Cheap Travel Insurance for International Students in the U.S. (2025 Guide)

Written by: FinanceAware Team

🌍 Why Travel Insurance Matter for International Students?

When you moving to U.S. as international student, it’s super exciting but also little scary. New country, new rules, and yeah, new health care system. In America, medical treatment is very expensive – like, really expensive. If you fall sick or get hurt, without insurance you may end up paying thousands of dollars from your own pocket.

So, travel insurance for students is not just "a nice to have" – it's really a need.

🎓 Who Need This Insurance?

Basically, if you're in U.S. on:

F1 visa
J1 visa
OPT (Optional Practical Training)
Exchange programs
Language or short-term courses

Then you need travel or student health insurance – either it's mandatory from your university or just smart thing to have.

🔍 Difference Between Travel Insurance & Health Insurance?

Travel Insurance: Covers trip cancellation, lost luggage, emergency medical expenses (basic), passport loss, etc.
Health/Student Insurance: Covers long-term medical needs, doctor visits, lab tests, mental health, etc.

👉 Many plans are combo of both. For students, go with plan that focus more on health coverage.

💰 What to Look for in Cheap Travel Insurance?

When looking for low-cost insurance, don't only see price. Look for:

✅ Medical coverage: At least $100,000 minimum
✅ Emergency evacuation & repatriation
✅ Pre-existing condition (if you have any)
✅ COVID-19 coverage
✅ Prescription drug coverage
✅ Low deductible ($100 or less)
✅ Hospitalization & surgery

🔝 5 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plans for International Students in U.S.

1. ISO Student Health Insurance

Best for: F1 and OPT students
Cost: Starts from $29/month
Benefits:
- Covers COVID-19
- Low deductible ($90)
- PPO network access (UnitedHealthcare)
- Mental health covered

Many students prefer ISO cause it's affordable and accepted by most universities.

2. IMG Student Health Advantage

Best for: Long-term students & exchange programs
Cost: From $38/month
Benefits:
- Up to $500,000 coverage
- Emergency evacuation
- Mental health & maternity (after waiting period)

Trusted name, used by many universities across U.S.

3. StudentSecure by Tokio Marine HCC

Best for: Full-time students under 30
Cost: From $31/month
Benefits:
- Four tiers (Budget, Select, Elite, Smart)
- Prescription drugs included
- Sports & activities coverage

Good if you want flexibility in plan levels.

4. Compass Student Insurance

Best for: German & European students, but global too
Cost: ~$40/month
Benefits:
- Good university acceptance
- Repatriation and evacuation included
- Travel benefits included

More popular among students from Europe but works globally.

5. VisitorsCoverage Student Insurance

Best for: Comparing multiple plans easily
Cost: Varies by plan (~$25–$50/month)
Benefits:
- You can filter by your needs
- COVID-19 and pre-existing condition filters
- 24/7 customer support

One-stop platform to compare ISO, IMG, Seven Corners, and more.

📚 Do Universities Provide Insurance?

Yes, many U.S. colleges offer their own insurance plan but:

It's usually expensive ($100–$250/month)
You can opt-out if you show comparable private insurance (called a waiver)

That's why many international students go for ISO or StudentSecure to save money.

🧾 Waiver – What Is That?

Universities often require you to fill a waiver form if you want to skip their default insurance.

Example: You take ISO plan → Go to university portal → Upload proof → They check and approve → You save $1000+ per year.

Important: Your plan must meet university's requirements – like minimum coverage, deductible limits, etc.

💡 Tips for Buying Cheap Student Insurance

Compare Plans – Use platforms like VisitorsCoverage, Insubuy, or TravelInsurance.com
Always read fine print – Especially about:
- Pre-existing condition rules
- Sports/extracurriculars
- Maternity (if needed)
Choose PPO Network Plan – So you don’t pay full charges upfront
Check university rules – Some schools only accept specific plans
Buy before travel – Some plans only valid if bought before you land in U.S.

🚑 Real Cost Example Without Insurance

"My friend twisted ankle playing soccer. Emergency room cost? $3,000+ without insurance. With insurance? He paid only $100."

Don't risk it. Even basic flu test and medicine can go above $500 in U.S.

🤔 Common Questions by Students

❓ Can I use travel insurance as health insurance?

Sometimes yes, if the plan offers enough medical coverage. But make sure it meets university waiver requirements.

❓ Is insurance mandatory for F1 visa?

Yes, most universities make it mandatory. You can either take their plan or submit waiver with your own insurance.

❓ What if I’m on OPT now?

You’re still in F1 visa status. So student insurance like ISO OPTima is perfect for you.

❓ Is there any free insurance?

Not really. But some scholarships or assistantships include insurance. Ask your university.

🧾 Sample Price Comparison (Monthly)

Insurance Provider	Starting Price	Medical Coverage	COVID-19	Waiver Accepted
ISO	$29/month	$100,000+	✅	✅
IMG Student Advantage	$38/month	$500,000	✅	✅
StudentSecure	$31/month	$200,000+	✅	✅
Compass Student	$40/month	$100,000+	✅	✅
University Plan	$100–$250	$500,000+	✅	–

📌 Final Thoughts

Buying cheap travel insurance in U.S. as an international student is not waste of money – it’s lifesaving. U.S. health care is one of the most expensive in world.

👉 Don’t just buy the cheapest plan, buy the right plan.

If you’re unsure, use a comparison site, or contact insurance provider directly. Choose wisely and study worry-free 💼📚.