Insurance for Canadian students studying in the US?

I'm a Canadian student planning to study in the US for college. What should I know about insurance while studying there? Are there specific policies or companies recommended for international students?

Insurance is indeed a crucial aspect that international students need to consider when studying in the U.S. Typically, you need to cover three main types of insurances: health insurance, renters insurance, and auto insurance if you’ll be driving.

Health insurance is the most critical one. Unlike Canada, the U.S. does not have a universal healthcare and medical expenses can be incredibly high. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. will require you to have health insurance coverage. Some institutions provide their own health insurance plans for international students, so I strongly recommend reaching out to your prospective school's health center or international office to understand their specific requirement and find out if they offer a student health insurance plan. If the school does not offer its own plan, they may have recommendations for providers that other international students have used.

Renters insurance is often neglected but can be quite useful if you're living off-campus. It can protect your personal belongings from events like theft or fire and may cover your liability if someone gets injured in your apartment.

If you plan to drive in the U.S., auto insurance is compulsory in most states. Rates can vary so it's best to shop around and compare policies from different insurance companies prior to your arrival.

You might also want to look into companies that specialize in providing insurance packages for international students, which typically bundle health, personal property, and sometimes even auto insurance all in one.

Do keep in mind that insurance regulations and requirements may vary from state to state in the U.S., so it's advisable to do a bit of research on the specific state where you'll be studying. The laws in California might be quite different from Massachusetts, for instance.