What is insurance for studying abroad, and why should you take out specialized travel insurance for your education abroad?

What is insurance for studying abroad?

• Insurance for studying abroad means that you take out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your studies, your education, and your related activities abroad.
• Insurance for studying abroad is also referred to as study insurance. This study insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to take courses, study, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for a study abroad?

• Study insurance is specifically designed for studying abroad, whereas regular travel insurance policies may offer coverage on paper but handle this situation differently in practice.
• Study insurance offers coverage for longer stays than regular (vacation) travel insurance.
• Study insurance is also suitable for many types of activities, ranging from various sports to hiking at high altitudes.
• Study insurance continues to provide coverage if you start working during your trip, whether planned or unplanned. If you have not taken out insurance before departure that allows you to work, there is no guarantee that you will be able to take out insurance abroad that provides coverage.
• Study insurance continues to provide coverage if your own country's health insurance no longer provides coverage.
• Student insurance also covers your healthcare costs above the rates in your own country; with regular insurance, you have to pay the extra costs yourself.
• Student insurance can also continue to provide coverage if (study) visa issuers impose additional requirements on how you insure yourself, for example if you are going to the US and applying for a J-1 visa.
• Student insurance continues to provide coverage if you are staying abroad for a longer period of time and want to visit your own country in between.

What is important to insure when you are going to study abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the country or countries where you are going to travel and work.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your period abroad
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• That you are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you only insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• That you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work alongside your studies.

Check out more about international insurances

• Why and where to take out travel insurances for abroad
• Why and where to take out insurances that cover medical expenses abroad
• Insurance for activities abroad when you are Dutch