Global Underwriters Student Sports Insurance is a specialized medical insurance coverage designed for international students in the U.S. These plans offer optional riders that cover injuries sustained while participating in organized sports such as intramural, intercollegiate, and club sports activities.
Two main plans offer sports coverage:
The plan pays 80% up to $5k of eligible costs, then 100% to the medical maximum. Additional $250 deductible for each emergency room visit as a result of an Illness is available. The emergency room deductible will be waived if hospital admittance is within 12 hours of the incident.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
This plan can renewable up to 3 years.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
Offers limited coverage while in the home country.The plans pays 80% up to $50k of the covered expenses, then 100% to a maximum of $50k for incidental trips to home country or $10k for extension of benefits.
Available for Outside of the USA and the insured’s home country. More Details »
Diplomat International plan is not renewable, if additional coverage time is needed, a new application must be completed.
If You purchase this optional benefit, and if You suffer a Loss due to an Accidental Injury while practicing, training for, or participating in Adventure Sports as defined. Adventure Sports means non-professional and non-competitive sports activities that are generally performed for recreation and leisure, and which are not a Bodily Contact Sport, Extreme Sport, Interscholastic Sport, Organized Sport or Mountaineering.
cycling, fishing, swimming, scuba diving for certified divers up to a maximum depth of sixty (60) feet and for uncertified divers up to a maximum depth of thirty (30) feet, snorkeling, white or black water rafting Grades 1-3, canoeing, kayaking, zip-lining, water skiing, camping, hiking, backpacking, sailing, boating, downhill Skiing, cross country Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sledding or tobogganing, snow tubing, ice skating, resort-sponsored activities, and approved activities of the Travel Supplier.
If You purchase this optional benefit, and if you suffer a loss due to an accidental injury while practicing, training for, or participating in Bodily Contact Sports. Bodily Contact Sports means any competitive team sport in which players or participants may have direct physical contact with an opponent.
Bodily Contact Sports include but are not limited to: football, soccer, baseball, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby and lacrosse. Bodily Contact Sports do not include Adventure Sports, Extreme Sports, Interscholastic Sports, Organized Sports or Mountaineering.
Interscholastic Sports means any athletic contest or competition between accredited educational institutions if the participants are sponsored by the educational institution and are under the direct and immediate supervision of an employee of the educational institution. Interscholastic Sports includes the practice or training for the competition and the travel to or from such practice or competition in a vehicle designated by the educational institution, both while under the direct and immediate supervision of an employee of the educational institution. Interscholastic Sports do not include Adventure Sports, Bodily Contact Sports, Extreme Sports, Intramural Sports, Recreational Sports, club sports or Mountaineering.
If You purchase this optional benefit, the following coverage is available to You. The company will pay benefits for accidental injuries resulting in a Loss, as described in the Table of Losses below, that occurs while You are riding as a passenger in or on, boarding or alighting from, any conveyance operated under a license for the transportation of passengers for hire during the trip. The Loss must occur within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the Accident causing the Loss. The Principal Sum is shown on the Schedule of Benefits.
If more than one Loss is sustained as the result of an Accident, the amount payable shall be the largest amount shown in the Table of Losses.
Table of losses:
Loss of | Percentage of Principal Sum |
---|---|
Life | 100% |
Both hands or both feet | 100% |
Sight of both eyes | 100% |
One hand and one foot | 100% |
Either hand or foot and sight of one eye | 100% |
Either hand or foot | 50% |
Sight of one eye | 50% |
Speech and hearing in both ears | 100% |
Speech | 50% |
Hearing in both ears | 50% |
Thumb and index finger of same hand | 25% |
To cover sports and hazardous activities, you can add the Athletic and Hazardous Activity Rider. Premiums are adjusted based on the sport's risk level:
Risk Category | Approximate Monthly Add-on Cost | Sports Covered |
---|---|---|
Low | $12 | Ballet, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Swimming, Volleyball, etc. |
Medium | $26 | Basketball, Ice Hockey, Martial Arts, Skiing, Wrestling, etc. |
High | $80 | Football (non-Division I), Rugby, Soccer, Gymnastics. |
These rider costs are in addition to the base insurance plan premiums.
Yes, Global Underwriters student insurance plans offer specific coverage for medical emergencies arising from participation in organized sports activities. This protection is particularly valuable for students who are part of intercollegiate, intramural, or club sports teams.
The Global Underwriters travel insurance cost will depend on the age of the traveler, the type of coverage and the length of the journey. Typically, travel health insurance policies can start even as low as $1 per day but is much higher for older travelers.
Many student insurance plans, such as Diplomat America and Diplomat LongTerm, allow students to purchase an optional sports rider at the time of application. You can select the coverage based on the risk level of the sport (low, medium, or high). For higher-risk sports, additional charges may apply, and coverage amounts might be subject to specific limits (typically $20,000 for covered sports injuries).
The cost to add a sports coverage rider varies by the risk category of the chosen sport. For example, low-risk sports may be added for a flat monthly rate (such as $12/month), while higher-risk activities will cost more.
Yes, most universities in the U.S. require international students to have insurance that covers sports injuries if the student will participate in intercollegiate or club sports. Not all basic health plans cover these injuries, so a plan or rider specifically for sports is often needed.
Extreme or professional sports are usually excluded, and some plans do not cover varsity athletics governed by organizations like the NCAA or NAIA unless a particular add-on is purchased. Always check the list of covered and excluded sports in your policy documents.
Many U.S. universities require international students participating in sports to have insurance that specifically covers sports injuries — standard health plans often exclude these risks. Whether you're involved in low, medium, or high-risk sports, it’s vital to ensure your policy has appropriate coverage.
No, the plan is not renewable. You must submit a new application for extended coverage.
Non-U.S. residents traveling to or studying in the U.S. who are involved in sports activities can purchase Global Underwriters insurance plans with optional sports riders.
Generally, pre-existing conditions including previous sports injuries are limited or excluded. Review your policy documents or contact support for specifics.