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Global Engagement

SCU Insurance and Travel Assistance Abroad

For Students, Faculty, Staff, and Approved Travelers

Insurance Abroad and Emergency Travel Assistance

All travelers should understand their U.S. based health insurance coverage, its validity in the country/area of travel, and reimbursement process prior to traveling. Travelers have different types of support through multiple policies. This includes SCU travel insurance and emergency assistance through Chubb/International SOS.

Who is Covered

All Santa Clara University travelers on approved university-sponsored international travel are covered by SCU’s emergency medical insurance and have access to services through the University international travel assistance provider.  This includes students, faculty, staff and approved travelers.  Coverage and support is described here.

Emergency Medical Insurance Outside the U.S.

SCU works with two companies to provide international emergency medical, travel, and security assistance to students, staff, faculty, and any other sponsored SCU traveler on university-sponsored international travel. Chubb Insurance is the insurance company and International SOS is the global medical, travel, and security assistance provider. Insurance coverage applies during the official dates of the SCU-sponsored activity or program abroad and includes up to 14 days of coverage for personal travel immediately before and/or after the program.

In addition to this coverage provided by the University, student travelers are required to maintain additional health insurance in the U.S., either by keeping the SCU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) during their time abroad, or by demonstrating that they have private U.S. health insurance in accordance with SCU sponsored SHIP waiver policies. SCU’s emergency medical insurance and travel assistance coverage through Chubb Insurance and International SOS do not allow travelers to waive SHIP. 

Chubb Insurance Coverage Benefits

While abroad, the emergency medical travel insurance policy through Chubb is considered to be primary for emergency medical expenses in cases of accident and/or illness, but it will not cover routine or cosmetic procedures. Travelers should note that preventative care such as physicals, routine exams, vaccinations, and COVID tests in the absence of symptoms are NOT covered. Highlights of the Chubb Insurance benefits include: 

  • Emergency medical benefits
  • Trip interruption benefit, trip delay coverage
  • Emotional support coverage
  • Security and emergency medical evacuation
  • Accidental death and dismemberment
  • Repatriation of remains
  • Emergency reunion benefit

See policy highlights in the SCU International Travel Insurance Brochure. For full policy details, email vpglobal@scu.edu. 

Chubb Insurance Exclusions

Chubb Insurance will not pay benefits for any loss or injury that is caused by, or results from war or any act of war for the following countries: The United States, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Rep., Chad, Cuba, Democratic Rep. Of Congo, Ethiopia, Gaza, Haiti, India (Jammu & Kashmir), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Moldova, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, North Caucasus, North Korea, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Thailand (Pattani, Yala, Songkhala & Narathiwat provinces), Venezuela, West Bank, Yemen.

If university-sponsored travel is requested to any of these locations, it will require additional review. See the University International Travel Policy.

International SOS Travel Assistance

Overview of Travel Assistance/Services

Before or during international travel, travelers can contact International SOS directly, 24 hours a day, year-round, for services including: 

  • Emergency medical, security, and emotional support services. 
  • 24-hour assistance clinics and remote-site medical facilities outside the U.S. Call-in interpretation assistance with medical providers or local transport providers.
  • Location Guides that contain medical and security advice and recommendations for your destination (available on the Assistance App and Member Portal).
  • Information on current security and medical alerts and required immunizations.
  • Location based alerts: Sign up to receive critical safety information in the event of an incident at your destination. 

International SOS travel assistance is only valid internationally; it is not valid for travel in the U.S or its territories.

Access to Support - Before You Go

Contact International SOS for medical or security advice or create an account on the International SOS Assistance App or Member Portal prior to travel for destination advice. International SOS offers a short tutorial video on how to use the Member Portal. There is no need to contact Intl.SOS in advance to register your trip. To ensure access to support abroad, prior to travel students, faculty and staff should:

Access to Support - Abroad

For assistance call International SOS collect, 24 hours a day: +1 (215) 942-8478, using SCU’s ID#: 401GDA1067661IT or use the International SOS membership app to call for assistance or live chat with a specialist. You will need access to a wireless connection or an international data plan in order to use the app.

In an emergency, International SOS can connect travelers to immediate care whether it requires evaluating a center of medical excellence or closely monitoring your condition with local doctors.   

Continuing Mental Health Counseling Abroad

Travelers who are currently managing a mental health condition are encouraged to discuss the appropriateness of traveling abroad with their mental health provider. We encourage you to start with your current therapist and see if they can continue support while abroad, but their licensing may not permit them to work outside of the state or country. International SOS can provide:

  • Referrals to medical or mental health providers in your location abroad to set up mental health sessions abroad with a therapist.
  • Direct transfer to a therapist during a mental health crisis

Traveling Abroad with Prescription Drug(s)

If you will need to take medications for a medical/psychiatric condition while traveling abroad, travelers should take enough medication to last for the duration of travel.  It is very important to plan ahead to ensure that you can bring your medication with you into your host country and/or determine if your medication is available in your destination in case your medication is lost, stolen, or becomes unusable. Prior to travel, International SOS can advise on the legal status of medications you are taking and potential alternatives. Medications cannot be shipped internationally and, typically, pharmacies overseas cannot/will not refill U.S. prescriptions. 

Discuss your travel arrangements with your healthcare provider to ensure you have a sufficient supply of medications before you depart. Travelers may need to contact their health insurance company to arrange a larger-than-usual prescription authorization.

For travel, prescription medications should be in their original packaging with the traveler’s name accompanied by their original prescription. Consider carrying a doctor’s note explaining the need for the prescription medications,  if possible, in the language of your destination.

Submit a Claim

If a medical visit is scheduled through International SOS, it is likely that they can place payments for costs related to visiting medical providers within the network, security arrangements or logistical arrangements.

If you get assistance on your own and pay out of pocket, make sure to get a receipt or necessary documentation, complete the correct claim form below, and send in within 90 days of the incident, reimbursable according to the travel insurance policy.

International SOS Travel Services FAQs

FAQs

What is the difference between travel insurance and travel assistance?

SCU provides approved travelers on university-sponsored travel with both travel insurance and travel assistance. Chubb provides travel insurance that pays for eligible covered expenses and losses, subject to the policy limits and International SOS provides travel and security assistance to help travelers respond to medical, security, and other travel-related emergencies. Travel assistance provides emergency support and coordination, such as helping travelers locate appropriate medical care, coordinating emergency transportation or evacuation, providing security advice, and assisting with travel arrangements during an emergency. When applicable, International SOS coordinates with Chubb regarding eligible expenses and may facilitate payment or billing arrangements; Chubb determines whether an expense is covered under the insurance policy.

Since SCU’s insurance coverage is for medical emergencies only, what additional medical coverage should I maintain while traveling abroad?

SCU’s travel insurance provides coverage for eligible emergency-related expenses while traveling on approved University-sponsored international travel. This is insufficient for routine or non-emergency medical care and routine prescription medications. Travelers should maintain their primary health insurance while abroad and confirm that it provides coverage outside the United States, including coverage for routine or non-emergency medical care, prescription medications, and any applicable deductibles or out-of-network costs. Students should refer to the SCU Required Form #2 Insurance and Travel Assistance Acknowledgement to better understand their coverage. 

I have questions about possible gaps in my insurance coverage - whom should I contact?

Travelers are responsible for understanding the coverage provided by their personal health and travel insurance policies and identifying any gaps before departure. Travelers should contact their medical insurance provider and refer to the SCU International Travel Insurance Brochure. For full policy details, email vpglobal@scu.edu. 

Should I consider travel insurance?

Travelers should also consider separate travel insurance for needs not covered by SCU’s policy, such as trip cancellation or interruption, lost or delayed baggage, personal belongings, travel delays, or other non-emergency expenses.