Good health is one of those things we all take for granted – it’s only when we get sick that we remember just how important being healthy is. When a person’s health deteriorates, it can be not only worrying but also quite expensive. That’s why health insurance is so important.
The insurance provides a safety net that prevents financial ruin when a person needs expensive medical treatment. It also provides preventative care, which is one of the most important aspects of health.
Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing all the insurance an international student needs before applying to study abroad.
First, watch this video below for more information.
Table of Contents
Let’s begin…
Insurance is a means of avoiding financial loss via protection. It is a form of managing risks. Its primary use is primarily used to avoid the risk of a loss that is either incidental or uncertain.
Insurance is provided by entities, and they are known either as an insurer, insurance company, insurance carrier or underwriter.
A person or entity who purchases insurance is known as a policyholder or insured. In insurance transactions, there is the involvement of the insured taking on the assumption of a guaranteed and known, relatively small loss in the form of payment to the insurer in exchange for the promise by the insurer to seek the compensation of the insured in the event of a covered loss.
The loss may either be financial or not financial, but it is mandatorily to be reducible to financial terms and usually has the involvement of something in which the insured has an insurable interest with its establishment being by ownership, possession, or pre-existing relationship.
A contract called an insurance policy is received by the insured, which bears the details of the conditions and circumstances under which the insured will be compensated by the insurer.
The term premium is the amount of money charged by the insurer to the insured/policyholder for the coverage set forth in the insurance policy. If a loss is experienced by the insured that happens to have a potential cover by the insurance policy, a claim is submitted by the insured to the insurer for processing by a claims adjuster.
Its own risk may be avoided by the insurer by taking out reinsurance, whereby there is the agreement by another insurance company to carry some of the risk, especially if the risk is deemed too hard by the primary insurer to carry.
Since early times, the search for methods to see to the minimization of risks has been on by merchants.
The practice of methods for transferring or distributing risk was practiced by traders of Chinese and Babylonian origin as long ago as the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC, respectively. There was the redistribution of wares across many vessels by Chinese merchants travelling treacherous river rapids. This was aimed at limiting the loss due to any single vessel’s capsizing. A system was developed by the Babylonians, which was recorded in the famous Code of Hammurabi, c. 1750 BC, and practiced by Mediterranean sailing merchants of early times. If a loan was received by a merchant for the funding of his shipment, the lender was to receive an additional sum as a pay in exchange for the lender’s guarantee to cancel the loan preadventure the shipment be stolen or lost at sea.
The ‘ general average ‘ was created by the Circa 800 BC, the inhabitants of Rhodes. Through this, groups of merchants were allowed to pay to insure their goods being shipped together. The collected premiums would be used to compensate any merchant whose goods were discarded during transport, whether due to storm or sinkage with payment.
The invention of separate insurance contracts came through in Genoa in the 14th century, likewise insurance pools backed by pledges of landed estates. Separate insurance is insurance policies not bundled with loans or other kinds of contracts. The first known insurance contract was initiated from Genoa in the year 1347, and the next century that followed had wide development of maritime insurance and there was intuitive variation of premiums and risks. Through these new insurance contracts, insurance was separated from investment, a separation of roles that its usefulness was first proved in marine insurance.
The international student insurance discusses plans on health and travel insurance aimed at fitting the unique needs of the study abroad and international or study abroad student at the most affordable rate imaginable.
Overtime, making sure that one has the right international health and travel insurance plan in place is sometimes not near the utmost priority of international students, not to talk of being the highest priority of students who are planning to study abroad. The thought of most students needing coverage does not occur to them, or they may just have it left to the last minute and not have the time to find the best option by researching all the plans. This research is aimed at locating a range of plans that are ideal for students studying abroad and offering the highest quality coverage at the right price.
In researching study abroad insurance, many plans available will be known to you. We’ve got a few tips to help you look for and get the right insurance plan:
The Student Secure plan is an international student health insurance plan that is usually scheduled for a month. It is ideal for students who are undertaking an international program outside of the USA. The fantastic benefits offered by the plan include hospitalization coverage, prescription medication, doctors’ visits, mental health coverage, maternity, sports coverage, evacuation, and the list continues. The plan can be purchased in monthly increments. The monthly payment is renewable if one needs further coverage. It offers the ultimate flexibility for students.
For students who are not in need of the flexibility offered by the student secure monthly payment and do not require benefits such as mental health, maternity, etc., the Atlas International plan is ideal for such students who are looking for more travel-related benefits. The plan can be purchased for 5 days up to 1 year and can be renewed if one purchases a minimum of 3 months at the beginning. The plan provides coverage for the following: hospitalization, doctors’ visits, prescription medication, evacuation, repatriation, trip interruption, and lost luggage, to mention but a few.
International students studying in the United States of America and around the globe, as well as US students studying abroad, are provided worldwide health insurance coverage.
The StudentSecure, an international student health insurance plan, is designed for study abroad and international students and is available in four plan levels: Smart, Budget, Select and Elite. A range of benefits is offered by each level.
Discussion on the four plan levels
International and study abroad students have the Student Secure, International Student Health Insurance plan made available to them in four main plan levels: Smart, Budget, Select and Elite. Different coverage limits are offered by each plan level. The Smart is the most affordable of the three plans and the Elite is the most comprehensive.
During the first six (6) months of coverage on the Elite and Select, and during the first twelve (12) months on the Budget, charges resulting directly or indirectly from any pre-existing conditions are excluded from this insurance, except charges resulting directly from an acute onset of a pre-existing condition, an emergency medical evacuation, or repatriation of remains, subject to the limits set forth in the Schedule of Benefits and Limits.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Smart level, except for charges resulting directly from an acute onset of a pre-existing condition, an emergency medical evacuation, or repatriation of remains. This is subject to the limits set forth in the Schedule of Benefits and Limits.”
1. Condition for which recommendation or medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includes receiving services and supplies, diagnostic tests or prescription medicines, consultations) occurs during the 12 months immediately preceding the certificate effective date
2. Condition that had been made manifest in such a manner that would have caused a reasonably prudent person to look out for medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includes receiving services and supplies, consultations, etc.) during the 12 months immediately preceding the effective date of the certificate;
3. Injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental, or nervous conditions, disorder or ailments (whether known or unknown) that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of application or within the 12 months immediately preceding the certificate effective date.
With student health insurance, emergency medical evacuation will be provided for international or study-abroad students only to the nearest hospital that has the qualification to provide the medically necessary treatment, services and supplies to prevent the loss of a student’s life or limb.
Circumstances that are not within control can cause the timeliness of arrangements. These circumstances include the availability of transportation equipment and staff, delays or restrictions on flights caused by mechanical problems, government officials, telecommunications problems, weather and other acts of God. The insurer shall not be held liable for any delays that are not within its direct and immediate control.
Nevertheless, the preceding, and if the student is visiting the U.S., his/her expenses to return to his/her home country will be paid. This will be the case if there is an agreement between the attending physician and medical consultant that transfer to the student’s home country is more appropriate than transfer to the nearest qualified hospital.
The health insurer will be harmless and shall not be held liable for loss of or any damage or other sort of impairment to bodily remains incurred during the repatriation process or otherwise.
Accidental death is caused solely by external, visible means resulting in physical injury to you and your subsequent death. It occurs by means of a sudden, unintentional and unexpected occurrence. Death is mandated to occur within 30 days of the sudden, unintentional and unexpected occurrence and not be led to by illness or disease.
Accidental Dismemberment is known to be a sudden, unintentional and unexpected occurrence caused solely by external, visible means and leading to complete severance from the body of one or more limbs or eyes. It is not contributed to by illness or disease. For purposes of the benefit of Accidental Death and Dismemberment, the term “limb” is known to mean: the arm when the severance is at or above (toward the elbow) the wrist, or the leg when the severance is at or above (toward the knee) the ankle. Loss of eye(s) is also known to mean: complete, permanent, irrevocable loss of sight.
The person who is to benefit from this insurance is the individual whose name appeared in your application to be in receipt of any accidental death benefit.
There is the exclusion of charges for the following conditions:
1. Illnesses present from birth (congenital)
2. Disorders of mental health, if the treatment is obtained at a student health center
3. Physical therapy, if the student obtains treatment at a student health center
4. Chiropractic treatment, if treatment is not obtained at a student health center.
5. Elective termination of pregnancy.
6. Promotion or prevention of conception
7. Venereal disease, including all diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse and conditions relating to it.
8. Transplants of organs or tissues or related services.
9. Voluntarily using any drug unless under the prescription of a physician.
10. Eye surgery, such as surgery relating to corrective refractory, when the primary purpose is to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
11. Corrective devices and medical appliances
12. Orthoptics and training on the eye.
13. Hair loss, including wigs, hair transplants or any drug prescribed or not that causes hair growth
14. Acne, skin tags, moles, diseases of sebaceous glands, seborrhea, sebaceous cyst, hypertrophic and atrophic conditions of skin, nevus.
15. Sleep disorders such as apnea, etc.
16. Psychometric, competency, intelligence, behavioral and educational testing.
17. Cosmetic or aesthetic reasons
18. Modifications of the physical body aimed at improving psychological, mental or emotional well-being, including but not limited to sex-change surgery.
19. Obesity or modification of weight, including but not limited to wiring of the teeth and all forms of intestinal bypass surgery.
20. Exercise programs, whether with prescription or recommendation by a physician.
21. Incurred due to exposure to non-medical nuclear radiation and/or material(s) that are known to be radioactive.
22. Charges caused by the outbreak of a disease in a country or location for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Warning on the following conditions: a) The warning has been in effect within the 6 months immediately prior to a student’s date of arrival, or b) within 10 days after the date the warning is issued, a study abroad has failed to depart the country or location.
23. Investigational, experimental or for purposes on a research basis.
24. Complicated health issues that may arise or consequences of a treatment or condition not covered hereunder.
25. Incurred outside the certificate period of a student.
26. Submitted to the insurers for payment more than 60 days after the last day of the certificate period.
27. Exceeding usual, reasonable and customary.
28. No necessity medically necessary.
29. No medical treatment administered by or ordered by a physician.
30. Provided by a relative, the member of your family or any person who ordinarily resides with you.
31. Provided to an international student at no cost.
32. Consultations via telephone or failure to meet up with a scheduled appointment.
33. When one departs from the home country for the purpose of obtaining treatment in the destination country/countries.
34. Payable under any system of government, including the Australian Medicare system.
35. War, military action or while performing one’s duty as a member of a police or military force unit.
36. No inclusion as eligible expenses as described herein and lots more.
A premium is the amount to be paid for an insurance policy.
Coverage is provided for international students and study abroad students around the world outside of their home country by the StudentSecure plan.
An international student can choose to pay upfront or in monthly installments with his/her debit or credit card.
With the option to renew for up to four years in total, coverage is available from 15 days up to 364 days.Coverage that excludes the United States can ONLY be purchased by US citizens.
If one chooses to pay with a monthly installment, there is a $5 administrative fee added to the monthly rate.
Interscholastic, Intercollegiate, Intramural, or Club Sports (Budget, Select and Elite only)
Leisure, Recreational, Entertainment, or Fitness Sports and Activities
Personal Liability (Elite Only)
Specific Conditions
If we cite that by reason of this exclusion this insurance does not cover any loss, damage, cost or expense, the burden of proving the contrary shall be upon the international student.
In this event, the remainder of the exclusion shall remain in full force and effect if any portion of this exclusion is found to be invalid or unenforceable.
In a situation where, after reading, one is not happy with the cover provided by this policy because this insurance does not meet your requirements, a notification of your wish to cancel is to be made known and have your premium refunded.
Full refunding of premiums will be made in full if the cancellation request is received prior to the certificate effective date.
Subject to the following provisions, premiums may be refunded after the certificate effective date:
1. For administrative costs incurred by the insurer, a $25 cancellation fee will apply.
2. A refund will only be made for unused days, if paid in full, of the plan or unused whole months, if paying in monthly installments, or
3. The international student cannot have filed any claims for premium refund eligibility.
4. No grant shall be given to the refund of premium after 60 days.
1. You are mandated to be below age 65; and
A. Be obtaining full-time study at a college or university. Online colleges and universities are excluded; or
B. Before 31 days of being a full-time student at a college or university; or
C. A student below the age of 19 enrolled in a secondary school; or
D. A scholar obtaining full-time studies in affiliation with an educational institution and performing work or research for a minimum of 30 hours per week;
2. You must be residing outside your home country for the purpose of the pursuit of international educational activities; and
3. You’re mandated to have obtained residency status in your host country; and
4. If in the U.S., the international students must hold a valid education-related visa. There may be a requirement for a copy of the I-20 or DS2019.
J-1 and F-1 visa holders: Within the US, the full-time student/scholar status requirement is waived. If a student has a valid F-1 visa (including OPT) or a J-1 visa. For individuals holding M-1 or other category visas, full-time status requirements remain in force.
The benefit period does not apply while the certificate is in effect.The payment of eligible medical expenses for up to 60 days beginning on the first day of diagnosis or treatment of a covered injury or illness while one is outside his/her home country and while this certificate is in effect will be made upon the termination of the certificate.Impatient. On the termination date of the certificate, the benefit period applies only to eligible medical expenses in relation to a condition for which one is hospitalized.
Benefit Period – In the event a benefit period is begun while the certificate is in effect, and the certificate terminates because one returns to his/her home country. The payment of eligible medical expenses that are incurred in the student’s home country during the benefit period will be made. On the termination date of the certificate, home country coverage applies only to eligible medical expenses for which one is hospitalized as an inpatient.
Incidental Home Country Coverage: For every three-month period during which you are covered, there is the covering of up to a maximum of 15 days for any three-month period for eligible medical expenses.
There’s no accumulation of any benefit incurred under a single three-month period to another period. Any home country coverage provided under the terms of this agreement Failure to continue your international trip or your return to your home country for the sole purpose of obtaining treatment for an illness or injury that began while traveling shall be void.
No coverage is provided within the U.S., except for citizens or residents of the U.S. during an eligible incidental home country visit or an eligible benefit period for all non-U.S. citizens electing coverage “Excluding the U.S.” and for all U.S. citizens or residents.
The coverage provided under this Master Policy is for a duration of at most 364 days, except for a benefit period. The basis of any extension is upon the eligibility rules in force and is solely at the discretion of the insurer.
Nevertheless, the preceding, the termination of coverage under all plans shall come on the date the insurers, at our sole option, elect to cancel all members of the same sex, age, class or geographic location, provided a minimum of 30 days is given in advance written notice by mail to a student’s last known address.
This type of study insurance provides international students with world-class international travel health insurance protection when one is traveling outside of his/her home country. The insurance can be accessed for a minimum of 5 days up to 364 days in the USA and up to 365 days for other countries (with options to undergo renewal). For anyone in search of an affordable travel medical insurance plan, this plan is optimal.
For more information on travel insurance, please visit VisaGuide.World.
The Travel Assistance Services has the following Assistance Services included in it:
This provides current information regarding the required travel restrictions,vaccinations, health risks, and weather conditions definite to your home country.
This concerns consultations with attending medical professionals during a student’s hospitalization and the establishment of a single point of contact for family members to receive ongoing updates about one’s medical status.
The study abroad student should obtain information about Western-style medical facilities and medical and dental practices and pharmacies in his/her destination country where English is spoken.
This talks about assistance with obtaining replacement passports, birth certificates, visas, airline documents, and other documents that are travel-related.
This travel assistance service is responsible for tracking service to assist in locating luggage or other items lost by an international student in transit.
Aside the aforementioned travel assistance services, other important travel Assistance Services include:
The discussed travel assistance services are not benefits of insurance and the provision of any travel assistance service does not guarantee any other benefit under the plan.
This insurance plan is open to both citizens of US origin and non-US origin who are making plans to live, study, or work outside of their home country for a minimum of one year or more. The design of this annual insurance plan is such that it is aimed at providing comprehensive international health insurance coverage for when one is abroad for any duration.
This plan is available in the following levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. Available for you from each of the levels is a more comprehensive range of benefits and coverage limits to satisfy your needs.
The ability to manage the international student health and travel insurance that is purchased is provided by the Student Zone. There is the accessibility of the account feature for 24 hours a day.
We recommend a study abroad student insurance for you. With this article, it is obvious how advantageous international study-abroad students’ insurance coverage is. So, get insured now!
This post was last modified on January 20, 2025 2:40 pm