As many high school and college students opt to explore the world on various study abroad excursions, experts suggest that all student travelers take advantage of specific student-based travel insurance plans.
Why Students Need Travel Insurance Protection
While adults traveling the globe are generally protected from loss and / or harm by their pre-existing insurance polices (such as their health insurance, property insurance, and other policies), students generally lack extensive investments in these programs. As students typically lack the means and or need for comprehensive insurance policies, a choice to leave the country may mean that a student is at a greater risk of loss if any form of injury, personal loss, and / or property damage occurs. As such, experts recommend that all students opting for programs to study abroad invest in basic student-based travel insurance polices that include the following protection features:
- General travel insurance (in case of cancellations, and flight changes)
- Baggage
- Medical
- Travel Accident
- Worldwide emergency assistance support / services
Additional Options for Student Travel Insurance
Depending on each student’s specific personal needs, worries, and travel plans, some students may benefit from opting for extensive coverage features. Specifically, many providers offer coverage for issues / dangers such as:
- Pre-existing medical conditions / needed treatments abroad (some medical upgrade options even include evacuation protection to a hospital / provider of choice)
- Baggage upgrade (this can be optimized to include possessions such as electronics, portable computers, laptops, cell phones, CD players / DVD players, and camera equipment)
- Specific sports protection (covers students from damage / harm caused by participation in adventure-related sports, such as white water rafting, which would otherwise not be offered under a general student travel insurance plan)
- Terrorist acts / terrorism
- Vandalism
- Delayed baggage (if your bags are delayed resulting in your need to purchase items in order to continue planned travels / comforts until bags are delivered, then a provider may offer features for additional delayed baggage protection)
- Emergency evacuation
- Emergency cash transfers
