Student Travel Insurance: Essential Protection for Studying Abroad
Travelling abroad to study is undoubtedly a life-changing experience. Whether you are pursuing higher education or interning abroad, stepping into a foreign country brings endless opportunities. Currently around 200,000 Indian students go abroad every year to chase their higher education dreams to various countries across the world. While 9-10 years ago, most students used to travel to USA for their higher studies, currently many countries in Eastern Europe, Asia and Oceania are inviting Indian students for their studies.
Despite all the opportunities and adventures of studying abroad, none can deny the challenges and risks associated with the same. From Misplaced or Lost Luggage during travel to Sudden or Unexpected Illness, circumstances like these can hinder your ability to achieve your educational goals. This is where Student Travel Insurance becomes essential. It is important to note that this is the reason why all universities across the world have made travel/health insurance mandatory for all students pursuing their studies on campus.
Being a safety net for all unforeseen events, travel insurance for students offers adequate protection across your learning journey from the moment you reach the campus to the day you leave. Given that most students are focused on their education and don't earn at a part-time job, student insurance also provides financial protection in case of any medical or non-medical exigency.
But how do you choose the best student travel insurance for my education abroad?
If you have also been asking yourself this question, you are in the right place. Here, we will explain the importance of travel insurance for students and highlight the best travel insurance plan for your evaluation.
What is Student Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance for International students protects them from financial difficulties in case of any medical or non-medical emergencies while they are studying. It covers healthcare costs, travel delays, and lost important documents, helping students focus on their studies without worry. Student Travel Insurance India plays a critical role in ensuring that students receive necessary medical care abroad without the financial burden falling on them or their families. As students have left home independently for the first time, having a financial safety net for medical and non-medical expenses brings peace of mind.
Companies like Star Health offer affordable and comprehensive student travel insurance plans that prioritise student health within a reasonable budget/cost. By choosing these plans, students can confidently handle risks while enjoying their studies abroad without having to dip into their savings to cover unexpected costs.
Why Do Students Need Travel Insurance?
Many people think travel insurance is required only for vacations and business trips. That is not the case. The realities of travelling to a new country with a different healthcare system, rules and regulations, and logistics can be intimidating for a youngster. International student travel insurance ensures you don't feel helpless at the time of an emergency. It can be a blessing in situations like:
- Medical Hospitalisation: Though many countries have efficient healthcare systems, the cost of obtaining treatment at one of these facilities can be extremely expensive. Travel insurance covers medical expenses such as doctor visits, inpatient hospital treatment, and even medical evacuation if necessary, thereby ensuring the financial burden doesn't fall on the student.
- Personal Liability: Trips are unpredictable. Your study plans may get delayed or interrupted due to unexpected reasons like unintentional negligence that has caused a loss or damage to the property of another person. This can be completely unintentional, but nevertheless, you will be held responsible for causing their loss. Personal liability is thus the legal responsibility on the part of the student to be paid to the third party as confirmed by the courts. This damage can also include bodily injury or harm caused to a third person.
- Lost Luggage: Losing luggage during an international trip is utterly frustrating. Student insurance policies cover the cost of lost luggage which was in the custody of the airline carrier and have a defined limit that can be claimed as an indemnity.
- Emergency Assistance: Emergencies can occur anywhere, anytime. With 24/7 Emergency Assistance Partner abroad, student international travel insurance can help you with lost passports, alternative flights, or legal support if you get into a difficult situation abroad. They are also there to assist if you require any emergency hospitalisation.
- Study Interruption: In the event of unfortunate hospitalisation of the Insured student for more than one consecutive month from an Injury or Sickness or in case of Accidental Death of any one Immediate Family Member or the Student Sponsor during the entire policy period, which leads the Insured Student discontinuing his / her studies for the remaining part of the current school semester for which Tuition has been paid, the policy shall reimburse the Tuition fees which has already been paid to the educational institution.
- Sponsor Protection: In the event of an unfortunate accident to the Insured Student's Sponsor, resulting in death, the policy shall reimburse the Student the Tuition Fee incurred for the remaining period of their education up to the maximum limit stated on the policy
What to Look for in a Student Travel Insurance Plan?
Not all travel insurance for students studying abroad comprises comprehensive benefits. Thus, to help you settle for the best, here's a lowdown of features to look for in it:
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Ensure the policy covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, surgery, and emergency medical evacuation with sufficient Sum Insured limits of at least $100,000
- Baggage Loss or Delay: Coverage for lost or delayed luggage should be included to minimise the inconvenience of missing belongings. Many travel insurance also offers immediate reimbursement for essential items like laptops, textbooks, or personal identification documents.
- Sponsor Protection: This feature reimburses the education fee for the remaining period in case of the sponsor's accidental death.
- Study Interruption Coverage: Situations like hospitalisation, family emergencies and more can cause interruption. Ensure to get student travel insurance that covers study interruption coverage to keep on track of your academic pursuits.
- Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: If you have any pre-existing medical condition and have declared the same at the time of availing the policy, ensure that your travel insurance policy covers them.
- Personal Liability: Unintentional negligence can cause a loss or damage to the property of another person or bodily injury or harm caused to a third person. Ensure that your Student Insurance policy covers Personal Liability.
How to Choose the Right Plan?
When selecting a Student travel insurance plan, think about the following:
- Destination: Some countries have higher healthcare costs or specific entry requirements for insurance; choose the Sum Insured of the insurance policy accordingly. Also check if the plan covers the country you are travelling to.
- Duration: How long will you be abroad? If you are going for a short semester, a basic plan may suffice. However, long-term students might require comprehensive coverage. Student insurance policies can also be extended if your studies are for more than 1 year. Ensure they are extended in time before the expiry of the policy in force to ensure you are continuously covered while abroad studying.
- Budget: While you do not want to compromise on coverage, look for a plan that fits within your budget. Some plans offer customisable levels of coverage to suit different financial situations.
- Assistance & Claims Abroad: It is important to ensure that your Insurance partner has a reputed Assistance & Claims partner abroad to assist at the time of hospitalisation or any travel exigency. Ensure they have Toll Free numbers to reach in times of such an emergency.
Which is the Best Travel Insurance Plan for Students?
While there are various student travel insurance policies available in the market, the Star Student Travel Protect Insurance policy is surely a smart choice. Whether you need student travel insurance for a European country, the USA, or any other country, the Star Student Travel Protect Insurance plan can effectively support your study abroad goals.
Students aged 15 to 40 who are studying abroad can use this policy. It provides coverage for 365 days and can be extended for another year, depending on the duration of their course of study. It must be followed by the request of the policyholder.
While the policy offers complete protection for travel inconveniences and medical emergencies, it also includes some unique benefits, making it the best travel insurance for students. Take a look:
- Bail Bond: If the insured person is wrongly detained by police or courts at a location listed in the proposal form, the Insurance Company will pay up to the agreed amount for the bail bond.
- Compassionate Visit: If the insured person is hospitalised abroad for more than seven consecutive days and cannot be evacuated back home, the company will cover the travel costs for one immediate family member to travel there.
Final Words
Student travel insurance is not an unnecessary expense; it is an investment in your safety and peace of mind while studying abroad. While it may seem tempting to skip insurance to save money, the potential risks of travel are not worth the gamble. Also given that it is mandatory to have Student Insurance, option for the most comprehensive yet competitively priced policy is important.
By selecting a solid travel insurance plan, like Star Health, that fits your needs, you will be able to enjoy your overseas educational experience with fewer worries and more freedom.
