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FAQs on Travel Insurance

If you have any queries regarding insurance please contact the Insurance Office.

  1. Special Notice regarding the global outbreak of Swine Flu
  2. Special Notice regarding New Security Measures for International Travel and Impact on Insurance
  3. How to I arrange my University travel insurance?
  4. Is there cover for travel delays and cancellations?
  5. What if I have an existing medical condition?
  6. Is loss from Terrorism or war covered?
  7. Are travel cancellation/rebooking expenses covered?
  8. Is my spouse or child covered too?
  9. How much Personal Travel is allowed when I am on my UniSA business travel?
  10. What if my personal travel is greater than 50% of my journey?
  11. What if my trip is longer than 180 days?
  12. What do I do if I get sick while travelling?
  13. If I am away and a relative is sick at home, can I come back immediately?
  14. What if the airline loses my luggage?
  15. If my property is lost or stolen while travelling what do I do?
  16. What if I want to go to a doctor for a check-up?
  17. What about Travel for Work Placement students?
  18. What if I hire a Motor Vehicle while travelling?
  19. What if I have booked travel through a non-preferred supplier?
  20. Who pays the excess on my travel claim?
  21. Are there any age restrictions on the policy?

Special Notice regarding the global outbreak of Swine Flu

Subject to our policy excess of $250:

All persons covered by the University’s travel insurance policy will be fully insured for overseas medical expenses in the event they contract the Swine Flu while travelling.

An insured person who incurs cancellation or additional accommodation expenses as a result of contracting Swine Flu, or unexpected quarantine after possible exposure to Swine Flu, will be covered for non-reimbursed expenses.

Cancellation expenses incurred when travel is cancelled even when on the advice of the University or DFAT may NOT be covered.  Our policy specifically excludes ‘disinclination to travel’, and although the decision to cancel your travel may be reasonable, the decision is still regarded as voluntary.  It is possible that that our insurer will choose to honour these claims, but a successful claim cannot at this time be guaranteed.

The University may agree to reimburse the traveller any cancellation expenses not recovered from the carrier or insurer, but applications for this will need to be made through your cost centre manager.

Special Notice regarding New Security Measures for International Travel and Impact on Insurance

It is a condition of the University's insurance that electronic equipment is only covered when carried as cabin baggage. Unfortunately as the UK & US Governments have imposed additional security measures, it may be necessary for you to pack your equipment in your suitcase (hold baggage) which will be carried in the hold of the aircraft and not in the cabin. (Refer to your Travel Agent/Airline for updates.)

If you decide to travel with fragile, delicate and/or valuable items, and electrical or battery powered items such as laptop computers, mobile phones, cameras and portable music players, they may require packing into your suitcase. Adequate packing of electronic equipment is crucial. The travel insurer has agreed to consider claims for damage, but maintain their position that they are not obligated to pay these claims.

Prevention of damage by not travelling with these items unless absolutely necessary, or packaging them with care, is preferable to attempting to claim for damage. It is unlikely that Airlines will be accepting any responsibility for damage either; please check with your Travel Agent/Airline.

If you do suffer damage to your equipment - and you are overseas - please contact ACE ASSISTANCE. If you have suffered damage and have now returned to Australia please contact the Insurance Office.

For safety and wellbeing concerns regarding travel, see your Manager or Travel Authoriser for advice.

How to I arrange my University travel insurance?

The following people are automatically covered by the University's travel insurance while travelling on behalf of the University anywhere in the world:

You will need to contact the Insurance Office if:

Is there cover for travel delays and cancellations?

The policy covers reasonable expenses incurred as a result of travel delays and cancellations. If you find yourself in this situation you are instructed to contact ACE ASSISTANCE. You will be directed by the insurer on the appropriate action to take.

What if I have an existing medical condition?

To have any cover for an existing medical condition, you must notify the Insurance Office of your circumstances at least 5 days prior to travel.  Failure to do so could leave you uninsured.

Depending on your condition, you may be asked to provide a letter from your doctor (either GP or specialist) detailing the following:

This letter will be handled with professional confidentiality and only used to provide information to the insurer for the purpose of including or excluding cover.

Please note that any expected medical expenses relating to pregnancy or childbirth are excluded.

Is loss from terrorism or war covered?

Losses resulting from war, invasion or civil war (whether declared or not) are excluded from cover.  Terrorism is not generally excluded from cover.

Are travel cancellation/rebooking expenses covered?

Cancellation, rebooking or loss of non-refundable deposits are covered if caused by:

If you suffer losses that are not as a result of the above you will need to contact the Insurance Office to discuss whether you are eligible to make a claim.

Disinclination to travel is not an insurable event.

(1) Close Relative means Spouse/Partner, parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, child, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, half brother, half sister, fiancé(e), niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, stepchild, grandparent or grandchild provided such person is at the relevant time not more than 80 years of age.

Is my spouse or child covered too?

If you are a senior staff member (which is defined by the travel policy as Senior Management Group, Pro Vice Chancellors, Heads of School,  Directors of Institute/Units and members of the Professoriate), your spouse and two children are automatically covered while accompanying you on authorised travel.

The definition of children includes step, foster, or legally adopted children who must be under 18 or under 25 if full-time student and dependant on you for support and maintenance.

Please note that your spouse and children are not covered for any part of their travel if they are not accompanying you. If you have any concerns whether your spouse or children are classed as accompanying you, please contact the Insurance Office.

If you are not a senior staff member as defined by the travel policy then only you will be covered.  Your accompanying spouse or child(ren) must seek and fund their own cover. You are welcome to contact the Insurance Office for a quote to add them to the University's policy.

Other family members can not be added to the University's insurance and must seek and fund their own cover external to the University.

How much Personal Travel is allowed when I am on my UniSA business travel?

Up to 50% of the journey can be for Personal Travel and you will still be covered by the University’s Insurance Policy.

If you are uncertain about your percentage of Private vs Business Travel, or how to classify days of travel, please see the Insurance Travel Calculator or contact the Insurance Office.

What if my personal travel is greater than 50% of my journey?

First contact the Insurance Office to discuss your options.  However if your journey is predominately personal it is likely to be classified as personal travel with a business component. As such, no part of the journey can be covered through the University’s Business Travel Policy, and you must purchase private insurance through your travel agent.

Staff may seek reimbursement from their cost centre manager for the portion of the travel insurance you purchased that relates to the business travel.

What if my trip is longer than 180 days?

You may be able to purchase an extension to the University's travel insurance policy. Call the Insurance Office to discuss.

What do I do if I get sick while travelling?

Contact ACE ASSISTANCE.

For minor doctors expenses you may be required to cover the cost and seek reimbursement upon your return, for any major medical expenses ACE ASSISTANCE will guarantee payment for you, minus the policy excess.

Only emergency overseas dental, that cannot wait until your return, is covered by this policy. ACE ASSISTANCE must be contacted if you require dental treatment.

If I am away and a relative is sick at home, can I come back immediately?

Necessary additional travel expenses may be covered under this policy if you are required to return home to care for a close relative. In this event, contact ACE ASSISTANCE for advice.

The definition of a close relative is a "Spouse/Partner, parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, child, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-inlaw, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, half brother, half sister, fiancé(e), niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, stepchild, grandparent or grandchild provided such person is at the relevant time not more than eighty (80) years of age".

What if the airline loses my luggage?

If you are deprived of your baggage for 8 hours or more, you will be permitted to purchase essential items for relief until your baggage is returned. Limits apply, please see travel insurance information (PDF 39 kb - download Adobe Acrobat) for details. Contact the emergency phone number ACE ASSISTANCE for advice if this occurs.

If my property is lost or stolen while travelling what do I do?

Standard items/property taken with you on the journey are considered your luggage/baggage.

All losses need to be reported to the police (and if appropriate the hotel).  Keep a copy of the police report etc. as you will need these to attach to your claim form.

Please contact the Insurance Office to check your eligibility to make a claim (if your claim total is less than the applicable excess you will not be able to claim).

If you are eligible to claim, you will be provided with a claim form.  In most cases you are required to lodge your claim within 30 days.

Electronic equipment:

What if I want to go to a doctor for a check-up?

The travel policy is not a general health policy and as such does not cover non-essential medical treatment.  Only emergency overseas medical expenses are covered.  Please contact the Insurance Office if you require clarification on the types of medical expenses covered.

Overseas dental expenses are only covered if the treatment can not wait until your return.  You should contact ACE ASSISTANCE if you believe you require detail treatment while overseas.

If you would like to purchase General Health Insurance please contact the Insurance Office.

What about Travel for Work Placement students?

The are a number of policies that cover students on Placement or Work Experience.  In some cases the University may also provide the student with travel insurance. You should contact the Insurance Office if you require advice on insurance for Students.

You can find additional information on Student Placement insurance on the FAQs page.

What if I hire a Motor Vehicle while travelling?

You must ensure that your vehicle hire plan includes Comprehensive MV Insurance, however you are not required to purchase a separate Collision Damage and Theft Waiver (which is an extra fee that benefits you in the event of a claim by reducing or abolishing the driver excess). This is because the University’s Corporate Travel Policy will automatically cover up to AUD $5,000 of the driver excess that you would normally be responsible for, should you place a claim for Collision Damage or Theft (subject to the Travel Insurance policy excess).

What if I have booked travel through a non-preferred supplier?

If your travel is University business and fits the criteria of the policy, the insurance will still provide cover regardless of the travel agent used.

However, the University has a duty of care to adhere to. The University has FlightLock software in place with its preferred travel providers that tracks all staff members in the event of an Emergency.  Failure to use our travel providers will mean you can not be tracked by FlightLock.

The FS87 is required to ensure that the travel is for University Business and is approved by the Line Manager prior to the completion of the booking. This is the authority for the Travel Service providers to complete a booking and they then attach the FS87 to the invoice.

Also, if you are travelling overseas, you are required to complete the ‘International’ Overseas Travel form.

Who pays the excess on my travel claim?

For personal claims the traveller usually bares the excess.  However staff may seek to be reimbursed the excess for their personal travel claim from their cost centre manager.

If the claim is the University's (i.e. loss of University equipment) then the University usually bares the excess.

Are there any age restrictions on the policy?

This Policy does not cover any person who is over 80 years of age.  If you are older than 80 years, you must contact the Insurance Office to discuss your insurance options.

There is no cover under the policy for Permanent Total Disablement or Weekly Injury (loss of income) benefits with respect to any person who is over 75 years of age at the time of loss, damage, liability, event, injury or sickness. 

All other insurance provisions under the policy will apply.

 

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