If you’re thinking of coming to New Zealand for work, or a holiday you may want (or need) to get insurance to protect yourself from unexpected costs. However, if you are an international student in New Zealand, you must have student health and travel insurance while studying. The reason is that International students can’t get public health insurance.
Please note that from this point, when I write health insurance, I mean health and travel insurance.
International student health insurance requirement
The New Zealand government’s Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 requires all international students to have appropriate health and travel insurance during their period of study.
If you have a New Zealand Government scholarship, your insurance is covered while studying. If you are not a New Zealand citizen or a Permanent Resident, you must have student health insurance.
Some education providers require all enrolled international students to have approved health and travel insurance for the duration of enrolment (regardless of the visa type).
A student visa holder is also required to have approved health and travel insurance for the length of the visa or until they depart New Zealand, whichever comes first.
The standard insurance policy includes:
- Medical and related expenses
- Optical and emergency dental
- Repatriation and travel disruption
- Luggage
- Personal effects
- Travel documents
- Money and credit cards
- Personal liability
Some schools prefer one insurance company than others. However, you can buy any international student health insurance provided by the following New Zealand companies:
- Studentsafe
- Uni-Care Ltd
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance – StudentMax Plan
- OrbitProtect – Prime Plan
New Zealand Government allows you to purchase medical insurance from your country. If you do so, the policy should be in English so that your school can benchmark with the requirements. However, I strongly advise you not to buy from your country to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing condition is any condition that was diagnosed in the past and you already knew.
If you have the Pre-existing conditions, you need to declare and pay extra fees if required. If you choose not to tell, they might not reimburse the medical expenses when they find out.
The most cost-effective student insurance in New Zealand
When I arrived in New Zealand in 2015, my college bought student health insurance from this company. My period of insurance was 391 days. The cost varies as per the length of your study or insurance company.
To compare the fee among the providers, I have to select the same period of Insurance which is 365 days (a full year).
Studentsafe
Studentsafe only focuses on students enrolling at 8 universities in New Zealand. If you study at other schools, you have to call them to check. In the internet age, this is not acceptable. Do not contact them, especially when you are in your country. Their fee at the University of Auckland website is $620 per year.
Uni-Care Ltd
Southern Cross Travel Insurance – StudentMax Plan
OrbitProtect – Prime Plan
Orbit Protect gives you two options: Prime & Lite. Lite is always cheaper as it does not cover the property such as phones or laptops.
The Student Prime insurance provides international students with an automatic property cover of NZ$3,000 per item, pairs or sets of items and up to a total value of NZ$10,000.
The best price for international student health insurance is Orbit Protect. It costs only $454 per year. The most expensive is Studentsafe.
[Please do not confuse Orbit Protect with OrbitRemit, a money transfer company. If you need to transfer money back to your home country, you can use OrbitRemit, a New Zealand company. They guarantee the fee is cheaper than the bank fee]
What to do after buying student health insurance?
Health problems caused by accident
Everyone in New Zealand is covered by a no-fault scheme if they’ve been injured in an accident. Certainly, students are also protected by this scheme in New Zealand. You can read more at ACC website
How do students see a doctor in New Zealand?
In your countries, you might go directly to hospitals for treatment. New Zealand is quite different. Hospitals are for emergency patients or cases recommended by doctors
If you are sick, you need to book a doctor, called GP (general practitioner). Sometimes, your doctor is busy. When you can see him, your health problem is over. If it is not an emergency, you must see the GP first. Depending on your situation, the doctor may treat you, refer you to see the specialist or go to hospitals for check-ups.
In most cases, you do not have to pay or pay a small fee. If you have to pay, then you can claim the reimbursement later.
Some universities or large schools have Student Health Center or school clinics.
If there is a serious or life-threatening situation, you can call the number 111 to get an ambulance.
How to claim medical expenses through student health insurance?
Direct Billing
Direct billing means your medical expenses are charged directly to the insurance company. Insurance companies often establish direct billing agreements with a number of doctors or medical institutions. They may contact the insurance company directly for you.
Pay first – Claim later
If direct-billing is not applicable, you need to pay the GP fees first and claim it later. The procedures to claim the insurance depends on each company. The common theme is that
- you go to the company website and download the form
- Fill in the form about you, the insurance reference number
- send the form and the medical expense invoice
Conclusion
- Remember that student health insurance is a must in New Zealand
- The cheapest price for international student health insurance is Orbit Protect. It costs only $454 per year.
- Stay healthy so that you will not need to see the doctor
Last but not least, if you work or take a vacation in New Zealand, then Orbit Protect is also the most cost-effective insurance company. Check this link to find out more.
Buy your insurance policy with Orbit Protect now