Travel Insurance
The University purchases travel insurance for all staff and students travelling interstate or overseas on approved University travel. The Insurer for the current period 2013 is ACE Insurance.
In general, duration of travel covered is 180 days, however where a period of travel is greater, arrangements for a different category of travel insurance can be made by contacting Legal & Risk. This will incur additional cost.
For travel booked through University service providers (predominantly staff and PhD students), the University has also engaged the services of Customer Care to assist in the management of travel safety. Customer Care provide:
- Updates on health and security situations accross the globe (via an email from red24 Customer Services)
- Email advice to travellers including the immunisations required prior to travel, local customs and laws
- An online tool called Travel Tracker that enables the University (Health, Safety & Wellbeing) to quickly determine the location and contact details of University travellers
Please note: Customer Care is not the University's insurance provider. Travellers needing emergency assistance (as opposed to travel advice) should contact ACE Emergency Assistance reverse charges on +61 2 8907 5995.
For further details on any of these issues, please contact Joe Di Pinto (Manager Insurance) on 8313 4635 or Tom Pontt (Insurance Officer) on 8313 3878.
Insurance Policy Guides 2013
Forms
Premium Calculators
Select from the bottom tabs of the Premium Calculator to choose:
- Private Travel Insurance (staff and students)
- Adelaide Abroad Program
- Travel for Contract Lecturers
- Alumni Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Insurance Coverage
Q: I am a staff member travelling to Italy. I will be working for 6 weeks and my family is joining me for a 3 week holiday in the USA. Am I covered and is my family covered under the University travel insurance?
As a staff member, you are automatically covered by the University's Travel Policy providing that your travel is for a University purpose and has been approved by either the Head of School or the Executive Dean. The University allows for personal time up to 50% of the overall time away to a maximum of 4 weeks. As your personal time does not exceed 4 weeks and is within the 50% time frame, you are also covered for the private portion of your travel.
Your family will not be covered under the University program and must purchase their own insurance. The University provides a facility whereby you can access the University insurance broker, who can provide your family with the same level of benefits available under the University policy. This is of benefit should there be an unfortunate event that results in you and a member of your family needing to claim for a loss incurred while overseas.
Family members can apply for University insurance by completing the Private Travel Proposal Form.
Q: I am a PhD student undertaking a 12 month study term in France. Do I have travel insurance or do I need to buy my own?
As a PhD Student, you may be provided up to 360 days of cover under the University travel insurance policy providing that:
- your travel has been approved by Head of School
- your personal holiday time does not exceed 50% of the total travel time up to a limit of 4 weeks.
Q: I am a staff member and I have been approved to travel to a destination that has just been given a Level 3 DFAT warning. What does this mean?
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) routinely assess the dangers of travelling overseas and may issue travellers a warning against visiting certain countries. A Level 3 warning advises people to "reconsider the need to travel" and a Level 4 warning "do not travel".
These warnings do not necessarily mean that as a member of staff you cannot travel, but final approval must be given by your Executive Dean, the Deputy Vice Chancellor or Vice President and the Vice Chancellor. Refer to the HSW handbook for the process for travel approval and please ensuer that ample time is given for the approval process to take place.
It is also important to note that escalating DFAT warnings may affect insurance cover under the University’s Insurance Program. For further details please contact Tom Pontt on 8313 3878.
If you do decide to travel to a high-risk country, you must register with DFAT prior to departure and are advised to check with the Embassy of the visiting country if there is anything else you should be concerned about.
Q: I am going to a conference in Germany but the cost of my ticket and conference fees have been paid by a research group. Am I still covered under the University travel insurance program?
Yes – Providing that:
- your travel has been approved by Head of School
- your travel does not exceed a total of 180 days
- your personal holiday time does not exceed 50% of the total travel time up to a limit of 4 weeks.
Q: I will be a Study Abroad student going to Canada for a semester. Am I covered by the University travel insurance?
The Canadian Government (and certain other Study Abroad destinations, including the United States) requires you to purchase medical insurance in Canada for the duration of your stay. The University travel insurance will provide cover to you excluding what cover is available to you under the Canadian Government scheme, providing that:
- your travel has been approved by Head of School
- your travel does not exceed a total of 180 days (approximately 6 months)
- your personal holiday time does not exceed 4 weeks
Q: I will be a Study Abroad student going to Chile for a year. Am I covered by the University travel insurance?
You are covered for the first 180 days (approximately 6 months) by the University but you will need to purchase Top-Up Insurance for the remainder of your time in Chile at an additional cost. Complete the application to purchase Top-Up Insurance using the Private Travel Proposal Form.
This insurance is with the same insurer providing the first 180 days and must be purchased prior to you leaving Australia to ensure there will be no break in your coverage.
Q: I have a pre-existing medical condition that requires me to have a pace-maker. Am I still covered by University Travel Insurance?
Cover is generally available for staff or students who are pregnant and/or have a pre-existing medical condition, but will be subject to completion of a medical declaration by the traveller (and sometimes your consulting physician) and approval of the University insurer.
An email or letter to the University Insurance Officer (Tom Pontt) briefly outlining your condition is usually sufficient notification.
Travel Insurance Claims
Q: I was to attend a conference in Japan next week but there has been a death of an immediate family member and I had to cancel. Can I claim this under insurance?
Yes. You will need to have the travel agent cancel your ticket and seek a refund. There will be a cost incurred that can be claimed against the travel policy. Also ensure that your accommodation and attendance at the conference are also cancelled. Again any cost incurred can be claimed.
Complete a Travel Claim Form and email it to both A&HClaims.AU@acegroup.com and thomas.pontt@adelaide.edu.au in Legal & Risk along with original receipts and statements from the airline. Also provide proof of the need to cancel the flight. This can be in the form of a death notice from the paper.
Q: When I was in the USA I had to visit the doctor as I was unwell can I claim this?
Yes. GP visits and emergency medical and dental can be claimed for under the policy. Complete a Travel Claim Form and email it to both A&HClaims.AU@acegroup.com and thomas.pontt@adelaide.edu.au in Legal & Risk along with the original receipts.
Q: I had my camera stolen while I was overseas and I paid $600 for the camera. Can I claim for this?
Yes. However there is deductible (excess) applied of $250 for cameras, computers and other electrical equipment. Complete a Travel Claim Form and email it to both A&HClaims.AU@acegroup.com and thomas.pontt@adelaide.edu.au in Legal & Risk. Provide copies of receipts or other proof of purchase and a copy of the police report from the city when you reported the camera stolen.
Q: I left a satellite phone in an unlocked vehicle and it was stolen. The phone was leased. Can I claim the cost of the phone?
No. The insurer requires that valuable items in care custody and control be secured at all times.
Q: Who do I contact if I need to make a claim when I'm overseas?
For emergency assistance call ACE Emergency Assistance on +61 2 8907 5995 reverse charges and advise:
- Your name
- Policy Name - University of Adelaide
- Policy Number - 03PP005474
- Your contact number
- What you need
A call to the ACE Help Line incurs a charge which attaches to the claim made, but you will not be asked to cover this charge.
You are welcome to lodge a claim at any time while you are away. Complete a Travel Claim Form and email it to both A&HClaims.AU@acegroup.com and thomas.pontt@adelaide.edu.au in Legal & Risk, along with copies of any supporting documentation.
Please note that Customer Care is not the insurance provider. Travellers needing emergency assistance (as opposed to advice) should contact ACE Emergency Assistance.
