Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

If you are going to spend a period studying abroad, it is important to be covered for eventualities. Learn all about student travel insurance and what are the best options to hire.

Anyone who goes to study abroad has to deal with big changes at once: new culture, new language, new life. Now, imagine being caught off guard by an emergency and having to deal with it all by yourself? This is where the importance of student travel insurance comes in.



Of course, we hope you never need to use your insurance while studying abroad. However, as healthcare can be quite expensive abroad – and in some countries there is even an obligation to take out insurance – it is always better to be prepared, don't you think?

We have gathered all the necessary information about student travel insurance to help those who want to know more about it and are looking for the best plan to hire. If you fit that picture, check out this article with everything you need to know. ?

In this post you will see:

What is student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance is a guarantee you have that you will be covered if a problem occurs while you are out of the country. Not only health-related issues are included in this coverage, but also situations such as lost luggage, trip cancellation, among other misfortunes.



Whether it's high school, a seasonal language course, an undergraduate, graduate or specialization course, it's insurance designed for students throughout their trip, no matter their age. 

It works in the same way as a international travel insurance common, with the same basic coverage: medical and hospital, dental, medical return, medical transfer, body transfer, and compensation for disability and death. You can check out the full coverage of most student travel insurance below.

Check out all student travel insurance options.

Types of student travel insurance

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Travel insurance gives students more security during the exchange – Photo: Unsplash

Student travel insurance can be purchased as international travel insurance, even if it is longer, compared to a common trip. This type is more recommended for those who are going to take a short course, of one or two months.

Another option is the long term travel insurance, also called long stay, for trips over 61 days and up to 365 consecutive days, with the possibility of renewing the contract for another year, if desired. This type has a higher indemnity to be used as many times as necessary during the stay.

Or even opt for annual travel insurance in which a one-year plan is contracted to guarantee medical and hospital coverage in the same travel destination. Now if you want to take advantage of the trip to get to know more than one country, it is recommended to hire the multi-destination travel insurance with coverage for several countries simultaneously.


PB4, IB2 or credit card insurance count as student travel insurance?

For those who have the PB4 or IB2 Certificates of Right to Medical Assistance (agreements between Portugal, Cape Verde and Italy with España), it is also recommended to take out student travel insurance. This is because the coverage of the certificates is limited to health, while the insurance covers other points such as damage to luggage, trip cancellation, and other benefits previously mentioned here.


Already credit card travel insurance is also a valid option. These coverages, however, are limited to 90 days in most cases. Therefore, it is worth confirming with the card administrator if your case will be covered. Otherwise, you will need to purchase your plan separately.

Is student travel insurance mandatory?

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

It is super important to research student travel insurance plans in depth – Photo: Unsplash

Student travel insurance is mandatory in the countries of Europe that are part of Schengen Treaty. There are 26 countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Países Baixos, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland.

Other countries like Cuba, Venezuela, New Zealand and Ecuador also require you to take out travel insurance. So it's worth checking out what the rules are required in each of them.


A Ireland It also does not require the purchase of travel insurance, but it does require the contracting of Irish health insurance for those who stay in the country for more than 90 days. This government health insurance only covers medical expenses, so if you want to visit other countries in Europe You will need to take out international travel insurance. Find out more details on the official Irish government website.

And in Australia, like Ireland, also does not require insurance, but requires the hiring of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSCH) – a type of local insurance for students. Likewise, this Australian government health insurance only covers emergency medical and hospital expenses within the country. See the official Australian government website for more information.


Already United Kingdom, Canada and os United States do not require the presentation of insurance, but it is strongly recommended that one is taken out. After all, paying for private healthcare in any of these countries means paying a high amount of money. A value that could be saved by investing in exchange travel insurance, which is much more economical than most people imagine.

Check out all student travel insurance options.

How much does student travel insurance cost?

It is possible to hire good student travel insurance for prices from R$ 20 per day. You can even use the online insurance comparator to check available plans.

The amount of insurance may vary depending on the person who hires the service or the activities you intend to do at the destination. For example, an elderly person will have travel insurance a little more expensive than a 20-year-old, and an athlete who practices extreme sports will also have a plan with a higher value.

Check out all student travel insurance options.

insurance discount coupon

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Better than being covered against possible emergencies during the trip, it is better to hire insurance at the best price on the market. For this, Travel Tips readers can use the coupon FORTRAVELOVERS and guarantee 5% off the final price. Too much, huh?

Oh, and there is an additional 5% discount for those who pay with boleto, pix or transfer, and these discounts are cumulative. In other words, you can guarantee savings of up to 10% on your exchange travel insurance. Also remembering that the purchase of insurance can be paid in up to 12 installments, making payment as easy as possible.

  • Click to redeem coupon FORTRAVELOVERS and get 5% off
  • Pay by boleto, Pix or wire transfer to earn an extra 5% and reach the 10% off!

Best travel insurance for students

Below are some travel insurance plans for students with good coverage and cost-effectiveness. We use the online platform Promo insurance to compare the main options on the market. Just take a look:

UA 40 World Special

Coverage of US$ 40 for medical and hospital expenses + US$ 1.200 for luggage insurance. It also covers sports, pregnant women, dental emergencies and also has pharmaceutical reimbursement. – SEE PRICES

AC 35 World (Except USA)

Coverage of US$ 35 for medical and hospital expenses + US$ 1.200 for luggage insurance. It also covers sports, pregnant women, dental emergencies and legal assistance. – SEE PRICES

TC 40 North America + Covid19

Coverage of US$ 40 thousand for medical and hospital expenses + US$ 1.300 for luggage insurance. It also covers all expenses related to Covid-19, dental emergencies, pharmaceutical reimbursement and even offers a $1.500 return travel guarantee. – SEE PRICES

See below for more details on the best insurers or check out other options at online comparator.

InsuranceUniversal AssistanceAssist Cardtravel care
PlanoUA 40 World SpecialAC 35 World (except USA)TC 40 North America + Covid19
Medical and hospital expensesU.S. $ one thousand 40U.S. $ one thousand 35U.S. $ one thousand 40
Medical coverage for sportsInside DMHInside DMH (per event)
coverage for pregnant womenWithin DMH – Up to 28 weeksWithin DMH (per event) – Up to 28 weeksNo
dental coverageUS$ 500US$ 500US$ 500
pharmaceutical coverage$500 (refund)$500 (refund)$800 (refund)
Medical expenses for covid-19NoNoU.S. $ one thousand 10
sanitary returnU.S. $ one thousand 20U.S. $ one thousand 30U.S. $ one thousand 60
Flight delay expenses$100 (6 Hours)US$ 300
Assistance in locating lost luggageYesYesYes
Danos to malaUS$ 100NoUS$ 300
Lost luggage insurance$1.200 (supplementary)$1.200 (additional)$1.300 (supplementary)
Legal assistance for traffic accidentUS$ 1.200U.S. $ one thousand 4US$ 1.500
insurance valueR$ 19,17 (per day)R$ 25,75 (per day)R$ 49,53 (per day)

How to get student travel insurance?

Hiring exchange travel insurance is very simple and you can do it over the internet. A highly recommended insurance comparator is Promo insurance, a site that we trust and that offers all the information on the best plans on the market to help you make your choice.

Right on the home page, select the continent of destination, enter the departure and arrival dates, fill in your name, your email, your telephone number and click on “research".

You will be directed to a list of available insurance for the destination. To use the comparator, choose from two to four plans and select the option “compare plan“. Then click on the “compare“ on the lower right side of the screen. Ready! Now you can see the advantages of each insurance side by side to make a decision and finalize the purchase.

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Click on the image and check out the main options available

After hiring, you receive your travel insurance policy by email. Keep this document well, as it contains the general conditions of the contracted plan and all the information on how to call the insurance company in case of an emergency.

So, if there is any eventuality on the trip, you can contact the insurance company via phone, WhatsApp, online chat or email. All contact numbers and forms are available on the policy – ​​so keep the document in an easily accessible place.

It is also worth remembering that all insurers listed in the Promo insurance support 24 hours, seven days a week and entirely in Portuguese. That is, even if you are in France, don't worry, the service will be super easy!

Check out all student travel insurance options.

Student travel insurance coverage

Exchange travel insurance must cover medical, hospital and dental expenses, in addition to other items. The most common occurrences that travel insurance covers are:

  • 24-hour medical, hospital or dental care on international trips
  • Sanitary repatriation
  • medical transfer
  • Body transfer and coverage for death while traveling
  • Total disability due to accident while traveling
  • Legal/financial assistance
  • Death or serious illness of a family member

There are also some extra coverages that you can purchase with travel insurance:

  • Support for Covid-19 and Pandemics
  • trip cancellation
  • Early return due to accident
  • Expenses for misplaced, lost or damaged luggage
  • Accidents in extreme sports
  • flight delay
  • Pregnant

#DicaImportant: Read the policy carefully and ask all your questions before purchasing your travel insurance. Seguros Promo has a great service to help you, and you can also contact insurance companies directly.

Does the insurance cover pre-existing illnesses, psychiatric care and pregnancy?

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Travel insurance is recommended because it is more comprehensive than simple health insurance – Photo: Unsplash

Travel insurance does cover cases related to pre-existing illnesses. However, it never hurts to read the entire policy and make sure of this coverage before hiring the plan.

Psychiatric/psychological assistance is not usually offered by insurers. It is common for people to go through periods of difficulty during their time abroad, due to being away from family and friends, but in these situations the service must be paid separately by the student himself.

Now, if you are a woman and are going to travel with your partner/boyfriend/husband, or even want to find a date at the destination, know that student-specific insurance does not cover pregnancy. If you think you run this risk, take out a “common” plan that has coverage for pregnant women (preferably the same as DMH).

Does student travel insurance cover coronavirus?

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Os travel insurance with coverage for Covid are identified by the product title

There are, yes, some travel insurances that cover medical care related to Covid-19. However, it is worth noting that not all of them are.

To ensure that you will have travel insurance coverage if you are diagnosed with Covid abroad, look for plans that specify this particularity. It is common to have this information right in the title of the insurance product, as you can see in the examples below. Even so, always remember to read the policy carefully and ask any questions before hiring.

A good way to look for travel insurance with coverage for Covid-19 is to use a online plan comparator. So you can look side by side the deductible provided by each insurer, and choose the one that best fits your reality.

How does student travel insurance work?

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

Student travel insurance is essential for studying abroad – Photo: Unsplash

Travel insurance is like a health plan, which allows you to be seen by a doctor abroad, as well as offering assistance in other situations, such as legal problems. It can work for assistance or refund.

The options available for assistance in the online comparator provide direct support when an emergency occurs. That is, you contact the insurance company and they instruct you on what to do or how to go to the hospital, for example. That way you don't have to pay anything extra for it, as the insurance bears all the expenses of the service.

Reimbursement insurance, on the other hand, directs you to go straight to the doctor, dentist, or any other professional who will help you, and only then activate the insurance. In these cases, you pay out of pocket and then present the receipts and invoices to receive the amount spent back. This type is most common in credit card travel insurance.

Check out all travel insurance options.

How to activate student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance – How to choose the ideal one for your trip

To call the insurance, just call the number on the policy – ​​Photo: Unsplash

To claim travel insurance, you can call your policy's telephone number, free of charge, from anywhere in the world. The service is always in Portuguese. Some insurers also have mobile apps, which makes communication even easier.

Always have your policy number and personal data handy. Tell the representative about your problem and he will give you the support you need to deal with the situation – and try to stay calm to understand the instructions and get out of the situation in the best way possible.

The fundamental thing is to carefully read the travel insurance policy, and understand the particularities of the plan you hired. If you have any difficulties when talking to the insurance company, go ahead and seek help, because the important thing is to receive the support you need. Then you contact the company to resolve the financial issue.

Check out all student travel insurance options.

Internet chip for students

How about spending your entire season 100% connected to the internet? With international travel chips this is possible, and for super fair prices, which don't weigh on your pocket. Check out the offers from America Chip and guarantee internet right now to use freely during the exchange. Enjoy and check out our America Chip discount coupon. - SEE PRICES

Frequently Asked Questions

What is student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance is a guarantee you have that you will be covered if a problem occurs while you are out of the country. Not only health-related issues are included in this coverage, but also situations such as lost luggage, trip cancellation, among other misfortunes. Find out more about the student travel insurance

What is the best student travel insurance?

Some of the best student travel insurance options are: UA 40 World Specialthe AC 35 World and the TC 40 North America + Covid19. You can check out more options student travel insurance.

How much does student travel insurance cost?

It is possible to hire good student travel insurance for prices on average of R$ 20 per day. You can even use a online insurance comparator to check available plans.

Is student travel insurance mandatory?

Travel insurance for students may be mandatory, depending on the destination. Some countries of Europe, which are part of the Schengen Treaty, require you to take out insurance. already the United States and the United Kingdom, no. Learn more about how the student travel insurance.

Where to buy student travel insurance?

Buying student travel insurance is very simple and you can do it online. A highly recommended insurance comparator is Promo insurance, a site that we trust and that offers all the information on the best plans on the market to help you make your choice.

What does student travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers medical, hospital and dental expenses, body transfer, medical return and medical transfer, in addition to other items and extra options that can be contracted. Learn more about plans.

How does student travel insurance work?

Student travel insurance is like a health plan, which allows you to be seen by a doctor abroad, as well as offering assistance in other situations, such as legal problems. It can work for assistance or refund. See details.

How to activate student travel insurance?

To activate travel insurance during the exchange, simply call the telephone number of your policy, free of charge, from anywhere in the world. The service is always in Portuguese. Some insurers also have mobile apps, which makes communication even easier. DISCOVER MORE.

Can I cancel my travel insurance?

To cancel travel insurance, contact the insurance company and request cancellation. But attention: this request must be made up to two days before the validity of the plan (departure date). After this time, it is no longer possible to cancel the travel insurance. know more about student travel insurance.

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