*Travel Updates*
ECU travelers have recently been impacted by situations outside of their control. As part of your travel planning, note or consider the following:
- Travelers have been impacted by bed bugs in accommodation in Fiji - but these may occur anywhere in the world. Before using the bedding, or putting your luggage on the bedding, consider checking the bedding for signs of infestation.
- When traveling, be sure of the security at your accommodation. If you are traveling alone, avoid accommodation where entrances are on back streets or in isolated locations. If you can't tell from a map, check online reviews from other travelers.
- If you have to make any report to local police, ensure you obtain a police report as this will help support any potential travel insurance claim you may make. You do not have to get the report translated if it is not in English.
- Carry a change of clothes and small amount of toiletries when traveling by air, in case your luggage is delayed. Be sure to adhere to airline requirements for traveling with liquids.
If you have any queries about this, please contact ECU Insurance
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ECU maintains comprehensive travel insurance cover for Students and Staff traveling on authorised University travel.
The travel insurance is an annual corporate travel policy cover which is limited to a period of 180 days of continuous travel. If you are traveling for longer that the 180 day limit, contact Enterprise Risk for further advice. ECU also allows for up to 7 days of private travel, outside of approved travel dates. This can be taken before or after the approved dates (or a combination of both) but cannot exceed 7 days of private travel.
Note: Student Travelers participating in Dual Degree programs with the University of Portsmouth (only) are covered by ECU's travel insurance for both semesters. Please discuss with ECU Insurance about any leisure travel plans between semesters.
Certain requirements must be met before students and staff are able to undertake authorised travel on behalf of the University. Please refer to the Finance & Business Services Centre (FBSC) website before finalising any domestic or international travel arrangements. Travel must be authorised by the University or travel insurance will not apply to the trip.
ECU's travel insurance does provide certain cover for Covid-19 (and its variants) related to cancellation, additional or medical expenses cover and some restrictions to cover do apply.
Travel insurance WILL cover:
- Costs if you contract Covid-19 prior to your trip and have to cancel or postpone your trip
- Costs if you need medical treatment or have additional costs (changed travel plans or accommodation costs not already budgeted for) if you contract Covid-19 whilst on your trip
- Costs if you have to change travel plans if your family member is diagnosed with Covid-19 and is considered "Seriously Unwell" (as defined in the insurance policy wording)
- If you pass away due to Covid-19 contracted on your trip (repatriation costs)
Costs are covered as shown above if travel plans were made prior to diagnosis. When claiming, a confirmed date of diagnosis must be provided by a Doctor.
Travel insurance WILL NOT cover:
- Mid-trip Government border closures due to Covid-19 resulting in additional costs associated with cancelled or amended travel plans
- Government (or other relevant authority) quarantine expenses - separate to those required when a traveller contracts Covid-19 whilst on their trip
- Costs associated with obtaining RAT or PCR tests necessary to travel
- Costs associated with obtaining Government required vaccinations, or costs incurred if you are refused entry into a country for non-compliance with approved vaccinations
- If you decide not to travel due to newly declared Covid-19 variant where the border restrictions or threat/alert levels have not changed
- If you are traveling against medical advice
- Travel insurance may also NOT respond if you have made travel arrangements whilst in quarantine or isolation, or whilst diagnosed with Covid-19, hoping to be cleared to travel by the planned departure date.
All advice and information above is subject to insurer review of any actual claim submitted and the individual circumstances of the claim being taken into consideration at the time of assessment.
If you have any further queries about travel insurance cover, please contact insurance@ecu.edu.au for clarification on the cover applicable.
The Enterprise Risk Team has an assistance guide for any person traveling, with helpful travel hints, which can be downloaded from this page.
ECU Students and Staff are covered for most leisure activities that may be undertaken during travel. However, the following activities may not be covered by the travel insurance policy for staff or students:
- Snow skiing – if inexperienced and no training has been provided.
- Helicopter or Deep Snow Skiing.
- Parachuting or Skydiving.
- Rock climbing requiring the use of ropes or guides.
- White water rafting (Grade 4 rapids or higher).
- BASE jumping.
- Professional Sports Activities (where payment is received).
- Racing (unless on foot).
- Open water diving (unless you have an open water diving ticket or are using an accredited diving company).
- Any other dangerous or hazardous activities – if you are unsure, please contact insurance@ecu.edu.au for advice.
Policy numbers
Travel insurance policy numbers are as follows:
- Students 2600139457
- Staff 2600139456