Insurance for International Travel
Do I have insurance for medical and emergency services while studying abroad?
UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs
YES! UW System requires all participants on UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs abroad to purchase insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This insurance is included in your study abroad program fees; your coverage will begin on the first day on which you are required to be in the host country and end within a few days of the last day on which you are required to be in the host country. If you plan to arrive early or depart after your program has ended, you can purchase additional insurance by following the link above. UW System does not allow for the exemption of any student for any reason.
Iin addition to CISI, all students studying through an Australian university or university in New Zealand are required by the foreign government to carry health insurance purchased in Australia or health insurance purchased in New Zealand. You will receive instructions and the necessary paperwork to obtain your insurance card at your host university’s orientation.
Iin addition to CISI, all students studying in Fiji or completing an internship or short course through AustraLearn will be covered under an AustraLearn-purchased health insurance policy.
Non-UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs
You will not have insurance which covers medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation or emergency medical reunion unless you purchase this on your own or your sponsoring program purchases this for you. It is highly recommended that you purchase this if your sponsoring program doesn't offer it; these benefits are not found in domestic policies.
How do I access information about my CISI coverage?
You can view your CISI insurance policy, your Security Evacuation Benefit Rider and your ACE Travel Delay Benefits (coming soon). You can also print your personalized insurance ID card through the CISI Participant Portal.
- Go to www.culturalinsurance.com
- Enter policy number 4835256
- Click on "Click here to print your personal ID Card"
- Select your policy number next to the word "Policy". If more than one policy # appears, select the set of dates which contain your insurance start date.
- Enter your First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY format)
- Click on "Print Preview".
- Print the personalized ID Card and/or store the PDF of this card to your computer files.
Can I use my personal health insurance plan without purchasing additional insurance for travel abroad?
UW Oshkosh-sponsored Programs
No.
All Other Travelers
Sickness and accident coverage while in a foreign country may be included in your personal health insurance plan, but it is rare for personal health insurance plans to cover medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation or emergency medical reunion. BEFORE you travel you should be familiar with the type of coverage you have and the steps you need to take in order to use your policy abroad. If you are not satisfied that you have sufficient coverage abroad, you can purchase a temporary policy.
My insurance company requires me to be a full-time student. Will study abroad affect my ability to keep my health insurance?
Most insurance companies require you to be a full-time student in order to stay on your parents’ health insurance policy. IF you are NOT enrolled in classes at UW Oshkosh for a full semester (i.e. you are transferring credits back to UW Oshkosh at the end of your study abroad program), AND you are NOT enrolled for full-time credit through another accredited U.S. institution, this may affect your eligibility to remain on your parents' insurance. Information on your enrollment status is automatically extracted from UW Oshkosh records and sent to a Clearinghouse, which many insurance companies monitor. You will show up in the Clearinghouse as “not enrolled” at UW Oshkosh IF you are not enrolled for courses AT UW OSHKOSH, and your eligibility may be affected.
In order to avoid problems, contact your insurance company BEFORE leaving for your study abroad destination. Your insurance company will either give you a form or a list of information which they need. You can fax this form/list to the institution abroad for verification of full-time status while studying there.
Please note that if you are on Academic Leave of Absence, you are being reported by UW Oshkosh as "not enrolled."
What are some insurance alternatives?
At $22, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a popular option for students. The ISIC can be purchased on line; policy details are available from https://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/Travel/Main.aspx?MenuID=5004.. To call STA Travel: 1-800-329-9537 (menu option “Student, youth and teacher identity cards”). A second option is to search on the internet or contact your local travel agent. There are many other insurance companies that will cover you during your time abroad.
What are medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion?
Medical evacuation, security evacuation and repatriation benefits cover the insured when the insured is moved to a location outside of the host country or returned to the U.S. because a medical condition cannot be treated locally, because of a security risk at the site abroad or because of the death of the insured. Medical reunion benefits cover a family member who travels to the location where the insured is undergoing medical treatment. If you have medical reunion, identify one or more family members who have a valid passport as your emergency contact. Anyone not holding a valid passport will need to apply for one before being able to take advantage of emergency medical reunion.
Is the insurance offered through CISI sufficient?
CISI insurance is not comprehensive. It is each participant's responsibility to review the policy for sufficient coverage. If you feel that coverage is insufficient, purchase additional coverage through your insurance agent. Do not cancel your health insurance policy in the U.S. while you are gone! In most cases, your international policy will cover you while you are gone and/or bring you back to the U.S., but once you return, your domestic policy will need to provide coverage.
Do I need trip cancellation insurance or baggage insurance?
Because the UW Oshkosh OIE runs all programs on a cost-recovery basis, it is not possible to make exceptions to the withdrawal and refund policy for any reason, including withdrawal for medical reasons or family emergencies. To protect yourself, purchase TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. If you choose not to purchase trip cancellation insurance, study abroad fees assessed by the OIE will be your responsibility regardless of your reason for withdrawing. Trip cancellation insurance may provide reimbursement for CERTAIN financial losses UNDER A LIMITED SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Read policies carefully and shop around. Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions.
Baggage insurance typically provides coverage related to lost or delayed luggage. Because there are fairly low limits on the claims you can make, you may also need to purchase insurance riders through your home insurance policy to cover items such as digital cameras or other expensive equipment.
This page was last updated on: November 3, 2009