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Student insurance
The University has a number of insurance policies and strategies to ensure you and your property are appropriately covered.
- Student insurance
- Insurance for work experience and placements
Student insurance
COVID-19 update: impacted travel claims
If you have submitted a travel claim above the excess amount which relates to COVID-19, and the University’s insurer has declined the claim, please forward your claim details with supporting documentation to Scott Loder at scott.loder@aon.com for additional review.
Travel insurance
When you’re covered
As a currently enrolled student, you’re covered by the University's travel insurance policy when your travel meets the following criteria.
- It is curriculum related. That is, it is directly or indirectly linked to the completion of your enrolled degree (for example student exchange, work experience and clinical placements).
- It is formally approved by your faculty or school before your departure. Normally your head of school or department would provide this approval. You should ask for confirmation of the approval in an email to include in any insurance claims you may need to make.
- You are representing the University (for example on a sporting or debating team).
Make sure there is a clear understanding of what costs will be refunded (if any) by the University before you travel.
The University will provide cover for the duration of your course and any additional days that are deemed appropriate. The total duration of travel needs to be specified in the approval letter/email provided by your Head of Faculty or School.
Emergency contact details
In the event of a medical emergency, or if you need help in relation to your insurance coverage, call AIG travel assistance on +60 3 2772 5641. If you are in the United States of America you can also call 1-866-814-3375.
You can call this number from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day and can reverse charge the call.
Print and keep your proof of insurance (pdf, 84KB) to have these emergency contact details on hand.
Personal travel
You are not covered for periods of extended personal travel you take before, during or after the approved University travel activity. Personal travel on weekends will only be covered if you are completing an approved exchange, and you are travelling during the exchange period.
You can contact usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com if you have any questions about whether your personal travel will be covered.
In situations where you’re not covered by the University's travel insurance, you need to consider taking out your own travel insurance. Most insurers will require you to take out your own travel insurance for the duration of your trip, including the portion that is covered by the University. Having dual cover does not affect your ability to make a claim.
If you undertake any personal travel that exceeds the weekend, or you plan travelling before, during or after your placement, you should take out a separate policy with AIG.
Iran and Cuba
Iran and Cuba are subject to sanctions issued by the Australian, US and UN Governments. If you are travelling to these countries, you should contact us to discuss your options.
What’s covered
You can find out what's covered by student insurance in the Travel Claims Summary (pdf, 951KB) document.
Medical conditions
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you will need to provide us with a 'fit for travel' letter from your treating doctor, which includes:
- details of your condition
- management of the condition
- your suitability for overseas travel.
Email a copy of this letter to usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com and hold onto this letter in case you need to make a claim.
Exclusions
If you’re in Australia on a student visa, or residing here temporarily, you are not covered for medical expenses if you travel back to your home country.
The University’s student travel insurance also does not cover:
- routine medical procedures (such as check-ups)
- loss or damage to personal effects (there must be evidence of theft).
Travel advice and security
Up-to-date information on overseas travel and security is available from AIG Travel Assistance.
To register, use your University student email account for ‘username’ and the University’s Travel policy number 2200103398. Once you’re registered you’ll be able to use the services provided by our travel insurer.
You can also visit the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for travel advice.
Global mobility travel registry
If you are travelling overseas for University business, you are strongly encouraged to enter your University endorsed travel details onto the Global mobility travel registry at least 30 days prior to your departure. By registering your trip, you will:
- be provided with important health, safety, logistical updates and assistance before, during, and after the international trip
- enable rapid location and communication in case of an emergency
- confirm that your trip has been authorised by the University, which is a requirement to be covered by the University’s travel insurance policy
- meet the conditions of scholarships and funding associated with University endorsed travel.
How to make a claim
Effective from 4pm, 31 October 2019, the University made changes to the way insurance claims are managed.
Policies where the new claim excess applies:
- Corporate travel - $3,000 per claim. Only claims for incidents with a value of greater than the excess should be processed through the insurer. The excess does not apply to 'overseas medical and additional expenses' (including medical evacuation and repatriation in the event of an injury, illness or death) or 'hospital cover', where the excess amount remains at zero and will be covered by the insurer.
- Personal accident - $1,000 per claim. Only claims for incidents with a value of greater than the excess should be processed through the insurer.
For claims less than the excess amount, students should contact their relevant faculty, school or department to assess the claims.
Travel claims
For travel claims with date of event after 4pm, 31 October 2019, the University has implemented an insurance excess of $3,000. You should submit your claim online if the value is greater than $3,000. Log in with your username and password or by using the company registration code: SYDU8DYAYYA5D
For claims less than the excess amount, students should contact their relevant faculty, school or department to assess the claims.
For travel claims with date of event after 4pm, 31 October 2019, which relate to overseas medical and additional expenses (including medical evacuation and repatriation in the event of an injury, illness or death) or hospital cover, the excess amount remains at zero and will be covered by the University’s Insurer.
For travel claims dated before 4pm, 31 October 2019, there is a nil excess on all travel claims. Claims should be lodged online.
Personal accident claims
For personal accident claims from 4pm, 31 October 2019 that exceed $1,000, complete the personal accident claim form and send to usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com
For claims less than the excess amount, students should contact their relevant faculty, school or department to assess the claims.
Enquiries
AON Risk Solutions are the University insurance broker. If you have travel and personal accident claim enquiries email usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com
For general insurance enquiries, contact Scott Loder on scott.loder@aon.com
School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI)
Postgraduate students
To have your travel arrangements approved, you’ll need to submit a Travel notification form for SOPHI postgraduates (doc, 67KB).
Domestic Travel
Everyday travel around the Sydney metropolitan area for meetings/research is considered generally low risk by the faculty and doesn’t need to be pre-approved by a Head of School. However, you need to email your supervisor for approval before you travel (either a single trip or series of trips).
Where possible, public transport should be used, and any driving should be shared to minimise fatigue.
All domestic travel which involves expenditure of University funds to reimburse you for expenses, such as accommodation, needs to be pre-approved by the Head of School.
Overseas Travel
Overseas travel needs to be pre-approved by a Head of Department. You and your supervisor need to check the advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for your destination(s) and consider the DFAT advice, especially in relation to travel, health and security. You should contact the Executive assistant to your Head of School for more information.
Health and Safety
If the travel involves any unusual or high risk activities such as remote-area travel, clinical visits or animal handling, a risk assessment should be conducted and reviewed with your supervisor before you travel.
All fieldwork also needs be subject to a risk assessment. Talk to your supervisor for further advice.
Claiming Travel Expenses
Contact the Executive assistant to your Head of School for more information.
Last updated: 28 May 2020
