As a student, you have plenty of opportunities to use your education as a segway to global cultural enrichment — from studying abroad to traveling for fun during spring break.
If you’re a student planning a trip overseas, it’s worth considering an insurance policy to protect your nonrefundable travel expenses.
While traveling to new places as a student can be exciting, it can also be expensive.
We at the Guides Home Team have researched and reviewed the top travel insurance companies to help you learn more about trip coverage for students, what you’re likely to pay and factors that will affect your insurance costs.
Top 6 Travel Insurance Companies for Students
1. Travelex: Our top pick
Travelex is our top choice for affordable student travel insurance thanks to its low rates. It offers two policies — the Travel Select and Travel Basic plans — with coverage available from just $30 for most low-value trips.
Travel Basic plans include limited coverage but can provide peace of mind for students traveling on a budget.
Pros & Cons
- Coverage & Cost
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $31–$45 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $31–$45 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $60–$83 |
2. Faye: Our pick for all-online experience
Launched in 2022, Faye may be a newcomer to the travel insurance industry, but its seamless online experience has already earned the company hundreds of positive online customer reviews. Faye features an all-online quote, enrollment, and claims-filing process, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a quick, hassle-free experience.
3. Seven Corners: Our pick for international travelers
Seven Corners is a travel insurance provider offering a range of affordable options for students living both in the U.S. and abroad.
The Basic and Choice RoundTrip plans provide protections for trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and lost or stolen baggage. With affordable rates and comprehensive plan inclusions, Seven Corners offers a great policy selection for students.
Pros & Cons
- Coverage & Cost
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $34–$65 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $34–$65 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $80–$123 |
4. AXA Assistance USA: Our pick for leisure travelers
AXA’s travel insurance policies are comprehensive and provide higher-than-average coverage limits compared to some providers. AXA offers three plan choices, including the Platinum Plan, ideal for adventure travelers. However, pricing is higher than competitors, which can be a particularly large consideration for students.
Pros & Cons
- Coverage & Cost
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $48–$83 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $48–$83 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $66–$114 |
5. Nationwide Travel Insurance: Our pick for cruise travel
Nationwide is one of the only travel insurance providers to offer policies specifically for cruise vacations. If you’re a student saving up for a cruise, Nationwide’s policies include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, missed connections, itinerary changes, and emergency medical expenses and evacuations.
Pros & Cons
- Coverage & Cost
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $31.40–$54.80 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $32.88–$56.88 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $61.72–$107.80 |
6. Generali Global Assistance: Our pick for emergency assistance
Generali is our top choice for travel insurance that includes 24/7 emergency service — an important consideration if you’re a student traveling abroad for the first time.
Generali customers receive access to a 24/7 emergency hotline to contact international travel or telemedicine experts.
Pros & Cons
- Coverage & Cost
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $43.04–$68 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $35.01–$56.65 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $69.75–$109.61 |
Student Travel Insurance Coverage
As a student, most of your money likely goes towards tuition, housing expenses, textbooks, and other costs associated with furthering your education. This can make it especially important to protect your financial investments when traveling.
Student travel insurance can provide coverage if you are traveling abroad for educational or cultural purposes.
This type of insurance typically covers a range of risks that students may encounter while traveling domestically or abroad, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations or interruptions, lost or stolen luggage, and emergency medical evacuation.
You can purchase travel insurance for a single trip or for multiple trips over a specified period of time. Travel insurance coverage can vary widely depending on your policy details and provider, but if your trip is interrupted or canceled, most plans provide reimbursements for nonrefundable expenses, including plane tickets, reserved car deposits, lodging expenses, event tickets, and excursions you’re unable to use, meals, clothing, toiletries, and other necessities if your luggage is lost or stolen, and medical expenses if you are hurt while traveling.
While travel insurance is not mandatory for most trips, it can provide peace of mind if you want protection from unexpected trip expenses or disruptions.
But keep in mind that travel insurance only provides reimbursements for nonrefundable trip expenses under certain cancellation circumstances — unless you opt for CFAR coverage.
Common Add-Ons
Travel insurance companies commonly allow you to upgrade your plan with add-on coverages. Some of the most common travel insurance add-ons include the following:
- CFAR coverage: Allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still receive partial reimbursement.
- Rental car coverage: If you’re renting a car abroad, you may need collision coverage. Many travel insurers allow you to add this coverage for an additional cost.
- Umbrella policies: If you’re traveling to a country with particularly high medical expenses, you may want to extend medical coverage using an umbrella rider. Specific add-on availability will vary by the insurance provider.
Considering COVID-19
Students may be concerned about whether travel insurance will cover cancellations and interruptions due to COVID-19. While the specific details of each policy will vary depending on the insurance provider, most travel insurance plans treat COVID-19 as a standard illness when considering reimbursements.
Under the terms of most travel insurance cancellation policies, if you become sick with COVID before traveling and must cancel your trip, you’d be entitled to a reimbursement. Policies may also include medical coverage that extends to a COVID diagnosis you receive abroad. However, plans do not cover trip cancellations due to new COVID-19 outbreaks or strains that develop, nor fear of international travel due to COVID.
Factors That Determine Cost
Several factors can affect the cost of student travel insurance, including:
- Destination: The cost of travel insurance can vary based on where you’re traveling. Some destinations may have higher medical care or evacuation costs, which can affect your premium.
- Length of trip: The length of your trip can affect the cost of travel insurance. The longer your trip, the higher your premium will be.
- Age: The age of the traveler can also impact the cost of travel insurance. Older travelers may have higher premiums due to an increased risk of health issues.
- Preexisting medical conditions: If you have preexisting medical conditions, it can affect the cost of travel insurance. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to pay a higher premium.
- Trip cost: More expensive trips will come with higher insurance costs since potential reimbursements depend on the price you paid for the trip.
- Deductible: If you choose a travel insurance plan with a deductible, it can lower your premium. However, you’ll be responsible for paying the deductible amount before the insurance coverage kicks in.
Before you buy travel insurance, it’s important to compare companies carefully and select a plan that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford. You can also check out our guide to the cheapest travel insurance for more coverage options.
Is Student Travel Insurance Worth It?
Student travel insurance is often affordable, as students are more likely to be younger and insure less expensive trips.
Both of these factors make students less likely to need to file a claim, which lowers the price of your insurance premium.
If you’re planning a more valuable trip or you’re investing a significant amount of time putting your trip together, it can be worth it to consider travel insurance.
Conclusion
Selecting the best travel insurance provider for your next student adventure depends on your unique needs. If you’re a student planning a budget-conscious trip, Travelex might be the best choice for your needs.
On the other hand, if you’re traveling to a location where you cannot speak the native language, Generali’s globally-minded plans may be a better option so you can utilize the company’s 24/7 travel hotline.
We recommend getting a quote from each of our recommended providers to find the best deal possible for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I really need travel insurance as a student?
- Travel insurance is not mandatory but can provide peace of mind by protecting your financial investment in case of trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost/stolen belongings.
- What is CFAR coverage, and should I consider it?
- CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) coverage allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still receive a partial reimbursement. It’s a good option if you want maximum flexibility.
- How does COVID-19 affect travel insurance coverage?
- Most travel insurance plans treat COVID-19 as a standard illness, providing coverage for trip cancellations and medical expenses. However, they do not cover cancellations due to new COVID-19 outbreaks or travel fear.
- What factors affect the cost of student travel insurance?
- Factors like your destination, trip length, age, preexisting medical conditions, trip cost, and deductible choice can all influence the cost of your insurance premium.
- Is student travel insurance worth it, even for budget-conscious travelers?
- Student travel insurance is often affordable and provides valuable coverage. It’s worth considering, especially for more valuable trips or when peace of mind is essential.