September, the season of the student send-offs is upon us, but as you prepare and pack your bags the study abroad program one must remember to pack in a student travel insurance plan as well even if it is not mandated by the country/university. Here is why;
- Your regular health cover will not come to your aid if you fall sick during your stay abroad. Medical costs can sky rocket in overseas.
- The insurance covers the student's checked baggage loss or delay by the carrier
- Travel insurance policy also covers the expenditure to be incurred if the student loses her/his passport and has to get a replacement.
- If the insured student has been hospitalised for seven days or more, a family member's travel expenses will be borne by the insurance companies.
- Even bail money incase on gets arrested in a foreign land is covered by the insurance firm.
Many have the option for signing up for the university provided insurance covers once one lands but those tend to have limited coverage and also are far more expensive than the policies offered by the homegrown insurance providers such as Bharti Axa Smart Traveller Student, Bajaj Allianz Student Travel Insurance and HDFC Ergo.