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- 1600 Holloway Avenue . San Francisco . CA 94132 . Tel (415) 338-1111
Hours: Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
E-mail: hrwww@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-1872
or (415) 338-1873
Fax: (415) 338-0521
Address: 1600 Holloway Ave. Administration Bldg, RM 252
San Francisco, CA 94132
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CSU Foreign Travel Insurance program (FTIP)?
The CSU’s Foreign Travel Insurance program provides coverage for unanticipated loss or injury during short-term international travel (i.e. emergency medical care, medical evacuation, legal assistance, lost/delayed luggage, or passport replacement. Comprehensive worldwide assistance is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week for University administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Requests for foreign travel insurance should be made to Risk Management 45-days in advance of the traveler’s departure from the U.S. to ensure timely processing by Risk Management and travel reimbursement from Fiscal Affairs.
How and where do I obtain foreign travel insurance when traveling on University business?
Contact Risk Management for the Request for Foreign Travel Insurance packet at (415) 338-2565 or access the request form from the Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management website at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/forms.html. Non-employees (i.e. students, volunteers, etc.) are required to complete and sign the Release of Liability forms packet also found on the Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management website.
Departments may arrange for coverage by contacting Linda Medina-Sam in Risk Management at (415) 338-2691 or via email at mdinasam@sfsu.edu.
Travelers participating in the University’s Study Abroad Program should contact the Office of International Programs to discuss appropriate insurance coverage.
Do I need to complete the Foreign Travel Schedule form and the Participant List found in the Request for Foreign Travel Insurance packet?
The Foreign Travel Schedule and the Participant List forms require completion only when there are 2-or more travelers going to the same destination for the same or similar purpose. These two forms are intended for groups of two or more people (i.e. a study travel course or a group travel to a conference) traveling together for the same purpose with either the same of similar travel dates and destinations. One travel insurance premium quote is requested and obtained for the international travel.
When do I submit my request for foreign travel insurance?
Requests for foreign travel insurance should be made to Risk Management 45-days in advance of the traveler’s departure from the U.S. to ensure timely processing.
What are the steps to obtain University approval for international travel?
Departments are advised that effective September 1, 2009, all international travel must be pre-approved in writing by the campus President or a Vice-President and requires foreign travel insurance purchase through Risk Management. This policy applies to all international travel regardless of whether or not a cash advance is requested. University foreign travel authorization is documented with the ATEA (Authorization to Travel and Expense Advance) form which may be obtained from Fiscal Affairs. The ATEA must be signed by traveler’s supervisor, director, or administrator, or ORSP grant administrator, College Dean (or appropriate Associate Vice-President), and Risk Management.
Foreign Travel Insurance is requested through Risk Management. Questions regarding foreign travel insurance may be referred to Linda Medina-Sam at (415) 338-2691; email: mdinasam@sfsu.edu.
Due to the inherent risks associated with international travel, if the CSU’s Foreign Travel Liability insurance is not obtained from Risk Management prior to departure, the international travel will be considered unauthorized and the University will not reimburse travel related expenses.
What is the cost of the CSU foreign travel insurance?
Premiums rates for the foreign travel insurance are low, ranging from $50-$60 per student per trip and $60-$75 per faculty/staff per trip for trips of up to 30-days. Trips to high hazard countries or trips with duration of 30-days or more require underwriter and other approvals. Insurance premiums to high-hazard country destinations are significantly more.
Who pays the foreign travel insurance premium and how is the foreign travel insurance premium paid?
Risk Management recharges University departments for the foreign travel insurance premium cost through the traveler’s department S.F. State chartfield account. Risk Management is unable to accept other forms of payment for foreign travel insurance premiums.
What are the CSU’s foreign travel insurance benefits?
Please refer to the FTIP (Foreign Travel Insurance Program) coverage summary of benefits.
Is foreign travel insurance required for border destinations such as Mexico and Canada?
Yes. The CSU requires all University employees to obtain foreign travel insurance for destinations such as Mexico and Canada. Coverage is available to border destinations such as Mexico, Canada, and other U.S. Territories (i.e. Puerto Rico). Worldwide coverage is available in most destinations except for countries where trade or economic sanctions are imposed by the laws or regulations of the United States of America.
How do I ensure I have the appropriate rental car insurance while driving at international destinations?
Contact Linda Medina-Sam, Risk Management at (415) 338-2691 or via email: mdinasam@sfsu.edu for further information. Travelers driving at international destinations are advised that appropriate rental car insurance is also required for traveling to border destinations such as Canada and Mexico. Mexican vehicle insurance purchase through the State of California Office of Risk and Insurance Management is required for any driving in Mexico.
Please refer to the Safety and Risk website, Travel on S.F. State Business section, for further information about rental cars and driving.
Why am I required to complete and sign the Release of Liability forms? Who keeps the signed Release of Liability and Notice of travel risks forms?
As per CSU Executive Order 1041 and CSU audit requirements travel, all Non-Employee travelers are required to complete and sign the notice of travel risks form and the accompanying release and hold-harmless agreement prior to departure for any trip or activity.
Departments are required to have complete records of all their department traveler signed release forms for 2-3 years as per the CSU audit requirements.
May I use my personal lines of insurance (i.e. health/medical, homeowners, auto, etc.) in lieu of the CSU’s foreign travel insurance to provide for unexpected University international travel loss or expenses?
No. Most personal lines of insurance do not carry the same high insurance coverage limits and comprehensive executive assistance services offered through the CSU’s Foreign Travel Insurance Program (FTIP). The FTIP policy is exclusive to CSU employees and students and exceeds the insurance limits and benefits of most foreign travel insurance policies available through any travel agency. The FTIP is unique in that it provides immediate and comprehensive worldwide assistance available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week to ensure that all CSU employees and students have comprehensive coverage for any loss, injury, or illness while traveling abroad.
How is the foreign travel insurance premium paid?
Risk Management recharges chartfield department accounts for the foreign travel insurance premium cost. Risk Management is unable to accept other forms of payment (i.e. check, cash, credit card, etc.). Therefore, Risk Management requires that departments to provide their department chartfield account number on the Foreign Travel Request form which is usually obtained from the department person authorized to approve travel expense.
Travelers that wish to recharge the travel insurance expense to their ORSP research grant should contact ORSP or their Grants Administrator.