Office of Insurance, Loss Control & Claims
Travel Assistance & Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance covers certain costs you may have to pay because a trip was canceled.
Travel Assistance provides assistance for health concerns and may provide assistance for political situations and/or natural disasters when 1) traveling more than 100 miles from home (though usually intended for travel outside the United States) and 2) emergency treatment is needed and/or evacuation for treatment or to escape a dangerous situation.
Travel Assistance
If you are a full time, academic or staff employee you have travel assistance as a part of the group life coverage that is automatically provided to you by IU. Information about this coverage through Assist America can be found on the Human Resources site . Please note that this policy covers 180 days of travel. If you plan to travel for more than 180 days or need assistance with the policy, contact Human Resources at 812-856-1234 or askHR@iu.edu.
If you are a student who is enrolled in an IU–sponsored student health plan, you have access to 24/7 travel assistance benefits and services. Information about this benefit can be found on the Human Resources website. If you need assistance, contact Student Insurance at 812-856-4650 or studenhc@iu.edu.
If you are a student or faculty member traveling on an IU program approved through the processes of the Office of Overseas Study , you will be informed about travel assistance coverage as a part of your trip. You can contact Overseas Study at 812-855-9304 or by email.
Things to consider
- What trips are covered? (Are trips within the U.S. covered?)
- Do these cover only business trips or are personal trips also covered?
- Is coverage 24/7/365?
- Are my dependents covered? If so, which dependents?
- What do I do if I have a medical emergency?
- If I need to leave a country because of political unrest or a natural disaster, am I covered? Are my expenses paid?
- Can I make my own arrangements and then contact the travel assistance provider first?
- If I need to leave the country for a medical emergency, are my expenses paid?
- If I have a medical emergency, where can I go for treatment and still be covered? Can I fly to the United States?
- If I have a medical emergency, does the provider locate a medical facility or doctor for me? Can I make that choice?
- Will they still cover me if I go to a country that’s on the State Department’s travel warning list?
Trip Insurance
Indiana University recommends that travelers consider purchasing trip cancellation and/or trip interruption insurance. This type of insurance coverage is not offered by Indiana University, but is also not required to participate in IU-sponsored travel. Travelers are responsible for the costs of this insurance.
Trip Cancellation Insurance could reimburse you for eligible pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses (e.g. airline, hotel, etc.) if you should need to cancel your trip before departure for an unforeseen covered reason. Trip Interruption Insurance provides coverage while you are on your trip but are required to return home for an unforeseen covered reason. This coverage is designed to reimburse you for the lost portion of your trip, as well as last minute flight arrangements home. Trip delay benefits may also be provided for travel delays caused by travel restrictions or mandatory quarantine related to COVID-19. You should consult the program’s insurance representative for coverage specifics of these plans.
Many companies also offer the option to add Cancellation & Interruption for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR/IFAR). The CFAR/IFAR can help protect your investment in your trip in the event the trip is canceled before departing or interrupted during a trip for any reason including the threat or fear of COVID-19. Some COVID-19 related reasons for trip cancellation/interruption may be covered without using CFAR/IFAR insurance. As you consider purchasing CFAR/IFAR insurance, make sure you know the following:
- What is and is not covered – specifically in relation to COVID-19 and pandemics since not all CFAR/IFAR insurance policies cover COVID-19 or pandemic diseases
- Your airline’s flight cancellation refund policy
- Your program’s cancellation and refund policies
- The terms of your housing contract, the cost of housing, and when deposits and expenses are owed for your housing
| There are many reputable companies that offer trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. It is up to the individual traveler to research the various options. Indiana University is providing the below providers as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement, or a recommendation by Indiana University. If you have questions about the plans offered, contact the administrators for the plans. These websites are not IU websites. |
Travel Insured International/Worldwide Trip Protector
Travel Insured International provides travel protection plans, as well as the option to add Cancellation & Interruption for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR/IFAR).
This coverage option has been vetted through, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., as a comprehensive solution that provides 75% reimbursement for CFAR/IFAR claims.
CFAR/IFAR insurance will cover: A percentage of your program fees, housing, and flights if your program is canceled or you withdraw from the program for any reason if these expenses are non-refundable.
CFAR/IFAR insurance will not cover: any program fees, housing, or flights that are refunded through your program, housing, or airline as a result of a trip interruption or cancellation.
For the option offered through Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., travelers must enroll in CFAR/IFAR insurance within 21 days of receiving a non-refundable bill for a coverable expense. Typically, the earliest coverable expense will be the non-refundable program deposit, which is charged by the University or a third party program provider when a traveler commits to a specific program and the trip becomes non-refundable.
You may access this program and secure a quote online at:
- Program Flyer https://globalsafety.isp.msu.edu/files/4116/1789/4849/Gallagher_CFAR-IFAR_Program_Flyer.pdf
- Online Enrollment Summary https://globalsafety.isp.msu.edu/files/7116/1789/4828/Gallagher_CFAR-IFAR_Online_Enrollment_Summary.pdf
- For a quote, http://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=53810&p=IndianaU or to Contact Travel Insured International Customer Service.
InsureMyTrip.com
InsureMyTrip.com offers a travel protection plan designed to protect your financial investment while traveling for domestic and study abroad trips which includes trip cancellation and interruption for unforeseen, covered perils.
The Academic Explorer Adventurer program provides coverage for students, faculty, and staff who engage in travel as part of their studies and employment at Indiana University. It can also be used for personal travel in connection with or separate from your studies and employment. The Academic Explorer plan is designed to offer you financial protection in the event you must unexpectedly cancel or interrupt your trip. There is no requirement to buy this coverage.
Optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage is available in most states when certain conditions are met*, giving the insured the flexibility to cancel their trip up to two days prior to departure in the event there is fear of travel related to COVID-19.
Interruption for any Reason (IFAR) available in most states and certain conditions are met.**
You may access this program and secure a quote online at:
https://www.insuremytrip.com/?linkId=6155c94e1e53120d7c1d88fd
Please note that coverage is limited to trips having a maximum expense of $25,000. For important disclaimers please review the Academic Explorer Adventurer brochure
*Conditions for Cancel for Any Reason eligibility: Plan must be purchased within 15 days of the date the insured’s initial trip payment is received, and cancellation must be no later than 2 days prior to the scheduled departure date of the trip. This Optional Cancel for Any Reason Benefit does not cover failure of the Retail Travel Supplier to provide the bargained-for Travel Arrangements due to cessation of operations of any reason.
**Conditions for Interruption for Any Reason eligibility: Plan must be purchased within 15 days of the date the insured’s initial trip payment is received, and interruption must be at least 48 hours after the actual scheduled departure date of the trip.