Student Work Placements and Exchanges: Travel Insurance - FAQs

The information on this page is intended to answer some frequently asked questions for students who are taking overseas work placements, internships or exchange programmes which form part of a programme of study or are arranged with the support of the University. You must refer to the Travel Cover Summary for full details of the University's insurance cover and are strongly advised to download a copy of this document before you travel.

Travel and safety

Q. If I travel against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or local authority advice against ‘all but essential travel’, will I have Loughborough University travel and medical cover?

Loughborough University will not generally consider travel for an overseas work placement/internship or exchange to be ‘essential travel’.  However, if you have a compelling reason to travel to a particular country for which the FCDO is advising against ‘all but essential travel’, Loughborough University insurance cover, including full medical cover, may be provided, as long as you have signed and returned a disclaimer. You should contact your School's Placement Officer/Exchange Co-ordinator for guidance in the first instance.

You should be aware that your own private insurance policy may not provide cover in this situation and you are advised to check with your insurer. 

Q. If the FCDO or local authority changes their advice to warn against 'all but essential travel’ during my journey or whilst I am overseas, will the travel cover still operate?

Yes, but if the FCDO or local authority advises travellers to leave the country, you must contact the University for advice immediately.  If you choose to remain in the country against FCDO/local authority advice, the Loughborough University travel cover will cease.

Q. What extra steps should I take in relation to the safety of my destination?

You must monitor the security and medical rating for your destination using the Crisis 24 Horizon app. If the rating becomes 'high' or ‘extreme’, please speak to your Placement Officer/Exchange Co-ordinator as a matter of urgency.

If you are based in your home country, you must follow local authority advice with regard to travel restrictions.

Crisis 24 Horizon web link

Q. Does the Loughborough University policy provide cover for cancelled/curtailed/postponed/delayed/missed travel?

Yes, but with limitations as detailed in the Travel Cover Summary.

What travel is covered by the Loughborough University policy?

The Loughborough University insurance policy covers your initial journey from the UK/your home country to your exchange/placement destination and your return journey to the UK/your home country at the end of the placement/exchange.  It does not cover additional flights or other travel during the exchange/placement – e.g. if you are returning home for a vacation, or are travelling to other countries for holidays. 

If you are required to travel for work purposes as part of your placement, you should check that you have travel insurance cover as an employee of your placement provider.  

Am I covered by the Loughborough University policy if I extend my stay overseas?

The Loughborough University travel cover will be in place for the duration of your exchange/work placement overseas.  If you extend your exchange/work placement and this is agreed in advance with the University, the cover will continue.  However, cover will not be provided if you choose to extend your stay for other activities, e.g. travel, study, or work which is not connected to your programme at Loughborough University.  

Medical cover

What happens if I have an accident or require medical treatment whilst overseas?

It is essential that you telephone International Medical Group, quoting either ‘Loughborough University’ or reference UMAL\092 as you soon as you are able.

Telephone: +44(0) 203 8591492

You should not incur medical expenses without first seeking authorisation from International Medical Group.

Expenses incurred as a consequence of the use of alcohol or drugs, or arising out of any sexually transmitted disease will not be covered.

Q. Will I have medical cover for COVID-19-related medical issues?

Yes.  Medical expenses for the treatment of COVID-19 are covered.  COVID-19 test costs are not covered.  

Q. I am a UK resident; will my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) be valid in European countries?

No. The EHIC is no longer valid after 1 January 2021.

Q. I am a UK resident; which health insurance card do I need for travelling to Europe?

You must have a UK Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when travelling to Europe. To apply for a free card and find further information about which countries this can be used in, please visit the NHS website.  A GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.

NHS website (GHIC)

Other cover

Is my personal property and money covered by the Loughborough University policy?

Cover is provided whilst you are travelling to your placement/exchange destination only.  You should ensure your personal insurance policy provides adequate cover for cash and your possessions, including your mobile phone.

Cover is not provided for property left unattended or unsupervised in the open, or any public space, or from restaurants, bars, public houses, nightclubs or similar venues.

Q. Will losses associated with rented accommodation costs be covered by the Loughborough University policy?

No. You should ensure that your own personal travel or working abroad insurance covers this.

Am I covered for sporting activities?

You are covered for social sporting activities, but not non-social sporting activities or competitive sport (e.g. arranged through your host university or placement provider), winter or extreme sports.  Please refer to the Travel Cover Summary for further details. 

Private insurance

Q. Should I buy insurance cover before I depart or whilst overseas?

It is essential that you buy personal insurance before you depart due to policy restrictions. The University’s insurance policy is intended to supplement your own personal insurance cover, not to replace it. 

There are insurance policies available in the common UK insurance marketplace for travel/study abroad/placements.

Q. Can the University assist me with purchasing personal travel or working abroad insurance cover?

No. Loughborough University is not an insurance broker or registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not authorised to provide advice on insurance.

Further information

Where can I find further information?

Please refer to the 2024/25 Travel Cover Summary.   You should download this before you leave the UK and ensure you have access to this and your own insurance policy documents throughout your time overseas.