Many people who dream of studying in New Zealand have no idea that, in most schools and institutions, it is necessary to present health insurance to enroll. In this article, we will explain which are the best options for you who are taking a short course or more than one year!

Many people are unaware that they need health insurance as a student, but it is extremely important to make sure you have a headache-free or emergency-free stay abroad. In addition, you will most likely need proof of medical coverage to enroll in the desired course!

That’s why we’ve put together the best insurance options for students in New Zealand, as well as some important information about student visas, courses, most common institutions and the New Zealander healthcare system.

Keep reading!

Why should international students in New Zealand have health insurance?

Having health insurance is essential for you to stay well in case you need medical or other care in case of other types of emergencies in the destination country.

International students coming to New Zealand need to be covered by private or public health insurance. Most international students are eligible for universal health coverage in New Zealand.

However, this depends on some factors such as country of origin, course duration and age.

But this is nothing new, right? Also, I will explain other things that I think are relevant.

The ideal international student insurance plan for your needs depends on how long you will be spending in New Zealand, whether you will need a visa, whether you will be eligible for the New Zealander national healthcare system and your individual choices.

These things take us to another point…

What student health insurance is required for a student visa in New Zealand?

If you still have doubts, it is important to know that health insurance is mandatory if you are going to study in New Zealand.

Expats living in New Zealand can apply for health benefits in two ways: Universal Health Insurance and private health insurance.

If you want to know more about the types of courses you can study in New Zealand, the best colleges and the visas you need, then continue reading the article after the list of the best international health insurance for international students in New Zealand.

As I always recommend, it is interesting that you make a quick quote online with all the companies listed here. It will take a little more time, but it saves you a lot of money!

The 5 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students in New Zealand

1. Health insurance for international students by IMG

IMG offers a wide range of insurance plans for students (and expats in general).

They have three different insurance plans that are specific to students. One of them is only for students studying in the United States (The Patriot Exchange Program), so we are only going to talk about two of them here.

Plan #1: Student Health Advantage

This program will likely be sufficient to meet your course’s coverage requirements (but it’s always good to certify the minimum coverage required!).

The plan covers many things that some others do not, such as mental health disorders, maternity and pre-existing health conditions such as any illness or injury that are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. In addition, it also covers COVID-19 costs.

Plan #2: Student Health Advantage Platinum

This plan is exactly like the previous one, but it offers twice the maximum coverage: $1,000,000

What I like about IMG’s International Student Insurance:

Made specifically for students
Covers students of all nationalities
They have over 17,000 healthcare professionals around the world.
Customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Covers COVID-19 and telemedicine consultations

What I don’t like about IMG’s International Student Insurance:

In some of the plans offered, there is a one-year grace period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.

2. International health insurance for Cigna Global students

Cigna is one of the world’s largest health insurers, offering plans for travelers, expats and international students.

They offer three main plans: Silver, Gold and Platinum, which cover your needs not only in New Zealand but worldwide! If you have plans to visit the United States during your stay in New Zealand, you can choose to be covered there as well (although this makes your policy a little more expensive, so it might be better to just get short travel insurance for your visit to the United States).

Here’s a table that compares your plan options:

Cigna’s plans are flexible, allowing you to add whatever you need (which includes things like dental and eye care or international evacuation and crisis assistance).

The company also has a flexible payment policy that offers different options like annual, monthly and quarterly payments.

What I like about international health insurance for Cigna Global Students:

Quick response to complaints (according to the company, 95% of refund requests are received within 10 days)
An online help center providing access to a list of over 3,000 hospitals plus information guides
Cigna has partnerships with more than 1.65 million hospitals, doctors, clinics and specialists around the world, which gives a range of options to the customer who needs medical care.
24/7 assistance to answer any of your questions

What I don’t like about Cigna Global’s International Student Health Insurance:

The most basic plan does not cover prenatal and postnatal care
They do not include coverage for outpatient consultations with specialists and doctors.

3. Now Health International

Now Health International has positioned itself as a leader in the global insurance market, with a primary focus on ensuring client satisfaction through the provision of efficient and cost-effective insurance plans.

One of the key advantages of this company is its state-of-the-art customer service, which offers swift and practical information to assist customers.

All Now Health plans are specifically designed to meet and address the challenges faced by individuals living in a foreign country, including international students and exchange students worldwide.

Additionally, these plans can be fully personalized to perfectly align with your unique needs, guaranteeing a perfect fit.

What I like about Now Health International Student Plans:

Clear information and 24/7 customer service
Coverage in over 190 countries and territories
Various international insurance options and customizable plans
Some plans offer coverage for maternity routines

What I don’t like about Now Health International Student Plans:

In some procedures, Now Health works with a reimbursement system
For plans with routine maternity coverage, you must wait a 12-month waiting period to access this benefit

4. Foyer Global Health

Whatever you need, Goyer Global Health is sure to have a plan for you. Their plans range from basic or premium, short-term or long-term, and individual or family.

They have three different plans. Here’s a quick rundown of what each of these plans includes:

ESSENCIAL

Consultations, surgery and anesthetics
Therapeutic devices (such as cardiac pacemakers) if needed as a rescue measure
Congenital diseases (up to a maximum of €100,000 per life)
Does not cover maternity and childbirth

SPECIAL

Consultations, surgery and anesthetics
Auxiliaries and therapeutic devices (such as artificial limbs and prostheses) up to €2,000
Congenital diseases up to a maximum of €150,000 per life
Maternity and childbirth care (up to €5,000 with a waiting period of 10 months)

EXCLUSIVE

Consultations, surgery and anesthetics
Unlimited therapeutic devices
Congenital diseases up to a maximum of €200,000 per life
Maternity care, childbirth care and midwifery or nursing services at the hospital (up to €20,000 with a 10 month waiting period)

What I like about Foyer Global Health plans:

Plans include consultations, surgeries and basic dental treatments
24/7 customer service by phone or email with experienced consultants, doctors and specialists
They offer evacuation and repatriation service
They offer medical support and pre-trip advice (vaccinations, preparation of a first aid kit)

What I don’t like about Foyer Global Health plans:

Your most basic plan does not include prenatal and postnatal care

5. StudentSecure Insurance from HCCMIS

HCCMIS is another provider that offers insurance for full-time students and scholars studying away from home (in addition to regular travel insurance).

These are the 4 levels of student health insurance coverage they offer (they all work great for New Zealand!):

StudentSecure Elite

Offers the lowest deductibles and the highest maximum coverage
Six-month wait for pre-existing conditions to be covered
Sports coverage for club/intercollegiate activities
Covers personal liability

StudentSecure Select

Six-month waiting period before a pre-existing condition can be covered
Optional Crisis Response pilot for rescue, your personal belongings and crisis fees

StudentSecure Budget

Coverage for pre-existing conditions starts 12 months after purchasing the insurance
Mid-tier benefits and higher deductible (for a lower monthly fee overall)

StudentSecure Smart

Lowest cost plan (with the lowest corresponding benefits)
Highest deductibles of all plans
Does not cover club sports
Can only cover a pre-existing condition in its acute onset

Here is a comparison of the 4 HCC StudentSecure plans (click to see the full chart):

What I like about HCCMIS StudentSecure plans:

Emergency dental care (in the event of an accident) up to a maximum of US$250 per tooth and a maximum of US$500 during the certification period
Savings plan if you pay the full amount before
One of the cheapest plans on this list

What I don’t like about HCCMIS StudentSecure plans:

Does not have coverage for pre-existing conditions in the Smart plan
There is a six-month waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions (even if you subscribe to the Elite plan)
Only in the Elite plan is there coverage for vaccines
There is no maternity and nursery coverage for newborns on the Smart plan
Your low-cost plans may have high deductibles

3 International Health Insurance Companies that can also be used by International Students in New Zealand!

The two companies mentioned below do not offer specific health insurance for those studying abroad. Instead, they offer international health insurance that will (almost certainly) be accepted by your school or university as proof of coverage.

So my advice is that you ask for a quote from these two companies and compare it to the quote you got from the companies listed above. If you find that one of these two companies offers good coverage at a lower price than the other options, check with your German school or university to see if they accept this type of policy.

If they do, this is a great chance to save money before venturing into your new home!

– Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International of Global Underwriters

Global Underwriters offers international health insurance plans for many types of travelers, including exchange students and international students.

When it comes to GU plans, I recommend Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International for international students in New Zealand.

What I like about Global Underwriters plans:

Have coverage for medical evacuations, emergency dentistry and repatriation of mortal remains
The Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans provide coverage of up to $1,000,000
In addition to medical coverage, the plans offer assistance in the event of lost luggage and travel interruption.
24/7 customer service

What I don’t like about Global Underwriters plans:

Diplomat International plan does not cover Covid-19
The Diplomat Long Term plan does not cater for students residing in Australia and Iran, as well as New York, Maryland, South Dakota (but this is not an issue if you are going to New Zealand!)
Plans can be a little more expensive than others on this list.

– Geoblue

Geoblue is another great option if you are looking for health insurance to cover you while studying in New Zealand.

What I like about Geoblue’s international health insurance:

Very adaptable and flexible plans based on your individual needs
24/7 customer service
Some of their plans cover extras like evacuation, preventative medical appointments, and maternity care.
It is possible to add ophthalmology and dentistry services
The Xplorer plan has no maximum medical coverage, covers extreme sports, does not charge deductibles for standard services, and has no cancellation fees

What I don’t like about Geoblue’s international health insurance:

They do not serve residents of New York and Washington (although this is not a problem if you are going to New Zealand)
You need to speak to an insurance broker in person to get an accurate quote (which is very annoying)

– Aetna (acquired by AllianzCare)

Aetna is a recognized company in the field of health insurance.

A good advantage of Aetna is that their plans are quite flexible (you can customize based on all your needs), and they have very good customer service (as far as insurers go).

What I like about Aetna’s international health insurance:

They’ve been in the health insurance industry for 50 years
Flexible and customized plans
Expert service every day, seven days a week
Coverage for emergency evacuations, cancer treatments, repatriation and hospitalizations
They have already won awards such as “Health Insurer of the Year” and “Best International Private Health Insurance Provider”
Application that helps customers maintain healthier habits with a points and rewards incentive system

What I don’t like about Aetna’s international health insurance:

Their website is not very clear about the exact coverage of some of their plans.
They don’t offer any kind of travel insurance plan.

Aetna

Table comparison of the 7 best health insurance plans for international/exchange students in New Zealand

	IMG	Cigna Global	Foyer Global Health	HCCMIS	Global Underwriters
Medical Maximum	Unlimited (for the Platinum plan)	$5,000,000	There are no limits independent of the plan	US$1,000,000 per year	$1,000,000
Mental Health Benefit	Unspecified	Unlimited for up to 90 days	Included in all plans with a 10-month waiting period	Outpatient: $50 per day max up to $500 in total	Yes
Inpatient Prescription Drugs	80% coverage out-of-network, 100% in the USA and internationally	Unspecified	Coverage available	Name-brand drugs: 50% coinsurance Generic drugs: 100% coinsurance Special drugs: no coverage	Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drugs	50% of actual costs, 90 days maximum per dispensation	Unspecified	Unspecified	coinsurance Generic drugs: 100% coinsurance Special drugs: no coverage	Yes
Mental Health Benefit	Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan	Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum	None	Inpatient and Outpatient: limit not specified	Inpatient, outpatient, and therapy: limit not specific
Outpatient Prescription Drugs	None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option	Up to $8,000,000	Full reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Repatriation of Remains	$25,000 maximum or $5,000 for cremation	Optional	Optional	$50,000 maximum or $5,000 for cremation	$13,500 maximum
Emergency Evacuation	$50,000	Optional	Optional	$10,000	Yes
Hospital room coverage	Offered up to the average semi-private room rate	Private room	Private Room	Usual	Usual
Terrorism	$50,000	Unspecified	Unspecified	$100,000	N/A
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD & D)	Principal sum of $25,000 that is not subject to deduction	$25,000 for main policy holder, $10,000 for spouse on the plan, $5,000 for child on the plan Total limit of $250,000	Optional	$25,000 for main policy holder, $10,000 for spouse on the plan, $5,000 for child on the plan Total limit of $250,000	There is coverage
Emergency Dental	$500 per injury for the coverage period	Optional	Optional	$2,500	Yes
Maternity Care	Only covered in Platinum plan	$14,000/€11,000/£9,000 in the Platinum plan	Only available in the Special and Exclusive plans	Within the US: up to 80% coverage with a $25,000 limit within the PPO network/Outside PPO: up to 50% coverage with a $25,000 limit Outside the United States: Up to 80% coverage with a $25,000 limit. Benefits reduced by 25% if pregnancy is not reported within the first 90 days.	Not specified
Pre-existing condition exclusion period	Maximum limit of $1,500 with a 12-month waiting period	$14,000/€11,000/£9,000 in the Platinum plan	Coverage available	Limited of $250,000 per plan	Unspecified
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)	100% coverage after the deductible has been met	Full coverage with the Platinum plan	Coverage available	Up to $50,000	Not specified
Vaccines	Unspecified	Optional	Only in the Special and Exclusive plans	$200	Yes, but must be paid as a separate plan
Routine care for newborns	Unspecified	Optional	Only in the Special and Exclusive plans	Up to $750	Yes, but must be paid as a separate plan
Pre-existing annual maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Depends on the plan
Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Depends on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.

Why study New Zealand and how does the Educational System work?

New Zealand is considered one of the best study destinations for students who want to receive a quality education, with affordable tuition and in a country where research and development has grown a lot. In addition, according to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand was elected as the second safest country in the world in 2021.

New Zealand’s education system has state-of-the-art facilities and its universities are highly recognized and regarded by employers around the world.

New Zealand is also known for its beautiful beauty and the extreme sports practiced there. The country mainly includes two main islands – the North and South Islands, and several small islands, some of which are several kilometers away from the main islands.

Children in New Zealand usually start school at age 5 and spend 13 years in school. There are 3 types of schools in the country:

public schools, which are funded by the government
Maori Kura Kaupapa schools, where children are taught some or all of the curriculum subjects in the Maori language at least 51% of the time
private schools, where families pay fees set by the school.

Types of visa for foreign students in New Zealand

If you want to live in New Zealand and study full-time, you will need one of three types of study visa:

Fee-paying student visa: for students studying full-time for up to four years
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa: For students who are receiving a scholarship or loan from a foreign government to finance their studies
Pathway Student Visa: for students who will study more than one program consecutively

New Zealand Study Visa Process:

Receive an invitation letter: Your chosen institution will send you an invitation letter for you to accept, at which point you will have to prepay any tuition and accommodation fees.
Have a medical examination: You will need to have a medical examination by a doctor approved by New Zealand Immigration.
Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): You can obtain a clearance certificate from a Regional Passport office or the Deputy Commissioner of Police in your area.
Create an account and apply online: You may also have the option to apply by mail. Be sure to keep your receipt for payment of your application fee.
Receive a decision: The time it takes to receive a decision on your visa varies depending on the country you are applying from. You should always try to apply three months before your course starts.

You can expect to obtain your visa in between two and seven weeks.

Best New Zealander Universities

Below you can find the best universities in New Zealand to apply to! You can choose an undergraduate, master’s, doctoral or even postdoctoral degree. Pay attention to the language of the classes, as some universities teach part of their classes in the local Maori language, in addition to English.

University of Auckland

University of Otago

University Victoria of Wellington

University of Canterbury

University of Massachusetts

University of Waikato

University Lincoln Canterbury

Auckland University of Technology

In Sum…

Once again, these are the 5 best and cheapest travel insurance policies for international students in New Zealand:

Student Health Advantage from IMG
International health insurance for Cigna Global students
Now Health International
Foyer Global Health
Insurance StudentSecure da HCCMIS

In Conclusion…

Finally… As you prepare for your time as an international student in New Zealand, make sure that health insurance isn’t something you forget about.

After all, you might not be able to apply to college without it… and you don’t want to be stuck paying out-of-pocket medical expenses!

If you still have any questions about these travel insurance options for students in New Zealand (or moving abroad in general), let me know in the comments area below and I’ll be happy to help!

Planning your next trip?

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. Our page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance on the Market can help you choose the right plan and will give you some discount coupons for the biggest insurance companies!

Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes.

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets.

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.