Study abroad programs provide an incredible opportunity for students to step outside of their comfort zones and experience new cultures, so choosing an adequate travel insurance plan is vital to making the most out of this experience.
Student Travel Insurance for Studying Abroad provides medical and travel coverage while students are studying abroad, including emergency evacuation and trip cancellation provisions.
Medical Coverage
Studying abroad can be an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons, explore other cultures, and travel the globe – but it can also present significant financial obstacles if something unexpected comes up during your stay. Travel insurance provides invaluable protection – be it cancellation fees or unanticipated medical costs.
Student travel insurance should provide comprehensive coverage against medical expenses, evacuation and any unexpected mishaps that arise on your journey. Some policies also offer trip cancellation coverage that reimburses non-refundable tuition and housing expenses in case a health or safety concern, natural disaster or another unforeseen circumstance prevent you from attending your program as planned.
Student travel insurance plans typically offer more than just medical coverage – in addition to lost baggage and delayed flights, many policies also cover common trip costs like lost luggage or delayed flights and some even provide add-on coverage for high-risk activities like rock climbing and skydiving.
Note: Most University of Minnesota Education Abroad programs require their participants to obtain travel and health insurance. Most programs include this in their fee; if not, however, you may still purchase an individual plan that meets requirements of your program or visa country independently – contact your education abroad advisor for guidance in doing so.
Emergency Evacuation Coverage
Study abroad experiences provide more than just bucket-list items like paragliding in Rio or skiing in France – they’re also life-altering experiences that help expand cultural understanding and independence. But before embarking on any travel goals, make sure all necessary preparations have been made. That includes student travel insurance to cover you should you become sick while abroad or lose something valuable while exploring.
Most student travel insurance plans provide primary medical coverage that pays for treatment if you become sick or injured while abroad, and often includes emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage in case your primary health plan doesn’t provide such protection for trips outside of the U.S.
These plans generally follow the same reimbursement model as traditional travel insurance plans, where you pay upfront for expenses before filing a claim to get reimbursed later on. Some student travel insurers also offer direct pay services so you can bypass reimbursement altogether.
Student travel insurance policies not only include medical and evacuation coverage, but often also trip cancellation/interruption and lost luggage coverage as well. Some plans even provide extra benefits like dental and car rental protection as well as add-ons that you can purchase separately for added protection. Usually there are multiple price points so you can find an appropriate plan that meets both your budget and travel needs.
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage
As most primary health plans do not cover international hospital bills, travel medical coverage for students traveling abroad is of vital importance. Student travel plans usually provide both primary medical coverage as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation benefits as well as additional coverages.
Many travel insurance providers provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to student travellers, such as AXA Assistance’s policy offering the service. At CIS Abroad we partner with AXA Assistance to offer this option as part of our study abroad insurance package allowing students to cancel up until 48 hours before departure (provided their program fee has not yet been paid) without incurring penalties of more than $2,500 towards trip cancellation expenses.
Travel Guard provides similar policies with differing degrees of coverage and costs. Their offerings range from basic plans that cover trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss/delay coverage and other mishaps to premium plans with trip cancellation/interruption and baggage delay/loss protection and even car rental coverage!
Pace requires students participating in semester or academic year programs to purchase an AXA Assistance-endorsed travel insurance policy administered by GeoBlue that costs about $40 per month and covers them only during their program dates; no extension can be made before or after official program dates.
Baggage Coverage
Most travel insurance plans provide reimbursement if your luggage is lost or stolen while abroad; however, student travel plans often offer additional features that make a difference when studying abroad.
Many policies provide coverage to replace electronics and personal items if they’re lost or stolen while traveling overseas, with some plans offering coverage for valuables like passports. Furthermore, student travel insurance policies typically cover some expenses should bags become delayed or lost at airports.
If you are interested in purchasing student travel insurance, it is essential to speak to someone from your school or study abroad program staff. They will be able to explain all available insurance options as well as what may or may not be included as part of program fees. Furthermore, they may suggest plans that meet any program or host country requirements.
Pace requires students participating in semester or academic year study abroad programs to purchase the student travel insurance and emergency assistance package from Chubb. This plan offers extensive medical, trip cancellation, remote mental health counseling services as well as more. The cost is automatically added to your student account over time.