All students, staff, and faculty are required (per Policy 8.5) to add their Cornell-related international travel plans to the Cornell International Travel Registry. We recommend registering at least four to six weeks before departure to ensure the most accurate travel information can be recorded. Once recorded, you may log in to the registry to update your registration details at any time.
Travel Insurance
Cornell University provides insurance for unforeseen medical and security incidents that travelers may encounter while abroad. This insurance, via Zurich, is provided at no cost to the traveler on Cornell-related travel. This policy does not have deductibles or copays, but there may be circumstances in which travelers will be expected to pay for medical care out of pocket and seek reimbursement. Travelers can access this coverage by calling International SOS at +1-215-942-8478. There are Exclusions under the Zurich policy, and we advise travelers to familiarize themselves with the Zurich plan benefit brochure before traveling. This policy excludes high-risk activities, and this policy does NOT cover all services provided by International SOS. More detailed information regarding the Zurich insurance and International SOS services can be found here:
International SOS
“International SOS provides 24/7 medical, mental health, and security support and evacuation services to eligible Cornell students, staff, faculty, and academics abroad. If you are going to a remote, High Risk, or Extreme Risk location, please reach out to ISOS for a briefing specific to your itinerary by calling +1 (215) 942-8478 or email Philadelphia@internationalsos.com for non-urgent requests (Note: ISOS typically responds to emails within 72 hours). Additionally, please reach out to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance for more information on if there is insurance coverage for your trip.”
Please Note: If you do not call International SOS, you will be expected to pay for any treatment you receive.
Verification of International Coverage
To request an International Travel Insurance Verification Letter, please forward your travel registry email confirmation to Arthur J. Gallagher at Global@gallagherstudent.com and copy The Office of Risk Management & Insurance at risk_mgmt@cornell.edu
Other Insurance
Travelers are strongly encouraged to contact their personal medical insurance provider to review the specifics of their international coverage, including any of the exclusion(s) under the Zurich policy.
It is mandatory for travelers to maintain continuous medical coverage for the entirety of their time abroad. In the event that a traveler requires routine or preventative medical treatment while overseas, they will be responsible for covering the costs of these services upfront and may seek reimbursement from their personal medical insurance provider.
Travel Assistance
Travel Claim
If you do not call International SOS, you will be expected to pay for any treatment you receive. You should retain all receipts and documentation of care to file a claim with Zurich. If you have any questions prior to submitting your claim, please email Global@gallagherstudent.com and a member of the Gallagher team will be happy to help you file your claim.
Claim Forms:
International Travel Assumption of Risk and Release (Waiver)
Please be aware that Cornell requires all students traveling internationally to complete an Acknowledgment of Risks, Release of Claims, and Hold Harmless Agreement. To facilitate this process, please provide the Office of Risk Management and Insurance with the following information:
- Travel Destination (City, Country):
- Travel Date(s):
- College/Department/Organization:
- What type of Study Abroad Programs? (e.g., Conference, Class Field Trip, Faculty-Led Program, Research Program, Exchange Program, Direct Enrollment, Experimental or Independent Study etc.,)
- Detailed Description and Purpose of the Trip:
- Estimated number of Cornell participants for this Trip? (Group with more than 5 participants, please provide the email address of the faculty member or program director/advisor)
- Will participants engage in any physical activity? If yes, please provide a detailed description and purpose of these activities.
- Will there be non-Cornell participant(s) traveling with you? (Warning: non-Cornell travelers, including dependents and guests, are strongly discouraged from accompanying you on Cornell-related business travel. They are not permitted to participate in or disrupt any Cornell activities, and any expenses incurred by them will NOT be reimbursed by the university.)
- Will there be minors (under 18 years of age) traveling on this trip?
- Are Arrangements for This Trip Made Through Cornell Procurement Services? (Please note that procurement has preferred vendors for lodging and transportation.)
- Who is responsible for purchasing the Airline/bus tickets? (Refer to the Shared Services Center for more information)
- Will anyone be operating a vehicle on this trip? If yes, please submit your approval request through “Operating Motor Vehicle Abroad.”
- Will alcohol be served at any time during this trip?
- What are the risks associated with this trip? Please advise what plan(s) you have in place to prevent or reduce such risk.
- Has everyone read the following policies: Cornell Code of Conduct, International Travel Policy, and the Cornell Travel Policy
- I have read and fully understand the information regarding the Cornell International Travel Insurance and International SOS.
Business Travel Insurance
Cornell employees who suffer Death or Dismemberment from a covered accident while traveling on university business are provided a benefit of up to $250,000. Please contact the Office of Risk Management and Insurance for additional details.
Non-Cornell Travelers
While it is discouraged to have non-university travelers (such as dependents and guests) accompany you on Cornell-related business travel, it is not explicitly forbidden. However, they are not permitted to engage in or disrupt any Cornell programs or business-related activities, and the university does not reimburse any expenses incurred by them. Approval from risk management is necessary prior to any dependents or guests accompanying you.
Cornell does not offer travel medical or accident insurance for non-Cornell participants or travelers accompanying Cornell individuals on university-related travel. Non-Cornell individuals are responsible for obtaining appropriate travel, medical, and accident insurance.
Non-Cornell travelers are encouraged to check with their insurance providers if their existing plan offers or if they can obtain travel, medical, or accident coverage.
If you need travel insurance for your dependents or guests, you may also consider using the following link: [International Travel Insurance – Non-Cornell Traveler]. Please note that this is not an endorsement of this specific company but provided to assist you in your research.
Independent student travel, group travel organized through independent student organizations, and personal travel, including spring break or vacations, are not permitted in connection with Cornell-sponsored activities.
Restricted Countries
Know Which Countries, cities, and/or regions are Restricted as part of your travel plans. “If Cornell travel involving students, staff, alumni, or the public includes a destination listed Elevated Risk Destination, a petition to travel must be submitted to International Travel Advisory and Response Team (ITART)…
If a Travel Advisory Level 4 is issued for a specific region of a country, then this restriction applies only to that region. Travel to other regions of the country is not restricted.
State Department Travel Warnings Website Link: Travel Advisories (state.gov)
For example:
Please Note: Security evacuation coverage is not currently provided for Israel due to its classification as a known war risk zone, and the following exclusions apply:
(6) the conditions leading to the Insured’s departure were in existence prior to the Insured entering the location in which he or she was traveling while on a Covered Trip
(9) the expenses incurred are due to military or political issues and the Insured’s Security Evacuation request is made more than 30 days after the Appropriate Authority(ies) Advisory was issued.
Travel Restrictions
If you are planning travel to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, West Bank or Lebanon, on Cornell related business, the University and its insurance company, Zurich, require prior review and a formal approval process. In addition, there will be a premium surcharge per traveler if travel is approved by Cornell University and Zurich. Approval requests are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Please contact RMI immediately for further Instructions or guidance.
Please provide a response to the following questions at least 45 days prior to travel and submit to Office of Risk Management for approval:
- Number of people traveling to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, West Bank or Lebanon (please specify status – US National, Third Country National, Local National)
- Where are they going within Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, West Bank or Lebanon? Please be as specific as possible and include city and hotel name(s).
- What is the duration of travel?
- What is the purpose of the travel? Please be as specific as possible.
- What safety protocols are in place for the travel? Please be as detailed as possible.
- How many people travel together at one time?
- What means of transportation do they use?
- What limitations are in place for travel in terms of areas of travel, modes of travel, etc.
- How many people stay in the same location? What is the maximum number of people in one place at one time?
- What would cause a pull back from a particular area within Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, West Bank or Lebanon in general?
PLEASE NOTE: Travel to Restricted Countries by faculty, staff, and students necessitates prior approval from Risk Management before initiating any travel arrangements. Failure to notify RMI will result in denial of coverages and services.
Cuba Travel Liability Insurance Coverage
Prior to your trip to Cuba, make sure to check out the Travel to Cuba page. Fill out the Travel Certification and Cuba Travel Itinerary and send them to Risk Management for submission to the insurance company for approval.
Please anticipate a minimum processing time of 30 days to obtain the travel certification from the insurance company before proceeding with any travel arrangements to Cuba.
Cuba Travel Certification
The insurance carrier can only offer insurance to individuals under U.S. jurisdiction traveling to Cuba if they are authorized under U.S. law. Authorization is granted by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) through either (a) one of 12 general licenses or (b) issuance of a specific license.
The carrier’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the policy depends on the accuracy of this certification. Note that a new Certification is necessary for each trip to Cuba, and a separate Certification is required for each adult traveler.
Operating a Vehicle Internationally
Please Note: Students who wish to drive Internationally on behalf of Cornell are required to get RMI’s approval at least 30 days prior to departure.
For more information contact the Office of Risk Management and Insurance.
Volunteers Who Travel
In addition to standard policies that govern all volunteers, volunteers who will be traveling (domestically or internationally) also must meet other criteria. If you have questions or would like more details, contact the Office of Risk Management.
