Effective for travel taking place on or after October 1, all faculty and staff planning essential Brown-related travel to War Risk Exclusion countries will be required to complete a Safety Plan through the travel registration process in TravelSafe at least four weeks prior to the expected travel date. These Safety Plans will undergo review by the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC) and must be approved by the traveler’s cognizant dean or unit head prior to travel. The current list of War Risk Exclusion countries indicates those Brown High Risk countries that also have limitations and restrictions to benefits per the War Risk Exclusion clause in Brown’s travel abroad insurance policy. The current list, which travelers can also view on the Brown High Risk Travel web page, includes: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, Israel including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.

Faculty and staff engaged in Brown-related international travel to other Level 4 countries that are not in the War Risk Exclusion category, and to Level 3 countries, continue to be strongly encouraged to also consider completing an optional Safety Plan.

Note that students are already required to submit a Safety Plan to all Brown High Risk countries through the travel registration process in TravelSafe.

Brown’s Travel Abroad Insurance Coverage and War Risk Riders

Brown’s travel abroad accident and sickness insurance coverage in these locations includes “War Risk Exclusions,” meaning that if a traveler is injured, experiences property loss, or incurs other expenses due to a war-related event, those costs are not covered under the standard policy. Evacuation and repatriation benefits are also excluded in these locations, per the War Risk Exclusion. 

The Safety Plan review process will help individuals on Brown-related travel mitigate risk through comprehensive contingency planning and assist with securing a war risk rider to buy back insurance coverage at the traveler’s cost, when possible. 

• The cost of a war risk rider typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.
• The exact cost is influenced by factors such as the geopolitical climate, destination, travel duration, and the nature of the traveler’s activities.

Important:

• Since these specialized insurance costs are not centrally funded by Brown, travelers must factor them into their individual travel budget.
• Brown-related travel to the Brown High Risk countries listed above will not be approved without a war risk rider.
• Nationals from countries excluded due to war risk are ineligible for war risk riders when traveling to their home country/country of residence. Approval for such travel will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Safety Plan Submission Process

Safety Plans must be completed as part of the traveler’s registration process in TravelSafe at least four weeks prior to the expected travel date.

• When one of the above-listed Brown High Risk Travel countries is added to a traveler’s itinerary, they will be prompted to complete the Safety Plan questions.
• Once a traveler has submitted a travel registration and Safety Plan, it will be routed to GTRAC for review. Final approval of the travel will be made by the traveler’s cognizant dean.
• Safety Plans must be submitted for review and approval at least four weeks prior to the traveler’s expected departure date, to allow time for review by GTRAC and the traveler’s cognizant dean and to obtain a war risk rider, as applicable. No travel arrangements should be made until the Safety Plan has been reviewed and approved by the traveler’s cognizant dean.

Questions or concerns regarding TravelSafe should be directed to [email protected].

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