It’s that time of year again — schools and universities across the U.S. are getting ready for a new academic term. At American Visitor Insurance, we've helped thousands of students find reliable and affordable international student insurance for studying in the U.S. and abroad.
In most cases, student insurance policies require the F1 or J1 visa holder to be listed as the primary insured on the policy — regardless of gender. Their F2 or J2 dependents (spouse or children) can typically be added to the plan as additional insured members. However, some specialized plans do allow a J2 visa or F2 visa holder to purchase coverage as the primary policyholder.
For general cases, we recommend a comprehensive policy with a $100,000+ maximum coverage — this is also required for J1/J2 visas.
If your institution has a detailed list of requirements, here are policies that meet many of them:
| Coverage Requirement | Recommended Plans |
|---|---|
| Unlimited Maximum | $200,000 to over $1 million. However, for institutions that require unlimited coverage, options are limited. Currently, the only plan we offer with an GeoBlue Navigator for Students |
| Maternity / Pregnancy Coverage | These plans typically cover 80% of expenses in-network and 70% or 60% out-of-network, depending on the provider. Student Secure Elite, Student Secure Select, Student Health Advantage Platinum |
| Mental Health | 75% cover with GeoBlue Navigator for Students, Student Secure Elite or Student Secure Select |
| Alcohol / Drug Abuse | 75% with GeoBlue Navigator for Students, $3K with Student Secure Budget, Student Secure Elite, Student Secure Select, Student Health Advantage, Student Health Advantage Platinum plans (all). |
| Athletic Teams & Sports | GeoBlue Navigator for Students, Student Secure Select/Student Secure Elite, Student Health Advantage |
| High School Athletics | Patriot Exchange (URC add-on plan) |
| Pre-Existing Conditions (No Waiting) | GeoBlue Navigator |
| Pre-Existing Conditions (6-Month Waiting) | Most Student Plans (Check specifics) |
| Preventive & Wellness Care | GeoBlue Navigator, Study USA Plans (1 physical/year) |
Not all plans allow coverage for dependents. However, Patriot Exchange allows dependents at the same cost as the primary insured. Others may charge significantly more or not allow dependents at all.
⚠️ Note: Most short-term international student plans are not Affordable Care Act (ACA) student insurance compliant. If your school insists on ACA-compliant insurance, you'll likely need to purchase the plan offered directly by the institution.
Note that all international student health insurance plans are billed in full calendar months. For example, if you enroll for one month and one day, you’ll be charged for two full months. To avoid extra costs, it's advisable to purchase coverage for the entire month, especially if there’s a chance your stay in the U.S. may be extended.
Still unsure whether a policy meets your university’s requirements? Reach out to us! Send a link or PDF of your school’s insurance requirements and we’ll help you choose the right international student medical insurance.
Student Insurance Quotes »American Visitor Insurance wishes you a great new year filled with learning and improvement! Good luck!
Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.
Some plans cover high school sports activities.
Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.
Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.
Student insurance who need coverage for existing medical ailments.
The Cheapest health insurance for F-1 international students is the Student Journey Lite plan, with premiums starting at just $30 per month.
Other Affordable student health insurance options also includes the StudentSecure Smart plan and the Student Journey Plus plan.
The Best health insurance plans for international students in the USA include Student Journey Platinum by IMG, the Patriot Exchange Program from IMG, and StudentSecure Select from WorldTrips.
Selecting the right plan depends on several factors such as your individual health needs, budget, university insurance requirements, and visa status.
How much is Low-cost medical insurance for international students in America? How much does Insurance for foreign students in America cost per month?
The monthly cost of international student insurance for USA ranges from $30 to $124, depending on the level of coverage selected.
| Insurance Plans | Policy maximum | Deductible | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | $150,000 | $100 | $30 |
| StudentSecure Smart | $200,000 | $0 | $32 |
| Student Journey Plus | $300,000 | $500 | $48 |
| StudentSecure Budget | $500,000 | $0 | $53 |
| Patriot Exchange | $50,000 | $250 | $56 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 | $250 | $71 |
| Student Journey Platinum | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure Select | $1,000,000 | $0 | $106 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard | $500,000 | $250 | $124 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Review student insurance plan benefits.
The monthly cost of health insurance for U.S. students studying abroad typically ranges from $26 to $289, depending on the level of coverage selected.
| Insurance Plan | Policy Maximum | Deductible | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips |
$200,000 | $0 | $26 |
| Patriot Exchange Program IMG |
$50,000 | $250 | $39 |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips |
$500,000 | $0 | $47 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG |
$500,000 | $250 | $82 |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips |
$1,000,000 | $0 | $80 |
| Student Health Advantage Platinum IMG |
$1,000,000 | $25 | $246 |
| Navigator Student GeoBlue |
Unlimited Coverage | $0 | $289 |
Review student insurance plan benefits.
International students in the US come from different countries, with diverse economic backgrounds and face different financial needs. At American Visitor Insurance we offer health insurance for international students with flexible payment structures designed to make it more affordable and convenient, whether they are in the US for a semester or for an entire program spanning many semesters.
There are different student insurance payment options available depending on the insurer and the length of coverage. The payment options are mainly either monthly or yearly, and the purchase can be either by paper or bought online. Here are some details of the different payment options for international student insurance in the U.S.
| Payment Period | Highlights | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Monthly payments, with recurring installments | Flexible with small installments | Overall higher total cost, and time consuming, Student must remember to pay on time to keep student medical insurance active. |
| Yearly | Pay the full premium up front (for entire policy period usually one year) | Cheaper than monthly payments, no risk of losing coverage by oversight | Larger upfront cost |
| Method | Description | Speed | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Application | Complete online application and payment on American Visitor Insurance | Fast — Policy issued instantly | Most common and use Credit card |
| Paper Application | Complete paper forms and submit documents by post | Slower — Takes time (few days) to process | Can pay by Check |
If you’re an international student planning to study in the USA on an F1 visa, having the right health insurance is essential. Most of the universities typically require F1 students to have health insurance coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and often mental health or maternity care. To make sure you meet both university and visa requirements, explore our comprehensive guide on best F1 visa health insurance requirements in USA.
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. On American Visitor Insurance we offer the best sports health insurance plans for international students.
Coverage level |
Add-on cost (flat monthly rate) |
Sports covered |
| Low Option | $12.00 | Ballet, Baseball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Horse Polo, Water Polo, Rowing, Softball, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball |
| Middle Option | $26.00 | Basketball, Competitive Cycling (Road, Track, CX), Ice Hockey, Inline Skating (with helmet/proper gear), Lacrosse, Martial Arts/Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Skiing (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill), Ski Jumping and Wrestling |
| High Option | $80.00 | Football (No Division I), Gymnastics, Rugby (No Division I) and Soccer |
"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."
"Your customer service provided me with perfect service and helped me very much to find policy I needed (for J2 visa). She was very polite and answered all my questions. I'm fully satisfied with the service. Thank you very much!."
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