket what is the best thing to do? Never really thought until now that obviously travel insurance is for a holiday not for people moving countries. I understand I can be added to my fiances insurance but only when we are married is that correct?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Chloe x 

[Coco8 1,042]

I can still get travel insurance. You should contact the one you want to get and ask them if they still cover you during K1, and for how long.

 

It sounds like a good idea to get travel insurance.

[Lemonslice 4,852]

Some american companies also offer short-term insurance to new comers.  Not cheap, but as you said it is only until your spouse gets you on their plan. 

[Sunnyland 639]

Be aware that those travel insurance are mostly for visitors and that might be in the small print or fall in that grey area of coverage. You won't be travelling on a visitor visa but on a K1 visa which is a completely different visa. Once you arrive here, your spouse can add you in her/his insurance later or you can get a temporary health insurance when you get here. There are companies in US that offer you coverage under the K1 visa.

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from "K-1 fiancé visa process and procedures" to "moving to America" where similar questions are asked*~*~*

 

OP, you should check the small print of any insurance offered in the U.K. Most, if not all, policies will be based on the assumption that you are going back to the U.K. at some point and that the U.K. is still your permanent residence. For example, if something happens to you that is cheaper for the insurance company to fly you home and put you in an NHS hospital rather than keep you in a hospital here, that's what they'll do. Obviously that would mean your whole K-1 visa process will have been for nothing. 

[yuna628 9,676]

Hi OP,

 

What you'll need to be looking for is a type of insurance called one-way insurance. Talk to your broker about it. It will generally cover you up until 24-48hrs after your arrival. The type of travel insurance coverage you'd want to consider is of course the atypical stuff that might cover in the event of a plane crash or death, the loss of baggage, and or any additional insurance such as coverage for electronic items (if you are bringing all different sorts or large amounts of household belongings). Medical insurance however will be out of the question, and short term 'visiting medical insurance' that's temporary and marketed towards immigrants is not federally compliant in the US. By our standards you are no longer a visitor, as you are immigrating and becoming a resident - you and your new spouse will want to quickly ensure you have proper medical insurance coverage as soon as possible after marriage.

 

To obtain insurance in the US you'd want to go in an get your SSN as soon as possible after arriving (it's not a requirement but it will make things a lot easier).

Get married.

From there you have a few different choices:

1) have your spouse add you to their health insurance plan usually the most simple option.

2) sign up for Obamacare or a state exchange if you have one based on marriage requirement which grants you access in special enrollment as a qualifier. You will likely need to also provide proof of immigration in the form of filing for AOS. Earliest qualifying documents for this would be an NOA1 for the AOS, an EAD, or green card whichever comes first. You'd need to act very quickly to get your documents together for this limited window of time.

3) buy a plan yourself out of pocket from any insurance company offering in your state, they generally do not require waiting around for immigration documents.

4) continue waiting until you are able to work and find an insurer via a new workplace.

5) wait for open enrollment into Obamacare around November, but the same document requirements apply.

 

Failure to not obtain medical insurance using any of these options will result in a tax penalty. However, keep in mind the tax penalty is far cheaper than our atypical monthly premiums so many people choose to go without insurance simply because they cannot afford it. Obtaining temporary insurances do not absolve you of the penalty.