The cheapest student travel insurance for short trips starts at $41, study-abroad coverage runs $61-$93, and annual gap-year plans cost $59-$141.
Cheapest and Best Travel Insurance for Students
We analyzed U.S. travel insurers to find the cheapest and best student travel insurance plans for study-abroad and gap-year travelers.
Find affordable, high-quality protection for study-abroad and gap-year travelers below.
Updated: December 9, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Cheapest Overall: Tin Leg Basic offers the lowest rates at $41 for short trips.
Best for Study Abroad: Generali Global Assistance Standard provides affordable coverage starting around $70 with Schengen-compliant medical limits.
Best for Gap Year: Nationwide Pro Plan costs $59 annually for year-long multi-trip coverage with $75,000 medical and $500,000 evacuation protection.
Cheapest and Best Student Travel Insurance Companies
These companies offer the best balance of low prices and strong coverage for students traveling abroad.
For budget-conscious students on short trips
Tin Leg
Tin Leg leads with the lowest rates at $41 for 7-day trips through its direct-to-consumer model. Basic plan provides $50,000 medical and $200,000 evacuation, which is adequate protection for budget-conscious students on spring break or short service trips.
For gap-year travelers with flexible bookings
Nationwide
Nationwide offers the best annual coverage at $59 for gap-year travelers. Pro Plan provides $75,000 medical and $500,000 evacuation for unlimited trips, costing less than buying two short-trip policies.
For European study-abroad students
Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance delivers the best value for European study abroad at $70. Standard plan meets Schengen visa requirements with $50,000 medical and $250,000 evacuation at student-friendly pricing.
Cheapest Travel Insurance for Short Trips
For students taking multiple trips
Travel Insured
Travel Insured provides affordable annual coverage with trip cancellation at $89. Annual Plan includes $1,250 trip protection, ideal for students taking multiple trips with non-refundable bookings.
For short-term travelers to affordable countries
Travelex
Travelex keeps short-trip costs low at $59 for Essential plan. Best for students traveling to affordable countries who need basic protection without Schengen requirements.
Best Travel Insurance for Short Student Trips
Tin Leg | Basic | $41 | $50,000 | $200,000 | $500 |
Travelex | Essential | $59 | $25,000 | $200,000 | $750 |
Nationwide | Essential | $62 | $75,000 | $500,000 | $600 |
BHTP | ExactCare Value | $66 | $15,000 | $150,000 | $750 |
World Trips | Explore | $78 | Varies by state | $750,000 | $1,500 |
*Based on $2,500 trip cost, age-30 quotes adjusted 5% lower for students.
Tin Leg Basic costs $6 per day. Travelex Essential costs $8 per day for half the medical coverage. Nationwide Essential costs $9 per day with 50% higher medical limits and 2.5x evacuation coverage. For students with minimal U.S. health insurance, that extra $3 per day provides significantly better protection.
Best Study Abroad Travel Insurance
France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and 21 other European countries require minimum €30,000 ($32,000) medical coverage for student visas.
World Trips | Explore | $61 | Varies by state | $750,000 | Varies |
Generali Global Assistance | Standard | $70 | $50,000 | $250,000 | ✓ Yes |
AXA | Silver | $70 | $25,000 | $100,000 | ✗ No |
Seven Corners | Choice | $77 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | ✓ Yes |
Allianz | Prime | $93 | $50,000 | $500,000 | ✓ Yes |
*$2,500 trip cost, age-30 quotes adjusted 5% lower. Semester pricing (90-120 days) will be higher.
Plans meeting €30,000 minimum: Generali Standard ($50,000), Nationwide Essential ($75,000), Seven Corners Choice ($500,000), Allianz Prime ($50,000), Tin Leg Basic ($50,000).
Plans that don't qualify: AXA Silver ($25,000), Travelex Essential ($25,000).
Best Annual Plans for Gap Year
Nationwide | Pro Plan | $59 | None | $5 |
Travel Insured | Annual Plan | $89 | $1,250 | $7 |
Allianz | Basic Annual | $131 | None | $11 |
Nationwide | Plus Plan | $141-$344 | $1,250-$5,000 | $12-$29 |
Seven Corners | Annual Multi | $254-$437 | $2,500-$30,000 | $21-$36 |
*Age-30 quotes adjusted 5% lower. Worldwide coverage.
Savings with annual plans:
- 3 trips: Save $64 ($123 vs $59)
- 4 trips: Save $105 ($164 vs $59)
- 5 trips: Save $146 ($205 vs $59)
Student Travel Insurance by Coverage Level
Students with no U.S. health insurance should choose at least mid-tier coverage. Budget plans with $15,000-$25,000 medical limits won't cover hospital stays that commonly cost $30,000-$75,000.
Budget | $10,000-$50,000 | $50,000-$250,000 | $41-$70 | Healthy students, short trips, affordable countries |
Mid-Tier | $50,000-$150,000 | $250,000-$500,000 | $62-$93 | Minimal U.S. insurance, semester programs |
Comprehensive | $150,000-$250,000+ | $500,000-$1,000,000 | $77+ | Pre-existing conditions, expensive countries |
Budget coverage ($50,000) works for: Healthy students traveling to affordable countries on short trips under two weeks with strong U.S. health insurance backup.
Upgrade to $75,000-$100,000 if: Traveling to expensive healthcare countries (Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Australia), have asthma or diabetes, take daily medications, or lack U.S. health insurance backup.
How to Choose Cheap Student Travel Insurance
Match coverage to your trip type. Spring break trips need basic plans at $41-$66. European study abroad requires mid-tier Schengen-compliant coverage at $70-$93. Gap-year travelers should choose annual plans at $59-$141.
2-week spring break | Basic | $41-$66 | Adequate for short trips |
European study abroad | Mid-tier Schengen-compliant | $70-$93 | Meets visa requirements |
Gap year | Annual | $59-$141 | Covers all trips |
Healthy, no medications | Basic | $41-$70 | Lower limits work for routine care |
Asthma, diabetes, daily meds | Mid-tier with pre-existing window | $62-$93 | Avoids claim denials |
Japan, Switzerland travel | Mid-tier or comprehensive | $62-$150+ | Expensive healthcare |
Purchase timing: Buy within 14-21 days of your first deposit to unlock pre-existing condition waivers. World Trips Explore offers 21 days, Seven Corners Choice 20 days, BHTP ExactCare Value 15 days, Tin Leg Basic 14 days, Nationwide Essential 10 days.
Match medical limits to destination costs:
Spain, Portugal, Mexico | $2,000-$4,000 | $1,000-$2,000 | $50,000 |
France, Italy, Germany | $3,000-$6,000 | $1,500-$3,000 | $50,000-$75,000 |
UK, Ireland | $4,000-$7,000 | $2,000-$3,500 | $75,000 |
Japan | $5,000-$10,000 | $3,000-$5,000 | $75,000-$100,000 |
Switzerland, Norway | $5,000-$12,000 | $4,000-$8,000 | $100,000+ |
Australia | $6,000-$10,000 | $3,000-$6,000 | $75,000-$100,000 |
How Students Can Save
- 1Buy Early for Maximum Benefits
Purchase within 14-21 days of your first program deposit to unlock trip cancellation benefits and pre-existing condition waivers. Buy when you make your first deposit, not right before departure.
- 2Skip Coverage You Don't Need
Focus on essentials: medical, evacuation, basic trip protection.
Skip if unnecessary:
- High baggage coverage (basic $500-$750 covers essentials)
- Cancel for Any Reason (costs 40-60% more)
- Adventure sports riders (if not skiing/diving)
Never skip:
- Medical coverage (minimum $50,000)
- Evacuation coverage (minimum $200,000)
- Basic trip cancellation
- 3Choose the Right Medical Limit for Your Destination
$50,000 works for healthy students traveling to affordable countries on short trips with strong U.S. health insurance backup.
Upgrade to $75,000-$100,000 if traveling to expensive healthcare countries, have chronic conditions, take daily medications, or lack U.S. health insurance backup.
- 4Annual Plans Beat Multiple Short Trips
Taking three or more trips? Annual coverage saves $64-$146 versus buying separate policies.
Student Travel Insurance: FAQ
What's the cheapest student travel insurance?
Tin Leg Basic at $41 for short trips (7 days, $2,500 trip cost) with $50,000 medical and $200,000 evacuation. For annual coverage, Nationwide Pro Plan costs $59 with $75,000 medical and $500,000 evacuation.
What's the best study abroad travel insurance?
Generali Global Assistance Standard at $70 meets Schengen visa requirements with $50,000 medical coverage. For higher protection, Seven Corners Choice at $77 offers $500,000 medical and $1,000,000 evacuation.
Does my U.S. health insurance work abroad?
No. Campus health plans end at the U.S. border. Foreign hospitals don't file U.S. insurance claims. You'll pay thousands upfront. See what travel insurance covers for international protection.
How do I know if my insurance meets European visa requirements?
Your policy must show minimum €30,000 ($32,000) medical coverage. Plans meeting requirements: Generali Standard ($50,000), Nationwide Essential ($75,000), Seven Corners Choice ($500,000), Allianz Prime ($50,000), Tin Leg Basic ($50,000).
What's the best international student travel insurance for multiple trips?
Nationwide Pro Plan at $59 annually provides $75,000 medical and $500,000 evacuation for unlimited trips. Saves $64-$146 versus buying 3-5 separate policies.
How We Analyzed Student Travel Insurance Costs
MoneyGeek gathered quotes from major U.S. providers using a standardized profile: age 30, California residence, single traveler, $2,500 trip cost, 7-day and 365-day coverage periods. We applied a 5% downward adjustment to age-30 quotes to reflect student pricing for ages 20-24.
We evaluated plans based on cost per day, medical coverage limits, evacuation protection, pre-existing condition waivers, and compliance with visa requirements.
Important notes:
- Actual rates vary by state, trip details, and age
- Semester-long coverage (90-120 days) costs more than 7-day estimates
- Contact providers directly for personalized quotes
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.