For many students, school excursions are one of the highlights of the academic year.

Whether it’s a day trip to a museum or a week-long overseas adventure, these trips enable students to learn about new cultures, gain new experiences and explore the world outside of the classroom.

However, travel can also be unpredictable, and there are a range of risks that students may face while on school excursions.

In order to ensure that your child is protected against any unforeseen circumstances, it’s important to consider purchasing student travel insurance.

What is student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance is a type of insurance designed specifically for students who are travelling domestically or internationally as part of a school excursion.

It provides a range of benefits and protections to students, including coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, and lost, stolen or damaged baggage.

Why do I need student travel insurance?

There are a number of reasons why student travel insurance is important for school excursions:.

Medical emergencies

If your child suffers a medical emergency while on an excursion, student travel insurance can provide coverage for medical expenses, including hospitalization, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and emergency medical evacuation if necessary.

This can be especially important if you are travelling internationally, where medical costs can be significantly higher than in your home country.

Cancelled or interrupted trips

If your child’s school excursion is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, student travel insurance can provide coverage for any non-refundable expenses that you may have paid, such as airfare, accommodation and tour fees.

This can give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t be out-of-pocket for cancelled excursions.

Lost or stolen baggage

If your child’s baggage is lost or stolen while on an excursion, student travel insurance can provide coverage for the replacement cost of their belongings. This can include things like clothing, electronics, and other personal items.

This type of coverage can be particularly valuable for longer trips or trips that involve multiple stops, where the risk of lost or stolen baggage may be higher.

24/7 emergency assistance

Many student travel insurance policies also include 24/7 emergency assistance services. This means that if your child has an emergency while on an excursion, they can get immediate assistance from a medical or travel professional.

This can be especially important if your child is travelling alone or if you are unable to help them due to time zone differences or language barriers.

What does student travel insurance cover?

Student travel insurance policies vary depending on the provider and the level of coverage that you select. Some common benefits that may be included in a student travel insurance policy include:.

Medical expenses

Student travel insurance can provide coverage for medical expenses if your child suffers an injury or illness while on an excursion.

Trip cancellation or interruption

Student travel insurance can provide coverage for non-refundable expenses if your child’s excursion is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather or a natural disaster.

Lost or stolen baggage

Student travel insurance can provide coverage for the replacement cost of your child’s baggage if it is lost or stolen while on an excursion.

24/7 emergency assistance

Many student travel insurance policies include 24/7 emergency assistance services that provide immediate assistance to your child if they have an emergency while on an excursion.

Accidental death or dismemberment

Student travel insurance can provide coverage in the event of accidental death or dismemberment while on an excursion.

How much does student travel insurance cost?

The cost of student travel insurance can vary depending on a range of factors, including the length and destination of your child’s excursion, the level of coverage that you select, and the provider that you choose.

On average, however, student travel insurance typically costs between 4-8% of the total cost of your child’s excursion.

What should I look for in a student travel insurance policy?

When selecting a student travel insurance policy, there are a number of factors that you should consider:.

Level of coverage

Consider the level of coverage that you require, and ensure that the policy provides coverage for any specific risks that your child may face on their excursion.

Destination

Check that the policy provides coverage for the destination that your child will be travelling to, and ensure that it includes coverage for any activities that they will be participating in.

Excess

Review the excess amount for each benefit. The excess is the amount you will be responsible for paying before your insurance policy begins to cover you.

24/7 emergency assistance

Make sure that the policy includes 24/7 emergency assistance services that your child can access if they have an emergency while on their excursion.

Conclusion

Travelling on a school excursion can be an incredibly rewarding experience for your child, but it’s important to ensure that they are adequately protected against any unexpected events or illnesses that may occur while they’re away from home.

With the right student travel insurance policy in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that your child is protected against a wide range of risks, so that they can focus on enjoying the trip and making new memories.