Compare Student Travel Insurance Companies
Our top picks for student travel insurance are Travelex, Faye and Nationwide, which offer a blend of affordability and a range of coverage options.
| Company | Average Plan Cost | BBB Rating | CFAR Coverage | COVID-19 Coverage | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $212 | A+ | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | GET QUOTE | |
| $298 | Not Rated | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | GET QUOTE | |
| $216 | A+ | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | GET QUOTE | |
| $230 | A- | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | GET QUOTE | |
| $175 | A+ | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | GET QUOTE | |
| $255 | A+ | Yes, up to 60% | Yes | GET QUOTE |
No results were found.
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20
Companies Reviewed
500
Quotes Collected
36
Rating Factors
Top 6 Travel Insurance Companies for Students
Here are our top picks for companies that offer student travel insurance:
- Travelex: Our top pick
- Faye: Our pick for all-online experience
- Seven Corners: Our pick for international travelers
- AXA Assistance USA: Our pick for leisure travelers
- Nationwide: Our pick for cruise travel
- Generali Global Assistance: Our pick for emergency assistance
To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for travel insurance as a student, we requested quotes from each of the above providers, as listed in the table below. We collected sample quotes for seven trip types, outlined in our methodology.
Travelex Our pick for budget travelers
4.7
- AM Best Rating: A++
- CFAR coverage: Add-on
- COVID-19 coverage: Yes
We We Chose Travelex
As a student, price may be a main focus when shopping for travel coverage. Travelex is our top choice for affordable student travel insurance thanks to its low rates. It offers two policies — the Travel Select and Travel Basic plans — with coverage available from just $30 for most low-value trips. Travel Basic plans include limited coverage but can provide peace of mind for students traveling on a budget.
Each plan also includes access to the company’s 24-hour assistance services, a hotline you can call for help with a variety of travel-related issues, such as medical emergencies and lost passports. Note that you will need to purchase the higher-cost Travel Select to cover a trip longer than 30 days (like a semester abroad).
Pros & Cons
Pros Low-cost coverage Includes free 24/7 travel assistance services Extends $200 in frequent traveler benefits for cancellations Cons Lower-than-average coverage limits Must purchase higher-value coverage for trips longer than 30 days
Coverage & Cost
Add-On Options
Travelex offers the following add-on coverages with its travel insurance plans.
- CFAR coverage:Reimburses you up to 50% for nonrefundable expenses if a trip is canceled for a covered reason.
- Additional medical expense coverage:Extends your emergency medical expense coverage to $500,000 depending on your plan.
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D):Offers your family members up to $25,000 in death benefits if you die or are dismembered while traveling. Coverage excludes airline accidents.
- Adventure sports riders:Travelex’s policies exclude injuries from adventure sports from your emergency medical coverage. This waiver eliminates that exclusion, extending your coverage to sporting accidents.
Cost
To help you get an idea of how much you might pay for a travel insurance policy, we requested a few sample quotes directly from Travelex. Browse the table below to learn more about coverage costs.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $31–$45 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $31–$45 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $60–$83 |
Faye
OUR PICK FOR ALL-ONLINE EXPERIENCE
4.6
- COVID-19 Coverage: Yes
- CFAR Coverage: Add-on available
- AM Best Rating: NR
Why We Chose Faye
If you’re a digital native, you may enjoy how Faye leverages insurance tech to help you get a policy quickly and file a claim on the go. Benefitting from a digital underwriting process, Faye allows you to view policy options and start comparing quotes in seconds.
Launched in 2022, Faye may be a newcomer to the travel insurance industry, but its seamless online experience has already earned the company hundreds of positive online customer reviews.
Faye features an all-online quote process with just a handful of questions, enrollment and claims-filing process. You can enroll in coverage and file claims directly through its mobile app, and even be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s Faye wallet.Faye also offers real-time alerts and 24/7 customer service before and during your trip.
We recommend Faye to travelers who want a quick, all-online experience that doesn’t require wading through complicated coverage options.
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers quick, all-online quotes and enrollment *Can pay you $200 if your bags get delayed for six hours or more *Optional Cancel-for-any-reason add-on covers up to 75% of trip costs Be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s wallet Cons Only offers one plan option Does not offer add-on coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
Coverage & Add-Ons
*Coverage
Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.
| Coverage Item | Faye Travel Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of non-refundable trip costs |
| Trip interruption | Up to 150% of non-refundable trip costs |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $150 per item, up to $2,000 |
| Baggage delay | $200 if bags are delayed 6+ hours, $300 if bags are delayed 12+ hours |
| Medical expenses | Up to $250,000 (for International Trips) |
| Emergency evacuation | Up to $500,000 (for international Trips) |
Optional Add-Ons
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR)
- Rental car damage or theft
- Adventure and extreme sports protection
- Vacation rental damage protection
- Pet care
*Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.
Cost
A 30-year-old traveler planning a $4,000, five-day trip to the Bahamas would pay about $187 for travel insurance with Faye. Unlike competitors, this company offers only one policy for international travelers.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $96 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bahamas | $97 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $135 |
Seven Corners Travel Insurance Our pick for international travelers
4.5
- AM Best Rating: A
- CFAR coverage: Add-on
- COVID-19 coverage: Yes
We We Chose Seven Corners
Seven Corners is a travel insurance provider offering a range of affordable options for students living both in the U.S. and abroad. The Basic and Choice RoundTrip plans will be the most useful for students who are residents of the U.S., providing protections for trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation, and lost or stolen baggage.
It’s important to note that the coverage provided by the RoundTrip plan may be subject to certain limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read the policy details carefully and contact Seven Corners with any questions. However, with affordable rates and comprehensive plan inclusions, Seven Corners offers a great policy selection for students.
Pros & Cons
Pros Inclusive policies for student travelers May cover preexisting conditions Offers medical insurance for travel to the U.S. Cons Hurricane and inclement weather coverage has a longer delay period compared to some competitors The Choice Plan does not include coverage for security or political evacuations
Coverage & Cost
Add-On Options
Seven Corners allows you to enhance travel insurance policies with the following add-ons:
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage:Extends up to 75% reimbursem*nt for nonrefundable travel expenses. You must add CFAR coverage within 20 days of your initial trip payment deposit.
- Rental car damage:Extends coverage to include up to $35,000 in collision coverage for rental cars you use abroad.
- Trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage:Like CFAR coverage, this add-on extends up to a 75% reimbursem*nt if you need to leave your vacation early. You must purchase IFAR coverage within 20 days of your initial trip payment.
Cost
To help you get an idea of how much you might pay for a travel insurance policy, we requested a few sample quotes directly from Seven Corners. Browse the table below to learn more about coverage costs.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $34–$65 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $34–$65 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $80–$123 |
AXA Assistance USA Our pick for leisure travelers
4.3
- AM Best Rating: A+
- CFAR coverage: Add-on
- COVID-19 coverage: Yes
We We Chose AXA
AXA’s travel insurance policies are comprehensive and provide higher-than-average coverage limits compared to some providers. AXA offers three plan choices — and its most inclusive policy, the Platinum Plan, is ideal for adventure travelers. It includes coverage for lost skiing days, rounds of golf and even up to $1,000 in sports equipment rentals.
Overall, AXA’s plans are highly inclusive and offer a range of benefits. However, pricing is higher than competitors, which can be a particularly large consideration for students.
Pros & Cons
Pros High coverage limits Extends coverage for losses related to recreational activities All plans cover airplane accidents Cons Higher-than-average premium costs Must purchase CFAR upgrade within two weeks of your first trip payment
Coverage & Cost
Add-On Options
AXA offers two add-on options.
- CFAR coverage:Provides reimbursem*nts of up to 75% of your trip costs, but you must purchase coverage within 14 days of your initial trip payment.
- Collision coverage:Extends up to $50,000 in collision coverage if you rent a car abroad.
Cost
Browse the table below to learn more about what you might pay for an insurance plan with AXA.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $48–$83 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $48–$83 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $66–$114 |
Nationwide Travel Insurance Our pick for most coverage reimbursed
4.6
- AM Best Rating: A+
- CFAR coverage: Add-on
- COVID-19 coverage: Yes
We We Chose Nationwide
If you’re a student saving up for a cruise, you probably want to do everything you can to protect your investment. Nationwide is one of the only travel insurance providers to offer policies specifically for cruise vacations. Cruise policies from Nationwide include coverage for all of the following: trip cancellation and interruption, missed connections, itinerary changes, and emergency medical expenses and evacuations.
All Nationwide cruise insurance plans include coverage for weather, work and school-related schedule changes. Coverage even extends to international terrorism that forces you or your cruise liner to cancel. Nationwide also offers standard round-trip insurance plans, which cover all of the standard protections you’d expect from competing insurance providers.
Pros & Cons
Pros Specific plans available for cruise vacations Includes work and school interruptions as standard protections Plans include 24-hour emergency assistance Cons Medical coverage limits are lower-than-average Basic policy includes lower-than-average trip interruption coverage
Coverage & Cost
Add-On Options
You can add the following optional coverages to Nationwide’s travel plans:
- AD&D:Policies include up to $25,000 in add-on coverage for events that result in AD&D.
- CFAR coverage:Reimburses you for up to 75% of nonrefundable trip expenses.
- Preexisting conditions waiver:Select plans allow you to extend your medical insurance coverage to include preexisting medical conditions present at the time that you apply for coverage.
- Rental car collision coverage:Extends up to $35,000 in rental car collision coverage depending on your plan choice.
Cost
Browse the table below to learn more about what you might pay for an insurance plan with Nationwide. Quotes are for standard roundtrip travel insurance policies.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $31.40–$54.80 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $32.88–$56.88 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $61.72–$107.80 |
Generali Global Assistance Our pick for emergency assistance
4.5
- AM Best Rating: A
- CFAR coverage: Add-on
- COVID-19 coverage: Yes
We We Chose Generali
Generali is our top choice for travel insurance that includes 24/7 emergency service — an important consideration if you’re a student traveling abroad for the first time. Generali customers receive access to a 24/7 emergency hotline to contact international travel or telemedicine experts. If you’re traveling to a country where the native language is not English, this can provide peace of mind if you need translation services during an emergency.
Generali’s plans include all the standard coverages one would expect from travel insurance, with three policies available. All policies also include access to emergency transportation, telemedicine assistance and identity theft protection.
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers comprehensive travel insurance policies Select plans include coverage for sporting equipment loss and delay Three tiers of coverage available with most plans Cons More expensive coverage compared to other providers Extends low reimbursem*nt rates for CFAR coverage
Coverage & Cost
Add-On Options
You can add the following optional coverages to Generali’s travel insurance plans.
- Rental car damage:You can add up to $25,000 worth of rental car collision coverage on most trips.
- CFAR coverage:Generali allows you to add CFAR coverage to select plans, which provide you with reimbursem*nts of up to 60% for prepaid expenses.
Cost
Browse the table below to learn more about what you might pay for an insurance plan with Generali Global Assistance.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Coverage Cost |
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $43.04–$68 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $35.01–$56.65 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $69.75–$109.61 |
What Does Student Travel Insurance Cover?
As a student, most of your money likely goes towards tuition, housing expenses, textbooks and other costs associated with furthering your education. This can make it especially important to protect your financial investments when traveling.
Student travel insurance can provide coverage if you are traveling abroad for educational or cultural purposes. This type of insurance typically covers a range of risks that students may encounter while traveling domestically or abroad, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations or interruptions, lost or stolen luggage, and emergency medical evacuation.
You can purchase travel insurance for a single trip or for multiple trips over a specified period of time. Travel insurance coverage can vary widely depending on your policy details and provider, but if your trip is interrupted or canceled, most plans provide reimbursem*nts for the following nonrefundable expenses:
- Plane tickets
- Reserved car deposits
- Lodging expenses
- Event tickets and excursions you’re unable to use
- Meals, clothing, toiletries and other necessities if your luggage is lost or stolen
- Medical expenses if you are hurt while traveling
While travel insurance is not mandatory for most trips, it can provide peace of mind if you want protection from unexpected trip expenses or disruptions. But keep in mind that travel insurance only provides reimbursem*nts for nonrefundable trip expenses under certain cancellation circ*mstances — unless you opt for CFAR coverage.
Common Add-Ons
Travel insurance companies commonly allow you to upgrade your plan with add-on coverages. Some of the most common travel insurance add-ons include the following:
- CFAR coverage: Allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still receive partial reimbursem*nt.
- Rental car coverage: If you’re renting a car abroad, you may need collision coverage. Many travel insurers allow you to add this coverage for an additional cost.
- Umbrella policies: If you’re traveling to a country with particularly high medical expenses, you may want to extend medical coverage using an umbrella rider.
Specific add-on availability will vary by the insurance provider.
Should Students Consider COVID-19 Coverage?
Students may be concerned about whether travel insurance will cover cancellations and interruptions due to COVID-19. While the specific details of each policy will vary depending on the insurance provider, most travel insurance plans treat COVID-19 as a standard illness when considering reimbursem*nts.
Under the terms of most travel insurance cancellation policies, if you become sick with COVID before traveling and must cancel your trip, you’d be entitled to a reimbursem*nt. Policies may also include medical coverage that extends to a COVID diagnosis you receive abroad. However, plans do not cover trip cancellations due to new COVID-19 outbreaks or strains that develop, nor fear of international travel due to COVID.
How Much Does Student Travel Insurance Cost?
Overall, the total cost of your trip will be the primary factor that influences the price of your travel insurance policy. As the value of your trip increases, so does the expense your insurer will need to cover if you file a claim. This can make travel insurance cheaper for students, who tend to travel on a budget. Medical coverage can also be more affordable for younger travelers, as they are less likely to incur major treatment bills abroad.
According to our review, students can expect to pay about $30 to $60 for travel insurance on most low-value trips. Explore the table below to learn more about how age, trip cost and trip length influence price.
| Traveler Age | Trip Cost | Trip Length | Destination | Basic Coverage Cost | Comprehensive Coverage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $1,000 | 7 days | Mexico | $31 | $53 |
| 22 | $700 | 3 days | Bermuda | $30 | $51 |
| 24 | $2,500 | 14 days | Japan | $565 | $90 |
Note: We gathered quotes directly from each company’s website for the trip details listed above. Prices reflect average costs across multiple providers and are accurate as of October 2023.
Factors That Determine Student Travel Insurance Cost
Several factors can affect the cost of student travel insurance, including:
- Destination: The cost of travel insurance can vary based on where you’re traveling. Some destinations may have higher medical care or evacuation expenses, affecting your premium.
- Length of trip: The length of your trip can affect the cost of travel insurance. The longer your trip, the higher your premium will be.
- Age: The age of the traveler can also impact the cost of travel insurance. Older travelers may have higher premiums due to an increased risk of health issues.
- Preexisting medical conditions: If you have preexisting medical conditions, it can affect the cost of travel insurance. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to pay a higher premium.
- Trip cost: More expensive trips will come with higher insurance costs since potential reimbursem*nts depend on the price you paid for the trip.
- Deductible: If you choose a travel insurance plan with a deductible, it can lower your premium. However, you’ll be responsible for paying the deductible before insurance coverage kicks in.
Before you buy travel insurance, it’s important to compare companies carefully and select a plan that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford. You can also check out our guide to the cheapest travel insurance for more coverage options.
Use the dropdown menu below to select your country of travel for a more in-depth guide on travel insurance for that specific location.
Country
Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bali Barbados Belize Bermuda Brazil British Virgin Islands Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Denmark Dominican Republic Europe France Germany Greece Iceland India Ireland Italy Japan Jerusalem Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Philippines Portugal Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turks and Caicos United Kingdom
Is Student Travel Insurance Worth It?
Student travel insurance is often affordable, as students are more likely to be younger and insure less expensive trips. Both of these factors make students less likely to need to file a claim, which lowers the price of your insurance premium. If you’re planning a more valuable trip or you’re investing a significant amount of time putting your trip together, it can be worth it to consider travel insurance.
Is Student Travel Insurance Worth It?
Student travel insurance is often worth the expense, as premiums tend to be lower than those paid by older travelers or for a luxury vacation. However, this does not mean that every travel insurance policy is equally as valuable. Like most types of insurance, coverage and benefits will vary depending on the insurer you choose.
Finding the most affordable student coverage starts by defining your needs. If you are traveling abroad for more than a few weeks to study abroad, be sure to review your visa requirements before buying coverage. Read each company’s policy documentation before you buy, and get a quote from at least three providers to see which offers the best deal for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Travel Insurance
Yes, travel insurance companies do provide insurance coverage for school-sponsored trips. If you’re planning on joining a class trip and have non-refundable expenses, it can be a good idea to consider a travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance is not usually legally required by international governments for students studying abroad. However, your college or university may have its own requirements you must meet in order to qualify for international study. Consult with your student advisor after selecting a study abroad destination to learn more about travel insurance program requirements.
College students can afford to travel by taking trips during off seasons, saving money regularly throughout the year, and by taking advantage of study abroad programs. Students traveling internationally may also want to explore budget accommodations like hostels and low-cost airlines to travel without spending as much money.
Student travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected events that can occur during a trip to other U.S. states or a foreign country. These events may include trip cancellations, trip delays or interruptions, emergency medical bills, lost or stolen luggage, and other unforeseen circ*mstances.
While U.S. residents do not legally need health insurance to travel, some schools require students to have health insurance while studying abroad. If your medical coverage does not extend outside your home country, you can purchase travel medical insurance to cover you abroad. While standard travel insurance only covers costs related to medical emergencies, some companies offer specific international health insurance plans for routine healthcare costs and medical treatments while traveling.
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Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
- A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
- A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
- A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
- Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
- Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
- Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursem*nt amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursem*nt after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
- Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
A.M. Best Disclaimer
Sarah HorvathAuthor
Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.
Tori AddisonEditor
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
