Best Student Travel Insurance Plans

Studying abroad is an enriching experience, but it comes with many risks. Unexpected events like medical emergencies, loss of personal belongings, unfortunate accidents or natural disasters can not only disrupt a student's academic life but also lead to heavy financial burden.

Insurance for students studying abroad is essential to protect parents and children from these risks. It ensures students can focus on their studies without worrying about unforeseen expenses. Overseas student insurance policies tailored for students studying abroad cover everything from emergency medical costs to travel disruptions and even legal issues.

Having the right international student insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind. Whether it's for exchange programmes, full academic programmes, or short-term educational trips, securing the best travel insurance for students studying abroad goes a long way towards easing worries for both parents and children.

Find the Best Overseas Student Insurance in Singapore

Student travel insurance combines aspects of both travel insurance and international health insurance. While travel insurance primarily covers short-term travel issues like flight disruptions and lost luggage, international health insurance provides comprehensive healthcare coverage, including hospital stays and chronic condition treatment, essential for longer stays abroad. Essentially, students studying overseas need both types of coverage to ensure all bases, from emergency medical expenses to routine healthcare needs, are adequately covered.

The best travel insurance for students studying abroad is one that meets your coverage needs and aligns with the policyholder’s study programme. For example, student exchange insurance is tailored to support students on shorter academic visits between one to three months long. 

There are also international student insurance options catered to longer-term study periods, covering basics like medical and travel-related emergencies while also extending coverage towards other critical aspects like theft or loss of study materials and personal belongings. This thorough coverage ensures that students can recover quickly from unexpected setbacks without any academic or financial penalties.

Overseas study insurance gives students the confidence to immerse themselves fully in their international educational experience, and parents can rest easy knowing that their child is covered. For an in-depth look at the various types of insurance for students studying abroad, consider using SingSaver’s travel insurance comparison tool to see plans from top providers at a glance. 

Table of contents:

• Find the Best Overseas Student Insurance in Singapore
• Comparing Student Travel Insurance Plans
• The Best Student Travel Insurance Plans
• Comparing Coverage for Student Travel Insurance Plans
• Types of Student Travel Insurance
• Why Go for an Overseas Student Exchange Programme?
• How to Choose the Most Suitable International Student Travel Insurance
• Find Out If You’re Eligible for a Student Travel Insurance Plan
• Common Exclusions and Limitations for Student Travel Insurance
• FAQs for Student Travel Insurance Plans

Comparing Student Travel Insurance Plans

Now, if you’re an exchange student attending an overseas programme lasting a few weeks, you may be able to obtain sufficient coverage with a travel insurance plan – just like a leisure traveller. 

However, if you’re going to attend university in another country for a couple of years, you’ll need an international healthcare plan (also known as “overseas student insurance plan”) to cover your long-term medical needs and healthcare needs, including routine care for chronic conditions.

You should also consider getting a travel plan to cover flight delays and cancellations, and loss of baggage and belongings. 

You may also need some time to find suitable student accommodations, so might be staying in a hotel initially. A travel insurance plan can also offer benefits in case something goes wrong with your hotel stay. 

However, do note that your travel insurance plan will eventually run out, as typically, single-trip plans are only valid for up to 180 days. Annual plans last 12 months, but customarily, each trip must not last over 30 days.

Thus, you will eventually have to switch over to an overseas student plan, if your overseas stint is long enough.

Now that that’s been cleared up, let’s take a look at some popular overseas student plans for long-term overseas education. 

The Best Student Travel Insurance Plans

MSIG Global Study – Premier

The MSIG Global Study – Premier student travel insurance plan provides overseas students with a good mix of travel benefits and medical and healthcare coverage. 

Medical Expenses: You will be covered up to S$50,000 for medical treatment due to illness or injury, but there is no cover for outpatient visits for chronic conditions. Also, COVID-19 is not covered. 

Loss of Personal Belongings at Overseas Residence: This plan also offers up to S$3,000 benefits against loss of personal items in overseas residence, and up to S$3,000 for alternative accommodation. 

Study Interruptions: There is also up to S$15,000 for study interruptions – this covers unused and non-refundable prepaid course fees in case of sickness or injury. 

Sponsor Protection: Another useful benefit is sponsor protection benefits, up to S$15,000, which goes towards unpaid tuition fees should your parent or guardian paying for your education passes away or suffers permanent disability. 

Income Overseas Study Protection Plan – Plan 3

The Income Overseas Study Protection Plan does well covering the risks of being overseas, but less so on providing healthcare coverage. It offers decently high insurance coverage for accidental death and disablement, emergency evacuation, study interruption and sponsor protection, as well as overseas residence cover against theft, fires and natural disaster, and alternative accommodation benefits. 

Medical Expenses: Covered up to S$20,000 for medical expenses due to injury, and S$5,000 due to sickness (outpatient only).

Loss of Personal Belongings at Overseas Residence: Offers up to S$5,000 for loss or damage of personal belongings at an overseas residence, and up to S$3,000 for alternative accommodations. 

Study Interruptions: Up to S$50,000 to cover non-refundable prepaid course fees in the event of a study interruption due to sickness or injury.

Sponsor Protection: Covered up to S$20,000 in the event a parent or guardian is unable to pay schooling fees due to death or permanent disability.

Liberty Insurance Overseas StudentCare

Liberty Insurance Overseas StudentCare is an overseas study insurance plan for students that reads more like a general insurance plan rather than a healthcare plan. The main drawback here is the lack of benefits for illness, only medical expenses following accidental injury are covered. 

However, you can choose to expand your medical benefits to also cover illness by purchasing additional cover. This will also increase your study interruption benefits. What this international student insurance plan offers that many others don’t, though, is rental vehicle excess and student loan repayment benefits.

Medical Expenses: The plan provides coverage of up to S$15,000 for medical treatments following an accident and unlimited coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Loss of Personal Belongings at Overseas Residence: This coverage secures up to S$3,000 against theft or damage to personal belongings at your foreign residence, though it does not include alternative accommodation costs.

Study Interruptions: This benefit allocates up to S$10,000 for unrecoverable prepaid tuition fees if your studies are disrupted due to illness or injury.

Sponsor Protection: Offers up to S$15,000 in support if a student’s education sponsor passes away or suffers a permanent disability, ensuring continued payment of tuition fees.

DBS Overseas Student Protect – Platinum

Rounding out our list of best overseas student insurance plans is the DBS Overseas Student Protect – Platinum. This plan offers good coverage both for overseas hazards and healthcare, making it a high-end plan that carries its costly premiums well. 

Medical Expenses: S$50,000 for medical expenses following an accident or sickness. Unlimited emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Loss of Personal Belongings at Overseas Residence: Should your overseas residence suffer a break-in or fire or other calamity, this policy provides up to S$3,000 in benefits, along with up to S$5,000 for alternative accommodations. 

Study Interruptions: The plan provides substantial protection with up to S$20,000 coverage for study interruptions, ensuring that non-refundable, prepaid course fees are covered in the event of an unforeseen academic break.

Sponsor Protection: In the unfortunate event that your education sponsor is unable to continue funding due to death or permanent disability, this policy provides up to S$15,000 in sponsor protection. Additionally, it offers up to S$5,000 in student loan repayment support.

Comparing Coverage for Student Travel Insurance Plans

All figures based on a 12 month plan, destination set to Australia.

Types of Student Travel Insurance

When studying abroad, the right student travel insurance is essential to ensure you're well-protected against the unexpected. Here are four types of overseas insurance that cater to different needs and durations of study trips:

Single Trip Insurance

Perfect for students embarking on a short-term educational trip or an exchange program. This type of overseas student insurance covers you for a single journey up to a month, providing peace of mind for short stays abroad. It’s especially useful for those attending overseas seminars, workshops, or short exchange programmes.

Annual or Multi-Trip Insurance

Ideal for students who travel frequently due to multiple field trips or those who might return home occasionally during their studies. This type of travel insurance for students covers several trips within a year, each less than a month long, making it a cost-effective choice for the serial traveller.

Extended Trip Insurance 

Tailored for students on longer overseas study programmes or those taking a gap year. This type of student insurance offers continuous coverage for extended periods, sometimes up to two years, and is suitable for students visiting multiple countries or studying in different locations throughout their academic program.

Comprehensive Study Abroad Insurance

Offers extensive coverage that includes medical expenses, trip cancellations, and interruptions, as well as personal liability. It's designed for students spending a semester or more overseas and includes additional features like sponsor protection and study interruption coverage.

Why Go for an Overseas Student Exchange Programme?

Participating in an overseas student exchange programme is an exciting way for students to explore new cultures, learn languages, and expand their worldview. It's a chance to build international connections and gain experiences that can greatly boost their future career prospects.

While student exchange programs are incredibly enriching, they also expose students to unfamiliar environments and different cultural norms. Coming from Singapore, which is ranked third in Order and Security according to the 2023 Rule of Law Index, students might find adapting to lower security standards abroad challenging. Student travel insurance helps mitigate these risks by covering unexpected medical emergencies, loss of personal belongings, emergency accommodations, travel or study disruptions and more, ensuring students can fully engage in their international learning experiences without worry. 

How to Choose the Most Suitable International Student Travel Insurance

Choosing the best overseas student insurance in Singapore for your needs will go a long way in ensuring you are adequately protected when studying abroad. Consider these factors when choosing your student travel insurance:

Assess Your Study Programme

Consider the length and nature of your study program. Whether it's a semester abroad, a year-long exchange, or a summer course, the duration and activities dictate the type of coverage you’ll need.

Review the Coverage You Need

Look for a student travel insurance plan that offers comprehensive coverage. This should include:

• Medical Expenses: Look for policies that offer substantial medical coverage, including emergency treatments and hospital stays. This is vital in countries where healthcare is expensive.
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Critical for serious medical issues that require you to be transported back to Singapore or to a specialised facility.
• Coverage for Personal Belongings: Protect against the loss or theft of laptops, textbooks, and other study materials while travelling or at your overseas residence. 
• Coverage for Accommodations: Some plans offer coverage for alternative accommodations in the event where you need to move on a short notice. If you are managing your own overseas accommodations, having this benefit can be a lifesaver.
• Study Interruption: Unique to overseas study insurance, this ensures coverage for tuition fees if you’re forced to cut your studies short due to covered reasons like illness or family emergencies.
• Sponsor Protection: Offers coverage for unpaid tuition fees in the event of the sponsor’s death or permanent disability to help alleviate any financial burdens.
• Other Add-ons: Review your student travel insurance policy to see if they offer any add-ons you may need, such as adventure sports, legal expenses or pre-existing medical conditions. 

Compare Plans

Use a reliable travel insurance comparison platform in Singapore like SingSaver’s travel insurance comparison tool to compare different plans and insurers. Look for the best overseas student insurance Singapore has to offer by comparing coverage details, premium costs, optional-addons, exclusions and more.

Read Customer Reviews and Testimonials 

Reading other people’s experiences with student travel insurance can provide insights into the reliability and efficiency of the insurance provider, especially when it comes to handling claims and the responsiveness of their customer service teams.

Find Out if You’re Eligible for a Student Travel Insurance Plan

To be eligible for a student travel insurance plan in Singapore, you must be:

• Between 15 to 45 years of age
• A Singapore citizen
• Registered as a full-time student with an overseas educational institution, or participating in a student exchange programme as arranged by your educational institution in Singapore

Common Exclusions and Limitations for Student Travel Insurance

While every student travel insurance plan is different, these are some common exclusions and limitations that can be found in most policy wordings from different insurance providers. You should always review your specific policy to be aware of the exclusions and limitations of your student insurance in order to make a successful claim.

• No coverage for incidents occurring under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.
• Theft of personal belongings that have been left unattended.
• Illnesses that could have been prevented through vaccination prior to departure may not be covered.
• Some policies exclude incidents that occur during manual labour or other types of jobs.

FAQs for Student Travel Insurance Plans

What is the insurance for foreign students in Singapore?

Foreign students coming to study in Singapore may opt for an international student healthcare plan from private insurers in Singapore. They may also check with their institutions of study for recommended plans and policies. Those coming here on short-term exchange programmes may also check with their schools for appropriate group insurance policies.

Are there student discounts?

Many insurance providers offer special rates or discounts for students purchasing travel insurance for studying abroad. It’s advisable to inquire directly with your chosen provider or compare available options to ensure you are getting the best deal for your needs.

Can I extend my travel insurance if I decide to stay longer for internships or study extensions?

Yes, most student travel insurance policies offer the flexibility to extend coverage if your stay abroad is prolonged due to internships or extended study periods. You will typically need to request this extension before your original policy expires, and additional charges may apply. It's important to contact your insurance provider as soon as you know your plans have changed to ensure continuous coverage.

Is there coverage for leisure activities or sports that I might participate in while studying abroad?

Yes, many student travel insurance policies allow you to add coverage for leisure activities or sports you might engage in while studying abroad. This is often an optional add-on, so you'll need to review your policy details or speak with your insurance provider to add this coverage if it's not already included. Ensure that the specific activities you plan to participate in are covered under the add-on to avoid any gaps in coverage.

How to claim student travel insurance?

In general, student travel insurance claims may be made the same way as conventional insurance claims. Submit a claim form with the necessary supporting documents, and wait for your insurer to get in touch with you. You may also contact your insurer directly to clarify questions. During an emergency, contact your insurer for assistance via the hotline privied in your policy.