UW Student Abroad Insurance

• UW students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – are required to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. Why? Because of the Official International Student Travel policy.
• UW Student Abroad Insurance can be purchased through the Travel Registration process for independent travelers and through the pre-departure process for students enrolled in an official UW Study Abroad program (faculty-led program, exchange or provider program).
• UW Student Abroad Insurance is provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).

Overview of the plan

CISI coverage overview
The UW Student Abroad Insurance plan is tailored to the needs of UW students abroad. Its broad coverage and reasonable price makes it the best choice for most students. You are advised to maintain your U.S. health insurance while you are abroad. Here is an overview of services provided by the plan:

• • • 24/7 call center available at 877.714.8179 (toll-free) or 603.952.2660 (accepts Collect calls)
    • Comprehensive medical coverage abroad
    • Medical, security and natural disaster emergency evacuation services
    • Travel assistance service
    • Current cost of the insurance is $1.74 per day.

Benefits

• • • Low cost ($1.74 per day), calculated by days of coverage
    • Major medical insurance benefits while overseas
    • Limited trip delay coverage
    • Emergency evacuation and repatriation services in the event of a medical, political, or natural disaster emergency
    • 24/7 travel assistance and support
    • Enroll and pay online

Plan coverage

Covered:

• • • Treatment outside the U.S. for injuries or illnesses that occur abroad.

Not covered:

• • • Medication for pre-existing conditions. Please plan to bring enough medication with you for your entire time abroad.
    • Loss arising from participation in professional sports, scuba diving, hang gliding, parachuting, skydiving, or bungee jumping. If you plan to engage in these activities abroad, please contact your UW Study Abroad adviser.
    • Elective medical care includes dental care, routine physical exams, and routine eye exams.

Important notes

• • • • You cannot pay for this insurance plan through MyUW. The premium cannot be charged to your UW student account, and it will not be automatically paid by financial aid.
      • If you would like to complete a revision request so that the cost of insurance can be reflected in your financial aid package, contact UW Study Abroad.
      • Students enrolled through UW Study Abroad enter their insurance policy information into their online study abroad account.
      • The UW Student Abroad Insurance plan is distinct from the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP). Enrolling in the UW Seattle, Bothell or Tacoma international student insurance plan for the same time period will not automatically enroll you in the UW Student Abroad Insurance plan.
      • All students (including international students) should list a U.S. address as their address of record on the application.

Additional information

UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP)

ISHIP and international coverage

• • • • • • For students on F-1 and J-1 visas, this plan provides limited coverage for care worldwide and limited medical evacuation services.
          • ISHIP is more expensive than the UW Student Abroad Insurance plan and provides coverage outside the US on a reimbursement basis only. With ISHIP, you must pay up-front for care, then file a claim with the insurer when you return to the U.S.
            If you will be returning to the U.S. in the middle of the quarter or have dependents staying in the U.S. 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 International Health Insurance Counselor to discuss your options.

Requesting a waiver if you have ISHIP

• • • • • • In most cases, we strongly recommend that ISHIP students also purchase the students abroad insurance plan for the period of their study abroad. However, in certain cases, ISHIP alone could be an appropriate option. Students with ISHIP that would like to waive the students abroad insurance requirement must submit a waiver. Waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requesting a waiver 

• • • • • • For more information on who qualifies for a waiver, see Insurance Waivers.
          • If you have personal insurance that provides at least the same type and level of coverage as the UW Student Abroad Insurance plan (i.e. emergency evacuation, political evacuation and natural disaster, repatriation of remains, injury, illness or death) while participating in study or research abroad, you can request a insurance waiver through the Travel Registration process.
          • If the waiver is granted, you will be exempt from the requirement to purchase the UW Student Abroad Insurance Plan. Your personal insurance must remain unchanged and in effect for the duration of your educational activities abroad.
          • Students not enrolled with UW Study Abroad must register their travel and request a waiver at least three weeks before scheduled travel abroad.  
          • Students traveling with UW Study Abroad (Seattle, Tacoma or Bothell) must request insurance waivers by dates below. No late waiver petitions will be accepted.
          • Please direct any questions about insurance waivers to studyabroad@uw.edu 

Departure quarter	Due date
Early Fall	May 1
Autumn Quarter	July 1
Winter Quarter	October 15
Spring Quarter	January 15
Summer Quarter	April 1