Essential guide to travel insurance for students

Traveling as a student is an exciting opportunity to explore new cultures, meet new people, and broaden your horizons. However, it’s crucial to safeguard your adventures with the right travel insurance. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about travel insurance specifically for students, ensuring your journey is as smooth as possible.

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a policy that covers various unexpected events while you’re traveling, such as medical emergencies. For students, having travel insurance can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re studying abroad.

Who Needs Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is particularly important for:

• International Students in Canada: If you’re an international student studying in Canada, either full-time or part-time, and you’re aged 69 or younger, you can secure coverage tailored to your needs. This ensures you’re protected against unexpected medical costs and other travel-related issues.
• Canadian Students Studying Out of Province: Canadian students studying out of province, whether full-time or part-time, and aged 40 or younger, can also benefit from specialized travel insurance. This coverage can protect you during your travels within Canada and abroad.

Key Benefits of Travel Insurance

When choosing a travel insurance policy, consider the following key benefits that are particularly relevant to students:

• Medical Treatment & Hospitalization: Coverage for unexpected medical emergencies, including hospitalization and treatment, ensures you receive the care you need without the financial burden.
• Ambulance Services: If you require emergency transportation to a medical facility, your insurance will cover ambulance services, providing peace of mind during critical situations.
• Private Duty Nursing: If you need personalized care during your recovery, some policies offer coverage for private duty nursing services.
• Diagnostic Procedures: Coverage for necessary diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays and blood tests, ensures you can receive timely assessments of your health.
• Medicine and Prescription Drugs: Travel insurance often includes coverage for prescription medications, so you can access essential treatments while abroad.
• Emergency Air Transportation: In severe medical situations, your policy may cover emergency air transportation to ensure you reach the appropriate medical facility quickly.
• Airfare to Return Home for Treatment: If you require treatment that cannot be provided where you are, your insurance might cover the cost of airfare to return home.
• Medical Attendant: Should you need assistance during your recovery, some policies offer coverage for a medical attendant to accompany you.
• Mental Health Benefit: Coverage for mental health services is essential for students, providing support during times of stress or crisis.
• Maternity Benefit: If you fall pregnant during the policy term, certain policies may offer maternity benefits to cover medical needs related to your pregnancy.
• Other Professional Medical Services: Coverage for various professional medical services, such as chiropractors or physiotherapists, ensures you have access to necessary treatments and consultations while traveling.
• Accidental Dental Expense: If you experience a dental emergency while traveling, your policy may cover the costs associated with treatment.
• Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses: If your glasses or contact lenses are lost or damaged, your insurance may cover the replacement costs.
• Annual Physician Visit & Eye Exam: Some policies offer coverage for an annual check-up and eye exam, supporting your overall health.
• Repatriation Up to $25,000: In the unfortunate event of death while traveling, your policy may cover repatriation costs to return your remains to your home country.
• Burial/Cremation Up to $5,000: Some policies provide a burial or cremation benefit to cover these costs.
• Family Members or Friends to Bedside: In the event of a serious medical emergency, some policies allow for a family member or friend to travel to your bedside, providing emotional support when you need it most.
• Medical Equipment: If you require medical equipment during your travels, such as wheelchairs or oxygen tanks, your policy may cover the costs of renting or purchasing these items.
• Fracture Benefit: Should you suffer a fracture during your travels, certain policies provide a specific benefit to help cover the costs associated with treatment and recovery.
• Rehabilitation Benefit: Coverage for rehabilitation services can support your recovery after an accident or illness, ensuring you have access to necessary therapies.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Many policies provide coverage for treatment related to STIs, ensuring you have access to healthcare for all aspects of your health.

Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion

It’s important to note that most travel insurance policies include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion. This means that any complications that develop after departure related to a pre-existing medical condition that was not stable within the required amount of time prior to traveling may not be covered. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy and disclose any existing health issues when applying for coverage.

General Exclusions

In addition to the pre-existing condition exclusion, there are several general exclusions that you should be aware of:

• High-Risk Sports and Activitie*: Activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, or extreme sports may not be covered under standard policies. If you plan to engage in these activities, look for specific coverage options.
• Travel Advisory Exclusion: If you travel to a destination that has an official travel advisory issued by your government (e.g., due to war, political instability, or health risks), your claims may not be honored. Always check travel advisories before planning your trip.
• Alcohol-Related Incidents: Claims resulting from accidents or injuries while under the influence of alcohol may be denied.
• Acts of War or Terrorism: Incidents arising from acts of war or terrorism may not be covered.
• Traveling Against Medical Advice: If you travel against the advice of a medical professional, your claims may not be honored.

Reading the policy wordings carefully is crucial to understanding what is and isn’t covered. Always familiarize yourself with the exclusions and specific terms to avoid surprises later.

Unique Claiming Patterns for Students

Students often have different claiming patterns compared to leisure travelers. Here are a few specific considerations:

• Family Coverage: Students may require coverage for family members visiting during their studies. This means it’s essential to look for policies that offer options for including family members, whether they’re visiting for a short time or traveling with you.
• Follow-Up Medical Visits: If a medical emergency occurs while abroad, students may need to seek follow-up care after the initial incident, particularly if they require ongoing treatment or medication. Ensure your policy covers such scenarios, as these visits can often be just as critical.
• Travel During School Breaks: Many students take trips during school breaks. If you’re returning home during these periods, you’ll want to ensure your travel insurance remains active and covers you both while traveling and once you’re back in your home country.

What to Look for in a Policy

When choosing a travel insurance policy, consider the following factors:

• Coverage Types: Ensure the policy covers medical expenses and consider purchasing coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions and lost belongings. Some policies even cover adventure sports, which might be appealing if you plan to engage in activities like skiing or scuba diving.
• Duration of Coverage: As a student, your travels may span several months. Look for policies that offer long-term coverage options to suit your travel plans.
• Student Discounts: There are many travel policies tailored to students studying abroad. Be sure to ask your Broker about these options.

Tips for Filing a Claim

In case you need to file a claim, keep these tips in mind:

• Document Everything: Keep records of all incidents, including receipts, medical records, and police reports if applicable. This documentation will be crucial for your claim.
• Notify the Insurer Promptly: Contact your insurance provider as soon as an incident occurs. Most companies have specific time frames within which claims must be reported.
• Follow Up: Stay in touch with your insurer to ensure your claim is being processed. Don’t forget to reach out to your Broker for assistance!

Conclusion

Traveling as a student should be a thrilling and enriching experience, and travel insurance is an essential safeguard that can protect your journey from unexpected hiccups. By understanding what to look for in a policy and being aware of the unique claiming patterns that may arise during your travels, you can focus on making unforgettable memories without the worry of unforeseen events. Whether you’re an international student in Canada or a Canadian student studying out of province or abroad, securing the right travel insurance with comprehensive coverage will give you peace of mind.

Happy travels!

Your Costen Insurance Broker