Traveling abroad for education always sounds exciting, but it comes with a lot of challenges. When sick due to an illness or an injury, students may not be able to find the right clinic or hospital to get treated. Plus, the medical expenditure is so high that it may become unbearable and costly for many. Therefore, carrying a travel insurance policy is always recommended.
There can be countless insurance policies for international students. The majority of students either choose student travel insurance plans or international student insurance plans. But there are several differences between the two. So, what is the difference between the two? Let us discover.
Student Travel Insurance plans
Student travel insurance plans are short-term plans for students who are US and non-US citizens. If you are planning to go abroad to study or come to the US to study or travel inside the US for academic purposes, this plan is for you! If you plan to stay longer for 3 years or more and want a plan that can cover your entire academic year, you can switch to the International Student Insurance plan.
Students need Student Travel Insurance before they travel, which can cover them in the event of emergency medical treatment, trip interruption, delay, disruption, or cancellation, emergency evacuation & repatriation, and loss of personal belongings. This policy is suitable for students going on a short trip abroad or taking part in a temporary study program.
There is no particular age limit for students to buy this plan. The minimum duration for which a policy can be bought is 5 days, while the maximum is 2 years, depending on the plan. Also, students coming to the US must be sure that the policy is accepted by the university or institution. Depending on the plan, student travel insurance study abroad offers add-on benefits, such as adventure and sports rider, evacuation rider, personal liability, and more. However, the premium will be higher than usual with these added riders.
It is not compulsory by law to buy an insurance policy while traveling outside the US, but you need to be ready to pay for medical expenses that can occur anytime during your stay anywhere in the world. A student travel insurance plan can give you financial backup for every eligible medical fee outside the US.
Student travel insurance has group coverage options as well. If a group of 5 students or more are traveling together, group student travel insurance would be easy to set up and will be cheaper than individual plans. The cost depends on several factors like age, duration of stay, policy maximum, deductible, and more. Students can put relevant information and get quotes for different plans.
Who can buy a Student Travel Insurance plan?
- If you want to pursue education at an international university or school.
- If you are in an internship with an international company.
- If you are a part of an international vocational training program.
- If you are volunteering in a foreign land.
- If you are working as an “au pair” abroad.
What is excluded from Student Travel Insurance policies?
- Pre-existing medical conditions as per your chosen policy
- Extreme high-risk activities that lead to injuries and treatment
- Self-harm or suicide or attempted suicide
- Mental, psychological, stress, depression, and anxiety-related disorders
- HIV or AIDS and other venereal diseases
- Maternity, abortion, childbirth, pregnancy, and miscarriage
- Drug or alcohol abuse
International Student Travel Insurance plans
Students can buy International Student Travel Insurance before or after they come to their destination. The plans cover emergency and non-emergency medical treatment, including pre-existing conditions (may have a waiting period), maternity, mental health, outpatient check-ups, and emergency evacuation and repatriation. It does not cover trip interruption, delay, or cancellation, loss, theft, or damage of luggage or personal belongings.
International Student Insurance is ideal for students on J1 or F1 visas. Any students coming to the US on F1 or J1 visa must carry health insurance. Students on J1 visas must meet insurance requirements set by the State Department. In the case of F1 students, they need to meet the insurance requirements of the university or institution.
International students with F1 visas typically cannot enroll in classes without an insurance plan. Most international schools or universities offer insurance coverage to their students. Students must check with the school if they have waiver options. Using this waiver form, they can buy a policy from outside, but that policy must meet the school’s requirements.
There are no requirements laid out by the US State Department for F1 student health insurance. However, most of the time, it is the school’s or university’s requirements that decide which coverage will suit best for students. Also, students may decide on their own if the institution has no requirements. Many universities make it compulsory for international students to get F1 student health insurance. Non-US citizens do not qualify for any government health insurance policy, so they can get one from either their university or from the open market.
J1 students, on the other hand, must meet requirements like:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains of at least $25,000
- Expenses of $50,000 associated with the medical evacuation of the visitor to their home country
- $500 maximum deductible allowed per illness or injury
- Plan to be underwritten by an insurance corporation with- an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, or an Insurance Solvency International Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, or a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research Inc. rating of B+ or above.
Moreover, students on a J1 visa must check with their sponsoring organization (school, University, or work-exchange organization) for their additional requirements, if any.
Who can buy an International Student Travel Insurance plan?
- If you are an international student on an F1 or J1 visa.
- If you are dependent on an F2 or J2 visa.
- If you must stay abroad for studies, research, or part of a training program for an extended period.
- If you are taking part in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) program
What is excluded from International Student Insurance policies?
- Pre-existing medical conditions as per your chosen policy
- Extreme high-risk activities that lead to injuries and treatment
- Self-harm or suicide or attempted suicide
- Mental, psychological, stress, depression, and anxiety-related disorders
- HIV or AIDS and other venereal diseases
- Maternity, abortion, childbirth, pregnancy, and miscarriage
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Elective surgeries
However, do check the plan’s brochure to know if there is a waiting period for benefits like maternity and mental health, wellness checks, and pre-existing conditions.
What is the importance of having health insurance for students going abroad?
1. Avoid financial challenges
Studying in the US comes with high medical costs, and student health insurance can be a savior! You never know when you will have an accident or what may make you ill; having insurance will help you cover those medical expenses hassle-free. Unexpected medical costs will be financially challenging; hence having health insurance can help you in the most distressing times.
2. Have immediate access to medical care
In case of emergencies, students can directly call the insurance provider and learn the best possible service available for them. They can go to the clinics and hospitals within the PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) network and receive cashless treatment.
Conclusion
NRIOL.net provides international students with affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans that can protect them financially in a foreign land. With our flexible and tailored plans, students can focus on their education without stressing about medical costs abroad. For more queries about the plans, contact us. We will be happy to help you!
