UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Insurance header

Education Abroad

University of Wisconsin Required Insurance

The University of Wisconsin System mandates that all University of Wisconsin students studying/traveling abroad under a UW sponsored program or abroad experience must be enrolled in health insurance through the University's provider, Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). The policy has provisions for medical coverage, including a global teleconsultation service, remote behavioral health services, emergency evacuation, and repatriation.

The Office of International Education will make arrangements with CISI for coverage, typically a few weeks before the start of a program. A personalized insurance card and a consulate letter will be emailed to enrollees, along with a claim form and policy documents. The fee for insurance is listed on individual program pages, under "Program Fees". Enrollees are billed through the Student Billing Office. Students participating in other UW university's program receive CISI insurance through that university. 

Students who plan to arrive earlier or travel after their program ends are encouraged to arrange additional coverage directly with CISI.

View 2023-24 policy details and claim form below:

CISI icon

Trip Cancellation Insurance

UWRF travelers may want to consider purchasing trip cancellation and/or trip interruption insurance. This kind of insurance coverage is not offered by UWRF, but it can be purchased independently for UWRF-sponsored or personal travel.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance typically provides reimbursement for last-minute cancellations due to sickness, severe weather, or even security risks. During travel it can provide coverage for travel delays, missed connections, lost/stolen baggage, early departures due to unforeseen personal events, extended in-country stays due to COVID-19, and more. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to require flexible travel plans, travelers may find this kind of coverage beneficial. Travelers who incur these expenses related to issues such as COVID-19 will likely be responsible for these costs. Education abroad participants whose program is either cancelled or interrupted for issues such as COVID-19, as per the "Fees, Deposit and Payment Schedule, Applicant Cancellation and Refund Policy" in their program application, will be responsible for non-recoverable program expenses.

UWRF students and faculty who participate in education abroad programs (and other university-related international travel) are eligible for and enrolled in CISI international accident/medical/evacuation insurance (see CISI information, above). UWRF faculty and staff traveling abroad in the course and scope of their employment also have coverage through Europ Assistance. Supplemental trip cancellation (cancel for any reason: CFAR) and trip interruption (interrupt for any reason: IFAR) insurance would be in addition to these coverage options but is not required to participate in UWRF-sponsored travel. Travelers are responsible for the costs of any trip cancellation or trip interruptions insurance.

UW System worked to identify reputable partners for supplemental CFAR/IFAR travel insurance and made the information available to the various UW campuses. Gallagher Worldwide Trip Protector provides extensive trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance and will work with UWRF-sponsored travelers or those on independent or personal travel.

For more on Gallagher Worldwide Trip Protector, please see:

Note: These links to trip cancellation insurance providers are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement, an approval, or a recommendation by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls or UW System of any of the products, services or opinions regarding a general insurance product or of a specific organization. You are not required to purchase trip cancellation coverage to participate in UWRF-affiliated travel. If you decide to purchase trip cancellation coverage, you are responsible for the costs of the insurance. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls and UW System make no representations or warranties of any kind in relation to the analysis, information or services provided by an insurance provider.