Most professionals travelling to the US can use standard insurance. We cover those whose work — journalism, security, field research, NGO operations — creates exposures that standard policies exclude, and those who need cover that reflects the reality of US medical costs.
We provide specialist cover for non-combatants working in the United States in high-risk assignments or locations.
Standard policies often fail US-based assignments. Civil unrest exclusions, assignment-specific exposures and the world's most expensive healthcare system can all leave gaps.
Specialist cover is recommended for journalists covering unrest, security professionals and those working in high-crime environments.
Yes — Conflict Cover provides specialist insurance for the United States.
Subject to full disclosure of your assignment, operating area and security arrangements. This cover is designed for journalists, NGO workers, contractors and other non-combatants who have a legitimate professional reason to be there.
Who needs specialist cover for the United States?
Our US cover is designed for professionals whose assignments create exposures beyond standard policy scope — journalists, security personnel, NGO field workers and researchers working in complex or high-risk environments.
Risk context
The situation
The United States is the world's largest economy and, for most international workers, a broadly safe and well-resourced operating environment. Medical infrastructure is world-class. Emergency response is sophisticated. Rule of law is generally functional. For the majority of professionals visiting or working in the US, standard travel insurance is entirely adequate.
However, there is a category of international worker for whom the US presents specific and material risks that standard policies do not adequately cover. Journalists covering civil unrest, major protest events, gang violence in urban environments or politically contentious assignments face exposures that standard policies exclude. Security professionals operating domestic assignments, NGO workers in high-need urban communities, and researchers working in environments with specific threat profiles all need cover that responds to those specific circumstances.
The United States also presents a financial risk that is unique in the developed world: medical costs. A serious accident or critical illness in the US can generate medical bills of hundreds of thousands of dollars with astonishing speed. For non-US citizens without domestic health coverage, travel insurance that is adequate elsewhere can be wholly insufficient in the US. This alone makes carefully specified cover essential for extended professional assignments.
What to watch
Why it can be challenging
Civil unrest and protest coverage risk
Journalists and media professionals covering protests and civil unrest in the US face specific risks. Standard insurance typically excludes injuries arising from civil disturbance or riot. Professional cover for those assigned to cover major demonstrations, election-related events or politically charged situations is essential.
Active shooter risk — statistically significant
The United States has the highest rate of mass shooting events among developed nations. For professionals working in public environments — journalists, event security, NGO workers in community settings — the statistical risk of being present at an active shooter incident is materially higher in the US than in comparable economies.
Catastrophic medical costs without adequate insurance
A single night in a US hospital intensive care unit can cost $10,000–$30,000. Emergency trauma surgery can reach six figures. Air ambulance transport to a specialist facility is billed separately and can exceed $50,000. Cover must be specified to meet US healthcare cost reality.
Urban gang violence and high-crime area operations
Journalists and field workers operating in US cities with high gang activity — parts of Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, Memphis and others — face genuine crime risk. Standard policies may not respond to incidents occurring during assignment to cover gang-related or organised crime stories.
Emergency support
NGS provides round-the-clock emergency support. The US has excellent medical infrastructure — the challenge is cost and navigating a complex healthcare system quickly. NGS can coordinate care and manage the case from initial emergency through to resolution.
24/7 response
Round-the-clock support every day of the year
Medical coordination
Navigating the US healthcare system quickly and effectively
Evacuation support
Domestic or international evacuation via the US's major airports
Case management
Handling the incident through to a safer outcome
Exclusions
This policy is designed to protect people, not possessions.
Cover not included
Activity exclusions
Property exclusions
Related locations
Threat intelligence
For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.
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