In addition to the travel medical and emergency insurance offered through off-campus study programs, Colgate recommends students maintain their primary health care insurance while abroad, especially if the student has a preexisting condition.
This page provides specific resources and procedures for off-campus study participants to register for and utilize travel health insurance and emergency assistance services. Students who are researching off-campus study and wish for an overview of health and safety information should visit:
Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
Requesting Emergency Assistance
In the event of an emergency, call: +1-855-327-1411 (in U.S.) or +1-312-935-1703 (can call collect from outside the U.S.)
Note: Any event occurring when a student is within the territory of his/her home country is not covered.
All students participating in a Colgate study group or extended study are automatically enrolled in the CISI program for the duration of their travel.
Students participating on an approved program will not be automatically enrolled in CISI insurance, but may be enrolled in coverage via their approved program. These students may choose to enroll in CISI coverage at Colgate’s group rate, but must arrange their own payment.
Daily Rates:
- Student - $60.88 per month
To register:
- Have a valid credit card available for payment.
- Visit the Colgate CISI insurance purchasing portal and complete the necessary information in order to purchase international customized group insurance plan designed specifically for Colgate University.
Once enrolled, you will have access to CISI documents containing:
- Participant ID card
- Visa Consulate letter
- Proof of Insurance
- Brochure and instructions for downloading myCISI Student App
- Claim form
- Other helpful insurance information
Leading a Group
Faculty or staff who will be leading a Colgate group on travel abroad should contact Shelley Wyman at off-campusstudy@colgate.edu for assistance in registering the group with CISI.
Traveling Independently
Faculty and staff traveling abroad independently for Colgate-related business are required to purchase a Business Travel Plan with CISI.
To register:
- Have a valid credit card available for payment.
- Visit the Colgate CISI insurance purchasing portal and complete the necessary information in order to purchase international customized group insurance plan designed specifically for Colgate University.
Once enrolled, you will have access to CISI documents containing:
- Participant ID card
- Visa Consulate letter
- Brochure and instructions for downloading myCISI Student App
- Other helpful insurance information
Information for parents: Information from CISI specifically for parents of students who will be traveling abroad.
CISI offers an on-call number for emergency assistance +1-855-327-1411 (in U.S.) or +1-312-935-1703 (outside the U.S.), as well as online portals where travelers can:
- Access information about their health plan
- Search for medical professionals internationally and care sites
- Request referrals
- Set up treatment with a physician or psychologist overseas (by contacting CISI directly)
- Discuss preexisting needs with CISI prior to departure to avoid interruption in care
CISI coverage also includes the following benefits:
- Coverage when traveling outside the US (outside the study group’s location)
- Security information: CISI will send instructions (text or email) about your location if an incident occurs where you are. Students should inform both Colgate and CISI when traveling outside the formal study group area
- Replacement of travel documents (passport, etc.) in the event of theft or loss
- Replacement of lost prescription medication
- Ability to add up to an additional month of coverage by contacting and paying CISI directly
For Emergencies
Email: medassist-usa@axa-assistance.com
+1-855-327-1411 (in the U.S.); +1-312-935-1703 (outside the U.S.)
For Benefit/Coverage Questions
Email: claimhelp@mycisi.com
Phone: +1-800-303-8120
CISI participants may wish to download and print the following information to carry with them during travel:
International SOS
Before and during your travel abroad, Colgate advises that travelers review up-to-date reports on safety and security, health issues, medical care, and vaccination requirements for countries in which travel will take place. These updates are available on the ISOS website.
Students participating in study-abroad programs are not automatically enrolled in the International SOS program. Once registered for the study-abroad program, however, students will be provided with enrollment instructions.
The Colgate ISOS Portal contains an online Personal Travel Record for inputting information on your travel during your period abroad but you will need to register first. Please do not use for individual healthcare needs.
Colgate advises its travelers to complete the form so that this information is available to ISOS and Colgate University should a traveler need to be located in a crisis or emergency. If travel plans change, travelers should update the information on their travel record.
The Colgate member number is required to access the Colgate ISOS Portal.