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Health & Insurance

Travel Insurance is a type of insurance that covers a pre-planned trip and will reimburse the policyholder if certain unforeseen circumstances occur. University of Galway arranges Travel Insurance Cover for enrolled student’s resident in Ireland, who are traveling abroad to complete study or work placements as part of their university degree programme. AIG is the insurance company with which the University of Galway has set-up a Personal Accident and Travel Insurance Policy.

Important note: Students travelling back to their home country for placement or study will not be covered under this policy. 

Use the links below to register via AIG Travel Protect App. 

Full policy information is available online: 
Full Lifeline Policy Wording document

European Health Insurance Card
Students completing study or work placements in Europe must still also apply for an EHIC card in advance of travel. The EHIC provides for basic health cover whilst abroad. In some cases, this may require payment of a small fee.

Students travelling to outside Europe 
Some institutions (particularly those in North America) may oblige students to take out their health insurance policy. You should check with your host university if this is the case for you. 

University of Galway AIG Travel Protect Website & App

All students travelling abroad as part of their programme must download the AIG Travel Protect App.

Image of AIG Travel Protect App

  1. Download the app from Google Play or the App store – search for AIG Travel Protect. 
  2. Enter the policy number (which will be emailed to you)
  3. Complete the registration and create your own password.
  4. Once registration is complete on the App, you can also access the website using the same email address and password.  

AIG Travel Protect website: aigtravelprotect.com

Proof of Insurance letter 
This can be generated in the application or on the website. 

Services available via AIG Travel Protect App and website:

  • Country Reports
  • City Guides
  • Predeparture Health Advice and Information
  • Security and Safety Training Modules 

A full guide on how to access the website and the app is available online: 
AIG Travel Protect Mobile App Download and Set up Guide.pdf

AIG Virtual Care Program Whilst Abroad

As part of the university’s travel insurance policy, students on placement or study abroad have access to AIG’s Virtual Care Program. This program provides virtual access from anywhere in the world, 24/7.

Included in the program at no additional cost to students:

  • Online Medical Health Consultation
  • Mental Health Coaching
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Digital Content 

How to access AIG Virtual Care Program

  1. Visit aigvirtualcareprogram.com  
  2. Click on “Access my account”.
  3. Complete the required details
    • Your access code is IE1TBT01 followed by the last four digits of the AIG Policy Number.

AIG Virtual Care Brochure.pdf

In the event of an emergency

Lifeline Plus Emergency Number +44 1273747625 

  1. Advise that you are covered under the University of Galway Travel Insurance Policy
  2. Provide the Policy Number
  3. Indicate the nature of the assistance that you require  
  4. You will also need to advise of your name, your location, and your contact details 

Policy Exclusions

  • Students travelling back to their home country for placement or study will not be covered under this policy. These students must take out their own travel insurance with respect to this travel.  
  • There is absolutely no coverage in respect to travel to Afghanistan, Belarus, Chechnya, Israel, Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights, Iraq, Lebanon, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or United Arab Emirates. This includes routing through these countries to your onward destination. 
  • There is absolutely no coverage in respect to travel to any other region or country where the Republic of Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs Office has advised against “all travel” or “all travel due to the threat of kidnap” prior to the commencement of the trip.  
  • The policy does not cover any claim as a result of the use by the Insured Person of non-prescribed drugs which cannot be legally obtained from a pharmacy; arising directly or indirectly from excessive alcohol intake; arising from the Insured Person being involved in any deliberate, malicious, reckless, illegal or criminal act.
  • Full exclusions are available online

Health Insurance Some students may wish to additionally take out Private Health Insurance depending on personal circumstances. If you have a health insurance policy in Ireland already, contact your insurance provider to check if you are covered whilst abroad. You should bring a copy of this policy or policy number with you when travelling. 

How to make a claim

AIG should be notified as soon as reasonably practical after the event that a claim is to be made. The claim may be rejected if it is made so long after the event that the Company is unable to investigate the claim fully. It may also result in the Insured (or Insured Person at the request of the Insured) not receiving the full amount claimed if the amount claimed is increased as a result of the delay.  

For a claim under sections:  

  • B1.1 – Medical and other Emergency Travel Expenses  
  • B6 – Kidnap and Ransom  
  • B7 – Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation  
  • Section C – Crisis Containment Management

Contact the 24 hour, 7 days a week emergency medical number immediately on:

  • Telephone: +44 (0)1273 747 625  

 
For a claim under all other sections:

  • Claims can be submitted via the Claims Portal on the website digitalclaims.aig.com
  • Claims can also be submitted via the Claims Portal on the AIG Travel Protect app   

For claims under Section B4.1 Cancellation, Curtailment, Rearrangement, Replacement, Missed Departure & Travel Delay and B4.2, Cancellation, Curtailment, Rearrangement, Replacement, Missed Departure & Travel Delay due to a Natural Catastrophe a claim form is not required and the claim can be notified by email to irelandexpressclaims@aig.com along with supporting documentation. 

The Accident & Health Claims Department, AIG Europe S.A., 30 North Wall Quay, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance information for students not covered by the University of Galway student travel policy.

Recommendations for Insurance Cover

There are a number of Insurance providers in Ireland who can provide cover.  

 There are different levels of cover available, which provide different levels of benefit under the policy and Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the cover types available.   

University of Galway Insurance Cover Requirements & Recommendations: 

  • Medical Expenses to include Repatriation – at least €1 Million 
  • Personal Liability – at least €500,000 
  • Cancellation/Curtailment/Rearrangement – Highly recommended 
  • Baggage /Personal Items/ Money/ Passport – Highly recommended 

Other important considerations when purchasing insurance: 

  • Duration of the Policy cover – you need to ensure that your Travel Insurance covers the entire duration of your time abroad 
  • Material Facts – please ensure you disclose all relevant material facts to your Insurers. For example, a pre-existing medical condition. 
  • COVID 19 Cover – please ensure you check and review the policy carefully in relation to COVID 19 costs and expenses. Policies differ from one Insurer to another in relation to the coverage offered. 
  • Excluded Territories – all policies will include an Excluded Territory List. Please ensure you are familiar with same and discuss any issues/concerns with your Insurer. 
  • Exclusions – please read the Policy before purchasing to understand the specific exclusions. 
  • Holidays/returning home – if you intend to take a holiday during your trip abroad or return home please check that this is covered by your policy before travelling. 
  • Winter Sports – if you intend to participate in any winter sports during your time abroad please ensure this is covered by your Policy. 
  • It’s important to check the policy Terms and Conditions at the time of purchase as these can change frequently 

Students are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain a policy which satisfies the University requirements and your own needs in advance of departure and to ensure you have adequate cover in place for the duration of your time abroad. 

Further information on travel insurance in Ireland is available through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Travel insurance - CCPC 

Please note that some partner universities (for example some in the US) require you to buy a particular policy that they source. In these instances it can be more expensive than you might be able to find at home. Some host universities will also require you to provide them with details of your private travel insurance policy. 

Make sure that you keep a record of any emergency numbers provided by the insurance company incase you have to make a claim. Having the details readily to hand will alleviate some of the stress if you are in a difficult situation. Should you find yourself in circumstances where you will have to make a claim, you should contact the insurance company immediately, as a delay in doing this could affect your claim. 

Cover Under a Family Health Insurance Plan 

You may wish to investigate whether travel for your stay abroad under your own or your parents’ private health insurance plan is adequate. You will need to confirm the cover requirements as given above are met completely. You can establish this by reading the policy document and by contacting the health insurance company directly. You may be able to purchase additional cover for travel insurance if this is not included in an existing health insurance policy. 

IMPORTANT NOTE for EU Citizens Travelling to EU Countries 

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is essential for every EU citizen travelling to another European country; as a student, it entitles you to necessary healthcare in the public system of any EU/EEA member state. The EHIC provides for basic health cover, but what constitutes basic cover may vary from one country to another, and in some cases the patient will be required to make a contribution to the costs of care in the public health system, so it’s advisable to check the website www.ehic.ie to get precise information on the different countries. You can also apply for the card via that website. One card is needed for each individual or member of a family. The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, however, and it’s quite limited in what it covers. Healthcare in a private setting is not included, nor is the cost of repatriation, or the additional travel and accommodation costs that can accrue in a case of illness or an accident abroad. You will also need to be covered for eventualities like cancelled/delayed flights and lost luggage. This is where private travel insurance comes in. 

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