WorldTrips StudentSecure vs. Compass Student Insurance

For most full-time U.S. graduate students staying 12 months, Select is the sweet spot — $1M coverage, 6-month pre-existing waiting period, $300K evacuation. Budget works for healthier students on a tight budget. Smart is for short stays only — its $200K max may not meet strict universities. Elite is for those needing maximum protection or with university requirements above $1M. Monthly-payment rates for ages under 25 with U.S. coverage: Smart $40, Budget $66, Select $119, Elite $204; rates are higher from age 25.

WorldTrips designed StudentSecure with zero deductible to compete on simplicity — you don't pay anything upfront before insurance kicks in (other than copays). This is unusual for U.S. plans and helps students predict costs more easily.

Universities require minimum coverage that varies by school. Smart ($200K max) often does NOT meet waiver requirements. Budget ($500K), Select ($1M) and Elite ($5M) typically do. Always check your school's specific waiver criteria — WorldTrips asks you to email your school's waiver form to worldtrips-waivers@worldtrips.com so it can complete it.

No. StudentSecure does not allow dependents. If you need spouse or family coverage, look at IMG Patriot Exchange, where coverage can be bought for a spouse and dependent children travelling with the student, or ISO, where dependents are eligible for coverage under your plan.

ACA-compliant plans meet all Affordable Care Act mandates (preventive care, maternity, mental health, no annual limits). Most international student plans are not fully ACA-compliant because international students are exempt from the individual mandate. Compass's Benchmark tier is 'ACA-comparable' — it covers the major ACA benefits and is accepted by universities that require ACA-style coverage.

If you submit your Compass plan to your university for waiver and it is rejected, Compass refunds your premium — provided you have not yet filed any insurance claims. This is helpful if you're unsure whether your school will accept the plan. Always run the waiver check first.

Compass calculates the premium for the exact number of days in the coverage period you select, instead of charging whole months ('no forced monthly bookings'). The 'from $…/month' figures are starting rates for comparison: Compass does not offer monthly payments, but for most plans you can pay in 3-month increments. If you only need a short bridge — for example between arrival and the start of your school's plan — check the minimum coverage period in the Compass Plan Finder.

Yes, Compass offers dedicated OPT plans for F-1 students entering Optional Practical Training. Coverage during OPT is critical because traditional student plans typically end at graduation. Compass also covers the gap between graduation and the start of employer-sponsored insurance.