Overseas Travel Insurance

The University’s corporate travel insurance policy covers overseas travel only.

Who is covered under the policy 

The policy provides cover for the following categories regardless of the source of funding provided appropriate University approval has been given:

  1. Employees travelling overseas on approved University business. This includes, but not limited to, research, conference, collaborations and meetings;
  2. Employees travelling overseas on PDP leave;
  3. New employees travelling to Australia to take up employment;
  4. Visiting UWS job applicants;
  5. Members of the governing body travelling for the purpose of University business;
  6. Students undertaking approved University travel. This may include travel for the purposes of placement, work experience, practicum, research, conference, study exchanges and tours.

In order for cover to apply, other than PDP travel,there should be a valid travel approval (eTAN) in place.

Emergency Contacts

Reverse charge anywhere in the world:

Phone: 61 2 8907 5686

Customer Care Membership Number: CC112UWS 

For emergency assistance, please use the telephone number provided above.

When calling, please try to have the following information ready:

  • The number and precise location you are calling from
  • Your personal details
  • The nature of assistance that you require
  • UWS Membership number CC212UWS

For more information, please see the Customer Care website (opens in a new window).

Restrictions

Travel to the following countries is not covered unless endorsed by the travel insurer: Afghanistan, Chad, Chechnya, Cote d’lvoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Israel, Somalia or Sudan.

Any traveller proposing to travel to any of these countries should contact the Accountant, Tax and Insurance to arrange appropriate cover (note that an additional premium may be payable).

DFAT Advisories

Refer –  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - smartraveller.gov.au website.
In the event of a claim against the University's travel insurance, the insurer may refer to the condition under the policy which states that an insured will exercise due diligence in doing all things to avoid or reduce any loss under the Policy. 

Therefore, when approving travel to any region that DFAT has advised “reconsider your need to travel” it needs to be considered whether the University has exercised due diligence, ie: is the travel essential or necessary at this time, have DFAT recommendations been complied with.

When the insurer is considering travel insurance claims where the traveller DFAT advice is “Do not travel” they will have regard for:

  • the benefits being claimed
  • specific need and justification for travel
  • level of warning for a specific area and the insured’s areas of travel
  • timing of the DFAT advisory (pre/post approval/departure)
  • reasons for cancelling travel or continuing with travel
  • personal circumstances eg: mobility of traveller
  • policy conditions applying to benefits being claimed.

Dual Purpose Travel

Dual Purpose Travel means any business travel which includes Private Days. A component of private travel such as periods of annual leave or long service leave would render a trip as having a dual purpose. Such travel may incur an FBT liability.

In the case of dual purpose trips, UWS travellers must arrange their own travel insurance for all private travel days. 

Accompanying spouses, partners and dependants of travellers that are University employees as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students (including reasearch students) are advised to obtain their own travel insurance for their leisure/private travel.

Students travelling internationally for study exchange are covered for the duration of their official semester period.  The travel cover includes one week immediately before and after official semester start and end dates and a maximum of one week for any official semester breaks.  A student is responsible for making their own travel insurance arrangements for any travel periods falling outside the periods stated above.

If a traveller needs to arrange their own travel insurance for private travel, while travellers are not obliged to do so, they may access the University's insurer. For more information, please see the ACE - Leisure Travel Insurance website (opens in a new window).

Claims

Please complete travel insurance claim form (staff login required):

  • Claims should be supported by all documents, medical certificates, police reports etc
  • Claim enquiries are directed to the Accountant, Tax & Insurance
  • Forward the claim and all documentation to the Accountant, Tax and Insurance (do not forward claims direct to the insurer as this will delay the claim being processed)

More Information

For more information, please contact Mahain Jayaram.