Millions of visitors come to visit the United States every year. Some tourists come to the US by themselves, and many other people living in the US invite their parents, in-laws and other relatives to visit them, tour around and spend time with them in the US.

As the cost of health care is extremely high in the US, everyone taking a tour of the US should consider purchasing visitors insurance. When considering whether to buy insurance or not, what to buy, and who to buy from, many people have misconceptions about visitors insurance.

Simply told, there are many myths about visitors insurance.

Myth: My parents are healthy. I don't need to bother buying visitors insurance for them.

Truth: Visitors insurance is primarily for healthy people who get sick or injured unexpectedly. No visitors insurance plan will cover people who are already sick.

Myth: I can purchase visitors insurance instantly online when I need. I don't need to waste money in advance.

Truth: Once the person is already sick or injured and you need to seek medical attention, no visitor medical insurance will cover the condition, it would be excluded as a pre-existing condition.

Myth: I bought the insurance with acute onset of pre-existing conditions. That means all pre-existing conditions would be covered.

Truth: Acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage is only for an unexpected reoccurrence of a condition that suddenly occurs after the effective date of the policy. This clause does not apply to people that are already sick.

Myth: Visitors insurance companies never pay any claims. They always find an excuse of a pre-existing condition to deny a claim.

Truth: US based visitors insurance companies pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in legitimate claims every year. The truth is, not all claims are payable. Most people only bother to write negative reviews when trying to shame an insurance company into paying for situations that were not covered to begin with, so you do not get an accurate picture of the entire situation by reading their complaint. Stories heard from 'friends' are not always accurate.

Myth: If I get sick, I will just go to an emergency room. They can't deny me the treatment.

Truth: It is true that hospitals can't deny treatment for a life threating treatment. However, they are only required to stabilize you, they are not required to provide complete treatment. In any case, health care is not free in the US. Hospitals will demand payment from you if you don't have a proper visitors insurance plan.

Myth: Visitors don't have social security numbers or assets in the US. If I don't sign anything, I won't be responsible and the treatment would be free.

Truth: That is simply not true. It would be grossly inaccurate to assume that the hospital visited hasn't had a similar type of patient with no intent to pay their bill. Many people have attempted to swindle hospitals; hospital administrators are familiar with such ploys and know better. Hospitals are businesses that need to make profit and they know how to collect money from you. You have a better chance of winning a jackpot or lottery than succeeding with such tactics.

Myth: My parents are visiting the US only for a short duration. Nothing will happen in such a short time so I don't need to buy visitors insurance for them.

Truth: Visitors insurance is for unexpected sicknesses or injuries. Anything can happen, at any time. While nothing might have been happened in 60 years, something new can happen in the blink of an eye. It is very important to purchase visitors insurance.

Myth: My parents are going to stay with me at my home and we are not planning to tour around; therefore, I don't need to buy visitor health insurance for them.

Truth: Any unexpected sickness or injury can happen at any time. People don't only get sick or become injured while touring around. In fact, many problems occur right at home or near home, and urgent medical attention is needed immediately. You should buy visitors insurance for them for the entire duration they will be in the US even if you don't plan on touring.

Myth: My friend bought visitors insurance for his parents and he paid only $800. But I am getting quoted $1,300. I should be charged the same as my friend.

Truth: Visitors insurance prices depend upon the exact plan you choose, plan type, the policy maximum, deductible, age of the person, and the exact duration the insurance is desired. If all the parameters are identical, the price will be the same (unless the insurance company later changed their rates). With such a price difference, it is extremely unlikely that all the parameters are the same for you and your friend. These are reasons why the price varies for different people.