Studying abroad: what insurance should you take out?
You're about to go abroad for an international semester or year, an internship or an au pair stay: it's time for adventure! But before you do, you need to be well prepared, and in particular to protect yourself in the event of unforeseen circumstances. That's why you need travel insurance.
Why take out travel insurance when studying abroad?
Every year (except during the Covid period, of course), thousands of students go abroad for a university exchange or internship. It's an experience not to be missed! But there's no mystery about it: you need to be well prepared, and well insured in case of problems on the ground. Travel insurance combines guarantees and worldwide assistance services to accompany you wherever you go.
Highly recommended, foreign travel insurance is sometimes mandatory for entry into certain countries. In fact, most universities will require a certificate of insurance from prospective students to prove that they are covered. If you need to obtain a VISA, you may also need to prove that you are insured in the event of repatriation or illness.
Although highly recommended, foreign travel insurance can also be a requirement. In fact, most universities require foreign students to provide proof of liability and health insurance coverage. Finally, depending on your destination, consular authorities may require you to provide travel insurance, including at least: medical assistance, repatriation and health insurance.
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Repatriation, illness... What does travel insurance cover?
Coverage of medical expenses abroad
Before you leave, find out about the social security system in your destination country..
If you're traveling to the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) normally found on the back of your compulsory health insurance card (if this is not the case, check with your health insurance fund). You will then be able to access public healthcare facilities in these countries in the same way as locally insured persons. You will not normally have to pay any medical expenses in advance.
If you go to another country, your compulsory health insurance will only reimburse the amount paid for equivalent care in Switzerland. As medical costs vary from country to country, they can quickly become very expensive (as in the USA, Canada or Asia, for example).
It is therefore highly advisable to take out travel insurance when you're a student abroad, to give you extra cover and make sure you're financially protected. What's more, you'll have access to assistance services anywhere in the world in the event of a problem: available 24 hours a day, a simple call is all it takes to organize your emergency transport and repatriation, and get you out of whatever situation you find yourself in as quickly as possible. With Europ Assistance's Comfort insurance, you'll be reimbursed up to 250,000 Swiss francs for your medical expenses.
