Student Health InsuranceInsurance Comparison 2026
Uni-Care NZ Student Plan vs. OrbitProtect International Student
An independent side-by-side comparison covering benefits, costs, and coverage details.
Based on official policy documentsUpdated October 2026Independent comparison
01Side by side
Features compared
Comparing featured plans: OrbitProtect International Student Student Prime. Each provider offers multiple tiers.
| Feature | Uni-Care NZ Student PlanView Details | Cashless Doctor VisitsOrbitProtect International StudentView Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Annual price | NZD $724 | NZD $669 |
| Currency | NZD | NZD |
| Medical Coverage | ||
| Medical coverageMaximum payout for medical care | Unlimited medical expenses for illness or injury — no excess on medical claims. | Unlimited medical expenses for illness or injury — no excess on medical claims. |
| DeductibleWhat you pay before insurance kicks in | No excess on medical claims. NZD $100 excess on luggage, NZD $200 on technology, NZD $100 on personal liability. | No excess on medical claims. NZD $150 excess on personal-effects claims, NZD $50 on personal liability. |
| Prescription drugs | Prescription medication included as part of qualifying medical treatment costs (no separate cap). | Pharmacy purchases at registered providers can be paid directly with the OrbitPay card — no claim form needed. |
| Emergency repatriation | Unlimited evacuation and repatriation. NZD $10,000 mental health repatriation. Family travel costs to NZ up to NZD $100,000. | Evacuation or return to your home country when OrbitProtect decides it is medically necessary: travel costs unlimited, plus up to NZD $20,000 for continuing medical costs (up to 12 months). Reasonable extra airfare back to NZ if you resume your studies within 6 months (at least half of the policy period, and at least 15 days, must have been left). Travel and accommodation for up to 2 people to be with you in hospital: up to NZD $100,000. Same in Lite and Prime. |
| Mental Health | ||
| Mental health coverageTherapy, counseling, psychiatric care | Mental illness covered up to NZD $20,000. | Mental illness treatment covered up to NZD $20,000 when referred and diagnosed by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist (suicide and attempted suicide are excluded). |
| Dental | ||
| Dental coverageWhat dental treatments are covered | Emergency dental treatment unlimited (subject to policy wording). Optical NZD $300 (policies of 6+ months). | Emergency dental up to NZD $500 (NZD $1,500 for dental injuries covered by NZ's ACC). Optical up to NZD $250. |
| Eligibility | ||
| Age limit | up to 60 | 5–60 (61–65: 75% higher premium; 66–80 on application) |
| Who can applyCountry and visa requirements | Non-NZ residents holding (or applying for) a New Zealand student visa, aged 60 or under, while temporarily living and studying in New Zealand. | International students studying or planning to study in New Zealand who meet Immigration Act entry requirements. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not automatically covered. Optional cover available on application after policy purchase, for an additional premium. | Not automatically covered. Optional cover on application — NZD $45 assessment fee, with possible additional premium and conditions if accepted. |
| Visit Uni-Care NZ Student Plan→ | Visit OrbitProtect International Student→ | |
Uni-Care NZ Student PlanView Details
Pricing
Annual price
NZD $724
NZD $669
Currency
NZD
NZD
Medical Coverage
Medical coverage
Maximum payout for medical care
Unlimited medical expenses for illness or injury — no excess on medical claims.
Unlimited medical expenses for illness or injury — no excess on medical claims.
Deductible
What you pay before insurance kicks in
No excess on medical claims. NZD $100 excess on luggage, NZD $200 on technology, NZD $100 on personal liability.
No excess on medical claims. NZD $150 excess on personal-effects claims, NZD $50 on personal liability.
Prescription drugs
Prescription medication included as part of qualifying medical treatment costs (no separate cap).
Pharmacy purchases at registered providers can be paid directly with the OrbitPay card — no claim form needed.
Emergency repatriation
Unlimited evacuation and repatriation. NZD $10,000 mental health repatriation. Family travel costs to NZ up to NZD $100,000.
Evacuation or return to your home country when OrbitProtect decides it is medically necessary: travel costs unlimited, plus up to NZD $20,000 for continuing medical costs (up to 12 months). Reasonable extra airfare back to NZ if you resume your studies within 6 months (at least half of the policy period, and at least 15 days, must have been left). Travel and accommodation for up to 2 people to be with you in hospital: up to NZD $100,000. Same in Lite and Prime.
Mental Health
Mental health coverage
Therapy, counseling, psychiatric care
Mental illness covered up to NZD $20,000.
Mental illness treatment covered up to NZD $20,000 when referred and diagnosed by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist (suicide and attempted suicide are excluded).
Dental
Dental coverage
What dental treatments are covered
Emergency dental treatment unlimited (subject to policy wording). Optical NZD $300 (policies of 6+ months).
Emergency dental up to NZD $500 (NZD $1,500 for dental injuries covered by NZ's ACC). Optical up to NZD $250.
Eligibility
Age limit
up to 60
5–60 (61–65: 75% higher premium; 66–80 on application)
Who can apply
Country and visa requirements
Non-NZ residents holding (or applying for) a New Zealand student visa, aged 60 or under, while temporarily living and studying in New Zealand.
International students studying or planning to study in New Zealand who meet Immigration Act entry requirements.
Pre-existing conditions
Not automatically covered. Optional cover available on application after policy purchase, for an additional premium.
Not automatically covered. Optional cover on application — NZD $45 assessment fee, with possible additional premium and conditions if accepted.
02FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. When taken out for the full duration of your stay, the NZ Student Plan satisfies Immigration New Zealand's medical and travel insurance requirement under the Code of Practice for Pastoral Care.
About NZD $723.61 for a 12-month policy (verified via Flywire's NZ student health portal, April 2026). Shorter periods are priced at a daily rate.
Not automatically. After buying a policy you can apply for pre-existing conditions cover within 7 days. Uni-Care will assess each condition and quote an additional premium if cover can be offered.
Yes. You're covered for visits up to 3 months back home (country of origin), plus trips of up to 31 days to Australia, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Bali and Lombok.
The NZ Student Plan is no longer valid once you change visa type. Contact Uni-Care to switch to the Visitor Plan or Australasian Plan for the rest of your stay.
OrbitProtect sells its International Student plans for students who must hold medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. The insurance requirement comes from the Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international learners, administered by NZQA; your school checks that your policy meets it, so confirm with your school that it accepts OrbitProtect.
After buying a Prime or Lite policy you receive an OrbitPay card you can use like an EFTPOS card at registered NZ GPs and pharmacies. The provider charges OrbitProtect directly, so you don't pay upfront and don't submit a claim.
For 2026, Lite is NZD $669/year and Prime is NZD $786/year (verified on the OrbitProtect 'Premium changes' page). These standard premiums apply to ages 5–60; ages 61–65 pay 75% more, and ages 66–80 are considered on application.
Found Your Best Plan?
Compare more plans or go straight to the provider — the provider issues your policy and certificate.