How does student travel insurance work? A full guide 2023
verified information
Information verified by Adeline Harmant
Our articles are written by experts in their fields (finance, trading, insurance etc.) whose signatures you will see at the beginning and at the end of each article. They are also systematically reviewed and corrected before each publication, and updated regularly.
Discover the methodology
When studying abroad, students have a lot on their plate, from paperwork to adjusting to new surroundings and beyond. But one crucial aspect is student travel insurance, a mandatory feature in many international destinations.
It's a must-have, offering protection from unexpected medical troubles and travel hiccups. This way, students can focus on learning and exploring, worry-free, especially in places with costly and often unaffordable medical services.
In this guide, we take you through everything you need to know about student travel insurance, why it's important, what it covers, and more. You could use our comparator tool to compare plans and get free quotes to find a student travel insurance plan that suits you the best.
Student Travel Insurance Canada: 5 Key Takeaways
- Student travel insurance provides a safety net for international students offering coverage for medical emergencies.
- Student travel insurance often includes 24/7 global assistance services.
- The best options for international student travel insurance in Canada include Manulife, Allianz, TuGo, Blue Cross.
- Understanding how student travel insurance handles pre-existing medical conditions is vital.
- Compare plans from various providers and get free quotes using HelloSafe comparator.
What is student travel insurance Canada?
Student travel insurance Canada is a type of travel insurance that is specifically designed for students who are travelling to or studying in Canada. It typically covers medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, lost or delayed baggage and other travel-related risks.
The specific coverage that is included in student travel insurance Canada will vary depending on the policy, but some of the most common benefits include:
- Medical expenses: This will cover the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization and repatriation if you are injured or ill while travelling.
- Trip cancellation or interruption: It will reimburse you for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to a covered reason, such as illness, a natural disaster or a strike.
- Lost or delayed baggage: This offers coverage for the cost of replacing lost or delayed baggage.
- Personal liability: This will cover you if you are sued for accidental injury or property damage to others while travelling.
- Emergency medical transportation: It will cover the cost of transporting you to a medical facility in case of a serious illness or injury.
- Other benefits: Some student travel insurance policies may also include coverage for things like travel delays, passport replacement and emergency cash.
The exclusions will depend from policy to policy. Most policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, but you can get them as an add-on for some extra cost. Read your policy carefully to make sure that it doesn’t exclude things you need coverage for.
If you'd like to compare student travel insurance plans that offers comprehensive coverage, you could use our comparator below and get quick quotes so you can decide a plan that's best for you.
comparatorTitles.logo
| comparatorTitles.price
| comparatorTitles.featureList
| comparatorTitles.yesList
| comparatorTitles.link
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
item.logoSubtitle
|
| item.badge
|
item.phoneText
item.clickOutButtonText
item.clickOutSubtitle
|
comparatorTitles.name
What is the best student travel insurance in Canada?
If you are an international student planning to study in Canada, it’s important to purchase student travel insurance in Canada. This will help to ensure that you are covered in case of any medical expenses, trip cancellations or other travel-related problems.
Here are some of the best options for international student travel insurance in Canada:
- Manulife student travel insurance
- Allianz Global Assistance
- TuGo Travel Insurance
- Blue Cross Canada
- Destination Travel Group
Manulife student travel insurance
Manulife travel insurance offers three types of travel insurance plans for students:
- Canadians studying in another province or territory
- Canadians studying abroad
- International students studying in Canada
For Canadians enrolled in other provinces in the country
Individuals from Canada who are enrolled in educational institutions located in different provinces or territories are eligible for the following benefits:
- They can receive medical coverage for both emergency and non-emergency situations, with a maximum coverage of $2 million.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is provided up to $10,000.
- Once per year, they are entitled to one medical examination and one eye examination.
- Furthermore, these individuals can avail a 50% reduction in their insurance premium if they are Canadian students studying outside of the country.
For Canadians engaged in overseas studies
- They can access both emergency and non-emergency medical coverage, with a maximum limit of $2 million.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is available up to $10,000.
- They are eligible for an annual medical examination and an eye examination.
- Importantly, this coverage also encompasses side trips taken during their time abroad.
For international students pursuing their education in Canada
- They are entitled to medical coverage, both for emergencies and non-emergencies, with a maximum coverage limit of $2 million.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is provided, offering benefits of up to $10,000.
- They can undergo a medical examination and an eye examination annually.
- Additionally, their coverage extends to trips outside of Canada, which is applicable for up to either 15 days or 49% of the total coverage period (excluding their home country), depending on whichever is lesser.
Allianz Global Assistance
Just like Manulife, Allianz Global Assistance has three distinct travel insurance plans featuring primary emergency medical coverage: the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, the OneTrip Prime Plan and the OneTrip Premier Plan.
OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan
The OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan offers adaptable and cost-effective travel insurance, encompassing comprehensive protection against scenarios like lost luggage, covered missed connections and covered trip delays.
- It includes emergency medical benefits of up to $50,000, providing coverage for covered illnesses or injuries sustained during your journey.
- This plan also features medical evacuation benefits of up to $250,000.
However, it's important to note that this plan does not include coverage for trip cancellation or trip interruption.
OneTrip Prime Plan
Distinguished from the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, the OneTrip Prime Plan encompasses benefits for trip cancellation and trip interruption. This entails reimbursement for nonrefundable prepaid trip expenses in the event of trip cancellation due to a covered reason.
- The OneTrip Prime Plan offered by Allianz Global Assistance features emergency medical benefits of up to $50,000 and emergency medical transportation benefits of up to $500,000.
- It also covers luggage-related matters, missed connections and travel delays.
OneTrip Premier Plan
The OneTrip Premier Plan elevates the majority of the post-departure benefits present in the OneTrip Prime Plan.
- It entails emergency medical benefits of up to $50,000 and emergency medical transportation benefits of up to $1 million.
- This plan includes extended travel delay benefits of up to $1,600, baggage loss or damage coverage of up to $2,000, baggage delay coverage of up to $600 and missed connection benefits of up to $1,600.
TuGo student travel insurance
TuGo travel insurance has two different plans for students:
Insurance Solutions for International Students in Canada
Medical and dental treatments can be quite costly in Canada, and it's a common challenge for international students who don't have access to provincial healthcare. This plan acts as your student travel medical insurance offering support in the event of an emergency so you don’t have to cover all medical expenses incurred during your stay in Canada.
Insurance Coverage for Canadian Students Studying Overseas
The comprehensive benefits of your provincial medical health plan may not offer coverage beyond borders. This implies that if you encounter a medical emergency while abroad, you could potentially face substantial medical expenses. In reality, many educational institutions mandate the possession of a medical insurance plan prior to commencing your courses — and this plan helps you with that.
Blue Cross Canada
Blue Cross travel insurance offers insurance for Canadian students studying abroad The suitable choices differ based on your travel destination. If you're certain about returning home on a monthly basis, an annual 31- or 60-day plan could offer the most fitting solution. On the other hand, if your absence extends beyond six months, a single-trip plan might be more suitable.
Here are more details:
| Plan | Medical only | Annual medical | Package Plus | Annual Package Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of coverage | Up to 365 days | Available for 17,31, 60, 90, 120,150 or 180 days | Up to 365 days | Available for 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days |
| Emergency medical care | ||||
| Trip cancellation | ||||
| Trip interruption | ||||
| Baggage |
Destination Travel Group
Destination Travel Group offers international student travel insurance, which addresses all the medical insurance needs of international students coming to study in Canada — or Canadians going abroad to study. It offers total coverage of up to $2,000,000. Here are some of the benefits you get:
- Drugs or Medications: You're eligible for up to $10,000, not exceeding a one-month supply.
- Maternity Benefit: Coverage extends up to $25,000 for pre-natal care, involuntary termination of pregnancy or complications. The pregnancy must have begun during the coverage period.
- Physical Examination: You're entitled to one routine physical examination or consultation for the "morning after pill" after purchasing 12 months of coverage, with a maximum benefit of $150.
- Emergency Air Transportation: When pre-approved by Active Care Management.
- Transportation of Family: You can receive up to $5,000 for transporting one family member and up to $1,500 for associated meals and accommodation.
- Accidental Dental: Emergency dental treatment resulting from accidental facial impact is covered up to $5,000.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Covered if stable in the 90 days prior to the effective date.
- Travelling Worldwide: Coverage is included when travelling outside your country of origin, provided you spend at least 51% of the coverage period in your country of study.
We recommend that you weigh multiple options before deciding to purchase a student travel insurance. All you need to do is use our comparator tool below and compare coverage, pricing, and get free quotes that are also personalised, from Canada's best travel insurance companies.
Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!
What’s the cost of student travel insurance in Canada?
The cost of student travel insurance in Canada will vary depending on the policy, the length of your trip and your age and health. Here is a breakdown of the factors that can affect the cost of student travel insurance:
- Destination: The cost of insurance will be higher for trips to more expensive destinations. For example, a trip to Europe will be more expensive than a trip to Mexico.
- Time of year: The cost of insurance will be higher during peak travel seasons. For example, the cost of insurance will be higher during the summer months than during the winter months given the intake of students.
- Level of coverage: The cost of insurance will increase with the level of coverage. For example, a policy with comprehensive coverage will be more expensive than a policy with basic coverage.
- Student's age: The cost of insurance will be higher for older students. This is because older students are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions.
- Student's health: The cost of insurance may be higher for students with pre-existing medical conditions. This is because students with pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to use the insurance.
- Discount: Several insurance providers in Canada offer student discount travel insurance plans, and this might affect the pricing as well.
Here are sample quotes from leading providers for your reference:
| Provider | Cost (CA$) for a 1-week trip within Canada for a 20-year-old student |
|---|---|
| Manulife Travel Insurance | Starts at $64 |
| Allianz Global Assistance | Starts at $79 |
| TuGo Travel Insurance | Starts at $75 |
| Blue Cross Canada | Starts at $59 |
| Destination Travel Group | Starts at $81 |
Is travel insurance mandatory for Canada student visa?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for a Canada student visa. However, it is highly recommended to have one. The Canadian government does not require international students to have travel insurance, but many schools do. In fact, some schools may require you to show proof of travel insurance before they will let you enrol. Several schools in Canada offer insurance options for students at subsidised rates.
