Travel insurance for New York: Which one should you choose?

Travelling to New York is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime. The lights of Times Square, walks through Central Park, world-class museums and the city’s vibrant energy make every day unforgettable. But just as you plan your routes, you should also plan your protection. Getting one of the best travel insurance plans for New York isn’t just a suggestion: it’s the smartest way to enjoy the Big Apple without stress or setbacks. 

In this guide, we’ll tell you which policies offer the most complete cover, what each one includes, and how to choose the plan that best fits your trip. Will you join us?

Why should you get travel insurance for New York?

The United States doesn’t have a free public healthcare system, and New York is among the country’s most expensive cities for medical care. A simple doctor’s visit can exceed $300 (€275), while hospitalisation costs thousands. Imagine facing a minor accident or appendicitis without any coverage.

That’s why getting travel insurance for New York isn’t an extra expense, but an investment in peace of mind. With the right policy, you’ll access quality medical centres, assistance in your language, and 24/7 support for any emergency—whether illness, theft, or lost luggage.

Many plans also include refunds for cancelled flights, legal assistance, and even telemedicine services. In a fast-paced city like New York, where anything can happen, insurance ensures you enjoy every moment worry-free.

What should travel insurance for New York cover?

New York is an intense city where you can walk ten blocks without noticing, try exotic food, cycle across Brooklyn Bridge or spend hours exploring museums. But things can change quickly: flight cancellations at JFK or LaGuardia, or even a slip in the subway. That’s why your travel insurance must be ready for anything. 

When buying your policy, make sure it includes the following essential coverages:

1. Medical care for illness or accident

As we’ve said, medical assistance in New York is expensive, even for basic consultations (remember, you’re visiting one of the cities with the highest living costs in the United States). So, you’ll need insurance that covers hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, lab tests, prescriptions, and emergency dental care. That way, you won’t spend the dollars reserved for tours, transfers or dining experiences. 

Imagine suffering food poisoning from a Manhattan food truck or twisting your ankle on subway stairs: any uncovered treatment could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

2. Medical and funeral repatriation

Nobody likes to think about it while planning a trip, but it’s crucial. In case of serious illness, accident, or death, your insurance should cover repatriation to your home country, including medical escort if necessary. Managing this independently can be extremely costly, so it’s essential for peace of mind.

3. Lost, stolen, or delayed luggage

Losing your suitcase at JFK Airport or discovering your backpack’s been stolen on the subway happens more often than you’d think. Therefore, your New York travel insurance must offer financial compensation to replace your belongings or cover essential purchases like clothing and toiletries while waiting for your luggage.

4. Trip cancellation or interruption

New York has heavy air traffic, and delays are common, especially at Newark (EWR), one of the country’s busiest airports. If your flight’s cancelled due to storms, strikes, or airline issues (Delta, American Airlines, JetBlue, etc.), a good policy should cover ticket refunds or expenses during the delay.

It also applies if you need to cancel your trip before departure for medical, family, or work reasons, provided they’re covered in your policy.

5. Civil liability

If you accidentally cause harm to someone (for example, hitting a pedestrian with a rental scooter or damaging your accommodation), personal liability coverage protects you against lawsuits or compensation claims. This is especially important in the U.S., where lawsuits are common.

6. 24/7 assistance in Spanish

In a city with over six million annual tourists, having immediate assistance in your language is vital. Whether you need help in Brooklyn at midnight or face an emergency in Queens at dawn, a 24-hour assistance centre makes all the difference.

7. Outdoor activity accidents

New York’s active side includes cycling in Central Park, skating on ice rinks, walking the High Line, or kayaking on the East River. If you’re planning any of these, choose insurance that covers outdoor recreational activities, as basic policies often exclude them.

8. Delays on connections or domestic flights

If you plan to visit other destinations like Miami, Las Vegas, or San Francisco, your policy must include delays or cancellations of domestic flights. This should cover hotel nights, meals, and transport until the issue’s resolved.

Though it sounds like a long list, most top travel insurance plans for New York include these situations. Still, read the full policy carefully, especially the fine print, to know when coverage won’t apply.

Now then, let’s review which travel insurance plans for New York offer the best coverage and real peace of mind.

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Comparison of the best travel insurance for New York

Before analysing each travel insurance policy for New York in detail, here’s a comparison table showing the main coverage features. Remember: the best option is to visit each insurer’s website to read the full policy and get an accurate quote for your travel duration.

Comparison of travel insurance plans for New York

The 5 best travel insurance plans for New York

Choosing good travel insurance for the United States can make the difference between unforgettable holidays and a chaotic experience. In a city like New York, where medical costs are among the world’s highest, having solid coverage is essential.

Below, you’ll find a detailed analysis of the five best travel insurance plans for New York, including their main features, advantages, disadvantages, and the type of traveller they suit best. This comparison helps you decide which one fits your New York adventure perfectly.

1– IATI Estrella: the most comprehensive, with no excess

The IATI Estrella plan stands out for offering the highest medical coverage on the list: up to €5,000,000 ($5,400,000). It’s a premium option for travellers who want total protection in New York without paying upfront or dealing with excess fees.

You can also add trip cancellation coverage, making it an even more robust choice. It includes recreational and outdoor sports, perfect for cycling in Central Park, walking across Brooklyn Bridge or skating at Rockefeller Center.

Available plans:

• IATI Standard: medical coverage up to €300,000 ($325,000).
• IATI Estrella: medical coverage up to €5,000,000 ($5,400,000), unlimited repatriation, luggage cover and more.
• Cancellation add-on: optional, adds up to €6,000 ($6,500) in justified cancellations.

Estimated price: $65 (€60) for 7 days.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Features, pros and cons of IATI travel insurance

IATI Estrella is ideal for travellers who want maximum coverage and zero risks. It’s also great for longer or activity-filled trips, offering extensive protection without hassle.

2– Heymondo Viaje Top: the best value for money

Heymondo Viaje Top is one of the most popular travel insurance plans for US trips. Why? It balances high medical coverage, fair pricing and a 100% digital platform that simplifies everything from purchase to support abroad.

Its biggest strength is that it pays medical expenses directly to hospitals, so you won’t pay upfront and then claim later. It also offers a mobile app with 24-hour medical chat, claim tracking and support in Spanish.

Available plans:

• Heymondo Tranquilidad: up to €600,000 ($650,000) medical coverage, 24/7 assistance, no cancellation.
• Heymondo Top: up to €2,500,000 ($2,700,000) coverage, optional cancellation, luggage and delay cover.
• Heymondo Premium: up to €5,000,000 ($5,400,000), ideal for long or demanding trips.

All plans come without excess, and you can add trip cancellation coverage as an extra.

Estimated price: $56 (€60) for 7 days.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Heymondo Viaje Top is ideal if you want reliable, digital and affordable coverage. It’s perfect for young travellers, couples or families who need strong protection without overspending. Plus, its app makes navigating the US healthcare system much easier.

3– Allianz Travel Gold: backed by a global insurer

Allianz Travel (Global Assistance) is one of the most recognised insurers worldwide. With decades of experience, it’s a solid choice for travellers who value an established company, multilingual support and international expertise.

The Travel Gold plan covers destinations like New York, where medical costs are sky-high. Although pricier than others, it provides comprehensive coverage, including cancellation, repatriation and legal assistance.

Available plans:

• Basic: limited cover, best for European trips.
• Standard: ideal for international travel, with medical and luggage cover.
• Gold: full medical, repatriation, legal and cancellation cover.
• Annual Multi-Trip: annual cover for frequent travellers.

Exact medical coverage depends on your residence country, but it’s generally high or unlimited for US travel. US.

Estimated price: $156 (€60) for 7 days.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Allianz Travel Gold suits travellers seeking legal protection, multilingual support and global reliability. Ideal for older travellers, business trips, or anyone valuing comprehensive coverage from a trusted brand, even at a higher cost.

4– Travelex Insurance Services: ideal for families and groups

Travelex is a long-standing US company known for travel insurance designed for the American market. That makes it an excellent option for visitors to the United States, as its plans adapt to local costs and systems.

Its main advantage is family coverage: it allows you to insure several members together with combined benefits at competitive prices. You can also customise plans, giving flexibility for tourism, business or group travel.

Available plans:

• Travel Basic: ideal for short trips, limited medical cover.
• Travel Select: strong medical cover, includes children under 17 free when travelling with adults.
• Travel America: designed for trips exclusively within the US.
• Custom Upgrade Options: add cancellation, sports, car-rental or other cover.

Estimated price: $120 (€60) for 7 days.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Travelex is excellent for families, couples or friends visiting New York. It offers solid coverage, helpful local support and plan personalisation. It’s not the cheapest or most complete, but it performs strongly within the US market. 

5– World Nomads: the favourite of adventurous travellers

World Nomads is popular among backpackers, digital nomads and outdoor sports fans. It suits independent travellers who visit several countries and enjoy physical activities like hiking, urban cycling, skiing or climbing.

This insurance offers strong adventure-sports coverage, something rare in standard plans. It’s also one of the few policies you can buy while already travelling, ideal for flexible itineraries or extended stays.

Available plans:

• Standard Plan: medical care, luggage, cancellation and basic activities.
• Explorer Plan: wider cover including risky sports and higher limits for cancellation and delays.

Both plans are available to residents of many countries and can be bought entirely online.

Estimated price: $115 (€60) for 7 days.

Strengths and weaknesses:

World Nomads suits those visiting New York who also plan physical activities, nature trips or nearby city getaways. It’s also ideal for spontaneous travellers wanting to secure insurance after departure.

Which is the best travel insurance for New York?

After reviewing the five top options, we can confirm that the best travel insurance for New York is IATI Estrella, thanks to its very high medical cover (up to €5,000,000 ($5,400,000)), 24-hour Spanish assistance, no excess, and the option to add trip cancellation cover.

New York is fascinating, but also one of the most expensive cities in the world for medical emergencies. With a policy like IATI Estrella, you can travel fully covered, without paying anything upfront.

It also includes recreational sports cover, ideal if you plan to cycle, skate or explore New York State’s natural areas. If you need maximum protection for family, work or medical reasons, this plan offers top reliability in every aspect.

That said, if your budget’s tighter, Heymondo Viaje Top is the best value-for-money alternative, offering a complete app, immediate support and sufficient medical coverage for travel in the United States.

Connectivity while travelling to New York

Having mobile internet in New York isn’t just useful – it’s essential. From checking a map in the subway, ordering an Uber in Manhattan, or showing a QR code to enter a museum, everything depends on being connected. And if you don’t want to waste time searching for public Wi-Fi or paying expensive roaming fees, the best solution is to travel with Holafly.

With Holafly, you can choose between two options designed especially for your trip:

• If your trip’s short, it’s best to choose a data-only eSIM for New York. Just scan the QR code, activate it when you land, and enjoy unlimited internet from the very first minute.
• If you’re taking a longer trip or visiting several countries, it’s smarter to choose a Holafly monthly plan with unlimited data. This lets you connect in over 170 countries with one eSIM, without changing your SIM card or making extra settings.

Both plans include 24/7 customer support in English, easy setup, and unlimited data so you can browse freely without worrying about usage. Getting connected in New York has never been easier.

Travel insurance for New York: Frequently asked questions

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