Health insurance for international students is important to cover the costs of medical care in case of accident or sickness while studying abroad. As an international student, it is vital to ensure you have the best student health insurance for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and accidental death and dismemberment. At American Visitor Insurance we offer a wide range of deductibles and co-insurance for foreign student insurance which meet school requirements, including for those on F1 visa, OPT status, F2 visa, sports coverage, M-1/M-2 or J visas as well as for US students studying abroad.
If you are planning to pursue further studies in the US, it is definitely a good decision. You will meet with people from various countries and experience different cultures and traditions. You may also be able to learn a foreign language! The number of international students traveling to the US is increasing. This is no surprise as students passing out of US universities are highly preferred by employers worldwide. Along with getting quality education, living in the US also prepares one for the life ahead.
Before you start making a list of all the important items you need to take with you to the US, put some thought into purchasing international student insurance USA for yourself. The right insurance plan will cover you for all the unexpected incidents during your stay in the US. Your parents can also relax knowing that you are adequately covered for most contingencies. And you will be able to focus on just the important stuff. Here is a checklist to refer to so you know what student travel insurance needs to cover essentially.
It's common knowledge that even getting a routine check-up in the US can prove to be very costly. As you'll be staying in the US for at least a year to complete your course, your travel insurance will have to cover all your medical expenses.
In a country where general healthcare is very costly, the costs related to air-lifting will obviously be even higher. An individual may need to be evacuated for several reasons.
Quite a few unexpected costs may crop up during the journey itself. Travel insurance normally covers expenses in certain cases. Go through your policy in detail and make sure your insurance covers you for the following incidents.
Remember that insurance companies have a cap on the maximum amount you can claim in the case of theft. They will also consider the depreciation value of costly items such as laptops or cameras. So don't expect to be paid the full value of such items in case they are stolen or lost.
If you are deliberately going to put your life at risk by engaging in extreme sports, you will need extra cover. Your normal student travel insurance won't be able to take care of the costs that you may have to incur in case of any mishaps.
Don't let that deter you from experiencing the thrills of sky diving, bungee jumping, hiking or river rafting though! Read through the documents with a keen eye and make note of all the exceptions and exclusions to the policy. Compare policies from different companies and assess which one is best suited to your needs.
Don't choose a policy just because the premium fits your budget. It is more important to select a policy that provides adequate coverage. Conversely, don't select a policy with the highest premium thinking that it will be the best for you. Chances are such a policy may require you to pay for coverage that you don't need at all. For instance, if you know for sure that you're not going to indulge in extreme sports, there's no need to purchase a policy that covers you for the same.
While the above are basic things that a student travel insurance policy should cover, there are many optional extras provided by insurance companies. These may include providing cover for medical treatment even after the insured has reached his home country, expatriation costs so that the insured can fly back to the foreign country to continue with his studies, costs related to kidnapping, ransom, and false arrest.
With any insurance policy you purchase, you will need to pay an excess amount whenever you need to claim the money. If your finances allow you, you can opt to pay a higher excess amount. This will reduce the amount of the premium that you'll have to pay. Lastly, purchase the right policy as soon as you spot it.
At times, policies don't come into effect until a certain time period has lapsed. It could also be possible that the right offer may be available only for a limited time. You need to be armed with the right student travel insurance policy so that you're all set to fly to the US and enjoy a new phase of your life!
The international student insurance for USA cost per month ranges from $30 to $115. The price depends on the factors such as student's age, coverage duration, medical benefits, deductible, and co-insurance. Additionally the student health insurance cost in the US also depends on coverage for mental illness, dental expenses, hazardous sports, maternity and coverage for pre-existing ailments. Here at American Visitor insurance we have calculated the cost of health insurance for international students to help you compare and make an informed choice while buying the plan.
The cost of health insurance for an international student per month aged 20 years.| Insurance Plans | Policy maximum | Deductible | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite IMG | $150,000 | $100 | $30 |
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips | $200,000 | $0 | $32 |
| Student Journey Plus IMG | $300,000 | $500 | $48 |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips | $500,000 | $0 | $53 |
| Patriot Exchange IMG | $50,000 | $250 | $58 |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | $250 | $63 |
| Student Journey Platinum IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips | $1,000,000 | $0 | $104 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $115 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Review student insurance plan benefits.
Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.
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Some plans cover high school sports activities.
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Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
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Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.
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Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.
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Student insurance who need coverage for existing medical ailments.
Know more »The steps for buying the best student health insurance for international students in the US are:
Compare and buy Best health insurance for international medical graduates in USA
Click here to read more »There are quite a few US health insurance for students that cover sports activities. It is hard to pick one plan as the best plan. There might be slight differences in the kind of sports activities that they cover. However, here is a list of plans which provide great coverage for sports activities:
The best sports health insurance for international students on American Visitor Insurance offer are the Diplomat America or Diplomat LongTerm insurance for intercollegiate sports coverage. The policy allows students to put a specific sports rider on the policy (low, medium, or high) depending on the sport to be covered. Under this enhancement, the maximum benefit pay out is reduced to $20K for any covered injury or illness resulting from the sports activity. The cost depends on the sport to be covered.
The Low Option -(additional $12.00 flat monthly rate) is for Ballet; Baseball; Cheerleading; Cross Country; Diving; Equestrian; Fencing; Field Hockey; Golf; Polo (Horse); Polo (Water); Rowing; Softball; Surfing; Swimming; Tennis; Track & Field; and Volleyball.
The Middle Option (additional $26.00 flat monthly rate) will cover Basketball; Competitive Cycling (Road, Track, CX); Ice Hockey; Inline Skating (Helmet & Proper Equipment Required); Lacrosse; Martial Arts/Karate; Modern Pentathlon; Skiing (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill); Ski Jumping; and Wrestling.
The High Option (additional $80.00 flat monthly rate) will cover Football (No Division One); Gymnastics; Rugby (No Division One); and Soccer. The LongTerm plan can be extended, but the Diplomat America plan cannot be extended or renewed.
Patriot Exchange Insurance plan from IMG is more affordable than Diplomat America and covers high school sports teams. However, it does not include coverage for varsity sports regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) nor the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). You only get this coverage if you choose the “Add-on” Rider (NOT the Adventure Sports Rider) . Patriot Exchange insurance cost starts at $73 per month for a young adult without the rider, and it covers up to $250,000 with a $100 deductible.
Student Health Advantage from IMG and Student Secure Elite from WorldTrips plans offer coverage for intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, and club sports with a $5,000 benefit limit.
However, some other plans like Navigator for Students (GeoBlue) and StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips) limit coverage to $5,000 or less for student athletes.
International students may need medical evacuation and repatriation insurance to meet visa or school requirements.
The U.S. continues to be a top choice for international students, offering not only academic excellence but also practical work opportunities through programs like OPT. With rising enrollment and record-high participation in OPT, the country solidifies its position as a leader in global education and career advancement. International students are encouraged to explore these opportunities to build a strong foundation for their future careers.
The total number of international students in the U.S. reached 11,26,690 in the academic year 2023-24, marking a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth underscores the U.S.'s continued appeal as a global education hub. International students now make up 5.9% of the total U.S. student enrollment, reflecting the diversity and global reach of American higher education.
| Year | Total international students | % international students |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 11,26,690 | 5.9% |
| 2022-2023 | 10,57,188 | 5.6% |
| 2021-2022 | 9,48,519 | 4.7% |
"After rigorous searching for suitable student health insurances online, I stumbled upon the American visitor Insurance website and the customer representatives were really patient and helpful in guiding me with the best plan that suits me."
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The health insurance cost for the college student will depend on the coverage benefits of the student insurance plan, the age of the student, the medical maximum coverage required and the deductible for the plan. The cost of student health insurance coverage within the US is more expensive when compared to coverage outside the US.
Most international student health insurance plans seem similar on first impressions. However, while they have many benefits in common and the premium is also similar, different student insurance plans do have some additional benefits or perhaps some specific constraints.
In order to choose the best plan based on the students requirements and to get sufficient coverage from the international student insurance plan, it is important to compare different features available in the student health insurance plan.
The following are important factors for comparing student health insurance plans:
Policy Maximum: This is the maximum amount on the insurance plan which normally ranges from $50,000 up to $1,000,000. This is the maximum a policy can cover in case of an extreme emergency as per the policy guidelines and conditions mentioned in the policy.
Deductible: The deductible options can range anywhere from $50 up to $5000 between the plans. A larger deductible means lower premium price and vice versa. Picking a large deductible thus low premium by choosing a comprehensive plan is usually recommended, as most of the comprehensive plans have an one time deductible and is cost effective.
Pre existing condition coverage: This is very important benefit factor as many customers need this benefit. The student plans have a minimum 6 month waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Coverage for mental illness and drug abuse: This coverage is required by most of the universities.
Cancellation and Renewability: Each plan have their unique cancellation and renew-ability policies. It is important to pay attention to it if there is any ambiguity while booking insurance initially.
Sports and other unique activities: Some of the plans provide coverage for intercollegiate and interscholastic sports... Based on these factors, American Visitor Insurance provides an excellent compare student medical insurance facility where getting quotes as per students’ requirements. Once the required information is entered in the form, a summary of popular student insurance plans are displayed which can be compared.
The best student medical insurance will vary for each student. There is no single student insurance which will work as the best international student health insurance plan for all students.
The factors to consider while identifying the best student insurance will be the coverage benefits, the provider network and the cost of the health insurance for international students.
F1 students in the USA are not required to have health insurance. However, most universities mandate that international students have health insurance coverage, either by enrolling in the school's health plan or providing proof of equivalent coverage. This ensures that students have access to necessary medical care and are protected from high medical costs.
Health insurance is not mandatory for obtaining a USA student visa. However, it is highly recommended for international students to have travel health insurance for USA to cover unforeseen events. Once in the US, students should focus on securing comprehensive health insurance for their stay.
In the USA, healthcare isn’t free and given the high cost of healthcare in the US a minor injury or accident could set you back tens of thousands of dollars. This can cause financial strain on students, especially those with limited budget. International student health insurance is highly recommended in the U.S. and essential for ensuring peace of mind while studying in the U.S.
No. International students are not eligible for Medicare. Medicare is a US government program only available to US citizens or US permanent residents who have paid into the US system.
International student health insurance is health insurance coverage for individuals who are studying abroad either short or long term while away from their home countries. Many of the US domestic health insurance plans may not cover a person fully while abroad. Also, some international programs may require certain levels of health insurance while participating in their programs. Luckily, we at American Visitor Insurance have made it easy to compare and find a cheapest health insurance for international students in USA just right for you and your situation.
Commonly asked questions about cheapest international student health insurance.
Click here to read more »Resources for cheapest insurance for international students in USA.
Click here to read more »Factors while buying best international student health insurance USA.
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Click here to read more »Customer queries and answers about medical insurance.
Click here to read more »International student medical insurance plans for students studying abroad.
Click here to read more »Students when they travel outside their home country to study along with the university academic experience also get an opportunity to experience a new culture and to see different parts of the world and meet new people with varied backgrounds. We work with several US insurance providers that offer excellent student F1 health insurance.
We have developed an excellent compare F1 visa student travel insurance tool and have article and FAQ's with information for the best travel insurance for f1 students studying abroad. Our international student insurance plan comparison facilities lists the student travel insurance that satisfies the student requirements.
Students can find the cheapest health insurance for international students in USA as well as outside the USA. Other than the cost, we also display relevant coverage details of health insurance for international students on F1 visa studying in the USA.
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