Travel Insurance for Students in USA

Are you travelling to the USA for your studies? This article will simplify the process of getting travel insurance for USA. Read to know the requirements, cost, process, and some unique tips that will help you in choosing the best travel insurance plan before travelling to study in USA.

Travel insurance for the USA is not mandatory for international students as per US law; however, it is required for their enrollment at the US university. Therefore, students apply for it before arriving in the country. The travel insurance will protect you and your belongings from any unforeseen circumstances during your journey, like theft, and also cover your medical expenses during your stay while studying in USA. It will ensure that you receive proper medical care without breaking the bank. Let us now explore various aspects that you must know regarding student travel insurance.

Why is Travel Insurance for USA Necessary?

A student insurance plan is meant to cover risks during your travel and stay abroad. It includes:

• Journey disruptions like trip cancellation, unexpected delay or other interruptions
• Medical assistance, covering treatment, hospitalisations and emergency evacuations (even if students hold a health insurance in USA or not)
• Legal liabilities if you accidentally cause damage or injury to a third party
• Coverage for essential items in case of baggage loss
• Loss or theft of crucial documents like the US student visa and a passport
• Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised or sick
• Financial assistance for bearing cost of studying in USA like tuition or fees when the sponsor is unable to do so, in case he is suffering from a critical illness or is injured in an accident

With travel insurance in USA, you will travel and live without any worries. Even if you end up in unpleasant situations like sickness or theft, your travel insurance will at least bear your financial burden. In the USA, medical treatments are quite expensive, and hence, you would not want to visit a doctor or get hospitalised without a robust insurance plan. It is non-negotiable for your safety and peace of mind.

Requirements to get student travel insurance for USA from India

If you are an Indian citizen, travelling to the USA for your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you would need travel insurance. There are certain requirements to avail the benefits of a travel insurance for USA, as listed below:

• Your age should be between 16 to 40 years.
• You must have an admission letter from a university in the USA.
• You must apply for insurance from your place of origin.
• You should disclose any pre-existing health conditions.

Other than the basic requirements, your insurer may have its own eligibility requirements, such as the duration of stay, and therefore, you must read the policy’s terms and conditions carefully.

List of Documents Required for Student Travel Insurance for USA

Refer to the checklist below and see if you have all the required documents:

• An enrolment letter from a recognised university in the USA or an I-20 form.
• Valid Passport and Visa copies of either an F1 visa in USA, an M1 visa or a J1 exchange visitor visa in USA.
• Insurance Application Form
• Identification documents issued by the Indian government - passport, driving license
• Heath Declaration
• Travel Itinerary
• Flight Details
• Financial Proof
• Academic Documents like transcripts
• Proof of Dependency
• Emergency Contact Information

Note: The document checklist above may differ as per your case and the insurance company.

How to Apply for Travel Insurance for USA?

With several things to arrange as you plan for your studies abroad, getting a travel insurance for USA adds up to your list of tasks. However, with several private players in India offering the facility, the process is quite streamlined. You can compare the quotes and buy the most suitable plan for you in a few simple clicks. Some of the trusted companies that offer travel insurance to international students in India are:

• HDFC Ergo
• ACKO
• Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance
• Reliance Student Travel Insurance
• TATA AIG International Travel Insurance

All the major travel insurance companies offer similar benefits to international students. You can visit their website, give the necessary details and get a quote. To identify the best student travel insurance for USA, you can compare the quotes and choose the one that best fits your needs and is most affordable. Usually, there will be multiple plans to choose from, and you can extract the accurate information from the companies’ websites or the concerned representatives.

Cost of Student Travel Insurance for USA

Student travel insurance’s cost is quite affordable when compared to the tuition fee that you pay to the US university. Your premium costs a very small percentage (1-1.5%) of your course fee, which is a feasible amount to pay in return of the extent of coverage and peace of mind you get during your stay in the USA. Let us now look at the details provided by some well-known insurers:

You will find a lot of attractive options online to get a travel insurance for USA. It is up to you to decide which company and plans are most suitable for you. To get a quote based on your stay duration and requirements, you need to provide your contact details to the company, and they will approach you. It is advisable to read the reviews and do your research before purchasing a policy. You can also add this expense in your cost of living expenses in USA under miscellaneous when calculating the overall costs. 

Also, there are a lot of scammers tricking innocent students; hence, always gather information from trusted sources. Do not visit any suspicious links or pay before checking all the credentials, just because someone is offering the cheapest student travel insurance for USA.

Tips Before Buying Student Travel Insurance in USA

In your search to find the best student travel insurance for USA, here are a few factors you can consider:

• Check what is covered in your plan and customise as per your requirements. There may be coverage for adventurous sports, which might not be your thing. Hence, you can remove it to reduce your premium.
• Some universities also offer a policy, so you must check with your university first and see if it provides any insurance. If yes, compare it with what you are buying.
• Suppose you have friends or acquaintances who are also searching for a travel insurance for USA. In that case, you can approach the insurance companies as a group and request discounts in exchange for the amount of business you are giving them.
• Try to purchase a policy as soon as your travel plans are decided. You may be eligible for an early bird discount offered by the insurance companies.

It would be fair to say that purchasing a travel insurance for USA in India is a simple task. With so many options to choose from, it is often your research, negotiation skills, and personal preferences that help you decide which policy is the best for you. Remember that having a student travel insurance for USA is necessary, and you must get it well before your departure date.