Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for every Elective course. Here's what you need to know.

Why it's required

Once you're enrolled, you're committing to flights, accommodations, and a course that runs rain or shine. Travel insurance covers you if illness, injury, or an unexpected event affects your ability to travel or complete the course.

What your policy needs to cover

At minimum, your travel insurance should include:

  • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage, sufficient to cover the full cost of your course — this is the coverage that protects you if something prevents you from getting to or completing your Elective

  • Personal accident and death coverage

  • Medical expenses

  • Emergency evacuation

If you want especially thorough coverage, you can also ask providers about Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies. Most policies are not CFAR, and you should understand what circumstances allow you to make a claim.

When to buy it

Purchase your policy as soon as possible after you're enrolled. Many insurers tie certain protections — like waivers for pre-existing medical conditions — to a window that opens shortly after your first payment, and providers may treat your deposit as that first payment.

Proof of insurance is due no later than two weeks before your course start date, submitted through your Pre-Course forms in the Student Portal.

Choosing a provider

‍ You're welcome to use any insurance provider you like. We don't sell or administer policies ourselves, so we can't advise on specific coverage or claims. A few reputable policies that have been used by Elective participants in the past: Allianz, Travel Guard, and Trawick International.

‍Can I use the insurance that comes with my credit card?

‍Some credit cards include travel protections, but they typically offer little to no medical coverage — and, importantly, may not cover the cost of your Elective enrollment if you're unable to travel. Check your card's policy against the coverage requirements above before relying on it alone.

‍If you travel often

If you take more than one or two trips a year, a single annual multi-trip policy is usually a better value than buying separate coverage for each one — and it means one less thing to arrange before your next Elective. Ask any provider whether their annual plans meet the coverage minimums above.

Questions‍ ‍

Full policy language is in our Terms & Conditions. For anything else, contact us.