Student travel insurance from India — providers compared for 2026
By Reyansh Mehta (Arjun Mehta is a personal-finance journalist specialising in cross-border money, forex and student loans for Indian families. A chartered accountant by training, he breaks down blocked accounts, GIC deposits, education-loan disbursement and travel budgeting into plain language.) · Published · 10 min read
Student travel insurance is mandatory for some destinations and highly recommended for all. Here is an honest comparison of Indian providers and what to look for in 2026.
Quick answer
Student travel insurance is mandatory for Germany (public or private health insurance required for the student visa), the Schengen zone (travel insurance for the visa application), and effectively mandatory for the US (most universities require health insurance as a condition of enrolment). For the UK, Canada and Australia, it is not always a visa requirement but strongly recommended. Indian providers include ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC ERGO and Tata AIG; international providers include Allianz Global, OSHC providers (Australia) and university-mandated plans. Expect to pay INR 15,000-50,000 per year depending on the destination and coverage level.
Where insurance is mandatory
Germany: You cannot enrol at a German university without proof of health insurance. You choose between public health insurance (TK, AOK, DAK — approximately EUR 110-120/month for students under 30) or private health insurance (typically cheaper but with limitations). The choice between public and private has long-term implications for your stay — public insurance is generally recommended.
Schengen visa countries: The Schengen visa application requires travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage. This is a travel policy for the journey, not long-term student health insurance.
United States: Most US universities require enrolled students to have health insurance meeting the university's standards. You can usually use the university's plan (often USD 1,500-3,000 per year) or purchase a comparable plan and apply for a waiver. Indian plans rarely meet US university requirements — verify with your specific university.
Indian insurance providers for students
ICICI Lombard Student Travel Insurance: Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss and personal liability. Annual premiums for study-abroad plans range from approximately INR 15,000 to INR 40,000 depending on destination and coverage limits. Claim settlement is handled through their global network.
Bajaj Allianz Student Travel Guard: Similar coverage with options for annual or multi-year policies matching the duration of your programme. Premiums are comparable to ICICI Lombard. They have tie-ups with international assistance networks for cashless hospitalisation in some countries.
HDFC ERGO Overseas Student Plan: Covers medical, evacuation, trip interruption and personal accident. Premiums start from approximately INR 12,000 per year for Asian destinations and go up to INR 35,000-50,000 for US/UK/Canada/Australia.
Tata AIG Student Travel Insurance: Competitive premiums with reasonable coverage limits. Popular among students heading to the UK and Australia.
Honest note: Indian student travel insurance plans are cheaper than buying insurance in the destination country, but coverage limits and claim settlement speed can vary. For the US specifically, Indian plans rarely meet university insurance requirements — you will likely need to buy the university plan or a US-based plan.
What to look for in a student insurance policy
Medical coverage limit: Minimum USD 100,000 for the US, EUR 30,000 for Schengen, AUD 50,000 for Australia. Higher is better — a single hospitalisation in the US can exceed USD 50,000.
Pre-existing conditions: Most student travel policies exclude pre-existing conditions for the first 1-2 years. If you have a chronic condition, read the exclusions carefully and consider a policy that covers pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
Mental health coverage: This is increasingly important and increasingly available. Check whether your policy covers psychiatric consultations and mental health treatment — many older policies exclude them entirely.
Repatriation coverage: Coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains (worst-case scenario planning). Essential for destinations far from India.
Cashless network: Some policies offer cashless hospitalisation through partner hospitals abroad. This is genuinely useful — paying out of pocket and claiming reimbursement is stressful, especially in the US where hospital bills can be enormous.
Australia OSHC — a special case
Australia requires international students on a subclass 500 visa to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their visa. OSHC is purchased from an approved Australian provider (Medibank, Bupa, Allianz OSHC, nib OSHC, AHM) and covers GP visits, hospital treatment and some pharmaceuticals. Your university may have a preferred provider.
OSHC costs approximately AUD 500-700 per year (varies by provider and state). It is separate from any Indian travel insurance you might carry — you need OSHC specifically, and your visa application requires proof of OSHC purchase. Many universities include OSHC in their fee package for the first year.
For flight options to Australia, see our Delhi to Melbourne route page or search on FlightGPT.
UK NHS and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Students on a UK Student visa pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the visa application — approximately GBP 776 per year (verify the current rate on the UK government website). This gives you access to NHS healthcare in the UK, including GP visits, hospital treatment and prescriptions (though prescriptions have a small per-item charge in England, free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
Because IHS provides comprehensive NHS access, most Indian students heading to the UK do not need a separate health insurance policy for day-to-day medical care. However, a supplementary travel insurance policy covering trip cancellation, baggage loss and emergency repatriation is still advisable. Your Indian student travel insurance policy can serve this purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for a UK student visa?
No, but you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (approximately GBP 776/year) as part of the visa fee, which gives NHS access. Supplementary travel insurance for trip cancellation and baggage is recommended but not mandatory.
Can I use Indian health insurance in the US?
Indian health insurance policies are generally not accepted by US universities as meeting their insurance requirements. You will likely need to purchase the university's plan or a US-based plan that meets their standards.
How much does student travel insurance cost from India?
Approximately INR 15,000-50,000 per year depending on the destination and coverage level. US-bound policies are the most expensive due to high US healthcare costs.