Student Travel Insurance - Redpoint Travel Protection
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The Campanile of Trinity College Dublin

Student Travel Insurance

Student Travel Insurance

Why Students Need Travel Insurance

Studying abroad is a tremendous opportunity for academic and personal growth. Many people look back on their time studying abroad as one of the highlights of their entire university or college experience. That being said, when you spend three, six, or nine months living in another country, things can certainly go wrong. From illnesses and loss of belongings to unexpected costs that crop up during a quick weekend adventure away from campus, you'll want a student travel insurance policy that's robust enough to cover you for whatever may come up during your months away.

Fortunately, travel insurance for students or gap year insurance is relatively easy to get. Making sure you have the right insurance before you head out on your adventure helps both parents and students breathe easier.

A lot can happen when you're away from home for an extended period of time. That's why travel insurance for students studying abroad needs to be comprehensive and tailored to the unique needs and risks of long trips away. Some of these include:

  • Unexpected illness/injury without family nearby: Getting sick in another country can be challenging due to language barriers and having to navigate a new healthcare system. Travel health insurance can help cover costs, and Redpoint's 24/7 emergency assistance line can help you find the care you need if you're having trouble accessing it.

  • Most domestic health plans don’t cover students overseas: You can't rely on your travel insurance from home when you travel to another country, so if you fracture your wrist while hiking in Chile, you'll need coverage that will cover the costs of accessing care in a new place.

  • Students often travel on tight budgets: Most students don't have big budgets, so unforeseen expenses can make a big dent in their bank accounts. Travel insurance helps you recoup the costs of any unexpected costs like booking alternate flights or needing an emergency hotel room during a trip delay.

  • Students often travel to multiple countries: A big part of studying abroad is traveling to neighboring countries around the region. If you are studying in France for six months, you won't want to miss quick trips to London and Spain, for example. Travel insurance for students can cover trips that visit multiple countries, even if you're not sure exactly where you'll end up.

  • Peace of mind for students AND parents: It's a big step for parents when they drop their children off at the airport for a semester abroad. Travel insurance can help give some reassurance that they can find help if something goes wrong.
Student travelling through the airport

What Redpoint Covers for Student Travelers

There are certain coverage benefits that you’ll want to make sure are a part of your travel insurance for exchange students policy. Read on for the most important areas of coverage.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance for students covers trips to urgent care, a local doctor, any prescriptions, and hospital stays while abroad. This is essential, as your travel insurance from home likely won’t cover international care. If you have a pre-existing condition, you’ll need to declare it by applying for a waiver. It’s important to do this as soon as possible after making your first trip payment or deposit.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

If you’re injured or seriously ill in a remote or under-resourced location, student emergency evacuation insurance pays for transport to the nearest adequate facility—or back home, if needed. This is especially critical for students doing fieldwork, research, or internships in rural or developing areas where advanced care may not be available locally. It’s also essential if you plan on doing any high-risk adventure sports during your time abroad.

Trip Interruption & Cancellation

If your study abroad is cut short due to a serious illness, political unrest, or a family emergency, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse unused expenses and pay for last-minute travel home. It also covers cancellation before departure due to covered events like illness or natural disasters — protecting your investment in flights, housing, or tuition. If you think you may need to cancel for another reason — one that’s unlikely to be included in your policy — you can choose to pay extra for Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

Baggage & Electronics Coverage

Lost or delayed baggage is inconvenient for any traveler — but even more disruptive for students who rely on laptops, phones, and other gear. This coverage helps replace essential tech and personal items if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged. Be sure to check coverage limits and whether high-value electronics, like specialist cameras, need to be itemized.

Travel Delay Coverage

If your connecting flight is canceled or delayed due to weather, strikes, or other reasons, this benefit helps pay for extra hotel nights, meals, or rebooking fees. It’s especially important for students flying long distances or through multiple airports, where a delay could mean missed orientation, classes, or group departures.

 

Who Student Insurance is For

International student insurance is for anyone who is studying in another country for an extended period of time, usually anywhere from three to 12 months. These might include some of the groups below. All of these travelers need specialist coverage that accounts for some of the unique aspects of studying in another country.

  • College or university students studying abroad
  • High school exchange students
  • Gap year students between degrees
  • PhD students or researchers doing fieldwork
  • Interns or volunteers abroad
  • Parents purchasing on behalf of students

Best Redpoint Plans for Students

Different study abroad programs have different levels of risk and adventure. That’s why Redpoint student insurance has multiple options. So you can find the comprehensive student travel insurance that matches the kind of trip you are taking.

Ripcord is our most extensive plan, with coverage for remote travel, high adventure activities and off-the-beaten-track trips. It’s great for programs that involve field research, trekking, or multi-country study in developing regions.

Cavalry is designed for the student doing a program in a major city or European hub. It’s great for urban, semester-long programs where you won’t be traveling too far afield — save for some weekend city breaks.

Harbor is our most affordable option and is the best for budget-conscious students and parents. If you’re traveling on a shoestring, this is the plan for you.

Destinations Where Students Study Abroad

Your experience studying abroad will be largely shaped by where you choose to go. Popular destinations for American students include the United Kingdom, Spain, and France in Europe, which offer a range of universities and tastes of a totally different lifestyle. South Africa is a very popular choice for students wanting to explore a totally new continent while also getting the opportunity to go on safari while on breaks from courses. South America also offers great programs in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina and is a great way for students to immerse in new languages and explore volunteer opportunities. And don’t forget China, which remains a strong choice for students wanting to study international business, politics, and Mandarin language.

Student Travel Insurance FAQs

The University of Oxford UK

1. Do students need travel insurance to study abroad

Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended, and in many cases, required by schools or visa schemes. It helps protect against medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings, and more. Studying abroad comes with extra risks, and having coverage ensures students are protected when far from home.

2. Is emergency medical care covered for students overseas?

Yes, most student travel insurance plans include coverage for emergency medical care abroad. This can cover medical expenses for doctor visits, hospital stays, and even emergency evacuation if the care you can access locally isn't sufficient. Always check the coverage limits to make sure they meet your school’s or host country’s requirements, but you should aim for a minimum of $100,000 of medical expense coverage.

3. Does student insurance cover laptops and phones?

Some plans include limited coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items like laptops and phones. However, this coverage usually comes with caps and exclusions. If you’re traveling with expensive gear or electronics, it may be worth adding extra baggage protection or confirming coverage with the provider.

4. What happens if I need to return home early?

Student travel insurance often includes trip interruption coverage. If you need to return home early due to a covered reason — such as a medical emergency, a family illness, or a natural disaster — your unused travel expenses and return transportation may be reimbursed.

5. What’s the best Redpoint plan for student travel?

It typically includes emergency medical coverage, evacuation, trip interruption, and limited coverage for personal items. It’s a strong option for students on exchange programs, gap years, or international internships.

6. Can parents buy travel insurance for their child?

Yes, parents can (and should) purchase travel insurance on behalf of their child. As long as the policy is issued in the student’s name, a parent or guardian can complete the purchase and ensure the coverage matches the student’s travel plans.

Get Student Travel Insurance from Redpoint

Redpoint Travel Protection has a range of travel insurance plans for study abroad students to suit every kind of trip and destination. With 24/7 assistance, flexible options, and the option for coverage in multiple countries, you can study abroad with confidence knowing that you’re covered no matter what. To find out more about our plans, compare our plans and get a quote today.