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Trip Cancellation Insurance

MSU travelers may want to consider purchasing trip cancellation and/or trip interruption insurance. This kind of insurance coverage is not offered by MSU, but it can be purchased independently for MSU-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. Unvaccinated travelers who incur these expenses related to COVID-19 will likely be responsible for these costs. 

MSU-sponsored international travelers (including Education Abroad participants) are eligible for and automatically enrolled in international health insurance and International SOS membership. Supplemental trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance would be in addition to this coverage, and it is not required to participate in MSU-sponsored travel. Travelers are responsible for the costs of any trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance (see below: Temporary COVID-19 Policy on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance).

The Office for Global Health, Safety, and Security has worked with campus partners to identify reputable partners for supplemental travel insurance. Gallagher Worldwide Trip Protector provides extensive trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance and is able to work with MSU-sponsored travelers or those on independent or personal travel.

If travel costs are paid for or reimbursed by MSU, or if travel arrangements (flight, hotel, etc.) are reimbursable, the traveler’s best option is to purchase a “$0 trip cost.”  The reimbursable expenses are not insurable, but travelers may still be able to access Travel Delay, the optional Bed Rest add-on and other benefits which may help offset quarantine-related expenses.

For more information on Gallagher Worldwide Trip Protector, please see:

Temporary COVID-19 Policy on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Given dynamic pandemic risks and country-specific regulations, all MSU faculty, staff, sponsored guests and graduate students who are approved for essential international travel are advised to purchase Worldwide Trip Protector with Trip Cancellation and Interruption benefits through Gallagher Insurance. The cost of insurance attributable to the MSU traveler is reimbursable with non-grant funds or grant funds, if allowable. These costs may include trip interruption, testing, quarantine, and other related expenses.

MAUs should be aware that they may bear increased costs for travelers who do not procure supplemental trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Therefore, it is strongly advised that MAUs incur the extra cost to purchase Worldwide Trip Protector for all MSU faculty, staff, sponsored guests and graduate students on essential international travel. Note: MAUs may choose to require that international travelers within their unit purchase Worldwide Trip Protector.

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 Michigan State University 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 cancelation coverage to participate in MSU-affiliated travel. If you decide to purchase trip cancelation coverage, you are responsible for the costs of the insurance. Michigan State University makes no representations or warranties of any kind in relation to the analysis, information or services provided by any insurance provider.