uni of york travel insurance

The Insurance Office arranges and manages all classes of insurance across the University.

Providing advice and support on all insurance related matters. We are responsible for the management and handling of insurance claims made against the University as well as the business travel insurance registration and authorisation process.

The Insurance Office is part of  Legal Services .

[email protected]

[email protected] +44(0)1904 322008

[email protected] +44(0)1904 324059

Who and what is covered, how to apply, travel risk assessments and making a claim.

University buildings, contents, contract works cover and unoccupied buildings.

Insurance for transit, how to apply for cover and how to make a claim.

Including driving on University business, authorised drivers, vehicle licensing, hiring of vehicles and how to make a motor claim.

Employers and public liability, professional indemnity, directors and officers, human participant and research studies including clinical trials.

Other insurance

Engineering inspection and breakdown, drones & UAVs, event insurance.

Travel Insurance

While traveling on University business, flight cancellation insurance is an allowable expense.

When renting an automobile for less than 30 days on University business, the  SOP - Renting Vehicles on York University Business  (PDF) should be followed to protect University staff and faculty from incurring an uninsured loss. For rentals that extend beyond 30 days, contact Risk Management Services.

Insurance on personally owned vehicles is the responsibility of the owner and is not an allowable expense.

Out-of-country medical insurance is an eligible expenditure only if the employee is  not  otherwise covered under the University’s employee benefits plan. Employees are advised to consult with the Pension & Benefits Office, Department of Human Resources, before purchasing such insurance.

Additional Resources

• Risk Management - Travel webpage
• Procurement Services - US Bank Visa® Insurance Coverage webpage
• US Bank Visa® Insurance Certificates (PDF)
• US Bank Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance Coverage Summary (PDF)

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance can help protect you, your family or visitors to Canada from costs that can occur due to an unforeseen medical emergency during a trip or an unexpected reason to cancel or interrupt a trip. Without it, travellers may be left to pay significant out of pocket expenses.

Take action

Still have questions.

Call a Licensed Insurance Advisor at 1-866-521-8506 (Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm ET)

or e-mail us at [email protected]

Traveler Insurance

Temporary health insurance.

Travel Health Insurance for Students Only

Eligible for students traveling on behalf of NYU course studies, research, et cetera (excludes personal travel).

• GeoBlue medical coverage for international travel only. Contact the Student Health Center for enrollment and additional information  

Short Term Global Health Insurance

For Employees Only

Eligible for NYU employees traveling on NYU business purposes (excludes personal travel).

• Visit GeoBlue to register and download a membership card. This will allow you to validate your coverage globally.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in April 2024

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers, top credit cards with travel insurance, methodology, best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
• Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
• Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
• Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
• Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

• Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
• Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
• Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
• Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

World Nomads

• Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
• The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
• Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
• No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
• No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

Seven Corners

• Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
• Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
• Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

• In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
• Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
• Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
• Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

• Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
• Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
• Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

HTH Travel Insurance

• Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
• Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
• A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
• No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

Here is the list of travel cards offered by Chase that include various forms of travel insurance.

Having one of these in your wallet is a good start to protecting your travel investments and preventing expensive accidents; however, savvy travelers check card terms closely and sometimes supplement with a third-party policy, like from one of the companies above, to better protect themselves.

on Chase's website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 12 hours.

• Car rentals: Theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for three days.

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)

UHIP Enrollment

Eligibility.

Medical services in Ontario, including physician fees and emergency visits at a hospital, can be very expensive. UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is a mandatory basic coverage plan that helps cover these expenses. Students who are required to be covered under UHIP include:

• International students with a valid study permit who are registered as active in a degree program,
• Incoming exchange students,
• Dependent(s), spouse and/or children, of eligible students, 
• International Visiting Research Trainees with a valid work permit, and
• Some Visiting Scholars 

Please note that dependents must be enrolled in UHIP within 30 days of their eligibility. You must enrol your dependents each September that you are registered at York. Dependents enrolled after 30 days will be subject to a $500 late fee.

Renewing your dependents: If you added your dependent(s) under your UHIP last year, you must renew their coverage within 30 days of their coverage expiry date via our UHIP application form, or a late fee of $500 will apply. You must do this each year that your dependents require UHIP coverage.

Please note that your dependent(s) are covered under your UHIP till 31st August 2024 (end of current coverage year). You will need to renew their coverage for the Fall 2024 semester. Please ensure that you submit your renewal application before September 30th, 2024, or a late fee of $500 will apply.

Please check the UHIP website for detailed information about your dependent(s)’ coverage.

NOTE : UHIP does not cover prescriptions, dental, eye care, or physiotherapy. These services are covered through your extended health and dental plan, which is administered by your student union (YFS if you are an undergraduate student or GSA if you are a graduate student). For information regarding your extended health and dental plan, please contact your student union: http://www.yfs.ca/healthplan or http://yugsa.ca/services/health-plan/.

Not sure whether you are eligible for UHIP? Take the quiz here  to find out!

Enrollment Process

International Students

All eligible international students are automatically enrolled under UHIP. Once enrolled under UHIP, you will receive an email notifying you that you have been enrolled under UHIP as well as pertinent and important information regarding UHIP coverage, how to use UHIP, etc.

Process for Winter 2024 academic term:

• Once you enroll in courses for the Winter 2024 and are registered active students, we will enroll you into UHIP. No further action is required from your end.
• You will see a UHIP charge of $504 in your student account by the end of this week. This is your total UHIP fees for the remaining academic year based on the premium of $63 per month, per person
• You'll receive an email from Cowan/Manulife to your @my.yorku.ca email address. Please check this for your Welcome email which will include instructions on how to access your UHIP card and other info about your UHIP coverage.
• Log into the Cowan portal and make sure you can easily access your UHIP card.

If you are in Canada, please make sure that you have your UHIP Card. For information regarding how to get your UHIP card, click  here .

Exchange Students

All eligible exchange students are automatically enrolled under UHIP. Once enrolled under UHIP, you will receive an email notifying you that you have been enrolled under UHIP as well as pertinent and important information regarding UHIP coverage, how to use UHIP, etc. 

Process for 2023/24 academic year:

You will only be enrolled under UHIP if you are in Canada during the 2023/24 academic year.

Visiting Scholars and short-term international employees

If you are a post-doctoral fellow, please contact  Pensions & Benefits to enroll under UHIP. Their email address is [email protected].

If you are a short-term Visiting Scholar or a short-term international employee, please complete the form here .

International Visiting Research Trainees (IVRTs)

If you are an IVRT, please complete the form here with document attachments.

Dependents (spouse and/or children)

You can add your dependent(s), spouse and/or children, under your UHIP. To add new dependent(s) under your UHIP or renew your existing dependent(s)’ coverage, please complete the form here . Dependents should be re-enrolled each year that you are at York. Please note that you must add new dependent(s) under your UHIP within 30 days of their eligibility ; otherwise, there is a $500 late fee applicable.

School of Continuing Studies

If you are a student at the School of Continuing Studies, please  contact the department directly to get your health coverage details. Their email address is [email protected].

Other non-degree students

If you are a non-degree international student who is enrolled in a certificate or diploma at a Faculty at York University, you are not eligible for UHIP. It is highly recommended that you purchase a private health plan for your studies in Canada.

Leave of Absence (Taking a semester off)

If you take a semester off from your studies and are still in Canada, it is important to remain covered under UHIP!

To be covered under UHIP during your leave of absence, approval must be granted at least one month prior to taking the leave of absence. Therefore, you are required to apply for UHIP under leave of absence at least one month prior to taking the leave.

You may be covered under one of three types of leave of absence:

• Medical leave of absence: In this case, your UHIP coverage may be continued for a maximum of 4 months per academic year. If you are unable to continue your studies for another semester due to medical reasons, you may be able eligible for an extension of the leave of absence. However, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will need to submit medical documents to support your reason for taking another semester off.
• Non-medical leave of absence: Your UHIP coverage may only be continued for a maximum of 4 months per academic year.
• Maternity/paternity leave of absence: For a maternity or paternity leave of absence, your UHIP coverage may be continued for a maximum of 12 months.

Please click here to apply for UHIP under a leave of absence.

NOTE: Taking a semester off could affect the status of your study permit. To find out more information, please be sure to contact an International Student Advisor here .

UHIP After Graduation

You may be eligible to extend your UHIP coverage for up to six months after your last month of studies if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have approved your stay. Below is the maximum you can extend your UHIP coverage based on your convocation month:

• June Convocation: You should already be covered until August. You may extend your UHIP for 2 more months (September and October) if the IRCC has approved your stay.
• October Convocation: You may extend your UHIP for 6 months after your Summer term ends, maximum until February. 
• February Convocation: You are automatically enrolled under UHIP for 12 months if you are registered for the Fall term. If you graduate in February, you may request a refund for the Winter and Summer term of UHIP. To request a refund for February graduation, please click  here . Deadline for refund request is March 1st.

The process to apply for a UHIP extension for graduation is as follows:

Step 1: Submit an application to extend your UHIP  here . Documents that you will need to provide are: the  UHIP application form  and a copy of your study permit.

Step 2: Once we receive the application form, we will need to process a payment for the UHIP extension. We will contact you via email to arrange payment via Zoom shortly following your application. Alternatively, you can attend our drop-in QLess hours on Fridays in person (details listed below).

NOTE: Your coverage will be continuous and retroactive from Sept 1st.

After you have extended your UHIP for the maximum number of months, you will need to look into private health plans until you become eligible for the provincial health plan (OHIP). For information regarding how to become eligible for OHIP, click  here .

Return to top of page.

UHIP Coverage

Overview of total coverage in canada.

In Canada, there are two types of plans that make up your total health coverage: Basic plan and extended (sometimes known as supplementary) plan.

Your basic plan, as an international student, is through UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan). This plan is specifically tailored for international students to provide them with similar coverage to the government plan.

Your extended health plan is administered by your student union. Below is where you can get information regarding your extended health plan and who you can contact if you have questions:

• Undergrad students: Your student union is York Federation of students (YFS). For information regarding the plan, please visit: http://www.yfs.ca/healthplan . If you have further questions, you may contact [email protected] .
• Grad students (non-TA): Your student union is Graduate Student Association (GSA). For information regarding the plan, please visit: http://yugsa.ca/health-plan . If you have further questions, you may contact [email protected].
• Grad students (TA): If you are a TA, your extended health plan will be provided through CUPE as an employee. For information regarding your extended health plan, please visit: https://3903.cupe.ca/extended-health-benefits-fund/ .

For a detailed infographic showing the difference between basic and extended health plans, click here .

UHIP Coverage Details

What UHIP covers: UHIP covers basic medical costs such as doctor’s visits, emergencies, lab tests, etc. Generally, if you visit a clinic or hospital or lab, it will be covered under UHIP. Please note that some exceptions apply – for example, doctor’s notes are not covered under UHIP and are an out-of-pocket cost.

What UHIP does not cover: UHIP does not cover prescription medicine, dentist fees, eyeglasses or contact lenses, physiotherapy, massage therapy, psychologists, therapists, etc. These medical costs are covered through your extended health plan, which is administered by your student union.

For details about your UHIP coverage, please visit https://uhip.ca/Enrollment/PlanDetails . You can also find the UHIP coverage booklet here .

UHIP Cost Details

The premium for the 2023/24 academic year is $63.00 per month, per person ($756.00 for 12 months).  

UHIP Cost Payment

Once you are enrolled in UHIP, your UHIP fees will appear on your student account. When you see the charges on your student account, you will be responsible for the outstanding balance. Payment for UHIP fees is made the same way tuition is paid. For more information on how and when to pay, please visit:  https://sfs.yorku.ca/fees/your-student-account/how-and-when-to-pay

Note: It is your responsibility to check your student account and ensure payment of your outstanding balance.

How to get your UHIP Card

Step 1: Check your @my.yorku.ca email.

• Undergrad students: Click here to access your @my.yorku.ca email with your Passport York. You should see an email titled “Welcome to the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)”.
• Grad Students: Contact your Faculty on how to access your yorku email.

NOTE : The insurance company can only send your UHIP details to your YorkU Email Address hence, it is very important that you activate your YorkU email address.

Step 2: Print your UHIP card and keep it with you in case of medical emergency.

Don’t see the email with your UHIP Card? Here is what you can do:

Find out whether you have UHIP coverage, check your student account. 

• If your student account shows the UHIP charge under the description (e.g. UHIP 2324), this means that you should have UHIP coverage.* In this case, get your UHIP card by registering on the Cowan website . If the registration asks for your member ID and policy number, it is as follows: Member ID is YU plus your student number (e.g. YU123456789) and policy number is 150150.
• If you do not see the UHIP charge on your student account ,  then email  UHIP with your student number or stop by our QLess drop-in (listed below).

*NOTE: If you dropped your courses, your UHIP will be terminated. In this case, you will see a UHIP reversal on your student account. This means that you do not have UHIP coverage. Please see the Leave of Absence section to inquire about getting covered under UHIP while taking a semester off.

You can also complete the  Getting your UHIP Card  quiz to find out how to get your UHIP card.

Using your UHIP

Preferred providers are clinics, hospital, and labs that accept UHIP. This means that if you visit these providers with a paper copy of your UHIP card, you do not need to pay anything - they will bill the insurance company (Manulife/Cowan) directly. The only exception to this is the Appletree clinics, where you pay a $15 admin fee. The preferred provider list can be found  here . 

The table below shows the process for a preferred provider visit vs a non-preferred provider visit.

*Note: It is recommended that you visit a preferred provider whenever possible to avoid any out-of-pocket costs and avoid having to file a claim.

Please note that preferred providers should not ask you to pay if you provide them with a paper copy of your UHIP card (except the $15 admin fee at Appletree clinics).  If you visit a preferred provider clinic or hospital or lab and they ask you pa y, p lease email [email protected] and cc  [email protected] with your member ID (YU + student number) in the subject line . In the email, please  state the name of the clinic/hospital/lab you visited, the person you spoke with and  events that occurred.  If you made the payment, please attach your receipt.

Filing a claim for reimbursement

If you visited a non-preferred provider, you may file a claim for the doctor’s fees within 12 months of visiting the clinic/hospital/lab if you still have the receipt. The claim form can be found here .  The instructions on how to fill out the form can be found  here . Using your yorku email, you can submit scanned copies or photographs of the claim form and accompanying invoices/receipts via Cowan's online secure portal .

Please note that you may not get 100% of your money back. This is because there is a limit as to how much Manulife can reimburse you. If the clinic/hospital/lab charged higher than that limit, then you may have some out-of-pocket costs.

UHIP Refunds

Refund eligibility.

UHIP is mandatory for international students who are currently registered in a degree program and exchange students. The following are the reasons for which you may be eligible for a UHIP refund:

• Deregistration: If you decide to deregister from your program and do not attend any classes, your UHIP will be automatically terminated and will be refunded through your student account. Deadline for refund request is March 1st .
• Withdrawn: If you enroll and attend some of your classes but decided to drop them later, your UHIP will be automatically terminated. However, you will only be refunded a partial amount depending on the date you dropped your courses. - Deadline for refund request is March 1st .
• OHIP coverage: If you become eligible for the provincial government health plan, you may be eligible for a full or partial UHIP refund. To apply for a UHIP refund, complete the form below. The amount of UHIP refund that you are eligible for will be communicated once you submit the OHIP document or card.
• Alternate government plan: If you have an alternate government plan such as the IFHP, the Saudi government plan, Libyan government plan, etc., please complete the form below to request a UHIP refund.
• Alternate private plan: If you have an alternate private plan, you are not eligible for a UHIP refund.
• February Convocation: You are automatically enrolled under UHIP for 12 months if you are registered for the Fall term. If you graduate in February or you are not taking Winter courses, you may request a refund for the Winter and Summer term of UHIP. Deadline for refund request is March 1st.

To request a UHIP refund, click  here .

Please note that the refund deadline for most eligible reasons is  March 1st   of your coverage year. Most requests received after this deadline will not be eligible for refund.

Student Counselling Health and Well-being

Students in Ontario can speak with a counsellor at the York Keele campus. To find out information about how to speak with a counsellor, click  here . If you are a student at the Glendon campus, please click  here  for information regarding how to access a counsellor. 

• All counsellors at Student Counselling, Health & Well-being are registered clinicians who have experience working with a diverse student population. Please note that counsellors at York can only practice on Ontario.
• Students located outside of Ontario or seeking couselling supports after-hours and on weekends may access counselling free of charge through the keep.meSafe program . 
• SCHW provides more support than just counselling services (e.g. 2SLGBTQIA+ and Racialized Student support groups, process groups, and peer-led workshops)
• Other departments that provide counselling/personal support on campus:  Graduate Student Wellness Services ,  Student Success and Wellness Counselling at Osgoode Hall Law School ,  Centre for Indigenous Student Services

keep.meSAFE

University life is super exciting but can also be stressful — especially during a global pandemic. Even more so if you aren’t in the same country as your university. To better support international and out-of-province students, York University has partnered with the keep.meSAFE Student Support Program (SSP) to offer a host of resources, including:

• Confidential support to students at no cost through the My SSP App.
• 24/7 real-time support via chat and telephone available anywhere in the world.
• Access to real-time and appointment-based counselling support in multiple languages by native speakers.
• Self-help resources available via the My SSP App on managing finances, mental health and wellbeing, building healthy habits, productivity and more.
• My SSP App language options in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Services are available to those outside of Ontario and after-hours.

Call 1.844.451.9700 or connect through the My SSP online portal .

Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline for Ontario post-secondary students, providing professional counselling and information, and referrals for mental health, addictions, and well-being. It operates 24 hours every day of the year.

Phone: 1-866-925-5454 Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868

Virtual Health Clinic

The Virtual Health Clinic is here for York students looking to arrange appointments with community health-care providers for counselling, prescriptions, specialist referrals and more. Their remote services are offered seven days a week, are 100% OHIP covered and accept third party insurance. Co-pay is waived for international students with UHIP.

Students can access the Virtual Health Clinic online and through phone/text at 844-222-7200.

Stress Management and Mental Health

For campus resources on stress management and mental health as well as immediate support and hotlines, please visit:  https://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/stress-management-mental-health/

Athletics and Recreation

Stay active to maintain good health! York Athletics and Recreation has activities for you to engage in to stay active. Visit  their  website for more information.

Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential phone service that you can call at any time: night or day. They can be reached at 1-866-797-000 . You can get health advice from a nurse, who will help you decide if you should:

• Take care of yourself at home
• Make an appointment with your doctor
• Go to a clinic
• Go to a hospital emergency room

YFS/GSA extended health plan

For your extended health plan details, please see the contact information for your student union below:

Undergraduate students:  York Federation of students 

Graduate  students  ( non-TA ) : Graduate Student Association

Graduate students (TA):

Website:  https://3903.cupe.ca/extended-health-benefits-fund/

Email:  [email protected]

UHIP Website

For details about your UHIP coverage, finding a doctor/clinic/lab , how to submit a claim form and more, visit:  https://uhip.ca/

Difference between UHIP & YFS/GSA Health Coverage

UHIP Eligibility Quiz

Want to find out whether you are eligible for UHIP?  Complete the form below to get your answer! If you are unable to access the form below, click here .

Getting your UHIP Card Quiz

Find out how to get your UHIP card below. If you are unable to access the form below, click here .

Apply for UHIP

To apply for/extend UHIP for yourself or for a dependent (including coverage renewal), please complete the form below:

Apply for/extend UHIP

Request a UHIP Refund

To request a UHIP refund, please complete the form below:

Contact Us / Book an Appointment

Contact details – manulife & yi.

You can email us at [email protected] . Please include your student number in the subject line when emailing us.

In-Person Drop-in Advising with QLess

In-person drop-in support is available via QLESS during specified hours for students seeking answers regarding UHIP coverage, enrollment, extensions, etc.

HOW TO JOIN QLESS

• Join the  Virtual Kiosk  OR download the app on your smartphone from  Google Play  or the  iTunes App Store .
• Open the app and select “York International”
• Join the UHIP queue.
• Select the topic you are seeking more information about.

What You Need to Know When Accessing Drop-in UHIP Advising via QLESS:

After signing up to join the queue you will receive updates regarding the wait time for your appointment at various intervals. You will also receive notifications to prepare for your appointment when your turn to meet with an advisor at 200 York Lanes is approaching.

Appointments are offered on a drop-in basis and wait times will be determined by the number of students in queue.  The queue will close for the day once it reaches capacity . You may try logging back into QLESS after a few minutes to check if the queue has decreased and appointment slots have become available.

QLESS HOURS OF OPERATION

Fall term hours will be updated in mid-late July. Check our Events Calendar for more information.

The York International office is located on the Keele Campus inside York Lanes Mall on the second floor, room 200.

Book an Appointment

We're also available online!

To schedule a 1:1 appointment with the UHIP Administrator: Please email [email protected] or visit weekly drop-in QLess advising (listed in the YI Calendar )

Upcoming Workshops/Info Sessions

For up-to-date calendar of events regarding your health and wellness as well as other topics, please visit the  YI Events Calendar .  Upcoming events specific to health and wellness are below:

How do I enrol?

All international students who are registered in courses for the Fall/Winter 2023-24 term are automatically enrolled in UHIP. If you have not yet enrolled in your courses, please do so as soon as possible. If you have dependents (partner/spouse or children) with you in Canada, they can also be added to your plan. Visit the UHIP website for more details.

UHIP coverage officially begins on Sept. 1, but it can start as early as Aug. 10. If you have already completed the form and your information remains the same, no additional action is required.

How do I get a UHIP card?

Once UHIP enrolment is complete, your UHIP card will be emailed to your @my.yorku.ca email address. Please check your Junk or Spam folders if you don’t receive the notification message by mid-August. Students will continue to be enrolled throughout the summer and fall terms.

For info on how to access your Yorku email, check out UIT's website .

What is covered under UHIP?

UHIP will pay up to $1,000,000 (Canadian dollars) per policy year for eligible health services and medical treatments you and your family might need to maintain your health while living in Canada. This includes: Hospital Services, Physician Services, and Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests.

UHIP is comparable to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), rather than identical. Other types of services, such as prescription drugs, are covered through your student union supplemental health plan.

Please note: While most services are fully covered under the plan with no additional cost to you, some medical professionals may bill you for more than the UHIP reimbursement rate. In these cases, you will be responsible to pay the difference between the two amounts. You can check Cowan’s Preferred Provider Network at UHIP.ca starting August 10, for a list of providers who will send the bill directly to Cowan, and not charge you more than the UHIP reimbursement rate.

What do I do if I have claims from the 2022-23 Academic Year?

You have 12 months from the date the claim was incurred to submit for reimbursement.

Visit UHIP Forms & Important Documents for info on how to submit your claims online.

What is my UHIP number?

Your UHIP Member ID is YU + your student ID (e.g. YU123456789) and your policy number is 150150.

How do I use my UHIP coverage?

• Print your UHIP card (sent to your YorkU email)
• Present your UHIP card at a preferred clinic/hospital/lab (use uhip.ca to find a preferred provider)
• They will bill UHIP directly

If you visit a non-preferred provider, pay for services out of pocket and apply for a reimbursement from UHIP (instructions on Submit a claim - UHIP/RAMU )

I want to use my UHIP for the dentist/prescription drugs/etc. Why isn’t it working?

UHIP covers basic medical costs such as doctor’s visits, emergencies, lab tests, etc. Generally, if you visit a clinic or hospital or lab, it will be covered under UHIP.

UHIP does not cover prescription medicine, dentist fees, eyeglasses or contact lenses, physiotherapy, massage therapy, psychologists, therapists, etc. These medical costs are covered through your extended health plan, which is administered by your student union.

Who can I contact about my Extended Health coverage?

Your extended health plan is administered by your student union.

• Email: [email protected]
• Students who were previously out of Canada and are now returning for the first time this academic year must contact the health plan office within 30 days of their arrival to get enrolled in the YUGSA plan.
• Grad students (TA): provided through CUPE as an employee

Keele, Glendon and Markham Campus Contact (416) 736-2100 Campus Maps

• Community Safety
• Privacy & Legal
• Accessibility

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

You might also be interested in:

Carry-on Luggage and Personal Item Size Limits (2024)

Amanda Norcross

Just like checked bags, carry-on luggage size restrictions can vary by airline.

Bereavement Fares: 5 Airlines That Still Offer Discounts

Several airlines offer help in times of loss.

The Best Way to Renew a Passport in 2024

The proposed online passport renewal system is behind schedule.

The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2024

Erin Evans and Rachael Hood and Catriona Kendall and Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson

Discover the best carry-on luggage for your unique travel style and needs.

Travel Insurance

Emergency assistance contact information whilst travelling abroad.

If you are currently travelling overseas and need emergency assistance, please call the 24 Hour Medical/Travel Assistance Helpline: +44 (0)1489 868 888.  Please also read the Emergency Medical and Travel Assistance Guide for more details.

Travellers also have access to the Travel Oracle App, an initial registration is required and details are below: In order to register, please do so via www.zurich.co.uk/zurichtravelassistance .

Click on "click here" under the medical and security Assistance section. Once on that page you will be asked to register.

Type in the preferred user name, e-mail and password, traveller's first and last name and the dedicated policy number: ZUR1531523 (case sensitive).

This policy number will only be used for the Oracle app.

Internal Travel Booking and Administration team

The University has an internal Travel Booking and Administration team to assist staff and students. Contact the team for help with a range of enquiries, from booking process support, identifying suitable travel options or finding quotes for group travel, to managing and escalating queries. Please continue to use the online tool for all bookings and amendments in the first instance and visit the University Travel Procurement page for up-to-date information.

A Worldwide Business Travel insurance policy has been purchased by the University to provide automatic cover for any member of staff, postgraduate, undergraduate student or any person under a contract to the University, travelling outside the UK on behalf of the University and representing the University in the course of their business. Our travel insurance policy is renewed annually on the 29th September. If you are travelling from one policy period to another you don't need to do anything, your cover will automatically renew. Please note the policy only applies to international trips and not travel within the UK. It also does not provide cover for a spouse or children accompanying the insured person.

Please read the Summary of Travel Insurance document prior to travel. It contains useful information about your travel insurance. If you're being asked to purchase additional insurance by your host institution or University, you may wish to send the summary cover document to your host institution to check if the additional insurance is needed or not.

• Cover is usually automatic (but see bullet point below about planned travel to certain countries which you must notify the Insurance Office about prior to making any plans), i.e you do not have to provide details of individual journeys and you do not require a Certificate of Insurance to confirm cover is in place.
• Insurance for students on work placement, electives, study abroad and field courses is free
• Covid related medical expenses and unrecoverable travel expenses, such as cancellation or change of itinerary are covered.
• Trips in the United Kingdom are NOT covered
• The maximum duration of any single trip must not exceed 12 months without prior notification to the Insurance Office
• Incidental holidays are included provided the main purpose of the journey is for business or study and the holiday is in the same continent as the business/study element of the trip. The personal holiday should not exceed 14 days or the length of time taken for business/study. If you wish to take more than the 14 days please source your own private insurance.
• Sporting activities are covered including winter and water sports.
• Pre-existing medical conditions are covered provided travel is not contrary to medical advice. NOTE: foreseeable expenses eg repeat prescriptions and routine check-ups are not covered
• Please check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for travel advice. Where travel is against FCDO advice you must seek advice and approval from your Faculty Health & Safety Manager.
• Where FCDO advise against all but essential travel, at the time of booking, any decision to curtail or cancel a trip due to increased risk will not be covered.
• Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Ethiopia, Gaza, Haiti, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, Iran, and any country or area where the FCDO advises against all travel ('red' areas).

If you need to make a claim, please go to the insurer's Claims portal:

https://travelandpa.zurich.co.uk/link/customer/universityofleeds

Guide to completing form on Claims Portal

24 Hour Medical/Travel Assistance Helpline: +44 (0)1489 868 888 Office Hours Non-Medical Helpline: +44 (0)800 0260 184 (option 2 then option 2)

New claims email: a&[email protected]

Existing claims email: A&[email protected]

The University's travel policy number is 7509094

Proof of insurance letter to support visa applications

For University staff and students travelling on University business who require a letter to confirm you have University of Leeds travel insurance for a visa application, please download the Word template letter below and complete the relevant sections accurately with your full name, your University ID number, your destination and dates for your trip. Once you have done so, you will need to send the letter together with a scanned copy or photo of your University staff/student ID card to the Insurance Office so that a signed copy can be issued to you (please note that it can take up to 7 working days to process your request). Please send the documents to: [email protected] with the subject line "Request for visa letter".

Advertisement

Supported by

Hot Oceans Worsened Dubai’s Dramatic Flooding, Scientists Say

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

• Share full article

By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

More From Forbes

How artificial intelligence is changing the way you buy travel insurance.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Artificial intelligence is changing the way you buy travel insurance. Here's how.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way you buy travel insurance. From shopping for a policy to filing a claim, there's no part that hasn't been touched by AI.

"AI is revolutionizing travel insurance," says Greg Jung, chief growth officer for Seven Corners . "It's making it more efficient and tailored to individual needs."

Words like "efficient" and "tailored" are rare in the one-size-fits-all, bureaucratic travel insurance industry. For years, consumers had limited choices. And when they filed a claim, it took close to forever to get an answer, much less get paid.

Not anymore.

Jung says AI is doing away with that. The benefits to travelers include:

• Personalized coverage. AI can analyze vast amounts of data on traveler profiles, including travel history, preferences, and even risk factors like age and health conditions. That allows insurers to recommend customized travel insurance plans that provide the right level of coverage for each individual's needs.
• Proactive risk management. AI can analyze data to predict potential disruptions or emergencies that could impact a traveler's trip. This allows insurers to offer assistance, such as medical advice or flight rebooking assistance, in case of unforeseen events.
• Faster claims processing. AI can automate much of the claims process, verifying documents, assessing damages, and expediting settlements. Travelers can be reimbursed for covered expenses much more quickly, especially for straightforward claims.

Behind the scenes, travel insurance companies are also using AI to conduct better risk management. And there are parts of the business where travel insurance companies won't talk about how they use AI, such as in efforts to sell policies on their sites. Travel insurance companies are also hush-hush about how they are analyzing data to set rates and identify patterns in fraudulent claims data.

WhatsApp Brand New iPhone Feature Just Launched That’s Much Easier To Use

Apple s iphone ai plans confirmed with new software release, packers complete safety overhaul with georgia s javon bullard.

This story is a long time coming. Travel insurance companies have been generally slow to adopt AI. You can see artificial intelligence in action in a few places, but in the places that matter to you — such as finding the best policy — there are still some gaps. AI won't fix everything in travel insurance, but it promises to make many things better.

What took travel insurance so long?

Why has AI been slow to catch on in the travel insurance industry? Well, it has — and it hasn't. I wrote about how Allianz was using machine learning to improve its products five years ago .

But across the industry, change has been gradual.

"Travel Insurance is highly regulated," explains Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight . "There are strict policy definitions, communications guidelines and adjudication rules to which we must adhere. For AI to be successful in our industry, it has to be implemented carefully; improving the customer experience while maintaining regulatory compliance."

If you file a travel insurance claim and get frustrated with the time it takes to be settled, it's because of the way travel insurance is set up. There's a lot of required documentation to review in support of the claim.

Dodge says AI can potentially facilitate and speed up the claims handling process and reduce claimants' frustrations, and that's what travel insurance companies are now doing.

Where can you see AI in action right now in travel insurance?

Travel insurance companies are not waiting for the future.

Arch RoamRight’s AI chatbot has been integrated into every aspect of its customer experience, from its phone system to its website and travel agent portal. It's even used as a training tool for new hires, according to Dodge.

At Generali Global Assistance , a carefully trained chatbot helps customers obtain instant assistance, receive accurate information, and navigate policy complexities. "This digitalization empowers our agents to provide personalized support promptly," says Christopher Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance.

Allianz Travel Insurance has been using AI to help streamline its claims process for years. It just added a new chatbot for customer support, too. "Our chatbot supports the customer during filing in the event the customer has questions or needs further assistance, and uses AI to qualify the customer’s needs to quickly get them the help they need,” explains Maggie Butler, director of customer experience at Allianz Partners USA.

At Faye Travel Insurance , an AI-powered app helps customers file claims for flight cancellations, baggage delays, and medical emergencies. The app speeds up the claims process, ensuring travelers get paid in hours instead of days. "It's part of our commitment to making travel insurance an integral and personalized part of each traveler’s experience," says Elad Schaffer, Faye's CEO.

Over time, the entire travel insurance industry will embrace AI. But there are exceptions.

Can artificial intelligence help you find the best travel insurance?

AI might help you find a better policy, but you have to know where to look. I tested the major AIs to see how they responded to a sample query, "I'm a 28-year-old woman who lives in New York. I am planning a one-week trip to Paris this summer. Please help me find the best travel insurance."

• Gemini offered two options — Generali and Travel Insured International, but did not show rates or a bookable link. The responses appeared to be based on a news article.
• Meta AI generated a succinct response citing the benefits of travel insurance with key coverage areas.
• Microsoft Copilot showed a generic "how-to" story about travel insurance based on an article I had written for Forbes.
• Hugging Face gave a generic response with advice on how to buy travel insurance.
• Perplexity offered several specific options, including Seven Corners, Nationwide and Travelex. However, it based its quotes on a story on a news site and did not offer a link to buy the policies.

Bottom line: You can't really shop for travel insurance using AI — at least, not yet.

AI doesn't work for everything in travel insurance

In the travel insurance industry, like in other places, artificial intelligence isn't the answer to everything.

For example, at INF Visitor Care , a company that sells travel insurance to those traveling to the U.S., AI is helping automate its claims system. INF applies machine learning to identify emerging trends in claims to design policies that cover customers when they need it for unexpected issues.

"It has revolutionized the way we think about pricing and policy coverages," says PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care .

But when it comes to customer service, AI is not always the best solution.

"We find customers enjoy talking to a live person on chat and phone," adds Rao.

The future of travel insurance and AI is promising

Over the long term, AI promises to reshape the travel insurance business into one that works the way customers expect it to — quickly, nimbly and efficiently.

At least that's what Daniel Green, chief technology officer for Faye Travel Insurance , sees.

"Imagine a world where most insurance claims are processed in hours instead of days," he says. "A computer system can go out and collect all the documentation for you and prepare the paperwork perfectly, ready for a human to make a quick decision on whether to approve it or not."

AI also has the potential to insure you for only what you need — to give you the "perfect" policy.

"AI can prepare it in seconds based on being able to tell a computer in your own words what coverage you need, by having it translated into insurance paperwork-speak for you," he adds.

We aren't quite there yet, but we're getting close.

There's one more thing that is potentially keeping AI from changing travel insurance — and that is customers themselves.

Breanne Armstrong, who is director of insurance intelligence at J.D. Power, says most consumers understand that artificial intelligence and machine learning have a lot of potential, "but there is hesitancy."

Armstrong bases her observation on another study that J.D. Power recently conducted on banking customers and AI. Only 28% of respondents said they believe AI will make their lives better in the next three years. Roughly one-third say it will make no difference, and 17% say it will make their lives worse.

All you have to do is engage with any chatbot to understand those 17% of respondents. Talking to an AI about banking or travel insurance — or anything else, really — can quickly end in frustration.

"There are mixed sentiments," adds Armstrong.

That may well describe how people feel about travel insurance and AI. It could be great. But if it isn't implemented carefully, it could be not so great.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Recommended pages

• Lecture timetables
• Campus maps
• Student digital services
• Staff Digital Services
• Student support
• Online registration
• Core systems
• Car parking
• Room bookings
• Staff development

Travelling and working away from the workplace

The University has a comprehensive Business Travel Policy for staff and students travelling on University business.  Trips need to be registered online.  

Travel Alert: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Following recent events in Israel and Gaza, UMAL, our travel cover providers have issued a specific alert regarding cover for potential claims arising out of trips that are either cancelled, curtailed or rearranged.  Please refer to UMAL's alert here along with checking the FCDO website before making any travel arrangements to these areas.  Please contact Insurance Services team if you have any questions or concerns. 

If any travel is planned to the following territories, please refer to the Insurance Team prior to agreeing or making any travel arrangements: 

Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar/Burma, North Korea, Russia (including Crimea), Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen  

Please contact the Insurance Team at: Catalog Categories - Finance Service Portal (bham.ac.uk) and provide as many details regarding the proposed trip as possible please. This is to enable a referral to be made to insurers as to whether they will provide insurance cover. Wherever possible, please allow 10 clear working days for such referrals.

Travel cover key points:

Attached below is a copy of the Travel Cover Summary document and full policy wording.  The following key points are drawn from the summary document produced by UMAL, our cover providers -

• This is not private medical insurance. You are not covered for routine, non-emergency treatment, any elective treatment or anything that can reasonably wait until your return home. 

 Please be aware that any medical expenses in excess of £300 MUST be pre-approved by International Medical Group (IMG) before they are incurred – failure to do so may result in UMAL declining the claim

• For minor ailments, you should seek advice from a local pharmacist in the first instance. If the condition does not resolve, or if it worsens, you can contact International Medical Group (IMG) for advice on the best course of action. There contact details are: Tel:  +44 (0)203 859 1492 E-mail:  [email protected] Reference:  UMAL/034  
• Medical Expenses for treatment of Covid-19 are covered. 
• Domestic business travel is covered in the event of an overnight stay away from home or if a pre-booked internal flight has been arranged, please see FAQ's for further information.
• Costs for Covid-19 tests are not covered, and there is no cover under the Disruption section for anything arising out of Covid-19. 
• Any evidence required in support of a claim must be provided by you at your own expense. 
• If travelling to a country that is subject to international sanctions you should check with your Head of School as to any special procedures that apply to ensure sanctions are not breached.  UMAL will not provide any cover or pay any claim that would expose them to any international sanctions. 
• Claims must be notified to us as soon as possible but in any event within thirty days of the circumstances arising.

Travel cover summary

Full Policy wording

University Health and Safety Policy  (UHSP/0/01) requires Head of Budget Centres to make arrangements for ensuring that risks to staff and students are properly identified and controlled. This requirement extends to staff and student whilst carrying out University activities when abroad on University business or University related activities. [ more information ]

Also running along side the main Travel policy, there is a Travel Legal Expenses Policy provided by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Ltd. Details can be obtained from the Insurance office . 

 Travellers with medical conditions should bear in mind that there is an exclusion relating to travelling against medical advice.  If in doubt you are advised to seek medical advice or contact the Insurance office .

Book your Travel Cover Online

Data Protection  

For both students and staff, the insurance team comply with the University-wide data protection principles, further details of which can be found at the following link: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/privacy/index.aspx

• College of Arts and Law
• College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• College of Life and Environmental Sciences
• College of Medical and Dental Sciences
• College of Social Sciences

Professional Services

• Academic Services
• Campus Services
• Development and Alumni Relations
• Executive Support
• External Relations
• Human Resources
• IT Services
• Legal Services
• Research Strategy and Services

• International

April 22, 2024 - Protests at Columbia and other schools escalate

Matt Egan, Alicia Wallace and Chandelis Duster

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology says it is 'determining next steps'

From CNN's Jillian Sykes

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology issued a statement Monday regarding tents on its campus.

"MIT officials are aware of the tents, and are determining next steps with a focus on ensuring campus is physically safe and fully functioning. MIT Police were on scene throughout the night and will continue to be present."

Robert Kraft says he is willing to support The Kraft Center at the university

From CNN's Chandelis Duster

Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and backer of Columbia University, on Monday said he is still willing to support The Kraft Center at the school that supports Jewish students, calling it “a haven of safety.”

Kraft, an alumnus of the university, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” that he loves the school and “we have to have accountability.”

“There are both professors and students within the university who say things that I think cross the line and there should be accountability. I believe in free speech. Say whatever you want but pay the consequences. And don't have your face covered. I don't think that should be allowed,” he said.  

“I can’t believe in New York City at Columbia University Jewish students are afraid to go to classes in the United States of America in 2024. It’s amazing to me and horrible,” Kraft also said.

Asked where he drew the line at Columbia University regarding both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests and what he finds objectionable, he said “there is a lack of education on the situation” happening in the Middle East. 

“I’m concerned about America and what’s going on in this country. And to keep it open and free for all people of all backgrounds to do as they wish,” he said.

Asked if he has confidence in Columbia University’s president, Minouche Shafik, he said he thinks she is “very well intentioned” and said “we have to look at what goes on with faculty.”

Columbia faculty stage walk-out in solidarity with students

From CNN's John Towfighi

Hundreds of people gathered on Low Plaza Monday afternoon as Columbia University faculty delivered speeches in support of the student protesters who were suspended and arrested Thursday.

Faculty who spoke denounced university president Minouche Shafik’s decision to authorize the New York Police Department to remove protesters from campus and demanded all legal and disciplinary charges be dismissed and expunged from students' records.

Faculty held signs that read, “Hands off our students,” and “End student suspensions now.” Some faculty donned their academic regalia and wore sashes that read, “We support students.”

Speeches were met with cheers and claps from the crowd, as well as chants for Shafik to resign.

Christopher Brown, a professor of history, said, “I’m here because I am so concerned about what is happening at this university, with where we are now and with where we are going. Thursday April 18, 2024, will be remembered as a shameful day in Columbia history.”

“The president’s decision to send riot police to pick up peaceful protesters on our campus was unprecedented, unjustified, disproportionate, divisive and dangerous,” Brown said.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose daughter Isra Hirsi was among the protesters arrested Thursday , posted on X that while she’s glad to see faculty demonstrate in solidarity with students, she wants the protests to focus on Gaza.

"On Thursday, Columbia arrested and suspended its students who were peacefully protesting and have now ignited a nationwide Gaza Solidarity movement. This is more than the students hoped for and I am glad to see this type of solidarity. But to be clear, this about the genocide in Gaza and the attention has to remain on that," Omar wrote.

NYC Mayor condemns "vile" and "disgusting" rhetoric at college campuses

From CNN's Alicia Wallace

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday condemned “vile” and “disgusting” rhetoric being used at campuses such as Columbia University, where students are holding protests over the Israel-Hamas War.

Adams told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he supports First Amendment rights but said law enforcement officials are on the ready if any of that speech goes too far or if there’s an imminent threat to people or property.

"That is one of the fundamental rights we hold dear as Americans: The right to protest," Adams said on CNN's "The Lead." "What we have seen playing out on many of our college campuses, and particularly Columbia University, is hate. We’re seeing vile language being used."

Adams noted that he can feel the "duality of this moment" and how the events of the past six months are weighing heavily on Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers. He added that the police escorts of Jewish students through campus were reminiscent of the Army soldiers who escorted nine Black students into a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, nearly 67 years ago.

"There is no place for hate in this city," he said.

New York Police Department officers have a “large presence” surrounding Columbia but have remained off the campus grounds at the request of the school’s administration, NYPD deputy commissioners said earlier on Monday.

Adams told Tapper that the NYPD’s commissioner of legal matter is monitoring the protests for any speech that violates law. Additionally, police officers will take "appropriate action" and go on private property if there’s an "imminent threat."

Protesters gather at The New School in New York City

From CNN's Elisabeth Buchwald

Protesters have gathered at The New School, located near the Chelsea area of the New York City borough of Manhattan.

An encampment of four tents was set up in the lobby of the building that houses auditoriums, a cafeteria and a library. Roughly 75 students, and other people who have The New School IDs, gathered inside the building.

"Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not stop, we will not rest," was repeatedly chanted. 

Outside the building, protesters from the school, as well as outsiders, joined in chants from the sidewalk.

There is a stark difference between the inside and outside of Columbia University's campus

From CNN's Ramishah Maruf

There’s a stark difference between the inside of Columbia University's campus and the outside, where there are protesters gathered on the street. 

The encampment is only open to those affiliated with campus. Only those with a Columbia ID can enter the campus gates. Inside the encampment, programs include teach-ins, poetry readings and film screenings. Some students are quietly finishing assignments, while others are painting posters.

Elsewhere around campus, students are eating and completing assignments. Many students take graduation pictures at this time, and some are in graduation gowns walking down Broadway. Risers are set up for an upcoming commencement ceremony.

Other students are holding large American flags underneath Butler Library.

But the students can still hear the tension that is taking place yards away at the university gates. There is a gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters, who in the early afternoon were chanting “I believe that we will win” and “Long Live the Intifada.” There was a smaller group of pro-Israeli protesters, who chanted back “Down with Hamas” and “Victory to Israel.” A line of New York Police officers were monitoring the street.

What it's like inside the Columbia University encampment

The inside of the encampment is quiet – most of the noise comes from protestors outside the gates of Columbia University's campus, who are chanting “I believe that we will win” and “Long live the Intifada."

It was a sunny day on campus, and in one corner, students were painting posters. One person strummed a stringed instrument, and other students are reading books or on their laptops finishing assignments. Others have donated provisions, ranging from a table of snacks to hygiene products. There was also a pile of blankets.

“We’ve just been trying to keep students mobilized and keep pushing for divestment,” Dalia, a first-year student at Columbia College, told CNN. “We are a very mobilized student body and a very unified student body. Hundreds of people have been in and out of the encampment.”

CNN agreed not to publish her surname due to safety concerns.

She said the students at the campus “refuse to be complicit in the genocide, the apartheid, and the occupation of Palestine.”

There are strict community guidelines for the encampment. One rule says not to share names or details of anyone met in camp, and asking for permission before photographing or taking video.

The encampment is filled with dozens and dozens of tents, from students to neighboring Barnard College staff. Today’s encampment program included an Earth Day performance, poetry reading and a Dabka lesson, a traditional dance from the Arab region. Prior program events included dance performances from different cultures.

Democratic House members tour Columbia campus

Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Dan Goldman of New York and Kathy Manning of North Carolina, who are all Jewish, spoke at a news conference Monday after touring Columbia University’s campus. 

"We saw it firsthand as we walked past the encampments on the university's main lawn full of protesters spewing incendiary antisemitic hate and vitriol. Many aren't even Columbia students I've been told. Their campaign of intimidation is sickening and shocking and as the White House said yesterday, ‘echoes the rhetoric of Hamas terrorists,'" Gottheimer said. 

He also criticized Columbia University leadership, saying, “toothless combinations from administrators aren't going to stop the anarchy we’re seeing.”

“The only way to do it is with deeds, not words,” Gottheimer said. “Colleges have a legal obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to provide students, including Jews and Muslims, a school environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race color or national origin. Yet just feet from here, Jewish students are being verbally and even physically assaulted.”

Gottheimer continued, “To the administrators of Columbia and beyond, here are our demands: Stop the double talk and start acting now. Discipline harassers, restore civility on this campus, encourage peaceful constructive dialogue.”

He also gave a message for students: “While the leadership of Columbia may be failing you, we will not. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe and do everything in Washington we can to make sure that you feel welcome at this university or any university across the United States of America. And Columbia University, if they don't follow through, will pay the price.”

Goldman said he was "encouraged" the Columbia University president issued guidelines about additional security, calling it a "very important first step" and criticized what is happening on campus.

"That is unacceptable for a university, that is unacceptable for an academic institution. There is no question that everyone has a First Amendment right to speak out in this country and that must be preserved," Goldman said. "But a university and all universities have an obligation to maintain the safety and security of their students from all backgrounds."

Manning said university leadership should "do more to keep Jewish students safe and to re-establish an atmosphere in which all students can learn, study and participate safely in campus life."

"Columbia must also move forward with its promised efforts to teach its students and its faculty about the nature and history and dangers of antisemitism. It must ensure that Columbia professors are not encouraging and spreading antisemitism," Manning said.

"I call on the US Department of Education and the US Department of Justice to work with the White House to ensure that all universities take steps necessary to keep Jewish students and faculty safe. I also call on Congress to enact legislation to implement the steps outlined in the US national strategy to counter antisemitism, to address the scourge of antisemitism which is a threat to the foundations of our democracy," she said.

President Joe Biden condemns antisemitism on campus

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

President Joe Biden decried antisemitic protests around college campuses Monday and said his administration was working to combat anti-Jewish hatred.

"I condemn the antisemitic protests, that’s why I’ve set up a program to deal with that," Biden said when questioned about the events at Columbia University in New York.

"I also condemn those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians," he said, without expanding upon what he meant.

Biden was speaking after an Earth Day event in Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia.

When asked whether Columbia's president should resign, Biden appeared to mishear: "I didn’t know that. I'll have to find out more," he said.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.

Israel’s war on Gaza updates: Hamas says reviewing new Israeli proposal

Official Khalil al-Hayya gave no details of offer, as Israeli FM says Rafah invasion to be ‘suspended’ if deal reached.

This live page is now closed. You can continue to follow our coverage of the war in Gaza here .

• Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya says the group is reviewing a new Israeli truce proposal, as Israeli FM Katz says Rafah invasion would be “suspended” if a prisoner swap deal is reached.
• At least seven people were killed and others injured when the Israeli army bombed a home in southern Gaza’s Rafah, Palestinian news agency Wafa reports, citing local and medical sources.
• Hamas’s military wing has published a video of two Israeli captives held in Gaza, showing footage of them calling on PM Netanyahu’s government to make a deal to secure their release.
• Growing student protests in the United States against the war on Gaza and universities’ ties with Israel have spread into Europe and beyond.
• At least 34,388 Palestinians have been killed and 77,437 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of people still held captive in Gaza.

That’s a wrap from us

Thank you for joining us for updates on everything related to Israel’s war on Gaza.

For more news, analysis and opinion on the conflict, click  here .

A look at what happened today

We will be closing this live page soon. Here’s a quick recap from today:

• US news site Axios, citing two Israeli officials, reported that a new Israeli proposal for a possible deal with Hamas included a willingness to discuss the “restoration of sustainable calm” in Gaza.
• Israeli FM Katz said the Rafah invasion would be “suspended” if a prisoner swap deal is reached.
• Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel.
• An Israeli strike in Srebbine, southern Lebanon, destroyed a house and injured 14 civilians, two of them seriously, according to Al Jazeera’s reporter.
• Student protests  in the United States against the  war on Gaza and universities’ ties with Israel continued.
• Students at Columbia released their five demands from the US university, including a demand to divest from companies that aid the Israeli government and another to sever ties to Israeli universities.
• Some senior US officials advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they do not find “credible or reliable” Israel’s assurances that it is using US-supplied weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to an internal State Department memo reviewed by Reuters.
• Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in residential areas in the occupied West Bank.
• Hamas’s military wing released a video of two Israeli captives demanding the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach an exchange deal.
• At least seven people were killed in an Israeli army attack on a home in Rafah, Wafa reported.
• A flotilla hoping to deliver aid to Gaza was blocked in Turkey after the West African country of Guinea-Bissau withdrew its flagged vessels.
• Muqtada al-Sadr, an influential Shia Muslim leader in Iraq, expressed his support for the pro-Palestinian encampments at universities in the United States.

WATCH: A 74-year-old Palestinian activist spends six months in Israeli jail

Omar Assaf has just been released from an Israeli prison after six months in custody.

Our cameras caught him reuniting with his family and a little bit of his story.

Watch our video for more: 

‘We’re living this war in all aspects of life’

Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary was one of the signatories of the letter calling on US White House journalists to boycott the correspondent’s dinner.

She spoke to us from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. Here is what she said:

I don’t have the words to describe what I have been going through since October 7.

This is not something that has been ending. It has been continuous every single day for more than 200 days. We have been killed, displaced and homeless, and we’re not only reporting on this, but we’re also living it with every single detail.

We’re living this war in all aspects of life. We have not seen our families as journalists. We have not been able to eat well. We have been dehydrated.

We have been reporting in one of the harshest conditions any reporter can go through despite losing a lot of colleagues, and it hurts our souls and our hearts every single day.

We have been constantly targeted by the Israeli air strikes and shelling.

All of these daily things we have been living as journalists are overwhelming [and] exhausting, but we still continue because there have been at least 100 Palestinian journalists whom I personally know that have been killed since October 7.

If they were here today with us, they would be reporting, and they would be raising the voice of the voiceless Palestinians.

Pro-Palestine protesters arrested at Indiana University

The Indiana University police department in Bloomington, United States, says that 23 protesters have been arrested.

Indiana State Police and Indiana University police told pro-Palestinian protesters they could not pitch tents and camp on campus.

When the tents were not removed, police arrested and transported protesters to the Monroe County Justice Center on charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

A police statement read, “The Indiana University Police Department continues to support peaceful protests on campus that follow university policy.”

Protesters shout, ‘Shame on you’, outside White House correspondents dinner

Reporting from Washington DC, US

It’s astonishing. We’ve never seen a White House correspondent’s dinner like this.

At the Washington Hilton, the president is here to speak while being warmly applauded by the national US press core.

But these VIPs are all dressed up in the evening finery, and they have to run the gauntlet of hundreds of protesters out here who are shouting, “Shame on you”.

“Shame on you” for breaking bread when there are 140 journalists dead as a result of, as far as they say, Biden’s complicity in their murder.

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon at northern Israel

Al Jazeera’s correspondent reports that 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that rockets were fired from Lebanon towards the Meron area, which is located in northern Israel.

Israeli media and platforms broadcast scenes showing explosions over the area.

As we have reported, there were several exchanges of fire across the Lebanon-Israel border on Saturday.

An Israeli strike in Srebbine, southern Lebanon, destroyed a house and injured 14 civilians, two of them seriously.

Since October 8 , the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and the Israeli military have traded fire regularly.

You can read our in-depth analysis of these cross-border attacks here .

Photos: Day 10 of pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University

Students continue to occupy an encampment at Columbia University’s campus in New York.

They have been protesting the university’s investments in Israel and showing their support for Palestine for almost two weeks – inspiring other students across the nation to do the same.

Prominent US activist expresses support for campus pro-Palestine protests

Linda Sarsour tells Al Jazeera that she is “extremely inspired and encouraged by these young people all across this country”.

Sarsour, who is of Palestinian descent, was visiting the protest at Princeton University where students, as they are on campuses across the country, are protesting in support of Palestinians, as well as against their institutions’ investments in Israel.

“These young people are reaffirming and demonstrating that the tide is shifting on Palestine, that the Palestinian people have solidarity not just across the United States of America, but across the world,” she said.

When asked why no major university presidents are supporting the students in their protests, she said that the institutions “are beholden to their donors, instead of being loyal to their students”.

Police staying away from Emory University after Thursday’s violent scenes

Reporting from Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Over the last hour or so, the number [of protesters has] steadily been growing. At the moment, it’s probably more of a gathering than a protest.

But this is very much a peaceful affair, and that’s been very much what the organisers have been selling it as on social media. [They say] come along, bring a blanket, bring some food, bring something to drink, sit on the ground, make some posters, write some slogans on the floor with chalk, just show your solidarity through peaceful motives.

There’s also a significant lack of police here. The occasional officer walks by, but compared to Thursday, when we saw those scenes and those mass arrests, the police are very much staying away.

The president of this university is coming under increasing pressure because he is the man who said that the police were right to be here on Thursday when we saw those violent arrests . Yesterday, one of the faculties here held a motion to hold a vote of no confidence in him.

Israeli truce proposal includes possibility of ‘restoration of sustainable calm’ in Gaza: Report

US news site Axios, citing two Israeli officials, reports that a new Israeli proposal for a possible deal with Hamas includes a willingness to discuss the “restoration of sustainable calm” in Gaza after an initial release of captives on humanitarian grounds.

According to Axios, the Israeli officials said the new proposal was formulated jointly by the Egyptian intelligence delegation and the Israeli negotiations team.

The new proposal is reported to offer a response to several of Hamas’s demands, including a willingness to allow the full return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Netzarim Corridor, which splits the north of Gaza from the rest of the enclave.

Axios states that “the proposal also includes a willingness to discuss the establishment of a sustainable ceasefire as part of the implementation of the second phase of the deal”, which would take place after the release of the Israeli captives on humanitarian grounds.

This would mark the first time since Israel began its war on Gaza that Israeli leaders have shown an openness to discussing an end to the war as part of a deal to release the captives.

WATCH: Aid ship delayed as Israel creates ‘administrative roadblock’

A flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza has been blocked in Turkey after the West African country of Guinea-Bissau withdrew its flagged vessels.

“Sadly, Guinea-Bissau has allowed itself to become complicit in Israel’s deliberate starvation, illegal siege and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza,” said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

Watch our video to learn more:

491 Palestinians killed in West Bank since Oct 7: Ministry

The Palestinian Authority (PA) Ministry of Health has said that the number includes 123 children, five women, five elderly people and 10 detainees in Israeli prisons.

Earlier today, we reported that Israeli troops killed two men, ages 20 and 21, in Jenin, and injured two others moderately, according to medics at Jenin’s government hospital.

Palestinian journalists call for boycott of White House correspondents dinner

More than two dozen Palestinian journalists have called for a boycott of the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which annually brings reporters, politicians and a glitzy array of celebrities together.

With President Joe Biden heading a long list of VIP guests, Palestinian journalists penned an open letter urging their American colleagues not to attend the dinner.

“You have a unique responsibility to speak truth to power and uphold journalistic integrity,” said the letter. “It is unacceptable to stay silent out of fear or professional concern while journalists in Gaza continue to be detained, tortured, and killed for doing our jobs.”

According to the New York-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), at least 97 journalists – including 92 Palestinians – have been killed since October 7. At least 16 others have been wounded.

In addition to the boycott call, an antiwar coalition is planning a demonstration not far from the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner will take place.

The antiwar group Code Pink, part of the coalition, said it planned to “shut down” the dinner to protest “the complicity of the Biden administration in the targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli military”.

Four US state depts raise concerns in internal memo that Israel may be violating international law in Gaza

Some senior US officials have advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they do not find “credible or reliable” Israel’s assurances that it is using US-supplied weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to an internal State Department memo reviewed by Reuters.

Under a National Security Memorandum (NSM) issued by President Joe Biden in February, Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 whether he finds credible Israel’s assurances that its use of US weapons does not violate US or international law.

By March 24, at least seven State Department bureaus had sent their contributions to an initial “options memo” to Blinken.

“Some components in the department favoured accepting Israel’s assurances, some favoured rejecting them, and some took no position,” an unnamed US official quoted by Reuters said.

A joint submission from four bureaus raised “serious concern over non-compliance” with international humanitarian law during Israel’s prosecution of the war on Gaza .

The assessment from the four bureaus said Israel’s assurances were “neither credible nor reliable.” It cited eight examples of Israeli military actions that the officials said raise “serious questions” about potential violations of international humanitarian law.

These included repeatedly striking protected sites and civilian infrastructure; “unconscionably high levels of civilian harm to military advantage”; taking little action to investigate violations or to hold to account those responsible for significant civilian harm and “killing humanitarian workers and journalists at an unprecedented rate”.

Protests in Israel constant reminder to the gov’t that it remains very unpopular

Reporting from Tel Aviv, Israel

There were perhaps as many as 30,000 people earlier on, both here outside the Defence Ministry and in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art, where the families of the captives gather every night.

These protests are gathering momentum. They have been here since long before October 7. I was here this time last year as people protested against the government and its attempts to change the way judges were appointed to the Supreme Court.

They picked up again in recent months as people called for an end to the war in Gaza and the resignation of the government, particularly [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu.

Many of the protesters here saying that Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging this war in Gaza, because it saves him from the ultimate reckoning at the ballot box.

The difference this year from last year is that there’s a more mixed crowd because many people have lost faith and Benjamin Netanyahu.

All the polls say that if there’s a new election, then he will almost certainly lose.

Israeli army says it hopes Gaza aid pier ready by early May

The Israeli army has said it hopes a pier to deliver aid to Gaza will be ready by early May, as it pushes ahead with its war on the besieged coastal enclave.

“We will be working with our partners on this endeavour … in the upcoming weeks, hopefully to make it fully functional early May,” Israeli army spokesperson Nadav Shoshani told an online press briefing on Saturday.

Shoshani said, “There will be no American boots on the ground, so once the aid gets to the land, the international organisations are going to be the ones carrying them out.”

Plans for the pier were first announced by US President Joe Biden in early March as Israel continues to hold up aid deliveries by land.

UN agencies have said maritime deliveries alone cannot deliver sufficient aid to ward off the threat of famine and have called on Israel to open up more border crossings for road convoys.

Hamas reviewing Israeli proposal for Gaza ceasefire

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya has given no details of Israel’s offer, but said it was in response to a Hamas proposal two weeks ago.

Negotiations earlier this month centred on a six-week ceasefire proposal and the release of 40 captives in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

A separate Hamas statement said leaders from three main factions active in Gaza discussed attempts to end the war. It didn’t mention the Israeli proposal.

The statements came hours after an Egyptian delegation wrapped up a visit to Israel.

Egypt has cautioned that an offensive into Rafah could have “catastrophic consequences” on the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as on regional peace and security.

Israeli fighter jets target Hezbollah infrastructure: Israeli military

We reported earlier on an exchange of fire between Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Israeli military in the north of Israel.

The Israeli military now says that its fighter jets struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the areas of Markaba and Srebbine in southern Lebanon.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Zeina Khodr, reports that the strike in Srebbine destroyed a house and that 14 civilians were injured, two of them seriously.

Husam Zomlot, Jeremy Corbyn lead pro-Palestine protest in London

The official account of the Palestinian Mission to the UK has posted a picture of Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s ambassador to the UK, leading a protest in London.

Also pictured is Jeremy Corbyn , the former leader of the UK Labour Party and vocal critic of Israel’s war on Gaza.

#HappeningNow : Ambassador @hzomlot leading the massive protest in London to demand an end to the Israeli genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/oHPECFV7fC — Palestine in the UK (@PalMissionUK) April 27, 2024

Injuries after Israel bombs town in southern Lebanon

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, nine were injured in an Israeli raid on the town of Srebbine in the south of the country.

The Israeli raid targeted a house in the southern Lebanese town of Srebbine. NNA said one person was injured critically and that among the wounded were two Syrian citizens.

Police say they will not interfere in peaceful protests at George Washington University

It’s noisy at the moment. Several organisers have been speaking at a news conference, making clear their intent not to vacate this area.

At the moment, there are a little more than 100 students encamped in what is called University Square.

Unlike what is happening at other universities like Princeton, this is a public university, so effectively, this is all public space.

University administrators and the police are well aware of this. Administrators did ask the police to come in 24 hours ago and remove tents.

However, Washington, DC police declined to do so. They insisted that the demonstrations were peaceful and that they would not interfere as long as they remained so.

Now, some of the students have told us that the university is using retaliatory methods. It has suspended a number of the students who have been demonstrating. The university identifies them when they leave the square behind me and go into one of the adjoining buildings to use a bathroom, for example, and as they would need to log in to the system. They have then been identified by that login.

However, the students insist they will remain here. The police maintain that their job is to stand here and observe and take no action while these demonstrations remain peaceful.

Blinken set to travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss Gaza, regional security

The US State Department says that the secretary of state will make the visit on Monday and Tuesday to meet regional partners and discuss efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

The State Department said in a statement, “[Blinken] will discuss the recent increase in humanitarian assistance being delivered to Gaza and underscore the importance of ensuring that increase is sustained.”

“The Secretary will also emphasize the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading and discuss ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region, including through a pathway to an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” it added.

Israeli foreign minister says deal would defer Rafah operation

Israel’s foreign minister says that a planned incursion into the city of Rafah could be suspended should there be a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas.

“The release of the hostages is the top priority for us,” said Foreign Minister Israel Katz during an interview with Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.

Asked if that included putting off a planned operation that would target Hamas battalions in the city of Rafah, Katz answered, “Yes.”

He went on to say: “If there will be a deal, we will suspend the operation.”

Israel’s allies, the United Nations and major NGOs have urged Israel not to invade the southern Gaza Strip city, in which hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are currently sheltering.

Princeton protestors won’t leave until the university divests from Israel

Reporting from Princeton, New Jersey, United States

This is day three at Princeton University, and these students are walking a fine line.

The university has said that they are not allowed to sleep here, so they have been coming in shifts to continually occupy this space for these past three days.

On Thursday, the first day, when a couple of them put up a tent, police came in and arrested them. So that’s the line they have to walk.

I talked to a history professor and he was saying there was a bit of irony here that this university is instilling values in the students and then punishing them for practising those values.

These students have decided to take their stand on this issue: They’re demanding divestment from the university from anything invested in Israel or in the war on Gaza, and they say they’ll stay here until they get what they asked for.