This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on August 27, 2022 by Mani Karthik
Ever since I published the CoverAmerica Gold review, there’s been an interest from folks to know about which is a better plan. CoverAmerica Gold or Atlas America or PatriotAmerica Plus?
Well, let’s answer this question once and for all.
First, let’s compare CoverAmerica Gold and Atlas America.
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Maximum | To age 69: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000 Age 70-79: $50,000, $100,000, $150,000 Age 80+: $10,000 | To age 69: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 Age 70-79: $50,000, $100,000 Age 80+: Unavailable |
| Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions | Age 70-79: Up to overall maximum limit or $100,000, whichever is lower Under age 70: up to overall maximum limit | Through age 69: To policy maximum Age 70-79: $30,000 Cardiac and Stroke are separate from Acute Onset Through age 69: $36,000 Age 70-79: No coverage |
| Deductible | $0 available. $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 per certificate period | $0 not available for any age. Age 70-79: If policy maximum is $100,000, then deductible options are $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 Through age 79: $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 |
| Coinsurance | Outside PPO: After deductible, 100% to policy maximum | Outside PPO: After deductible, 80% up to $5,000, then 100% to policy maximum |
Let’s look at Medical outpatient charges.
CoverAmerica Gold v/s Atlas America – Comparison of Medical Charges
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| ER visit copay that does not end in hospital admittance | $200 | $250 |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | 60 day supply per prescription | 90 day supply per prescription |
| Emergency Eye Exam for a Covered Loss | $150, $50 deductible per occurence | $150, $50 deductible per occurence |
| Local Ambulance | To policy maximum when illness or injury results in hospitalization as inpatient | To policy maximum when illness results in hospitalization as inpatient or for injury. |
| Maternity | Complications of pregnancy only, during first 26 weeks of pregnancy | None |
| Claims | 60 days to provide proof of claim beginning on last day of certificate period | Within 180 days of service |
What about travel insurance coverage? Let’s compare.
CoverAmerica Gold v/s Atlas America – Comparison of Insurance Benefits
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Dental - Acute, Unexpected Pain | $300 - not subject to Deductible | $250 - $50 Deductible per occurrence |
| Pre-certification penalty | None | 50% |
| Return of Minor children | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Return of Mortal Remains | To policy maximum | $25,000 |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | $1,000,000 $25,000 for Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition | $1,000,000 maximum limit, includes pre-existing conditions |
| Loss of Passport or Travel Documents | $100 | $200 |
| Border Entry Protection | $500 | $550 |
| Missed International Connection | None | Up to $400 per insured person. International transit only in route to US and outside Country of Residence. Initial commercial carrier scheduled departure to US: Delay of 3 hours or longer. Scheduled departure of the Commercial Carrier Connection: 12 Hours after scheduled originating flight. Adverse weather, overbooking, or mechanical breakdown of Commercial Carrier. |
| Travel Delay of 12+ hours and unplanned overnight stay | $100/day, 2 days max | $100 "Overnight" not included in specification. Only covered for either a car accident substantiated by police report, or a lost or stolen passport substantiated by police report. |
Now, let’s compare some of the life insurance features.
CoverAmerica Gold v/s Atlas America – Comparison of Life Insurance Benefits
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment | Under 18: $5,000 (death or loss of two limbs), $2,500 (loss of one limb) Ages 18-69: $25,000 (death or loss of two limbs), $12,500 (loss of one limb) Ages 70-74: $12,500 (death or loss of two limbs), $6,250 (loss of one limb) Ages 75+: $6,250 (death or loss of two limbs), $3,125 (loss of one limb) $250,000 maximum per family | $25,000 per adult (death or loss of two limbs, death must be within 90 days of accident); $12,500 (loss of 1 limb) $5,000 per child (death or loss of two limbs, death must be within 90 days of accident); $2,500 (loss of 1 limb) $250,000 maximum per family |
| Common Carrier AD&D | Under 18: $10,000 Age 18-69: $50,000 Age 70-74: $25,000 Age 75+: $12,500; Maximum $250,000 per family or group | $5,000 per child, $50,000 per adult, $250,000 maximum per family |
Now, let’s compare other benefits.
CoverAmerica Gold v/s Atlas America – Comparison of Other Benefits
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Coverage | Included | Depart and return to US port of call Traveling to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands, South America |
| Home Country Coverage | Incidental: 30 days per every 3-month period | None |
| Hospital Indemnity | $100 per day | None |
| Identity Theft Coverage | None | $500 |
| Terrorism | $50,000, Eligible medical expenses only | To policy maximum |
| Theme Park Activities | Included | Included |
| Legal Fees | None | $250 maximum During the period of coverage only. Cannot be related to criminal activity and must be found guilty. |
| Personal Liability | $25,000 maximum For third person injury and property $2,500 related third person property not subject to deductible or overall maximum limit Optional: $75,000 | $50,000 maximum Secondary. For third person and damage to third person's property. No coverage to a related third party or damage to related third person's property. |
| Bedside Visit | $1500 | None |
| Felonious Assault | None | $10,000 maximum Must be substantiated by local law enforcement. Cannot be a a motor vehicle moving violation. Payable if the insured suffers one or more losses payable under AD&D. Only one benefit is payable for all losses. |
| Crisis Response | $10,000 Optional: $90,000 not subject to deductible or overall maximum limit | None |
| Pet Return | $1,000 | None |
And finally, let’s look at the plan and features comparison of both these plans.
| Feature | Atlas America | CoverAmerica Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Cancellation Fee | After effective date, pro-rated refund minus $25 if no claims. Can cancel individually in a policy. | After effective date, pro-rated refund if no claims. No cancellation fee. Can't cancel individually in a policy. |
| Policy Duration | 5 days-364 days | 5 days-12 months |
| Extendable | 364 days | 24 months |
| Claim Administrator | Tokio Marine HCC - MIS Group | IMG |
| Underwriter | Lloyd's | Sirius International |
| Primary Geographic Restrictions | Cannot be located in Maryland, New York, Washington, Australia or Canada at time of application Citzenship country restrictions: Cuba, Puerto Rico, United States, Virgin Islands (US) Destination country restrictions: Cuba, Iran, North Korea Home country restrictions: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Puerto Rico, United States, Virgin Islands (US) Additional Restrictions: Cannot be physically located in Australia, Canada | Mailing or billing address can not be in Maryland Citizenship country restrictions: Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Home Country Restrctions, Unavailable: American Samoa, Guam, Nortern Mariana, Islands, Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands (U.S.) |
| In Market Since | 1998 | 2017 |
| Availability | Widely through many insurance brokers | Available only through one insurance broker |
| Product Stability and Ongoing Availability | Very stable. The same underwriter and claims administrator since inception. | Not Sure. Since the launch around less than 2.5 years ago, there have been 3 underwriters (Lloyds, Crum & Foster, and now Sirius International) and 2 plan administrators (Seven Corners, and now IMG) have changed. |
Summary
So, in summary, Atlas America is a better travel insurance plan than CoverAmerica Gold.
CoverAmerica Gold looks promising in the first glance, but digging into details shows that there is much more than meets the eye.
Atlas America is a stable and widely popular product among visitors to USA and there’s a reason why. Well, multiple reasons.
If you’re serious about getting a plan that will cover and protect you against almost all of the most popular “uncertainties”, Atlas America is a better choice than CoverAmerica Gold.
Recommended Plans – Atlas America and PatriotAmerica Plus.
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