When preparing to study abroad, ensuring you have the correct international health and travel insurance plan in place should be your top priority. Most students do not believe they would require coverage, or wait until the last minute and not have time to compare all of the plans to discover the best one. Is there any insurance for students studying abroad? The answer is YES! The two most important insurance for students studying abroad is Monthly student health insurance and student travel health insurance. Read along to learn more about how to get them.
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Student Health Insurance
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The Student health insurance secure plan is a monthly international student health insurance plan that is made for students who are studying abroad. The plan offers fantastic benefits such as:
- Hospitalization coverage,
- Prescription medication
- Doctors visits
- Mental health coverage
- Maternity, coverage
- Sports coverage
- Evacuation and much more.
You can buy the plan in monthly increments, and pay monthly and it is renewable if you need further coverage. It offers the ultimate flexibility for students.
READ MORE: Best Health Insurance For International Students In USA
Student Travel Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is perfect for students who want more travel-related advantages but don’t need the flexibility of the student secure plan to pay monthly and don’t need coverage like mental health, maternity, and so on. You can buy the plan for 5 days to a year, and you can renew it if you buy it for at least 3 months at the start. The plan covers
- Hospitalization
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medicine
- Evacuation
- Repatriation
- Trip interruption
- Lost luggage, and many other things.
Insurance for Students Studying Abroad: Which one do I need between international health and student travel insurance?
Generally, if you are a student on a student visa and your school does not provide insurance, you will need international student health insurance. Fortunately, this sort of insurance is quite affordable. However, If you’re traveling to a school/program for 3 months or less and don’t need a student visa (meaning you’re there on a tourist visa or don’t need a visa at all), you can just get travel insurance.
3 top best international student insurance plans
1. WorldTrips Student Secure Plan
WorldTrips (formerly known as HCC Tokio Marine) is one of the best international student insurance providers. They offer Student Secure plans for students enrolled in foreign schools as well as students studying abroad for short periods of less than one year.
2. GeoBlue student plan
The GeoBlue student plan provides the Navigator plan to study abroad. The Navigator plan is ideal for US students studying abroad or international students in the USA. Eligible applicants include:
- International Students living and studying in the U.S.A.
- Foreign/international Faculty and Research Scholars in the U.S.
- Optional Practical Training participants living in the U.S.
- U.S. Students and/or Faculty, planning on studying or teaching outside of the U.S.A.
READ MORE: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund: How To Apply
3. IMG Student Health Advantage
IMG insurance provides the Student Health Advantage plan for US students studying abroad. It is a good and cheap option for international student health insurance in the USA.
Tips on getting the best insurance for students studying abroad
When looking for study abroad insurance, you will know that there are many coverages available – here are a few tips to help you look for the right insurance plan:
- All insurance carriers are rated by either AM Best or Standard. Most countries will ask that your insurance plan be rated above a certain level so be sure to check this out.
- Make sure you read the exclusions. All insurance plans have exclusions, some are more flexible than others, so be sure to check them out and make sure you understand what is not covered under the plan.
- Check if the plan participate in a network. Some insurance coverage have a PPO network, which is a network of doctors/hospitals, and they will compel you to visit certain providers. However some plans do not restrict you to one provider, so check that out. This is a matter of preference.
- Service provider availability . Most providers will provide you with 24 hour assistance, which is standard on all plans. However, be sure you can reach them easily from the country you are in.
- Research how their claims are paid. Almost all insurance companies operate on a pay up front, claim back later basis. Make sure you are aware of how long it will take to process a claim; it should take no more than two weeks.
