Travel Insurance FAQs
COVID-19
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What insurance is available for University travellers heading overseas?
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Under the University's amended travel approval process for University related business or study, international travel may only occur where it is considered critical, and requires the approval of an Executive Dean or Division Head.
Existing travel exclusions relating to COVID-19 will remain. That means, any travel cancellations or loss of deposits due to COVID-19 will not be covered.
Cover for medical expenses and evacuation will be continue to be available, however there is continuing uncertainty of cover if COVID-19 is contracted. This means the University cannot guarantee that insurance will be available in the event of a COVID-19 medical claim. Each claim will be considered on its own merits taking into account the individual circumstances of the claim and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance policy.
Travel should therefore be considered to be at the travellers own risk; public health advice and personal hygiene precautions should be followed and adhered to (use of masks, hand sanitisers, physical distancing etc).
If you do require emergency medical assistance overseas, please call the Insurer’s emergency assistance service AIG Travel Guard on +60 3 2772 5642 at any time or email auassistance@aig.com.
For insurance related queries, please contact the Legal & Risk Branch via helpdesklegal@adelaide.edu.au.
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What happens if my travel is cancelled due to COVID-19 - will the costs of cancellation be covered by the University’s Travel Insurance?
For journeys which started before the 2 March 2020*, the University’s position on travel insurance for cancellations, flight changes or loss of deposits relating to or resulting from COVID-19 is as follows:
- any changes to existing travel bookings, including cancellation fees, and any associated out-of-pocket costs will be covered by insurance
- for travellers who have not yet bought their return ticket home, the cost of purchasing that return ticket now will not be covered as that is an expense that would have been purchased ordinarily
- for travellers who already have a return ticket home for a date in the future, and want to amend that booking to return to Australia early, the out-of-pocket costs associated with cancelling and rebooking the ticket will be covered
- for travellers who already have a return ticket home for a date in the future, and want to come home now, but cannot change their flights (due to delays the airline industry is having with so many requests) and choose to purchase a new ticket, cover is uncertain/cannot be guaranteed. In this instance the University encourages the traveller to submit a claim for out-of-pocket expenses, and will provide support to do so.
For journeys which started after the 2 March 2020, travellers will have access to cover for medical expenses and evacuation (with the exception of travel to China). Cover may not be available for cancellations, flight changes and loss of deposits.
As always, every claim will be considered on its own merits taking into account the individual circumstances of the claim and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance policy.
Refer to the next FAQ for steps to lodge a claim for cancellation expenses.
*The University's insurer declared COVID-19 a 'known event' world-wide effective 2 March 2020.
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How can I recover out-of-pocket costs relating to my cancelled University related travel?
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Does the University's travel insurance policy exclude pandemics?
No. There is no pandemic or epidemic exclusion. Whether or not you have cover for a claim will depend on the individual circumstances of your claim and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance policy.
General information
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I am a staff member working overseas for more than 12 months. Will I be covered by the University’s Travel Insurance Policy?
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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?
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I will be travelling overseas for a semester as part of the Study Overseas program. What travel insurance do I need and what does the University provide me?
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I am an undergraduate student planning to study overseas for a year exchange that has been approved by my School. Am I covered by University travel insurance for the whole time I am away?
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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?
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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?
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Can I arrange travel insurance through an alternative provider for part of my trip?
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I have a pre-existing medical condition. Am I still covered by University Travel Insurance?
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Where can I travel under the University’s travel insurance policy? Are there any countries or destinations where I won’t be covered?
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I will be hiring a vehicle while overseas on approved University travel. Do I need to purchase excess cover from the vehicle hire company?
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Does the University’s travel insurance cover me for motorcycling?
If you require emergency medical assistance as a result of a motorcycling incident, the travel insurance policy provides you with medical cover. However you may need to purchase separate insurance related to motorcycle hire and potential liability for damage to the vehicle, property or people.
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What motor vehicle insurance does the University provide?
The University provides motor vehicle insurance for approved University Fleet vehicles. The policy excess (if applicable) is $2,000 per claim and must be paid by the Local Area (School, Faculty or Branch) to the Insurer directly.
Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Claim Procedure for further information.
If staff are travelling in their own private vehicle for work purposes, they are responsible to maintain their own motor vehicle insurance under the University’s Motor Vehicle Procedures. The staff member may be eligible to claim a motor vehicle allowance to compensate for that usage.
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What insurance do I need to arrange for a rental vehicle or hire car?
Travellers using hire cars for approved University business are responsible for organising and ensuring that the hire vehicle has adequate motor vehicle insurance. Insurance for the hire vehicle should be arranged under the rental vehicle agreement, and any excess should be paid by the Local Area. The University recommends that staff purchase a lower excess if available as good risk management practice. The University’s preferred rental vehicle companies may offer special rates and lower excesses.
If travelling in the hire vehicle overseas or outside of 100km from your Local Area - the excess may be claimed under the University's Travel Insurance (up to $5k).
Claims
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While I was travelling overseas, I had to visit the doctor because I was unwell. Can I claim this?
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I had my camera stolen while I was overseas and I paid $600 for the camera. Can I claim for this?
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I left my phone in an unlocked vehicle and it was stolen. Can I claim the cost of the phone?
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My leased Satellite phone was damaged while I was travelling interstate. Can I claim the cost of repairs?
Yes - if the item was in your care, custody and control then there is potential to claim against the travel insurance policy.
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Who do I contact if I need to make a claim when I'm overseas?