Insurance for studying abroad
We do not sell or recommend a specific policy, and nothing below is an assessment of any named insurer — this is what to look for so you can compare policies yourself, or hand this list to whoever is choosing on your behalf.
01
Whether cover is required at all
- Many destinations require a minimum level of health cover before they will issue a visa or let you register on arrival, and some universities require their own institutional plan regardless of what you already hold. Check your destination's visa requirements and your specific university's own page before assuming either way.
- Where cover is required, an insufficient policy can be rejected at the visa stage or at arrival, so buy it early enough to fix a rejection before you fly.
02
What to compare between policies
- Whether the policy covers the FULL period you will be there, including any time before term starts or after it ends that you plan to stay.
- What the policy excludes — pre-existing conditions, mental health cover, dental and vision are the ones that vary most between insurers and matter most in practice.
- Whether claims are paid directly to the hospital (cashless) or you pay first and are reimbursed — the second can mean a large unplanned bill while you wait.
- The claim process itself: what documents it needs and how long it typically takes, since 'covered' is not the same as 'easy to actually use'.
- Whether the university's own plan is mandatory, optional, or can be waived if you show equivalent cover you already hold — waiving it, where allowed, can be cheaper.