Studentsafe
Information about Studentsafe - Inbound University policy, covering medical and travel expenses for international students at the University of Waikato.
You can purchase the Studentsafe - Inbound University policy through the University.
This will automatically be added and charged to your Enrolment Agreement. If you prefer you can choose to purchase an alternative approved policy and provide a copy of the cover to the university at least two weeks before the start of your course of study.
Studentsafe policies
Studentsafe Insurance is automatically added and charged to your Enrolment Agreement. If you prefer you can choose to purchase an alternative approved policy and provide a copy of the cover to the University at least two weeks before the start of your course of study.
SSU Inbound Rates for 2025
- Single Student monthly rate $71.25 (minimum 2 month charge applies)
- Group Students (studying for less than 4 weeks) $71.25
- Single Student annual rate (12 months) $855
- Family rate for student plus partner/spouse (12 months) $1710 ($855 x 2)
- Family rate for student plus 2 or more family members (12 months) $2,137.50 ($855 plus $1,282.50)
Group students (courses with a duration of 4 weeks or less)
For students on a Visitor Visa attending courses with a maximum duration of 4 weeks you will be charged $71.25 for insurance cover from course start date to course end date.
Short-term students
For students who are completing a short course of less than one complete semester (e.g. English Language) you will be charged from the course start date until the visa expiry date.
Part-year and annual students
For part-year students and students studying courses approximately one year in duration (including Study Abroad and Exchange students, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and MBM students) you will be charged a minimum of one semester $427.50 and a maximum of a full year premium $855 over a twelve-month period from the start of your study.
Cover will be provided to the expiry date of your current visa or the date you return to your country.
Degree students (more than 1 year)
For students studying courses for more than one year in duration (including Bachelor degrees and PhD students) you will be charged from the course start date an annual 12 month premium (this can be charged 6-monthly depending on the period you enrol into). In your final year, the cover will end when you arrive in your home country OR 150 days from the course end date OR the expiry date of your Student Visa, whichever one occurs first.
For students travelling to New Zealand
Cover begins 31 days before the commencement date of your course.
For students already residing in New Zealand
The period of insurance starts on the latter of 16 days before you start your course of study or on the day your existing compliant insurance expires. The 31 day travel allowance applies to transit stops but does not include extended holidays or diversions to other countries en-route to and from New Zealand other than Australia, Bali, Lombok and the Islands of the South Pacific.
Family Cover
Family members under 60 years of age and without a pre-existing health can also be covered. See the InsurancesafeNZ website for more details.
Please email your completed application to int.insurance@waikato.ac.nz
Cover starts when the application form is completed and the fee is paid. The same benefits the student has are given to the family members.
Renewal and changes to the Family Cover
Please note that it is the student's responsibility to advise us of any changes/additions to the policy and to renew the family insurance before the expiry date.
To find out more, contact the Insurance Administrator int.insurance@waikato.ac.nz
Disclaimer
The University of Waikato recommends students read the insurance policy wording carefully taking particular note of exclusions. It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the level of cover and the refund conditions offered by the insurance policy they have purchased.
Refer to InsurancesafeNZ for more details.
The University of Waikato takes no responsibility for misunderstandings over insurance content and conditions or for medical and travel costs not covered by insurance or for the activities of the insurance companies involved.
The University reserves the right to alter the minimum requirements for insurance cover at any time.
The University and the insurer also reserve the right to alter the terms and conditions of the insurance to allow for:
- The effects of medical inflation
- The effects of the increasing value of replacement property
- The level of adverse claims in any plan year
Studentsafe Insurance FAQs
- A comprehensive policy covering medical and related expenses; repatriation and travel disruption; luggage, personal effects, travel documents, money and credit cards; death and disablement by injury; personal liability; kidnap and ransom; rental vehicle collision damage and theft excess waiver.
- The limit on personal items is $2500. Including such items as a laptop, camera and bicycle.
- For detailed information on what the policy does and does not cover please refer to the Studentsafe-Inbound University policy. Note that certain conditions/exclusions apply.
- Any pre-existing medical condition will need to be accepted by the insurers.
- If you require cover for Pre-existing Medical Conditions, a medical risk assessment form (PDF) will need to be completed:
- Acceptance must be in writing from the insurers.
- The premium will be attached to your enrolment and fees invoice automatically.
- Payable at the same time when paying for your tuition fees.
- Travel (up to 31 days en route) to the university is covered, even if the premium is not paid until arrival.
- Cancellation/refund needs approval.
- Please email int.insurance@waikato.ac.nz to request a refund. You will be advised on your situation.
- Family cover for partner / spouse and all children up to and including age 18 (providing they are at school) can be covered for an extra fee.
- Family members named on the policy receive the same benefits as the student.
- A family application form (PDF) needs to be downloaded and completed.
- Please ask for details at the insurance office or email int.insurance@waikato.ac.nz.
- Submit a claim online.
- If you purchase laptops or cameras before coming to New Zealand please keep your receipts as proof of purchase and of ownership.
- The insurance company require proof of ownership before settling claims.
- An excess applies on personal effects and items claimed for under Section 3 of the policy.
- All Studentsafe insured students can visit the Campus Health Centre who will check your insurance details.
- If everything is in order the Health Centre will submit your claim for you. You will not need to pay them.
- Family members are unable to attend the centre. This is a service for students only.
- You should attend the 24 hour Accident & Emergency Centre at Anglesea Clinic, Anglesea Street, Hamilton.
- You will be required to register the first time you visit and pay them for your consultation.
- Keep the receipt and send with your claim form to Allianz.
- After visiting Campus Health take your prescription to the Campus Pharmacy they will bulk bill the insurance company for you.
- If you have prescriptions for medicines that are not on the Pharmac List you will be required to pay for those.
- The pharmacist will advise you about the cost.
- Specsavers have an arrangement with the insurers which allows them to make your claim on your behalf. The annual limit of this claim is $200.
- You are required to register online before you visit the store. State in the text box what you need e.g. eye test and new frames or spectacles lost, stolen or broken to be replaced.
- Specsavers will contact you to make an appointment.
- Once you have your appointment visit the store for your test and choose your glasses.
- You may, however, choose any optometrist you like by booking an appointment and paying them for the glasses and eye test then submitting your claim for re-imbursement.
- Vehicle insurance.
- General dental treatment.
- Emergency treatment is covered with certain conditions.
- Pregnancy, giving birth, abortion or sexually transmitted disease.
- Health checks for visa applications.
- Health screening, medical and dental reviews and vaccinations.
- Extreme sports as listed in the general exclusions in the policy wording.
No. If you purchase a vehicle you should purchase vehicle insurance.
- Either: fully comprehensive which covers your vehicle and any other involved in a collision
- Or: third party fire and theft. This will repair another vehicle if you are to blame or pay out for fire or theft of your vehicle.
- You are covered for 31 days before the course start date.
- All sections of the policy will be covered.
- You are covered for 16 days for temporary visits to Australia, Bali, Lombok and the Islands of the South Pacific.
- You may travel to your country of origin under certain circumstances with full cover. Please contact the insurance department for further details.
- In some circumstances you may need another policy from our insurers. They offer Studentsafe Outbound or Explorersafe Outbound policies.
- The university operates a 'visa extension' policy whereby you are covered until the expiry date of your current student visa in New Zealand.
- We advise you check with the insurance adviser before departure.
- If you are planning to stay in NZ beyond the expiry date of your visa you will need to arrange extra cover. Please check by emailing the Insurance Office.
- Your policy must be compliant with the code of practice.
- If it is compliant there is no need to purchase further insurance.
- See our webpage about alternative insurance policies.
- If it is not listed as fully compliant/approved please send it for assessment at least two weeks before course start date to int.insurance@waikato.ac.nz.
- Your policy must be in english from the insurance company.
- You must contact the insurance company to notify them of your change of status.
- Allianz continues to fully insure students gaining permanent residency for 21 days from the date their status changed. After that time you have two options:
- If you have not made any claims in the current insurance period, you can apply for a refund of the unused portion of the insurance. Download the refund form.
- If you have made claims, you can continue to use the policy for the rest of the insurance period, with the exception of section 1A medical and related expenses. This is because as a permanent resident you will have access to publicly funded healthcare for emergencies and health maintenance.
- Find out if you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare on the Ministry of Health website.
- Generally the only international students eligible for free public health care in New Zealand are those on scholarships funded under the New Zealand Aid Programme or Commonwealth Scholarship Programme.
- Recipients (and their family) of a work visa issued for 2 years or longer may also be eligible.
- Visit your doctor who will guide you in the process
- Doctors' visits and treatments are subsidised by the government but charges may apply.
- The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to New Zealand.
- Further information can be viewed on the Accident Compensation Corporation website.
Further FAQs
For further information about medical, baggage or general insurance, visit the InsurancesafeNZ website.