Your Essential Guide to Global Study Abroad Insurance
Your acceptance letter has arrived, your bags are nearly packed, and a world of new experiences awaits you. Whether you're heading to the historic universities of the United Kingdom, the vibrant cities of the Schengen Area, the sunny shores of Australia, or any other global destination, your journey starts with being prepared.The most important preparation you can make is securing comprehensive study abroad health insurance. Navigating a foreign healthcare system can be daunting and expensive. We make it simple to find the right coverage, so you can focus on what matters most: your education and your adventure.
Choosing the Right Plan for Your Destination
The right study abroad insurance plan for you will depend on your destination and the length of your program:
- Insurance for Europe (Programs over 90 Days): If you are studying for a semester or longer in countries like Spain, Germany, France, or Italy, you must apply for a national long-stay visa (often called a Type D visa), not a short-stay Schengen visa. While this national visa is for a specific country, its insurance requirements are often very similar to the Schengen standards (e.g., minimum coverage of €30,000, emergency evacuation, and repatriation). Your insurance plan also becomes essential for traveling to other Schengen countries during holidays and weekend trips.
- Insurance for Europe (Programs under 90 Days): For short courses, language schools, or research programs lasting less than 90 days, you may need a short-stay Schengen (Type C) visa. The Schengen visa insurance plans we offer easily satisfy these requirements, providing seamless coverage for your brief but important academic stay.
- Insurance for the United Kingdom: While the UK has the National Health Service (NHS), international students are often required to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS). Private travel medical insurance can supplement this by providing faster access to specialists, emergency care, and other services not fully covered by the NHS.
- Insurance for Australia & New Zealand: International students in Australia are typically required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Our plans can act as a great supplement to OSHC, covering things like travel interruptions, baggage loss, and medical care outside of Australia during school breaks.
- Insurance for Canada, Asia, and Beyond: No matter your destination, we offer a wide range of study abroad travel medical plans that provide robust medical protection.
Our Most Popular Study Abroad Insurance Options
For Long-Stay Programs
Overview
Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions
Overview
Elite: After copayments, plan pays 80% up to $10,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Select: After copayments, plan pays 80% up to $25,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Budget: After copayments, plan pays 80% up to $45,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Smart: After copayments, plan pays 80% up to $100,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
Direct Billing
Overview
Outside PPO network: After deductible, plan pays 80% up to the policy maximum.
Outside US: After deductible, covers at 100% up to the policy maximum.
Direct Billing
For Short-Stays (under 90 days) in the Schengen Area
Overview
Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions
Overview
Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions
Overview
Outside PPO network: After deductible, plan pays 80% up to the policy maximum.
Outside US: After deductible, covers at 100% up to the policy maximum.
Direct Billing
Study Abroad Insurance FAQ
What is the difference between a Schengen visa and a national visa for studying in Europe?
This is a critical distinction. A Schengen (Type C) visa is for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It's suitable for short-term courses. For any program lasting longer than 90 days (like a full semester or year), you must apply for a national long-stay (Type D) visa directly from the embassy or consulate of the country you will be living in. While it's a national visa, the insurance you need for it often must meet the same minimum standards (€30,000 coverage, evacuation, repatriation) as Schengen visa insurance.
Do I need insurance if my host country has a national healthcare system?
Yes, it is highly recommended and often mandatory for your visa. National healthcare systems may not cover everything and can have long wait times. Private insurance is essential for filling these gaps and covering critical benefits not included in public systems, such as emergency medical evacuation back to your home country.
Can I purchase insurance for just one semester?
Absolutely. You can customize the length of your coverage to match your exact study period, whether it's for a few months, a semester, or a full academic year.
What's the difference between the plans on your website and my university's group plan?
University plans can sometimes be more expensive and may offer limited coverage, especially during semester breaks or if you travel to other countries. The plans we offer are often more affordable and flexible, allowing you to choose the benefits that matter most to you. It's always a good idea to compare our options with your school's plan to see which is best for your needs. We have licensed, USA-based agents available to answer any of your questions.
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