Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

What is insurance for an internship abroad?

• Insuring an internship abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your internship abroad
• Insurance for internships abroad are also referred to as internship insurance. This internship insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to work as an intern, take courses, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for an internship abroad.
• During internship activities abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only specific insurance policies offer coverage during these activities.
• During your internship, the risk of accidents is sometimes greater, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
• During your internship, local employers generally do not offer insurance, or offer limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
• During an internship abroad where you receive financial compensation (or, for example, food or accommodation), your home country's health insurance coverage will potentially lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally provide coverage for trips of a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that for the entire travel period, you will not be covered.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational trips without work activities.

What is important to insure when you are going to be an intern abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and doing your internship.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return in case something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), 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 and, preferably, also for liability during your internship.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• Make sure you choose the right coverage for internship work in healthcare, with wild animals, or with dangerous machinery!

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