Studying is one of the most crucial facets of most people’s lives. It enables students to quickly acquire a lot of knowledge about what they might require in the future, grow and develop in a number of fields, showcase abilities and attract potential employment opportunities, and network with individuals in the same field and elsewhere. Due to this crucial role, thousands of Indians travel abroad every year to pave the path for their success.
As per India’s Ministry of External Affairs’ estimated data of Indian students studying abroad, more than 1.3 million are studying abroad. With nearly 4.6 Lakh Indians studying in the USA, North America is one of the most popular destinations for students, followed by Canada, which has 1.8 Lakh, and UAE, which has 1.6 Lakh Indian students. Not only this, but with an increased effort to attract more students from India, countries like the USA and UK are loosening the visa requirements for students, making it easier and more accessible for Indian students planning to study there.
However, while it is more accessible than ever, travellers are often advised to opt for student travel insurance for education. But why is that? What is international student travel insurance? How to choose the best student travel insurance? How to get the best student travel insurance? And more, keep reading to learn all you need about student travel insurance.
What is international student travel insurance?
International student travel insurance is a type of travel insurance specially designed to provide financial protection to students travelling outside their country for education. Unlike regular insurance policies, which cover a single round trip or multiple round trips in a set period, student travel insurance covers the policyholder for the entire duration of their studies. Being specially designed for students, the policy also provides specialised coverages, including sponsor protection and study interruption protection, etc.
Why is student travel insurance important when travelling for education outside India?
People travel for a reason, and regardless of the high cost associated with it, travellers going on a trip outside their country are often exposed to a high level of risk. Whether it is loss of checked-in baggage or a medical emergency, facing these risks outside India can cause significant financial loss and result in a negative travel experience. With travel insurance, however, travellers can explore the world with confidence and peace of mind without having to worry about the financial impact of these risks.
How to choose the best student travel insurance?
Choosing the best insurance for student travellers varies greatly depending on their needs and requirements. For example, a traveller might be planning to study in the USA, where some universities mandate coverage for pre-existing diseases under travel insurance. Similarly, a university in the UK might mandate coverage for dental treatment with a particular coverage at low deductibles.
This is where first understanding the student’s needs, requirements of the university or the destination country, and the insurer’s offerings is essential in getting the right insurance plan. After settling all of this, a traveller might then need to consider the exclusions or what is not covered to ensure that they would avoid those activities which can result in claim rejection. After this, a traveller will also need to check the reliability and benefits offered by the insurer to map them with the premium charged for the policy and derive the best bang for your buck.
To note: While the names of coverages might be similar between various insurers, consider the scope and extent of coverage and the total coverage offered for these risks in terms of the sum insured. For example, Niva Bupa, one of the leading providers of travel insurance, offers financial protection for dozens of risks up to $500,000. It also provides 24/7 assistance during emergencies, cashless claims for medical treatment, and reimbursement or compensation for other risks. All of these make Niva Bupa a reliable and trustworthy travel insurance partner.
How to get the best student travel insurance?
As a traveller, choosing student travel insurance is quite simple: Just search for student travel insurance and purchase a policy from the first result. But that is often not good enough; this is why, after your research, choose the right insurance provider who fulfils your needs and is considerate of your requirements. If anyone still needs clarification, student travellers seeking an educational trip can approach a reliable insurance provider like Niva Bupa for comprehensive yet affordable policies.
Here is how you can buy student travel insurance from Niva Bupa:
- Visit the Niva Bupa and click on “Travel Insurance”.
- Fill out the form on the Travel Insurance page by inputting your phone number and clicking “Get Started”.
- Choose the latter option from the two options of Single Trip and Student Travel.
- Choose the destination country, date of departure, trip duration, and email id.
- After this, click on “View Plans” to add traveller details, including the number of travellers and their dates of birth.
- Next, travellers can select one of the three curated plans based on their needs, select the sum insured, and choose any add-ons such as pre-existing disease coverage.
- On the next page, fill in the details and submit the required information to buy the selected policy.
Conclusion
Whether it is as a requirement from your university or the country you are travelling to or just as an investment in securing yourself from any risks that can hamper the study experience and result in financial loss, however, due to dozens of options, there are often concerns when it comes to choosing the right insurance plan. This is where, by considering the above factors, comparing your needs with the policy and mapping the benefits with the price, it is possible to acquire the best plan for your needs at an affordable price.