International Student Insurance

There are four types of insurance you might need: personal property insurance, medical insurance, motor insurance and travel insurance. If possible, you should sign up to these before you arrive. That way, you are protected right from the start of your stay. However, if you do not have insurance when you arrive, don't worry. There are plenty of resources in the UK.

Endsleigh offer great insurance at a cheap price specifically for students. They have all the different types of insurance, so simply click on the image to check out their offers.

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Contents Insurance

This covers your possessions against damage and theft. Sadly, some thieves target students, especially those living in halls of residences. You are also at risk from fire, breakage and other accidents. Therefore, you should take out insurance on anything valuable, such as ipods, laptops and bicycles. If you are living in student accommodation, insurance may be included in the price. Ask staff whether there is a policy, and what it includes.

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Medical Insurance

The UK has a National Health Service (NHS), which provides free health care for its citizens. Most foreign students can also get free treatment, but there are many exceptions. Read our healthcare section for more information. If you discover you are not entitled to full free treatment, you will need to get medical insurance to pay for any medical treatment you may have. Even if you are entitled to free treatment, you may still want to get medical insurance to pay for private treatment, as NHS waiting lists are often long.

Motor Insurance

It is illegal to drive in the UK without motor insurance. This is because if you cause injury to another person or damage their vehicle and the accident is your fault, you may be held legally responsible. This means you may be ordered to pay for the damage. Taking out insurance means that if you cannot pay the money, the insurance company will.

The cost of the insurance will differ according to how old you are, how long you have been driving, where you are living, the type of car you have, its age and its value. You can choose from three different types of insurance policy:

Third-party only insurance

This is the cheapest option. However, it also provides you with the least cover. This type of insurance only pays for damage you have done to other people and their property. For example, if you are legally responsible for damaging someone else's car, the insurance company will probably pay for that damage. However, if you are injured or your car is damaged, the insurance company would not pay for it.

Third-party insurance with fire and theft coverage

This type of insurance is the same as above, except it covers you for fire and theft of your own vehicle. Therefore, if you crash your car, the insurance company will still not pay for the damage. However, if your car is damaged in a fire, the company may pay.

Comprehensive insurance

If you can afford it, this is the most sensible choice. It is the most expensive, but it gives the fullest cover. You are covered for most damage to your own car, as well as injuries. For example, the insurance company will probably pay for any damage to your car caused by road accidents, vandalism, theft or any other accident. If you have a valuable car, this type of insurance is highly recommended.

Travel Insurance

If you plan to travel outside the UK during your studies, you may need travel insurance. This protects you if you have an accident or become ill and need medical treatment. You may have to pay for the treatment at the time, and later be reimbursed by your insurance company. Remember to keep all prescriptions and doctor's bills as proof. Some insurance policies will provide compensation if you lose baggage or your passport.

If you already have medical or personal property insurance, you may already be covered, so call the company to check how the policies work abroad. If you are not covered, ask your travel agent or flight operator if they can offer a policy, or read below.

Choose the best policy for you

Companies like Endsleigh Insurance. have special policies designed for students. Your bank or building society may be able to provide a policy, or you can ask your student union for advice.

If you want to look for the best deal, you can find many companies in your local UK telephone directory. You can also contact Cover4students, a financial service which helps students find an appropriate policy. If you want to check the status of an insurance company, contact the Association of British Insurer.

Read the small print

You should read policy documents carefully before signing up to them; make sure you understand all the conditions. Often, there are exceptions to the policy. Some medical insurance and travel insurance may not cover you if you partake in dangerous or extreme sports. Find out exactly what you are covered for, and how you can buy extra coverage for things not included.

There also might be conditions attached to the policy. For example, some personal property policies may not cover your possessions if you do not have locks on your windows and doors. They may also not provide cover if you move the items out of your house, or wherever they are usually kept.

Investigate how much money you would get if you made a claim. Some policies only pay the second-hand value of your lost items. This would be the money you could expect if you had sold it. If you are willing to pay extra, it's best to sign up to a policy that pays you the full value of the item as if it were new.