Heading Abroad for Studies? Secure Yourself with Student Travel Insurance

What is Student Travel Insurance?

Insurance companies offer tailored policies called 'student travel insurance' for Indian aspirants seeking to study abroad. The coverage is meant to address the risks that Indian students generally encounter when they go to a foreign land for studies. This policy remains valid for your course and must be purchased before you depart from India. It provides financial compensation for emergencies specified in your policy, such as sudden hospitalisation, personal liabilities abroad, accidents, etc.

Is Student Travel Insurance Mandatory?

Whether student travel insurance is mandatory depends on the country's visa requirements and your university's regulations. For example, all Schengen nations, including France, Germany, Sweden, and others, require travel health insurance to obtain a Schengen student visa. You must also get travel insurance in countries like Australia, Turkey, and New Zealand. However, having an international student travel insurance policy for countries like the USA, Canada, or the UK is not mandatory.

What Does Student Travel Insurance Cover?

Between tuition fees and house hunts, don't forget to check the coverage of your student travel insurance policy. While the coverage may differ for each policy, here are some common inclusions of student travel insurance.

1. Health Cover

   Student travel insurance covers the following health-related costs.

   • Emergency Treatment: The policy covers emergency medical care, including hospitalisation.
   • Specified Dental Treatments: Acute anaesthetic dental treatments for your natural teeth are included in the coverage.
   • Transport of Mortal Remains: In an unfortunate case of sudden death, student travel insurance can arrange for the transfer of mortal remains to India.
   • Medical Evacuation: The cost of transportation to the nearest medical facility is also a part of the coverage.

2. Loss of Checked-in Baggage

   Sometimes, airlines end up losing your checked-in bags during flights. In such cases, you can get compensation for the items lost through your travel insurance policy. Be aware that this coverage typically does not cover valuables like cash or jewellery.

3. Personal Liability

   If you accidentally cause property damage or injury to someone in the country you are studying, you may find yourself in legal trouble with the affected party. Student travel insurance may cover the associated legal liabilities.

4. Bail Bond Coverage

   Sometimes, things can go wrong without your fault, and the police or other authorities may arrest or detain you. Your student insurance policy may cover the bail amount needed in certain situations. However, the charges will not be reimbursed if you engage in any illegal acts or are accused of a non-bailable crime.

5. Study Interruptions

   Life is unpredictable. Situations like hospitalisation and the sudden death of a loved one can interrupt your studies, and you may need to discontinue your studies despite paying the tuition fee. If your university does not reimburse such fees, your student travel insurance provider can help.

6. Sponsor Protection

   If the person sponsoring your education unfortunately passes away, your entire education plan can get compromised. With this coverage, the insurance company pays you the remaining tuition fees on the unfortunate fatality of the sponsor.

7. Compassionate Visit

   When you are sick, you need to have family nearby. Recognising this, student travel insurance policies compensate for the to and fro economy class travel of your one family member from India to the country where you study.

What Is Not Covered By Student Travel Insurance?

Insurance can save the day, but not in every scenario. Here's what your policy might say “no” to.

• Any injuries that you purposefully cause to yourself, such as self-harm or suicide attempts.
• Losses, damages, and injuries caused while committing any illegal act.
• Damages or injuries caused by using drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants.
• Claims related to acts of terrorism, wars or warlike occurrences.
• Property damage or other losses due to ionising radiation, radioactive contamination, or nuclear waste.
• Any harm or destruction caused when playing sports (unless a special add-on cover is purchased for this.)
• Alternative medical treatments are not explicitly mentioned in the policy.
• Loss of passport if the passport was unattended or forgotten and the theft was not reported to the local authorities within the specified time.
• If you go abroad against a medical practitioner's advice, the related medical claims will not be covered.
• Medical claims related to pregnancy, childbirth, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer screening, routine medical checkups, etc., are not covered unless a separate add-on cover is purchased.

Top Reasons To Buy Student Travel Insurance from India

Living alone, studying, and building a new life in a faraway land is rewarding but has its own challenges. Here are the most prominent reasons why student travel insurance can make things easier for you during emergencies:

• Affordably Priced Policies: Buying a student travel insurance policy in India is lighter on your pocket compared to paying for medical care, bail, or other expenses overseas.
• University Rules: In some countries, like the USA, travel insurance is not mandatory for a visa, but most universities there require international students to have insurance. Student travel insurance can help you comply with these requirements.
• Worldwide Assistance: When you buy student travel insurance, you can contact your Indian insurer at any time through a designated 24/7 helpline. This customer support line helps with your coverage, the claims process, extensions, and more.
• Tailored for Student Life: This policy covers some specific risks students abroad may face. These include bail bond charges, sponsor death or accident, study interruptions, and compassionate visits.

Summing Up

As a student studying abroad, you should focus on learning new things, absorbing a new way of life, and building your future. When you have student travel insurance, you don't need to worry about how you will handle emergencies alone, as the financial aspect of most of them would be covered.