During large-scale crises, preparation and access to critical information can have a dramatic impact on outcomes. How can travelers from The University of Texas at Austin best prepare for the unexpected when abroad? Read on for suggestions from the Texas Global Risk and Safety (GRS) team!
BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
On Call International: Overseas Insurance and Emergency Assistance Coverage
All UT Austin students and employees are automatically enrolled in 24/7 emergency assistance coverage through On Call International when traveling internationally and to U.S. territories and protectorates. To facilitate the company’s ability to provide critical guidance in emergency situations, we recommend that you take the following steps prior to departure:
Save the On Call International plan and contact information to your phone for easy access by following these steps:
- Visit the plan ID document and follow the prompts to save the information to your phone. This will install a tile on your home screen that opens a PDF explaining the plan ID and a summary of services.
- Visit the contact download link and follow the prompts. This will create a preloaded contact for On Call in your phone’s native contact app.
On Call uses the OnSolve Risk Intelligence app to give you easy access to information and the ability to communicate in a crisis. Here are the steps to register with OnSolve:
- Approximately 10-14 days prior to your scheduled departure date, you will receive an email invitation to download the app. To optimize usage, configure the settings as recommended in the Mobile App User Guide.
- If you’ve traveled internationally recently, you may not receive a second invitation to download the app. Search your email history for previous invitations; if you encounter issues, contact Global Risk and Safety (GRS) at grs@austin.utexas.edu for assistance.
- You will receive a pre-travel advisory email containing standard health and safety advice, as well as critical incident alerts for your destination, delivered as necessary, before and during your travels.
- Designate this email domain as a safe sender to your email service to ensure you receive On Call International Alerts: @onsolve.com.
U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
We also recommend that all travelers register their travel details and sign up for emergency notifications in the U.S. Department of State’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Based on your destination(s) abroad, STEP delivers updates on everything from security alerts to natural disaster warnings, transportation disruptions and health risks. In the event of an emergency at your destination abroad, STEP also makes it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you with recommended actions.
WHILE ABROAD:
Make sure to enable the “Reporting” function of the On Solve app and keep your location services active the entire time you are outside U.S. borders.
- Keeping your location services for this app active will allow On Call to send you critical updates and guidance during emergency situations that are relevant to your current location.
- This will also allow Texas Global to know if you are in the vicinity of an incident, which will facilitate and expedite our ability to provide assistance to those who need it during moments of crisis.
During a broad-scale emergency:
- Monitor local media for updates and adhere to all instructions from local authorities, the local U.S. consulate and On Call International.
- Check your email and monitor your texts for incoming messages from Texas Global Risk and Safety. The GRS team will reach out to all travelers known to be in the proximity of any broad-scale emergency (e.g., natural disaster, political uprising, terrorist attack) to confirm your safety. Please respond as soon as possible to confirm that you are safe or to let us know you need assistance.
- Failure to respond promptly to welfare checks may result in GRS contacting your designated emergency contact, which could unnecessarily cause panic or confusion.
If you need medical, security or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, contact On Call 24-hour support.
Call from anywhere in the world: +1 978-651-9722
Call toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-833-328-1091
Email: mail@oncallinternational.com
Text-only number: 603-945-0103
