Question 1

What is the difference between International Health and Travel Insurance?

Accepted Answer

International Health Insurance

International Health Insurance is also known as Overseas Medical Insurance by many people. It is a policy document which gives guarantee to pay (partly or in full) for the medical expenses incurred by a person buying IHI for a longer period of time and in return that person pays an amount periodically or one-time for it which is called Insurance Premium. This type of insurance is specifically designed for people living like locals in a foreign country for a longer period of time and it may be required by them as a mandate. It includes coverage for the expenses incurred due to following medical and related problems:

- Chronic illness
- Medical surgery
- Emergency illness and injuries
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Dental and Vision injuries
- Hospital and OPD expenses
- among other things.

International Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a policy document which gives guarantee to pay (partly or in full) for any expenses incurred during travel from one country to another country by a person buying the insurance policy and in return that person pays an amount periodically or one-time for it which is called Insurance Premium. This type of insurance is specifically designed for people going to foreign countries for short term period for specific purposes and it may not be required by them as a mandate. It includes coverage for the expenses incurred during their travel:

- Medical expenses
- Trip cancellation and delay
- Loss of passport and baggage
- Financial Emergency Assistance
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Personal accident
- among other things.

As it can be seen above that International Travel Insurance not just cover the insured for the expenses during the travel or related to travel but also any medical or health problems during the travel or within the period of the Insurance policy. However, in this type of Insurance, the coverage for medical expenses is very limited as compared to the coverage offered in a pure International Health Insurance plan. Both Indian and American Insurance companies offer both kind of plans and it is upto the person to choose the plan best suited to his circumstances.

Question 2

Why is International Student Health Insurance important for studying abroad?

Accepted Answer

International Student Health Insurance is important as it covers medical expenses in the case of an unforeseen health issue, helps the students meet the Visa requirements, and saves them from high medical costs. It provides reassurance coverage for emergencies, doctor visits, and other health needs while studying abroad so students can concentrate on academics.

Question 3

Who is eligible to buy insurance?

Accepted Answer

Any person with a valid visa in order to travel abroad is eligible to buy our Insurance plans.

Question 4

What to look for when buying insurance?

Accepted Answer

Students going to U.S. on F-1/J-1 visa:

- University Insurance waiver criteria
- Premium
- Maximum coverage amount
- Out-of-pocket limit
- Preferred provider network
- PPACA compliance

For Individual travellers:

Following features of any Insurance plan should be taken into account:

- Premium
- Maximum coverage amount
- Coverage sub-limits
- In-patient and outpatient coverage
- Claim assistance & ratio
- Network of Hospitals

Question 5

How to identify the plans which fulfill the waiver requirements of a university?

Accepted Answer

Almost every University in U.S. has some criteria to waive out their own Health Insurance plan. Students going to a University should choose those external Health Insurance plans which fulfil the requirements or criteria of the University Insurance waiver.

These criteria can generally present in the brochure of the external Health Insurance plans which can be further compared with that laid down by University. Following are some of the examples:

1. External Health Insurance plan should have no limit on the maximum coverage
2. Plan should be ACA compliant
3. Plan should not have an Out-of-pocket limit of higher than $6,350.
4. Plan should cover for both In-patient and out-patient in a particular state or city.
5. Plan should have cover for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation.

Question 6

When to buy insurance?

Accepted Answer

It depends upon various factors as to when to buy International Health and Travel Insurance. Generally, it should be bought at least 15 days prior to the travel date.

Students going to U.S.:

Students going to U.S. on F-1 visa should carefully plan as to when to buy the Insurance plan. Students who are planning to opt for an external Health Insurance plan to waive the University Insurance can buy the insurance plan when the University Insurance waiver system gets activated, which is almost 1 month before the college starts.

For other students, they can buy the travel insurance plan before 15 days of the travel date.

Students going to other countries:

For some countries, Travel Insurance is mandatory for a tourist or study visa, so for that purpose, Insurance should be bought before applying for the Visa. Some people buy it as a packaged deal with the Air ticket, which is not advisable as there are limited options buying through this way, and customers tend to lose on benefits or reasonable costs which they might get with other insurance plans.

Question 7

How to choose between Indian and International Insurance Plans?

Accepted Answer

Students can choose between Indian and International Insurance plans on the basis of the following factors:

1. Destination Country
In various countries, students do not need a mandatory Insurance plan for a longer period of time. They can avail a short-term Travel Insurance, which can be a plan from any of the Indian Insurance companies. In the U.S., it is mandatory to have Health Insurance at all times, which is required by the University. In this case, if the University accepts Indian Insurance, students can take the same. Otherwise, they have to take a plan from a U.S. Insurance company suitable to them.

2. Personal Requirement:
Some students require a full-fledged Health Insurance plan irrespective of the country or mandatory requirements of the University, as they want to secure themselves for all expenses incurred due to medical problems. Some students may want only Travel Insurance, which has good travel benefits but limited coverage for medical expenses, either for short-term or for a year.

3. Visa Requirement:
A student or study visa for some countries requires applicants to have a mandatory short-term Insurance plan in their visa application.

4. University Requirement:
Universities in some countries require students to be insured under Health or Travel Insurance during the whole study period, as there are no public health schemes available for foreign students.

In Australia, students can only take plans from the Australian Insurance companies recommended by the University. They cannot take plans from any other Insurance company.

Question 8

What are the coverage under different insurance plans?

Accepted Answer

Indian Insurance Plans:

Following are the common features and benefits under the majority of plans from Indian Insurance companies:
1. Medical Expenses
2. Emergency Dental Pain Relief
3. Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
4. Personal Accident
5. AD & D Common Carrier
6. Loss of Baggage
7. Bail Bond Insurance
8. Accident to Sponsor
9. Family Visit
10. Personal Liability
11. Loss of Laptop
12. Loss of Passport
13. Study Interruption

Note: These plans typically have no Co-insurance or Co-pay but a Deductible of only $100. In addition to the above benefits, there are optional covers available, such as:
- Maternity/Pregnancy Expenses
- Mental and Nervous Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Suicide
- HIV and AIDS Cover
- Pre-existing Conditions Cover

International Insurance Plans:

Health Insurance:
1. Room and Board Expense
2. Intensive Care
3. Hospital Miscellaneous Expenses
4. Routine Newborn Care
5. Inpatient and Outpatient Physiotherapy
6. Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery
7. Anesthetist
8. Inpatient and Outpatient Physician’s Visits
9. Medical Emergency Expenses
10. Diagnostic X-ray Services
11. Radiation Therapy
12. Laboratory Procedures
13. Tests, Procedures, and Injections
14. Chemotherapy
15. Prescription Drugs

Travel Insurance:
1. Hospital Room and Board
2. Intensive Care Unit
3. Local Ambulance
4. Emergency Room Co-payment – Claims incurred in U.S.
5. Urgent Care Center – Claims incurred in U.S. (for each visit)
6. Outpatient Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care
7. Emergency Dental (Acute Onset of Pain)
8. Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition
9. Terrorism
10. Emergency Medical & Political Evacuation
11. Repatriation of Remains
12. Local Burial or Cremation
13. Crisis Response – Ransom
14. Optional Crisis Response Rider with Natural Disaster Evacuation
15. Emergency Reunion & Bedside Visit
16. Return of Minor Children or Pet
17. Trip Interruption
18. Accidental Death & Dismemberment
19. Lost Checked Luggage
20. Travel Delay
21. Natural Disaster – Replacement
22. Hospital Indemnity
23. Personal Liability

Question 9

How to purchase different insurance plans?

Accepted Answer

Indian Insurance Plans:

Students can purchase Indian Insurance plans through the following options:

1. Cash deposit or NEFT to the following current account:
   - BANK NAME: UNION BANK OF INDIA
   - ACCOUNT NAME: STUDENT COVER
   - ACCOUNT NO.: 691001010050060
   - IFSC CODE: UBIN0569101
   - BRANCH ADDRESS: KAROL BAGH
   - ACCOUNT TYPE: CURRENT

2. Students willing to pay directly to the respective Insurance company can request to generate a payment link. Through this link, they can pay the required Insurance premium online using Net Banking or a Debit/Credit Card.

3. Plans for some Insurance companies can be viewed and paid for via a separate link created specifically for Student Cover.

International Insurance Plans:

U.S. Insurance Plans:

Payment for plans from U.S. Insurance companies can be made on the dedicated website https://www.studentcover.in/. A form needs to be filled out with personal, university, and financial details. Students can also request specific purchasing steps from the Student Cover executive.

Other International Insurance Plans:

Payment for plans from other International Insurance companies can be made through separate links requiring personal, university, and financial details. Students can also request specific purchasing steps from the Student Cover executive.

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