Students traveling abroad to study must carry travel insurance plans to make their stay easy, especially in a country like the US. A travel insurance policy for students is designed to keep them financially safe and protected during adverse times. Medical incidents and accidents can happen anytime, and if you are not prepared, you can face a lot of financial challenges.
However, if you are coming to the US to pursue education, the insurance plans primarily depend on the visa status. The insurance requirements for J visas are different than that for F and M visas. Students on J, F, or M visas must adhere to either State Department or institutions’ insurance guidelines.
Which factors to compare before choosing a plan?
Now, if you have to compare different international student insurance plans before choosing one, here is what you are going to do.
- Coverage– Look for plans that provide comprehensive coverage for medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation, and other important benefits. Make sure the plan covers any pre-existing conditions or may have a waiting period for covering pre-existing conditions. You may have to check the coverage limits and deductibles options.
- Cost– Compare the premiums of different plans, as well as any additional fees or charges. Consider the overall value of the plan based on its coverage and cost.
- Network– Look for plans that have a wide network of healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics in the area where you will be studying. This can help ensure you have access to quality care when you need it.
- Customer service– Check the reputation and responsiveness of the insurance provider’s customer service. This can be important in case you need assistance with claims or other issues.
- Reviews and ratings– Read reviews and ratings from other international students who have used the insurance plans. This can provide valuable insight into the quality of the coverage and customer service.
- Policy exclusions– Be aware of any policy exclusions that may limit or exclude coverage for certain types of treatments or medical conditions.
Overall, take the time to carefully review the details of each international student insurance plan before deciding. Compare the benefits, costs, and coverage limits of each plan to ensure you find the right one to meet your needs while studying abroad.
What common coverage to look for?
International student insurance plans typically provide coverage for a range of situations that may occur while studying abroad. Here are some of the common types of coverage that you can expect from an insurance policy:
- Medical treatment- This coverage includes expenses related to medical treatment for injuries and illnesses that occur during your stay abroad, including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, and diagnostic tests.
- Emergency medical evacuation- If you become seriously ill or injured and require emergency medical evacuation to a nearby hospital or back to your home country, this coverage will pay for the costs associated with transportation.
- Repatriation of remains- In the unfortunate event of death, this coverage will pay for the costs associated with transporting your remains back to your home country.
- Accidental death and dismemberment- This coverage provides benefits in the event of death or loss of limbs due to an accident.
- Mental health- International student insurance plans may provide coverage for mental health treatment, including therapy and counseling.
- Pre-existing conditions- Some plans may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions from the beginning or after a waiting period or might include coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., depending on the severity and treatment needed.
- Dental coverage- International student insurance plans may provide coverage for dental treatment due to an injury or sudden pain to sound natural teeth but typically do not include coverage for fillings or routine cleanings, or check-ups.
In the US, the coverage requirements may not be the same for J, F, and M visas. Do go through your institution’s insurance requirements to understand what coverage they ask for. Also, check if they need any additional requirements.
How is the premium calculated?
Calculating the cost of student insurance plans abroad can depend on a variety of factors, including your destination country, the length of your stay, your age, the level of coverage you need, and the policy maximum and the deductible you choose. Here are some steps you can take to estimate the cost:
- Compare coverage and benefits– Once you have a list of potential insurance plans, compare the coverage and benefits offered by each plan to determine which one meets your needs and visa status.
- The length of coverage– Determine how long you need coverage for, including any additional time for travel before or after your studies. Some insurance plans may offer short-term coverage for a few weeks or months, while others may provide coverage for an entire academic year or longer.
- Consider add-ons– Some insurance plans may charge additional fees or charges for optional benefits, which can influence the premium of the plan.
Conclusion
There are various international student insurance policies in the market. The best you can do is visit a reputable insurance provider’s site and compare the plans to know what options you have. Nriol.net offers Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, Student Secure, Study USA, Student Heath Advantage, and many more plans for foreign students. Call us and understand the buying process.
