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Student Travel Plan Comparison

How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance for Students: Things to Consider

Many of us fall into the trap of considering travel insurance as just another formality before travelling, or for that matter when going abroad for studies. However, it is unwise to do or think so. This might cause you to land in a situation wherein your student travel insurance cover falls short leading to distress, both financially and mentally. This can have an adverse effect on your academics in turn to a great extent. Thus, make sure you consider a number of factors while comparing student travel insurance plans before signing on the dotted line.

Destination

The risks you are exposed to vary, depending on the country/area you will be going to for studies. Thus, it is important to choose the right amount/type of coverage accordingly. For instance, a trip to Japan, which is prone to earthquakes, is going to cost you more as compared to say, Singapore.

Medical Insurance

As a general rule of the thumb, medical coverage is the most integral aspect of any travel insurance policy. This holds true, especially for students since the cost of medical expenses can rise significantly when you are abroad. Getting medical treatment in countries such as US and Canada can prove to be a very costly affair. Hence, it is recommended that you choose an appropriate sum insured amount considering your study destination.

Baggage and personal items cover

Typically, a travel insurance policy covers loss of checked-in baggage at the airport. Make sure you check the policy wordings for the details as well as the exclusions. It also covers personal items up to pre-defined limits depending on the travel insurance company and the selected plan. Additionally, passport loss is covered too. If you lose your passport, the insurance company will bear the cost of issuing a new/duplicate passport.

Sports and Adventure activities

Due to high-risk perception, adventure sports and related activities are not generally covered in a travel policy due to the high-risk perception associated with such activities. That said if you plan to indulge in adventurous sports, you can avail such coverage with an add-on request, which would entail a rise in premium.

Flight cancellation cover

With this cover, you will get the cost of flight tickets refunded upon flight cancellation due to reasons such as bad weather. For a better understanding of the inclusions and exclusions, go through your student travel insurance policy thoroughly.

Benefits

The number and the degree of benefits offered by a student's travel policy vary across companies. Thus make sure to compare student travel insurance policies for students online to avail the best travel insurance plan for students that meet all your requirements.  The key benefits to look out for are study interruption, sponsor protection, and bail bond coverage.  These benefits cover:

  1. ​Reimbursement of current (paid) semester fee, if your education is interrupted due to a medical condition.
  2. Reimbursement of tuition fees, in case the sponsor paying your fee passes away due to an injury.
  3. Payment of bail amount to the appropriate authority, if you're arrested or detained by any judicial authorities for a bailable offence, while abroad.

Pre-existing diseases

If you are having a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or asthma, it is crucial to make sure you are covered against them. This will secure you from the financial implications if your condition aggravates during your course duration and are admitted to a hospital. However, make sure to check the policy wording for exclusions to pre-existing diseases to avoid unpleasant surprises.

With the above pointers in place, you will be in better position to choose the best travel insurance for students. The basic idea is to ensure that you compare the student travel insurance plans and policies prudently, taking your academic and personal needs as well as priorities into consideration. Additionally, don't forget to explore international travel insurance options, as they can provide broader coverage and peace of mind during your studies abroad.​

FAQs

  • What is the current GST rate on travel insurance premiums?

    Zero percent! That’s the big change. Until 21st September 2025, travel insurance premiums attracted 18% GST, just like other general insurance products. But from 22nd September onward, the government has removed GST on individual travel insurance policies making them significantly more affordable.

  • How will the GST waiver impact the cost of my travel insurance policy?

    Let’s break it down with a real-world example Suppose your travel insurance premium was ₹2,000. Earlier, you paid ₹2,360 (₹2,000 + ₹360 GST). Now, you’ll pay just ₹2,000 a direct saving of 18%. This means every rupee you pay now goes toward actual coverage, not taxes. For frequent travelers or those buying comprehensive plans, this could mean savings of ₹500 to ₹2,000 or more per policy.

  • How much GST do I now pay on travel insurance?

    None. GST has been fully waived on individual travel insurance premiums. You’ll see this reflected in your invoice no tax line, just the base premium.

  • If I bought a travel insurance policy before September 22, 2025, will GST still be charged?

    Yes, but only for that purchase. The GST exemption is not retroactive, so if you bought your policy before 22nd September, the 18% GST you paid won’t be refunded. However, any future renewals or new purchases will be GST-free.

  • What does the new GST regulation effective 22nd September mean for Travel Insurance premiums?

    This is part of the GST 2.0 overhaul, which aims to simplify the tax structure and make essential services more affordable. Travel insurance has now joined life and health insurance in the GST exempt category, meaning discounted premiums with the same coverage benefits.

  • Does the GST waiver apply to all categories of travel plans — Individual, Family, Student, Senior Citizen, Annual Multi-Trip, and Schengen?

    "Yes, it does! The exemption applies to all individual travel insurance policies, regardless of category:

    Single-trip or multi-trip, Student or senior citizen, Schengen visa plans, Family floaters or solo travelers. As long as it’s an individual policy, it qualifies for the GST waiver."

  • If I buy a new Travel Care plan today, will my premium automatically be GST-free?

    Absolutely. If you’re buying a Travel Care plan on or after 22nd September, your premium will be GST-free by default. You’ll only pay the base premium.

  • How much will my Travel Insurance premium reduce now that GST is removed?

    "You’ll save exactly 18% on the premium amount. For example ₹5,000 policy was earlier ₹5,900 (with GST).

    Now with the revised GST its ₹5,000 flat. That’s a ₹900 saving and it scales up with higher coverage or longer durations."

  • I bought my travel policy before 22nd September with GST. Does this change apply to me?

    Unfortunately, no. The GST exemption applies only to policies purchased on or after 22nd September. If you paid GST earlier, it’s not refundable, and your coverage remains unchanged.

  • Does the GST change impact visa-linked requirements like Schengen’s €30,000 cover?

    The Schengen visa requirement of €30,000 coverage remains unchanged. However, now that GST is removed, you’ll pay less for the same coverage, making it easier to meet embassy requirements without overspending.

  • Will coverage features such as emergency medical, baggage, or trip cancellation change due to GST removal?

    No changes to coverage. The GST exemption affects pricing, not the benefits. You’ll still get Emergency medical cover, Trip cancellation protection, Baggage loss reimbursement. But now, you get all this at a lower cost

  • How does GST removal benefit frequent flyers taking the Annual Multi-Trip plan?

    This is where the savings really add up. Annual multi-trip plans are already cost-effective, and now you save 18% on the entire annual premium. No GST means better ROI for frequent travelers. You can reinvest the savings into higher coverage or add-ons. For example, if your annual plan was ₹12,000 + ₹2,160 GST, you now pay just ₹12,000 saving over ₹2,000 instantly.​

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