Study Abroad Insurance

The University of Washington requires that foreign study or research programs purchase UW Study Abroad Insurance. Who can purchase coverage? All regular, full-time and part-time Eligible Participants and their Eligible Dependents of the educational organization or institution who:

1. Are engaged in international educational activities; and
2. Are temporarily located outside his/her Home Country as a non-resident alien; and
3. Have not obtained permanent residency status.

Advantages of the plan

The UW Study Abroad Insurance plan provides security and natural disaster evacuation services in addition to medical evacuation and travel assistance services. Direct billing is available when care is received through the insurer’s no-deductible medical insurance international network of English-speaking, pre-screened providers. The UW Study Abroad Insurance plan is specifically tailored to services needed overseas and is a better choice than the student plans for most study abroad students, if you are eligible.

• Low premium — approximately $37 per month for the duration of your trip
• Evacuation services for medical emergencies plus repatriation benefits anywhere in the world
• Major medical insurance benefits
• Enroll and pay online

Enroll

• Enroll in the UW Study Abroad Insurance Plan with a credit card.
• Call the insurer, HTH Worldwide at 1-866-281-1668 to enroll without a credit card.
• You cannot pay for this insurance plan through MyUW, nor will the premium be charged to your UW student account or be automatically paid by financial aid. If you intend to use financial aid to reimburse yourself for the costs of the insurance, you should refer to International Programs and Exchange’s Funding and Financial Aid information. Your financial aid will be disbursed on the first day of the applicable UW quarter(s) of enrollment.
• The UW Study Abroad Insurance plan is distinct from the UW Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Enrolling in the UW Seattle, Bothell or Tacoma student insurance plan for the same time period will not automatically enroll you in the Study Abroad Insurance plan.
• If you will receive a graduate appointment eligible for the Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan (GAIP) for your study or research abroad, this insurance is not required, but you may wish to purchase additional coverage. Comparison of UW-Provided and Optional Coverages (Word Doc)

Terms and Conditions

Review the Study Abroad Insurance plan’s coverage for emergency evacuations and other assistance services. The 2012 coverage period starts January 1, 2012.

• Detailed Policy Information – 2012 Certificate of Coverage (PDF)
• 2012 Study Abroad Insurance brochure (PDF)
• Summary of Medical Evacuation Services and Medical Resources (PDF)
• Coverage for Political and Natural Disaster Evacuations (PDF)

Call the insurer, HTH Worldwide at 1-866-281-1668, for answers to questions related to coverage and benefits.

Important

The UW Study Abroad Insurance plan only covers treatment outside the United States for injuries or illnesses that occur abroad. It also covers pre-existing conditions, so illness doesn't need to be contracted abroad. There is a $5000 limit that applies to treatment in your home country. There is no coverage for treatment of conditions that arise once you have returned to your home country or after the policy term expires.

Study Abroad Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Study Abroad Insurance Options

If you are not eligible for the UW Study Abroad insurance, there are other insurance options to consider:

1. UW Student Insurance Plans

The UW student insurance plans for the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses all provide coverage for care worldwide and provide limited medical evacuation services. However, the UW student insurance plans are much more expensive than the UW Study Abroad Insurance plan and covers care outside the US on a reimbursement basis only. This means that you will need to pay up front for care, and file a claim with the insurer for reimbursement.

If you will be returning to the US in the middle of the quarter, or have dependents staying in the US while you are studying abroad, consider purchasing both plans to prevent gaps in coverage.

If you have other special considerations and need to discuss coverage coordination, please email the Office of Risk Management to discuss your options.

2. Other Study Abroad Insurance Plans

Students with personal insurance that covers expenses arising from emergency evacuation, repatriation of remains, injury, illness or death while participating in study or research abroad can petition for a UW Study Abroad Insurance waiver. If the petition is granted, the student will be exempt from the requirement to purchase the UW Study Abroad Insurance Plan on the condition that the student's personal insurance remains unchanged and in force for the duration of the student's educational activities abroad.