Supplemental Travel Insurance

You may want to purchase supplemental travel insurance, particularly if you will be traveling to another country for an extended period of time.

Following is a sampling of companies that sell plans to individuals and specialize in medical insurance for those going abroad for educational purposes. Because these plans usually do not cover medical treatment in the U.S. (i.e., they have a home-country exclusion), having other medical insurance that is valid in the U.S. is strongly recommended. Information is provided by the UM International Center.

Please contact the companies directly for complete and up-to-date information.

Council International ID Card Insurance (ID cards sold by the U-M International Center)
This very basic insurance is automatically included with international student (ISIC) and teacher (ITIC) ID cards issued by Council but it should not be your only medical insurance. You may purchase this card at the UM International Center, 734-647-2299.
Web site: http://www.counciltravel.com/idcards/insure.asp
Phone: 1-877-370-4742
Coverage basics: $25,000 medical evacuation, $100/day hospitalization, $3,000 accidental injury
Cost: $22 total

Hinchcliff International
Web site: http://www.higsinc.com
Phone: 888-243-2358
Coverage basics: Hinchcliff offers three different plans for participants engaged in international educational activities in coverage amounts up to $500,000.

International SOS (a medical evacuation service)
Web site: http://www.internationalsos.com
Phone: 1-800-767-1403 or 215-244-1500. Ask for "Scholastic Overseas Services" plan.
Coverage basics: Evacuation only, or evacuation plus $50,000 (at 80%) insurance.
Cost: $50 or $95 for one month, depending on without or with insurance.

MSA Student Accident and Health Insurance Plan (Chickering/Aetna)
This is the only policy listed here that provides coverage both in the U.S. and abroad. See University Health Service for information. Note that UM international students have mandatory coverage with a different plan, through the International Center, which also provides worldwide coverage.
Web sites: http://www.uhs.umich.edu/uhs/services/insurancestud.html (University Health Service); http://www.chickering.com/FAQTravel.htm#10 (Chickering's detailed information)
Coverage questions: See the Web sites or call 1-866-368-0002
Coverage basics: $250,000 Cost: $70 per month (Ask University Health Service about possible lengths of time for which policy is available.)

Medex International (a medical evacuation service)
Web site: http://www.medexassist.com
Phone toll free: 1-888-MEDEX-00
Coverage basics: Evacuation only ("SafeTrip"), or evacuation with $100,000 medical insurance ("TravMed")
Cost: $17.50 or $28 per week, depending on without or with insurance.

Seabury & Smith
Phone toll free: 1-800-282-4495
Short-term plan for travel abroad is called Gateway International.
Coverage basics: $100,000 medical evacuation, choice of $25,000 or $100,000 medical insurance.
Cost: $21 or $28 per week based on amount of coverage chosen. Their MedChoice plan for those participating in education abroad provides $250,000 coverage at a cost of $40 to $50 per month.

Wallach & Company, Inc.
Web site: http://www.wallach.com
Phone: 1-800-237-6615 or 540-687-3166
Short-term plan for travel abroad is called "Health Care Abroad"
Coverage basics: $100,000 medical evacuation, $100,000 medical insurance
Cost: $11 - $16 per week based on deductible chosen.

For more listings, see: U.S. State Department -- Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, http://travel.state.gov/medical.html.

In addition, the UM International Center has a wealth of information about supplemental medical insurance.

Also see "International Identity Cards," for information about discount travel cards that have limited health insurance options.

Important Travel Insurance Options

Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy. Depending on your needs, you may want to consider obtaining some of the following insurance options before you travel.

• Accident and Sickness (reimbursement for reasonable medical expenses).
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (payment to the insured or beneficiary).
• Baggage Loss (covers loss, damage, theft).
• Emergency Medical Evacuation (evacuation for medical treatment to the nearest medical facility or the U.S., which could cost as much as $35,000 or more without insurance).
• Repatriation of Remains (covers some expenses to ship a body back to the U.S., which can be expensive).
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption (meant for illness, injury, or death suffered by insured or insured's immediate family).