*Travel Updates*
Effective 4pm 31 October 2025, ECU has changed its travel insurance provider. Accident & Health International (AHI), supported by AHI Assist, are now the University's travel insurance provider. Any travel commenced prior to 4pm on 31 October 2025 would still be covered by AIG.
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.
Certain requirements must be met before students and staff are able to undertake authorised travel on behalf of the University. Staff must submit a Pre-Trip Approval (PTA), and Students must complete a Student Travel Approval Form, for approval prior to traveling.
Please refer to the Finance & Business Services Centre (FBSC) website before finalising any domestic or international travel arrangements. If travel is not authorised by the University, travel insurance will not apply to the trip.
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.
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.
ECU also allows for up to 7 days of personal 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 personal travel. Access to personal travel insurance cover through the University does not take into consideration any Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) obligations. Please seek specialist tax advice if you wish to know more.
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.
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 5616314
- Staff 5616311
Assistance Information
Travel assistance is provided by AHI Assist. Their contact information is:
Phone: +61 2 8330 1222 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week, Reverse Charge)
Email: help@AHIAssist.com.au
SMS: +61 428 829 755
Quote the policy number applicable to your travel circumstance.