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Student travel insurance

Studying abroad? Or off on a gap year? Confused about what insurance to get? This is where we come in to lend a helping hand.

Learn about all the cover you might want to consider getting for your trip. Or, if you're ready, compare quotes now to find a great deal on your student travel insurance.

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What is student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance is just that - travel insurance for students.

There are a variety of types available, from short single trip policies to long stay ones that’ll cover you while you’re studying abroad.

You can even get travel insurance for a gap year, or for long backpacking holidays. 

What types of travel insurance might be useful for students?

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Single-trip travel insurance

Covers you for a single trip to a single location. This could be good for short holidays.

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Long stay travel insurance

Covers you for trips of up to 18 months. Could be good for long stays, or studying abroad.

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Annual travel insurance

Covers you for multiple trips over 12 months. Could be good for those planning multiple holidays.

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Backpackers travel insurance

Covers you for long trips to multiple countries. Could be good for adventurous trips abroad.

Do I need student travel insurance to study abroad?

This depends on where you’re going, and what university you’re studying at.

You’ll need travel insurance to get a visa for certain regions like the Schengen area. But for others, travel insurance is entirely optional.

Some unis might insist you have study abroad insurance in place before you fly out to start your course. Others might not. Some might even have their own travel insurance in place to cover their overseas students, so check if this is the case for you.

Even if you don’t need student travel insurance, it can still be worth thinking about. Things like cancelled flights, lost baggage and unexpected medical bills can quickly ruin a trip abroad.

Travel insurance can take some of the sting out of these situations, so you can get on and enjoy your time away.

What does student travel insurance cover?

It normally includes

It doesn't normally cover

  • Travelling against FCDO adviceif the FCDO advises against travelling to a certain country, but you go anyway.
  • Alcohol and drugs, if illness, injury or death occurs due to the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Undeclared pre-existing medical conditionsif you need to receive treatment for an undeclared pre-existing medical condition.
  • Malicious or illegal behaviour, if something happens as a result of malicious or illegal behaviour you do, such as breaking the law.
  • Changing your mind and deciding you no longer want to go on your trip. You won't be able to claim for compensation in this case.

How much is student travel insurance?

1Lowest price for a 19-year-old with no medical conditions travelling to Spain for 3 nights. Prices correct November 2024. (Confused.com data)
2Lowest price for a 19-year-old with no medical conditions travelling to Europe. Prices correct November 2024 (Confused.com data)
3Lowest price for a 19-year-old with no medical conditions travelling to Europe for 3 months. Prices correct November 2024 (Confused.com data)

Student travel insurance could set you back just £3.131.

But exactly what you’ll pay for your insurance insurance depends on several things like:

  • Your age
  • Where you’re travelling
  • How long for
  • Your excess
  • Any extras you take out

Get a quote now to see our best deals on student travel insurance.

Can I get a student discount on my travel insurance?

This depends on the provider! Some insurers offer student discounts, while others don’t. 

To see if you can get a discount on your student travel insurance, compare quotes, pick a provider and contact them to ask about student discounts.

Just keep in mind that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best, and you should check that your insurance covers everything you need it to. 

Our tip? Compare policy details as well as prices, so you know exactly what you're covered for.

What travel insurance do I need for a gap year?

Exploring the wide world before buckling down for uni? Or taking a few years out to decompress after all those exams?

Whenever you’re heading out on a gap year, getting the right cover can give you (and those back home) peace of mind you’re covered if things don’t go to plan.

Here are some types of travel insurance to consider before heading out:

Interrailing travel insurance

Taking the train around Europe? Or interrailing further afield? Then getting the right cover is essential. Learn more about the insurance you’ll need to stay safe onboard with our handy guide.

Gap year travel insurance

A.K.A backpacker travel insurance, this type of cover can be good for those heading out for long stints across multiple countries. We compare policies for Europe, Australia & New Zealand, or the whole world.

Volunteering travel insurance

Planning to help out a good cause on your travels? Whether you’re volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in India or building a school in Brazil, insurance can help you out if something goes wrong.

Will travel insurance cover me for working?

This depends on your policy.

As it’s seen as higher risk than simply lying on the beach, some insurers may not cover working abroad.

Others might though, so it’s a good idea to check your policy documents to see exactly what you’re covered for.

Some employers may ask you to have valid travel insurance in place before they’ll hire you, so check whether this applies to you too.

Pro tip: To check if a policy covers working abroad, click ‘more info’ when you’re shown your quotes, and then click ‘policy information document’. This will show you exactly what that policy covers.

What our travel insurance expert says?

"Studying abroad is a great opportunity to experience a different culture, learn a new language, or explore the world. But, being away from home for longer periods of time comes with increased risk. Having the right student travel insurance policy could give you peace of mind that if anything happened, you're covered."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

What extras can I add on to my student travel insurance?

Policy add-ons let you customise your insurance to make sure it covers everything you need it to. 

Here’re some handy add-ons that students could find useful.

Gadget insurance

Taking your tech with you? Student travel insurance usually covers electricals anyway, but gadget insurance gives them an extra level of protection. You might get higher claim limits and be able to claim for a wider range of mishaps.

Winter Sports insurance

Skiing in Austria? Or snowboarding in Canada? Then winter sports cover could be worth thinking about. Standard student travel insurance won’t cover high-risk activities like snow sports. But this handy add-on means you can claim for a wide range of snow-sport-specific scenarios.

Adventure insurance

Just like with skiing, student travel insurance won’t usually cover risky activities like rock climbing or bungee jumping. Adventure travel insurance bulks up your cover to insure you for a host of high adrenaline activities. Just make sure to tell your insurer exactly what you’ll be doing.

Top tip: read the policy terms and conditions carefully before buying, so that you'll know what policy add-ons you need.

When should I take out student travel insurance

It might seem early, but it can be a good idea to take out travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip.

This way, you’re covered if you need to cancel further down the line, or if something happens like the FCDO declaring your destination unsafe to travel to.

You can take it out last minute, though. So if you're in a rush, don't worry. We've got you covered there too.

Do I need student travel insurance if I have a GHIC or EHIC

A GHIC card (or the earlier EHIC) gives you access to healthcare abroad.

It isn’t the same as travel insurance though. It lets you access healthcare at the same price as the residents of the country you’re staying in - as long as the country accepts GHICs (they aren’t always!). This means you may still have to pay for any medical care you receive abroad.

You won’t get any protection for your baggage, flights or accommodation either. With travel insurance, you will.

So, while GHICs are handy, they aren’t a substitute for student travel insurance.

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