Student Coverage
The university's insurance program covers registered University of Alberta students while they are performing any activity that is considered:
- part of their regular studies
- a university-approved activity
- directly connected to the university
What is NOT Covered
- personal time: activities undertaken by students in their free time outside of any study requirement or university activity. Students will still be covered by any personal health benefits.
- illegal or criminal acts
Depending on the nature of the activity, various kinds of insurance coverage may apply. Read more below about each type of coverage. Please note that the information provided is intended to give a high level overview of coverage that may be available to protect students. Additional limitations and exclusions may apply
University of Alberta students are provided Medical, Health and Travel insurance through the Student’s Union or Graduate Students Association
Students who are considering travel outside of Canada must assess their Medical, Health and Travel cover prior to travel. Assessing this cover prior to travel is essential to avoid uninsured, or out of pocket expenses being incurred.
This assessment should cover individual traveller's needs against the location of travel. Even if a country has a high standard of medical care, it may not have the same exposure to illnesses or diseases that are common in Canada. This may result in difficulty receiving care that is routine in Canada.
Travel medical insurers also have exclusions where travel warnings indicate “avoid non-essential travel” and “avoid all travel”. You must contact your benefit provider, and any additional personal travel insurer, to discuss and confirm your coverage, including if there are any exclusions and/or limitations and arrange alternate coverage if available.
The university provides all travellers participating in university affairs with access to International SOS. You can use the International SOS website to find extensive health and security information about almost any place on Earth (to log in, you will need the University of Alberta ID number, which you can find in Google Drive if you sign in through your university account). From the website you can request email notifications about the place you are visiting. You can also download the app to your mobile device.
The university covers all university-owned or legally-leased equipment against direct physical loss or damage. This includes insurance against damage or loss due to fire, wind, water, flood, tornado, typhoon, tsunami, monsoon/storms, earthquake, and theft. In order for equipment to be considered legally leased there must be a written agreement in place.
Examples of property covered: equipment, computers, satellite phones, lab equipment, registered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drones).
UAVs: Please note that every jurisdiction has privacy and aviation regulations regarding the use of drones and operators are responsible for adherence.
Type of property and loss not covered:
- Equipment breakage due to faulty workmanship or normal wear and tear.
- Loss of samples.
- Electronic data and/or records.
- Loss of property while in transit or cargo, due to mould and fungi, or by mysterious disappearance.
- Transportation of dangerous and/or high-value goods. Insurance & Risk Assessment should be contacted with details of any specialized and/or high-value equipment that will be in-transit or shipped via cargo. EHS and Insurance & Risk Assessment should also be contacted to discuss coverage if you will be handling any hazardous materials, including radiation.
- Unprotected remote sensing equipment, satellites and other similar unprotected equipment while being deployed, in use or in operation, or being retrieved or recovered anywhere including on land, underground, under the sea, at sea, in the atmosphere or in space.
Personal property of any kind, including cell phones and cameras. These items may or not be insurable under your personal homeowner's/tenant's insurance policy. Please contact your insurance broker directly to discuss.
Students must be an authorized driver to be covered by the university's vehicle insurance. Please ensure you leave appropriate time in advance of travel to complete the authorization process.
Note: only passenger-type vehicles and light trucks are covered.
University insurance does not cover flat tires, damage to windshields, or damage from road hazards.
External Rental Vehicles:
- As every jurisdiction can be different, additional supplemental coverage from the rental car company should be purchased.
- Please ensure you carefully check the vehicle (inside/outside, including roof) for existing damage prior to accepting and returning back to the vehicle terminal.
- All damage should be clearly indicated on the vehicle rental documentation and safely stored in case of a claim. Take photos or video as supporting evidence.
See our Rental Vehicle Insurance page for more information about the best way to insure your externally-rented vehicle.
The Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) is a disability insurance system governed by the Alberta Workers' Compensation Act.
Students registered in and attending a post secondary institution, as outlined in section 7 of the General Regulations to the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Act, who are enrolled in a vocational or academic program which is a current academic requisite or required as part of the course of study in which the student is registered, are considered workers of the Government of Alberta. This coverage also extends to students placed with Alberta employers to gain practical knowledge related to their studies.
For more information:
Note: WCB is not intended to cover injuries incurred during recreational, social, or other activities conducted in your free time. This is covered by the provincial health care plan or your health benefits.
If a student is injured on practicum and WCB Alberta has denied the claim. Please submit a claim to the university to review if there is alternate coverage.
Students on placements out of province who are not covered by WCB will be covered by the following:
- Provincial health care plan
- The University of Alberta Accidental Injury insurance for out of province placements. Please submit a claim