When you move from India to the UK to study, it is easy to assume the NHS will cover everything. You do pay the Immigration Health Surcharge during your visa process, which is what gives you access to NHS services during your stay. Still, NHS access and travel insurance for student plans solve different problems. One supports healthcare within the UK. The other protects your trip when plans go sideways.

In this article, you will explore how NHS access works, what it misses, and how to choose student travel insurance.

London, England at night.

NHS Cover vs Insurance: What Changes after Your Visa

The NHS is a public system. You will usually register with a GP after arriving, and for many non-urgent issues, you may face waiting times depending on local demand.

What the NHS Usually Covers And What It Does Not

Even when you are eligible to use NHS services, you can still pay for certain items. The NHS notes that charges may apply to prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests. Additionally, the NHS will not resolve travel issues. Lost baggage, delayed flights, stolen documents, and emergency changes to your journey are not NHS situations.

  • The NHS supports GP visits and essential medical treatment.
  • You may still pay for dental, prescriptions, and eye tests.
  • It will not cover delays, baggage loss, or documents.

What Travel Insurance for Students Covers That the NHS Does Not

International travel insurance is built for sudden disruptions. It typically covers medical emergencies during travel, flight delays, trip curtailment, loss of checked baggage, and personal liability abroad. UKCISA also advises students to consider insurance for additional costs, such as travel home for treatment, a family emergency requiring urgent travel, or repatriation in extreme cases.

  • Emergency medical bills during travel, beyond NHS access.
  • Flight delays, cancellations, and last-minute trip curtailment costs.
  • Lost baggage, stolen essentials, and urgent document replacement support.
  • Emergency travel home, repatriation help, and personal liability cover.

In simple terms, the NHS helps you access care in the UK. Student travel insurance helps you handle the financial and logistical shocks caused by illness, accidents, and disruptions.

How to Pick the Right Policy from India

A student policy should match real student life, not a short holiday. Look for cover that starts from your departure from India and runs through your settling-in period, when you are still sorting out housing and healthcare registration.

Features to Prioritise

Pick features that match student life, not a quick holiday, so you are covered from departure to settling-in surprises in the UK.

  • Emergency medical cover for illness or accidents, including hospitalisation.
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation support.
  • Passport and document loss support with clear assistance steps.
  • Trip delay and baggage cover so you can manage essentials and rebooking.
  • Personal liability cover and a responsive assistance service.

These are common pillars of international travel insurance, particularly for medical, trip, baggage, and liability risks.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Before you pay, pause and double-check the fine print. These questions help you avoid gaps that only show up during emergencies.

  • Are pre-existing conditions covered if disclosed or excluded?
  • Will your usual activities (gym, sports, part-time travel) be covered?
  • Is the claim process cashless, reimbursement-based, or mixed?
  • Are laptops and gadgets covered, and what are the item limits?
  • If illness disrupts your studies, is study interruption included?

Get clear answers in writing, then compare policies calmly. A little diligence now can save serious stress, money, and time later.

Avoid Common Claim Surprises

Before you pay, scan exclusions and document requirements. Most claims issues stem from assumptions that do not align with the policy wording.

  • Provide a complete and honest medical history and keep a copy of the disclosures.
  • Save boarding passes, bills, and receipts, and report theft or loss quickly if required.
  • Store your policy and emergency assistance details on your phone.

Do this upfront, and you will claim faster, stress less, and stay focused on your studies instead of paperwork and follow-ups.

Conclusion

NHS access is valuable, but it does not protect you from delays, lost documents, emergency travel home, or the support you need to manage a crisis smoothly. A well-chosen travel insurance for student plan fills those gaps, so you can focus on settling into the UK with more confidence.