It is highly recommended for all students aged 18 or over, regardless of which country they originate from, to have adequate travel and health insurance, which provides cover to the student. It is an LAL requirement for all students aged under 18 to have adequate medical insurance. LAL may request proof of insurance on arrival of any student aged under 18 studying on its adult courses. All students studying on our Young Learner or Summer Schools courses are automatically covered.
LAL is able to provide insurance at its schools in the UK and South Africa – the conditions are set out below.
Adult Courses
LAL insurance offers cover for students attending all its adult English courses in our centre at LAL Torbay. The cost of this, which has to be paid for in advance for UK cover, at the time of booking, is £10 per week for the UK.
However, it is possible to buy the cover on or after arrival, though students will not be able to make a claim in retrospect. For example, if a student loses their bags before they arrive, they will not be able to claim for this if they take out insurance AFTER the loss or incident. The same is valid for any health issues which start before the cover is purchased.
Young Learners
LAL offers insurance for all students who attend Young Learner courses in the UK, at the above schools, included in the package prices. Adults who are accompanying the students on the course, whether they are parents or group leaders, are also included. However, it is the responsibility of the student or the parent or legal guardian to make sure that the insurance provision we offer is adequate for their needs. LAL takes no responsibility for any assumption of cover and you must check the cover provision before travelling.
This cover does not include cancellation cover. However, if you require cancellation cover, please make a payment of £10 per week in advance and we can ensure you have that cover. Our insurance company REQUIRES the email address of anyone who is covered, whether that is students or group leaders.
You can find the translated versions of the UK policies here.
Adult Courses
LAL insurance offers cover for students attending all its adult English courses in our centres at LAL Cape Town. The cost of this at the time of booking is €15 per week for Cape Town.
However, it is possible to buy the cover on or after arrival though students will not be able to make a claim in retrospect. For example, if a student loses their bags before they arrive, they will not be able to claim for this if they take out insurance AFTER the loss or incident. The same is valid for any health issues which start before the cover is purchased.
Young Learners
LAL offers insurance to all students who attend Young Learner courses in South Africa, at the above schools, included in the package prices. Adults who are accompanying the students on the course, whether they are parents or group leaders, are also included. However, it is the responsibility of the student or the parent or legal guardian to make sure that the insurance provision we offer is adequate for their needs. LAL takes no responsibility for any assumption of cover and you must check the cover provision before travelling.
You can find the translated versions of the South Africa policies here.
Why should I choose LAL’s insurance?
LAL Language Centres has negotiated favourable premiums for its students with the insurance provider Guard.me. They have comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in the field of International Education and Insurance. They have a network of offices around the world that provide an exceptional local service.
Guard.me was awarded Language Travel Magazine’s Star Award for Preferred International Insurance Provider in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Is the cover sufficient for my needs?
This is a question that only you can answer. The cover offered is quite comprehensive and full details can be seen on our download section, translated into a few key languages. If you would like to know more about your insurance cover please call +44 (0)1403 788 515 and Guard.me will be happy to assist you.
When does the cover start?
The cover for UK schools starts when your booking and your email address has been received. The cover for both adults and young learners does NOT include cancellation cover. If you require cancellation cover, only available for travel to the UK, there is an additional supplement of £2 per week for adults and an advance payment of £10 for young learners.
What happens if I have to cancel before my trip?
The cancellation provision only applies to students travelling to the UK only and those who have taken out the policy which covers cancellations and we have received the payments mentioned above. If you have simply changed your mind, then it is highly unlikely your claim will be met. If, however, you have had an accident or become ill before the trip, but after you have booked, then this could be a justifiable claim.
Can I claim if my luggage is lost by the airline?
If the delay is for more than 12 hours, then there is provision in the policy for a claim to be made for the purchase of “essential clothing and toiletries” up to £100 (all receipts must be retained). Remember to obtain a lost luggage report from the airline before you leave the airport.
Applicable for UK and Ireland only.
How do I claim?
If you have a claim to make you will need to complete a claim form which will be supplied on the guard.me website. You will need to send the claim to the insurance company. LAL Language Centres can offer assistance in completing the form but cannot enter into any other representation on your behalf. It must be understood that LAL Language Centres is not the insurance underwriter and is not responsible for the outcome of the claim. It is essential that you read through the policy document before making a claim to establish that your claim meets the provision of cover.
Does having insurance through LAL mean I won’t have to pay anything if I am ill or have to see a doctor?
Not necessarily. Depending on the cost, you may have to pay for the service from a doctor or the hospital in advance and claim this amount back from the insurance company later. This is all subject to a successful claim.
What is a deductible excess (UK English) charge?
It is the amount of money that the policy holder (you) will have to pay towards the costs of the claim. As an example, if the excess/deductible is £25, and the bill for a doctor’s appointment and prescription is £50, you will receive £25.
If I take a holiday during my studies, does the insurance cover me for that?
Yes, the premium will cover you for up to 21 days outside the UK, within Europe, as long as this is within the duration of your stay.
If I am paying for the adult insurance and I am not staying for a full week do I have to pay the full amount?
Yes. The premium is to be paid for any full or part of a week. So if you stay for 8 days, you will have to pay for two weeks.
When does the cover end?
The insurance will cover you until midnight on the cover end date.
You must arrange suitable insurance in respect of travel and medical risks and may be required to provide evidence to The Supplier School of adequate insurance at least seven days before the Start Date or at any point in time thereafter throughout the duration of your Course.
It is always the responsibility of students to satisfy themselves that the provision of insurance is adequate to meet their individual needs. This also applies to students who are supplied insurance whether paid or unpaid as a consequence of booking a course at LAL Language Centres.
The Supplier School shall not have any liability to you for any loss of possessions, injury, death, costs related to medical or dental treatment, or costs related to repatriation or for any other losses, damages (whether direct or indirect), compensation, costs or expenses unless negligence can be proved in a court of law in the jurisdiction of the Supplier School.
The Supplier School shall not have any liability to you for any loss, damage, costs, expenses or other claims for compensation arising from any information or instructions supplied by you which is, or are incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate. Where the Supplier School incurs costs due to incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate information, the student will be liable for these extra costs.
Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information on “Insurance and Limitation of Liability”.
LAL Language Centres’ insurance provider is Guard.Me international insurance. The Guard.Me “Multi-risk plus Cancellation” insurance will include medical cover for COVID-19 but will not include any travel cancellation costs for COVID-19, as it is no longer an unexpected event. This means that costs incurred to extend accommodation due to isolating or quarantine will also not be covered by insurance and will be the responsibility of the student. COVID-19: The Supplier strongly urges You to satisfy Yourself that Your insurance policies are adequate in the event of cancellations related to COVID-19.
I’d like to take this time to say something about the time I spent in Cape Town, especially the accommodation. Even if my host family is away from here by walking, Ms Bev Lucraft and her mother are friendly and they did everything they could to look after me. I recommend to the LAL to choose that host family to the others students because it is a good stay.
Teachers are good at English and they gave me all English I’m looking for and other facilities to succeed. I’ll recommend other students to take part in LAL.
Thank you for all. I really improved my English and I met a lot of amazing people. The room was perfect!
I enjoyed my stay, I learned many cultures, to talk to many students from different nations, besides just studying English. It’s a good experience.
I want to improve my English that’s why I’ve been staying for one month at LAL. It was a good experience because I met people from different countries, new friends and I can practice English everyday.
Cape Town is a lovely place, I really enjoy it. The teachers in LAL teach well and they are so cool. The staff in the school is also sociable. Concerning my accommodation, I like it, my room is clean and has enough space even I shared it.
It could be in Portuguese, but I preferred to challenge myself and write my testimonial in English. I had Intensive English and it was four lovely weeks in LAL School. It was really good for me to interact with teachers and other schoolmates. My host mother, Bev and her mom were the best people that I met in Cape Town. I really felt at home. I will miss our conversation. Bev was a really mother for me . I have to say thanks for that.