AUGUST 201719The student travel policies are so comprehensive that they ensure the reimbursement of unutilized tuition fees if you are hospitalized for more than one consecutive month for Injuries/ ailments that are covered under the policyPersonal AccidentMost of the times, insurers provide coverage against accidental death and permanent total disablement, irrespective of the country in which you are studying.Loss of PassportThis cover keeps you at bay from the fright when you lose your documents in a foreign land. It shields you from this inconvenience and ensures that the reasonable expense that may be incurred in procuring a duplicate or temporary passport overseas is covered.Baggage Delay/ LossIn case of baggage loss, your insurer is liable to pay up to the specified maximum limit as per the policy wordings. The policy can also provide financial protection on unplanned personal purchases due to delay in arrival of the checked-in baggage in a foreign country.Medical ExpensesThe insurance plans take care of your medical expenses that may arise owing to accident and illness while travelling. This medical assistance also includes emergency dental treatment, maternity benefits and also takes care of transfer to the nearest location (or country) where the treatment you need is available. From our database, we have observed that students have filed claims for medical OPD the most, which goes to show that this is one of the most important feature of the policy.Sponsor ProtectionIn case of accidental death or permanent disablement of your sponsor, your tuition fee incurred for the remaining period of this education up to specified maximum limit will be reimbursed by the insurer.Tuition FeeThe student travel policies are so comprehensive that they ensure the reimbursement of unutilized tuition fees if you are hospitalized for more than one consecutive month for injuries/ ailments that are covered under the policy. This also includes the cases of terminal illness or transportation to the nearest location in case of medical emergency or in case of accidental death of your immediate family member.Remember:While many diverse aspects are covered under a student travel insurance policy, it is important to fully understand the exclusions of such policies.It does not entail the medical expenses that may be incurred when the specific purpose of a journey is to receive medical treatment or advice for pre-existing conditions. Also, it does not shield you in cases that are related to the influence of alcoholism, abuse of drugs, HIV and AIDS.Unexpected situations that pose as a hurdle in your study plans can make you spend your savings in a jiffy. Today educational institutions abroad usually provide such policies partly or ensure that you purchase one as a part of their admission/academic course mandate.There is minimum paperwork involved in this form of insurance. Today, insurance companies have adopted the digital platform and provide all the details of their products on respective websites. Applying for a student travel insurance policy may be as simple as running a few medical tests and submitting documents that are required by the insurer. Many companies offer customized policies as well to cater to your preferences and requirements.With increasing disposable income and the scaling ambitions of the Indian youth, we have certainly seen an upsurge in the awareness and acceptance of student travel insurance. It is essential to evaluate and compare the different policies that are offered by different insurance companies to select the right plan. It is recommended to buy a policy from a reputed insurer that has a respectable record of servicing and claim settlement as these are the vital features when you need to register a claim. You must also remember that an economical policy may not always be the paramount policy for you. Lastly, you should always read the policy document carefully to understand the terms of the policy before making the final decision. K.G.Krishnamoorthy Rao
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