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Travel Emergencies/Insurance Information

Prior to departure, travelers should familiarize themselves with the emergency, insurance, and travel warning information posted on and linked to this site.

Pre-trip Procedures

USC business travelers should purchase commercial transportation using the USC Travel Plus Card and/or a a contract travel agency. Both methods:

• Provide supplemental insurance coverage
• Allow USC to track the whereabouts of business travelers
• Facilitate return travel in the event of an emergency or last-minute schedule change

Please note that while it is not a policy violation to use personal funds to pay for USC business travel, the benefits and coverages mentioned herein offer compelling reasons for using the recommended forms of payment described here.

Before traveling, familiarize yourself with the following USC insurance information:

• Insurance Coverage – Travel-related Injury/Illness
• Insurance Coverage – Paperless Purchase Orders/Internal Requisitions/USC Travel Plus Card
• Insurance Coverage – USC Travel Plus Card (pdf)
• Insurance Coverage – Hertz
• Insurance Coverage – Enterprise

It is not necessary to purchase lost baggage and common carrier life insurance when tickets are purchased either via a paperless purchase order or the USC Travel Plus Card. Both forms of payment provide this coverage.

Before traveling internationally, refer to the U.S. Department of State's web site for country-specific information:

• State Department Travel Warnings
• U.S. Embassy Contact Information

Always make note of and carry with you each destination's U.S. Embassy contact information.

In-trip Emergency Procedures

• If the emergency constitutes serious illness or injury, go to the nearest medical facility.
• If the emergency constitutes a threat to one's personal safety (e.g. civil unrest, acts of terror, war, natural disaster, etc.), consult local authorities and/or the U.S. Embassy.
• If additional emergency assistance is needed from USC after the immediate danger has passed, call the USC Travel Emergency Hotline (see below). Collect calls will be accepted. The hotline is available 24/7/365.

>> USC TRAVEL EMERGENCY HOTLINE: 213-821-1042 <<

Each case will be assigned to an on-call representative within Travel Management Services. This representative will act as a liaison between appropriate USC departments (e.g. Risk Management/Workers' Compensation, Contract Travel Agencies, Disbursement Control, Benefits Administration, Health Plans, Home Department, etc.).

Changes to travel plans (e.g., due to schedule changes/cancelled flights, minor injuries, minor illnesses, and/or weather) must be coordinated through the original ticketing source (e.g. travel agency, airline, etc.). The USC Travel Emergency Hotline is for emergencies only, such as when an evaluation is necessary or a medical condition warrants special travel arrangements.

Wallet Cards

When traveling on USC business, travelers should carry USC's emergency wallet card. Plastic cards can be obtained by contacting Travel Management Services. Additional paper cards for family, etc., can be downloaded and printed by clicking on the link below.

Download Business Travel Emergency Hotline Wallet Card (pdf)