Faculty, Staff and Employees

University employees, including faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, medical residents, or graduate assistants who are traveling internationally due to their position as an employee of the university, incur no cost for enrollment in an Iowa Regents CISI insurance policy for international travelers. To be covered, you must register your travel in advance through the University’s ProTrav system. Enrollment will occur automatically approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Optional coverage is available at the traveler's expense for accompanying spouse/domestic partner or dependents by completing a spouse/partner and/or dependent coverage application. This program does not apply to personal international travel. For dependent enrollment and personal deviation coverage options, please see UI Benefits.

Students

The University of Iowa mandates international health insurance for all UI students traveling abroad for educational purposes — studying abroad, interning, conducting research, performing a rotation, presenting at a conference, or any other educationally-related activity abroad.* This “blanket” insurance coverage is provided through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). The Iowa Regents Universities policy number for travel is GLM N04965085. The cost is currently $1.43/day for departures on or after March 1, 2026, and there is a 7-day minimum coverage period. Travel within the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii is not eligible for coverage. Travel to U.S. territories and protectorates is considered "abroad" and eligible for insurance coverage.

Main Policy Features

Policy Brochure and Claim Form

• Iowa Regents CISI Insurance Policy and Claim Details (for travelers departing on/after March 1, 2026)
• If you departed prior to March 1, 2026, please refer to the welcome email you received from CISI for your policy details as they differ from the current policy.

Insurance plan FAQ

Student travelers may contact CISI/AXA Team Assist for details should a need arise to request assistance, confirm benefit provisions or file a claim (contact information above.)

Registration & Billing Process

For UI students participating in UI Study Abroad credit-bearing programs: The cost of the insurance is typically billed to you as a separate charge on your U-bill. Check with your UI Study Abroad advisor for details. Enrollment in the insurance will happen automatically and coverage dates will correspond to your study program dates. Note that your charge for insurance may post to your u-bill several months after your study abroad program fee posts.

For UI students traveling abroad for a University of Iowa purpose other than a UI Study Abroad program: All students in this category, including graduate and professional students, must complete a Student Travel Abroad Registration Form. This is required even if a trip was created for you in ProTrav by any campus department, to ensure essential information is gathered to help you in the event of an emergency abroad. Once you submit your Travel Abroad Registration Form and accompanying documents, your university travel plans will be added to the UI Travel Registry and you will be enrolled in the Iowa Regents CISI insurance policy for the period of time indicated on your registration form.

Note that personal vacation dates are not covered. See "Extension of Coverage for Personal Travel" below for further details about coverage for personal vacation travel days. The cost of international insurance for university-related travel will be charged to your U-bill, typically within two monthly billing cycles after your enrollment. Depending on the purpose of your travel abroad, additional forms or procedures may be required. If you are not participating in a program administered by UI Study Abroad, check the Travel Registration section for additional guidance.

Domestic Health Insurance Plans

CISI travel insurance provides primary health insurance while you’re abroad. Domestic insurance plans can be very difficult to use overseas and typically do not cover things like medical evacuations — hence the need for an international coverage plan. While your domestic plan will not be considered primary during international travel, do not let your domestic insurance coverage lapse while you are out of the country since any medical condition which might develop while abroad could be considered a “pre-existing condition” when you seek care after your return to the U.S.

Double Coverage

We recognize that in some cases students will end up with double coverage while they’re abroad. Since benefits and coverage limits can vary, the University of Iowa requires enrollment in the Iowa Regents Universities international insurance policy for students traveling under the auspices of the University. This provides a standard, predictable level of coverage and support that can be accessed in a medical or security emergency. A student participating in an external non-University of Iowa program may be required by the program provider to enroll in a separate insurance policy that the provider will consider primary coverage while abroad. The Iowa Regents CISI policy will still remain in effect and will not be waived under any circumstances. On rare occasions, an external program provider may waive their policy coverage if they consider the Iowa Regents Universities CISI policy to be sufficient. Please note that comparing the provisions of two policies rarely leads to the unilateral conclusion that one is "stronger" than the other in all areas, so double coverage is often the norm for students studying abroad on external programs.

Purchase of Coverage for Personal Travel

Your Iowa Regents CISI insurance coverage dates will correspond to the study abroad dates of your program. If you will participate in two programs or sessions abroad, we strongly encourage you to contact CISI to seek a separate coverage policy for the interim period.

Students who choose to travel independently immediately before or after their study abroad program may also purchase a separate coverage plan directly from CISI through the CISI student portal. The online portal works especially well for setting up coverage for an extended stay abroad after your program ends. If you are trying to set up separate coverage for the time you will spend abroad immediately before your program starts, the timing may mean that your enrollment in the Iowa Regents CISI policy has not been fully processed yet. If that is the case, then the online CISI portal won't be available to you yet, but you can still call CISI directly (800-303-8120) for help setting up a separate coverage plan for the days you are abroad prior to your program start. If you call CISI to set the extension up, make sure to let CISI know that you will be enrolled in the Iowa Regents University Policy: GLM N04965085.

Travel abroad exclusively for personal reasons is not covered under the Iowa Regents CISI policy. Students traveling abroad for personal reasons are encouraged to purchase independent travel risk insurance. Travel risk insurance for personal travel can be pursued online, or with the assistance of a travel agency. Destinations Unlimited is an example of a local travel agency that may be able to assist with personal travel plans unrelated to your enrollment at UI.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage

 The Iowa Regents CISI policy does not include coverage to cancel participation in a program abroad for any reason. After a student confirms participation in a program abroad, payments are made on behalf of the student and may not be recoverable or refundable. Refer to your program’s withdrawal schedule for details. 
 If you would like to purchase additional coverage to protect your financial investment in studying abroad and international travel, consider the following. Optional trip protection plans, including Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, are available to you through CISI’s partner, Travel Insured International. Please note that CFAR coverage must be purchased within 21 days of the student’s initial trip payment/deposit. The confirmation deposit is considered the initial payment. You will find complete information and be able to enroll directly through CISI for optional CFAR insurance Travel Insured International. You can contact directly via phone at (855)-611-0918 or email customercare@travelinsured.com.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or enrollment that are not addressed above, please contact us.