Office of Insurance and Risk Management

Foreign Travel Information For Employees

I. General Information
II. Emergency Assistance Program (International SOS)
III. HTH Worldwide Insurance Program
IV. International Insurance Coverages
V. Driving A Vehicle While Abroad
VI. Personal Property Insurance

I. General Information

For all foreign travel conducted by Tulane University faculty or staff on University business, approval must first be obtained from a) the appropriate Dean or Dean's designee, or the Provost or Provost's designee, for faculty members and b) the Department Head for any staff member.
For all research and/or study abroad programs, the Office of Insurance & Risk Management requires that the Foreign Travel Information Form be completed and submitted prior to travel taking place. This is required so to ensure that appropriate insurance coverages are in place before travel occurs.
Prior to international travel, employees must consult travel warnings and alerts posted on the U.S. State Department website. The State Department site lists official warnings about travel to particular countries and it includes other information of which employees should be aware before traveling abroad. Sign up for travel alerts with the State Department by clicking here and with International SOS by clicking here.
Similar advisories related to health issues are available the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.
It is also advisable to consult with the Tulane University Travel Clinic for pre-travel immunizations and counseling (Email: tutravel@tulane.edu; Phone: 504.988.6929).
Check out the American Embassy websites of the countries you plan to visit before you depart. Register your trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the American Embassy or Consulate will be able to keep you informed and provide assistance in the event a crisis occurs while you are there. See the iPhone and iPad free Smart Traveler application.
It is important to know and to be aware of local customs and problem areas before you depart. It is also important to always let someone know where you are going and when you are due to return and to avoid traveling alone.
Occasionally, family members may accompany a University employee in travel to a foreign destination. Please be advised that University does not provide health or accident benefits to those family members. Please check with your health insurance provider for details regarding coverage of your family members while traveling outside the United States. Any costs incurred during the course of your travel by any family member, including minor children for whom you are a guardian, are the sole responsibility of you or your family member.

II. Emergency Assistance Program

Tulane University has contracted with International SOS to offer each employee traveling abroad on University business the highest possible level of medical, personal, travel and security advice and assistance, as well as access to online information for up-to-date travel conditions and other important information.

The following is a brief outline of benefits provided under the International SOS Program:

Medical Assistance: Includes referral to a doctor or medical specialist, medical monitoring when you are hospitalized, emergency medical evacuation to an adequate facility, medically necessary repatriation, and return of mortal remains.

Personal Assistance: Includes pre-trip medical referral information, embassy and consular information, emergency information*, lost document assistance*, emergency message transmission, emergency cash advance*, referral to a lawyer*, translator/interpreter access*, medical benefits verification and medical claims assistance*. (*indicates while on a trip).

Travel Assistance: Includes emergency travel arrangements, return of traveling companions/dependents, and return of vehicle.

Security Assistance: Includes evacuation when personal security is threatened by any political instability or civil unrest to a safe location at the earliest reasonably possible time. If evacuation is not reasonably possible, regular contact can be maintained until the threat to personal security is abated or evacuation becomes reasonably possible.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE HEALTH INSURANCE.

To get your International SOS card, to learn more about the program, or to review important medical and safety information about the country to which you are traveling, go to https://audubon.tulane.edu/sos/login.cfm and log in using your Tulane userID and login information that is used for your Tulane e-mail account.

Click here for a tutorial on how to use the travel tracker services of International SOS.

You can also visit the International SOS website for more information.

III. HTH Worldwide Insurance Program

See the health and safety abroad videos.

For faculty and staff whose health insurance does not apply abroad or who want to supplement existing health insurance, enrolling in the HTH Worldwide Insurance Program may be worthwhile. To enroll in the HTH Worldwide Insurance Program directly, follow the directions for Weekly or Monthly or contact the Office of Insurance & Risk Management at 504.865.5653 or schrowa3@tulane.edu.

For a summary of the benefits provided through the HTH Worldwide Insurance Program, as well as information on costs and policy exclusions, click here. if you need more information, please contact the Office of Insurance & Risk Management at 504.865.5653 or visit the HTH Worldwide website.

If students will be accompanying any faculty or staff member abroad, the faculty or staff member must verify that the students' health insurance will apply in foreign countries. If a student's health insurance will not apply in foreign countries, the student should be directed to apply for coverage under the HTH Worldwide Insurance Program.

IV. International Insurance Coverages

Tulane University maintains insurance policies that are applicable to employees who are working in a foreign country. Click here to find a summary of the coverages currenty provided.

Please note: THESE SUMMARIES ARE FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY. If you have questions or need additional details on the coverages specified in the referenced summary, please contact the Office of Insurance & Risk Management, 324 Gibson Hall (504.865.5653).

V. Driving A Vehicle While Abroad

Many foreign automobile insurance policies exclude liability coverage if the driver does not have a valid drivers' license or if the driver is intoxicated or presumed to be intoxicated. Also, because many foreign countries do not recognize U.S. drivers' licenses, an International Driving Permit is highly recommended if you plan to drive abroad (most countries accept an IDP). Before your departure, you can obtain an IDP through either of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State, AAA (American Automobile Association) or National Auto Club. You can apply online or at a local office. Driving conditions in some countries can be hazardous. Check local driving conditions on the U.S. State Department website.

VI. Personal Property Insurance

Personal property insurance for students, faculty and staff covering worldwide on broad conditions is available at reasonable premiums and deductibles as low as $25 at http://www.csiprotection.com/ Coverage can include items owned by the department as well as personal property of the traveler.