Can Travel Insurance Help if My Sponsor Met with an Accident?

TL;DR: Yes! Suppose your academic sponsor met with an accident. In that case, your travel insurance can help you out by paying the unpaid tuition fees and the one-time return economy class air ticket between the student’s city of residence and the country where the educational institution is to enable the student to be at their home in a time of need. 

In 2022 alone, over 1lakh Indian students travelled abroad to pursue higher qualifications in the UK, USA, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, etc.* As a student in a new country, the environment can get very overwhelming, and you might find yourself in difficulties often. 

A comprehensive travel policy should also protect you as a student and the sponsor of your education. This is especially beneficial for focusing on your studies and holistic growth.

When travelling abroad for educational purposes, many students put in tons of effort to pursue their course and get into college, and much more when it comes to acquiring funds. Financial aid can be scholarships, grants, student loans, and other sources.

Getting a sponsor for your education is another method where wealthy individuals and organizations invest in education-related programs to support student clubs and organizations. You must write a sponsorship letter stating your purpose and need. Once they are convinced, your education will fall under sponsorship.

Risk of sponsorship

But what would happen if the person helping sponsor your education (for example, your relative or a third-party person) faces serious complications? In the event of your sponsor’s injury or accident, you don’t have to worry about cutting your education abroad short. Your student travel insurance plays a significant role with Accident of the Sponsor as the proper benefit.

Many travel insurance policies offer Accident of the Sponsor or Sponsor Protection covers as a section in your travel insurance policy. When purchasing a Student Travel Insurance Plan, you must ensure that this benefit is inclusive of your policy.

An extensive policy protects you and your sponsor to ensure that your education and future are not compromised. With Digit’s International Student Travel Insurance policy (Digit On the Move Policy), this cover is in-built, providing you with a comprehensive plan for all your needs. 

In the event of any accident to your sponsor, we like to ensure that your future remains secure. During hard times like this, when you might feel lost or worried, we can reassure you regarding your educational expenses. 

You will be covered up to the limits shown in your policy schedule in the unexpected event of your sponsor (as named in the policy schedule) meeting with an accident resulting in his/her death or permanent total disablement during planned studies for the remaining part of the enrolled full-time course duration within the coverage period. The expenses you need not worry about are: 

• The unpaid tuition fees of your enrolled full-time study in a registered educational institution outside of your home country. 

• One-time return economy class air ticket between the student’s city of residence and the country where the educational institution is to enable the student to be at their home in a time of need. 

If you need to file a claim under Accident of the Sponsor cover, you must also be aware of what cannot be covered. 

Anything mentioned in the General Exclusions section of your insurance policy document will not be covered. Additionally, any exclusions mentioned in the Specific Exclusion section of the “Personal Accident” cover is also applicable.  

Some of those exclusions are mentioned here: 

• Any claim for sickness, disease, bodily or mental infirmity, nervous shock or naturally occurring condition or degenerative process, and not occurred as a result of an accident.  

• Amounts related to medical or surgical treatment. 

To understand what isn’t covered under your policy, you need to go through your policy document carefully. Understanding what is not covered is just as important as knowing what is covered.

During a time like this we understand how difficult it must be to cope and carry on with your studies. That’s why we try to help as much as possible. When you continue to file a claim under Accident of the Sponsor, to ensure a smoother claiming procedure, you must keep in mind certain terms and conditions. 

• Death or Permanent Total Disablement of Sponsor should occur during the covered period of insurance. 

• The claim would be payable by us upon submission of an official death/disability certificate and a statement from a physician stating cause of death/disability of the sponsor. 

• In the event of a claim, only the figures shown on official invoice(s) from the educational institution of the said Tuition fees, shall be used for calculating any reimbursement paid by your insurer.  

• Simultaneous claims under “Study Interruption” cover and “Accident of the Sponsor” are not permitted. 

Minimum documents required to claim from Digit under Accident of the Sponsor

While filing a claim, one must contact the Medical Emergency Assistance helpline immediately. Remember that the claim would be payable only on receiving an official death/disability certificate and specified cause of death or disability. 

You will be asked to produce: 

• Preliminary medical report describing the nature and extent of all injuries and diagnosis. 

• Death/PTD/PPD certificate from a registered medical practitioner (where applicable). 

• Official invoice(s) from the educational institution and voucher(s) of payment of the said Tuition fees. 

You can never predict when unfortunate situations like this might arise. Having a secure plan to fall back on in desperate times comes as a sigh of relief. With Accident of the Sponsor cover in your Student Travel Insurance, you can recoup your course steadily pace and get back on track in no time.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purpose, collected across the Internet and with respect to Digit’s On-the-Move Policy document. For detailed coverage, exclusions, and conditions about Accident of the Sponsor cover, go through your travel policy document carefully.