Student Practicum and Placement Insurance

Adequate injury and illness insurance is crucial for UBC students in practicums or placements, whether in British Columbia or outside the province. The student’s program is responsible for ensuring they have the required insurance before the placement/practicum begins.

This page outlines the insurance requirements for participants in placements across Canada, including British Columbia.

Basic health insurance

Basic health insurance is a requirement for all UBC students. Basic health insurance, which covers major costs such as doctor visits and hospital stays, is provided by each province to its residents. In British Columbia it is known as the Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP coverage can be used by UBC students in any province or territory for the duration of their placement/practicum.

Extended health coverage

All UBC students should have extended health coverage, which helps cover a wide range of health-related costs not covered by basic health insurance, including prescription drugs, vision care, and various paramedical expenses.

UBC students are automatically enrolled in an extended health care plan, unless they choose to opt out because they have coverage with another plan, such as that of a parent.

Optional Accident Insurance

UBC accidental death, dismemberment and permanent total disability insurance is available to provide ’excess insurance’ protection above other primary policies that is for the benefit of and reserved for persons under the auspices of UBC (students must be registered at UBC), while participating in sanctioned and approved UBC work-related activities. This insurance is not for injury which occurs in your personal time or for extracurricular activities.

An excess insurance policy only responds after all other insurance policies have been exhausted including provincial health insurance programs. Like all insurance policies, there are limitations and exclusions included in the policy wordings.

Workers’ compensation insurance

Except in circumstances where it cannot be obtained, UBC requires all students to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance when participating in clinical placements/practicums anywhere in Canada.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of no-fault insurance designed to protect workers, employers and others in the event of an injury or illness sustained at work. Workers’ compensation insurance provides medical and related support to help the injured or ill worker return to work. When appropriate, it also helps compensate for lost wages. As it is a form of no-fault insurance, covered workers do not have recourse to sue their employer over an injury.

Information on Practicum and Clinical Placement student  workers’ compensation insurance can be found on the Student Safety webpage.