Cheap Student Travel Insurance: Australia, UK And Backpacking Across Europe

Whether a student decides to go backpacking across Europe or to study abroad, the experience can create memories that will last a lifetime in addition to inspiring a new sense of maturity and worldliness. However, jetting across the globe and finding a place to stay can cost a small fortune. Being robbed or hospitalized in a foreign country is terrifying, but by purchasing student travel insurance, students can have security and parents can gain peace of mind.

Before purchasing a student travel insurance policy, people should fully read what the student travel insurance coverage entails. For example, if a student is traveling to the UK, where health care is free, student travel insurance may not be necessary. However, there are travel insurance providers in the UK that offer coverage. Some of these companies offer students cheap insurance at student rates. One company, JS Insurance, has an online quote feature. With four different plans, the UK insurance company covers medical expenses, baggage and personal money loss, missed departure, legal expenses and other losses. The plans range in price from about $15 to about $50. The plans also extend to students backpacking across Europe.

For students traveling to Australia, World Nomads Insurance provides student travel insurance. It is common for vacationers in Australia to participate in some of the sports of the land including skiing, surfing, and scuba diving. World Nomads has student travel insurance policies that will cover this. For two weeks, students can buy insurance coverage for $54, or for three months, students can spend $158 for student travel insurance coverage. The insurance coverage includes: emergency medical and dental, emergency medical evacuation, travel accident, baggage, sporting equipment, and trip cancellation or interruption.

Although travel insurance can truly save a trip, Christopher Elliott, a travel writer and travel show host on Fine Living, advises people to generally avoid it. Elliott suggests that people should only buy travel insurance for "big ticket" (over $10,000) vacations. He adds that "travel insurance sold as add-ons to airline tickets that cover you in the event of death or dismemberment are practically useless." Elliott encourages people to read their policies thoroughly, not just the brochures.

Lots can go wrong on international trips. Students on budgets deserve the same protection as other people, and cheap insurance can do just that. Before purchasing student travel insurance, people should read the policies and verify that the company is legitimate. Also, by knowing about their insurance coverage, students will know when it is appropriate to file a claim.


Sources:
Elliott, Christopher. "Travel Insurance Scams." Elliott.org. 6 July 2006. 15 Aug. 2007.
http://www.elliott.org/archives/2006/07/travel_i nsuranc.php

Student Travel Insurance. Travel Insurance Finder. 2002. Financial Online Services Limited.15 Aug. 2007. http://www.travel-insurance-finder.co.uk/student_t ravel_insurance.shtml

Your Quote and Policy Benefits. WorldNomads.com. 2004-2007. 15 Aug. 2007.
http://www.worldnomads.com/purchase/index.aspx
Backpacking. www.travel-insurance.net. 2006. 15 Aug. 2007.
http://www.travel-insurance.net/discovery/studen t-travel-insurance.htm