For future boarding or international university students, this recap is for you!
Travelling half-way across the world to study in Switzerland is as amazing as it sounds. But we also know it can be a little daunting. And sometimes there are points on that moving checklist you might not know are there. That’s why we sat down with our new official partner, Antaé, to talk about all things insurance. We know it might not seem the most glamorous of topics. However, it’ll be one of the most important things you do when preparing for your move.
Why do I need to think about insurance??
For the uninitiated, Switzerland is a country that loves insurance. It might seem a little strange at first, in such a safe country with an excellent quality of life and a high standard of living. But this is where Switzerland excels. It recognises the importance of prevention rather than cure. And in a country where cost of living is known to be high, being prepared is a wise and economical plan.
Antaé specialises in insurance brokerage for expat students and schools. Health insurance is a legal obligation in Switzerland. While residents pay monthly payments upwards of 300 CHF, expat (or international) students can be exempt from this system. However, they do have to choose an alternative plan. Fortunately, Antae offers a great alternative, with more comprehensive coverage, at a much better price.
With over 11,000 students, they are in an excellent position to ensure students receive the best deals possible. They’ll also work closely with healthcare providers to give students the best possible access. This includes video consultations including prescriptions, mental health sessions and 24/7 worldwide multilingual assistance.
Can’t I use my own insurance?
Now you may be wondering if this is necessary if you already have coverage in your home country. There are certain situations where this may appear sufficient on the surface. For example, European residents can be exempt from the Swiss mandatory insurance through the European Health Insurance Card (or the UK Global Health Insurance Card for UK residents). For private insurance, It is very unlikely that you’ll obtain an exemption from the authorities. However, there are a few sticking points for either of these options:
The level of coverage: The EHIC/GHIC/private coverage is often far less than the required minimum for Switzerland. It may also require payment upfront with reimbursement at a later date.
Qualifying for exemption: Switzerland works from a “bottom upwards” model, empowering each canton to make their own decisions. That means that the insurance needs to be approved and recognised by your canton of residence.
If you choose to work: If you decide to get a student job or an internship during your studies, you can no longer be exempted with your EHIC/GHIC and will have to be insured with a student insurance.
What if I’m just coming for a holiday camp?
For students attending winter and summer camps, as your stay will be less than 90 days, your current health insurance may suffice (travel insurance, EHIC or private insurance). Camps may also have their own coverage. However, you may find that your current policy doesn’t provide 100% coverage in certain situations or include repatriation.
We would always recommend you take out a Swiss policy/confirm coverage with the school in order to avoid any complications, should anything happen.
Won’t my school already offer this?
They may well do! Antaé takes care of both individual and collective insurance needs. They work with many private schools in Switzerland to create tailored comprehensive packages. Students are covered on school trips anywhere in the world as well as during their internships abroad and have 24 hour access to healthcare. Antae’s goal is always to simplify the process, for both students and schools. They ensure peace of mind for the school by offering a comprehensive duty of care. Meanwhile, the school can rest assured that their students and reputation will be well taken care of.
When you’re applying for a school through Swiss Premium Education, we’ll check the school’s insurance coverage to see if you’ll need individual insurance or if the school already has student coverage.
How does it actually work?
Should your school not have a collective insurance, as a student, signing up is extremely quick and easy: you can sign up on Antaé’s dedicated program website called ScoreStudies. They have an accessible chat function available if you have any questions. If you ever need ScoreStudies’ support, they can help coordinate and support you through any administrative process. Their insurance partner can also help you with their multilingual support.
The team have all been expatriates during their international careers. They also have experience across various industries including broker services, international insurance and customer service, coaching in education, and hospitality education. This perfect mix allows them to be the best-in-class when designing and managing custom made solutions and taking the stress out of a daunting subject.
A bit more about Antaé – The architect of tailor made international insurance solutions
Antaé is a unique administrative and insurance advice hub in Montreux, specialised in the advice, design and distribution of international insurance solutions for mobile students.
Antaé has a strong financial backbone, being a daughter company of the April group. An international insurance group established in 1988 with 150 000 insured members in 180 countries, 2300 employees, 15 000 distribution partners, 26 nationalities and 16 countries of operation.
They offer international mobility solutions including health insurance for inbound and outbound students, medical assistance and repatriation, travel security, death & disability solutions, private civil liability, household, legal protection & insurance for school fees reimbursement.
