Emergencies Abroad
Emergency Support
All Travelers
In the event of an emergency, get out of harm's way and go to a place of safety. Depending on the situation for which an immediate response is needed and when it is safe to do so, travelers should:
1. Know how to call the country’s local equivalent of “9-1-1” and know how to ask for first responder help, to include providing your location, in that country’s language. Travelers should also know where the nearest police station and medical facilities are located.
2. Notify your on-site contact (faculty director, host institution or program provider emergency contact).
3. Students, faculty/staff, and employees on university-approved travel requiring any type of emergency assistance abroad are instructed to contact their respective foreign travel insurance's emergency assistance provider, On Call International (for students) or AXA Assistance (faculty/staff/employees) using the contact information below. These providers are NOT first responders, but are available 24/7 to assist with overseas medical, travel, and security emergencies.
4. Contact the International Safety Unit (ISU). During regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm PST), ISU can be reached at +1 619-594-6402. You can also make a collect call to the SDSU Police Department at +1 619-594-1991 (24/7) to report an emergency and/or request assistance from ISU. Provide the police dispatcher with all relevant information and they will notify an ISU staff member who can assist you.
5. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and let them know you are enrolled in the Department of State (DOS) Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). DOS staff abroad are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency help to U.S. citizens. You can also call the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs for emergency assistance at +1 202-501-4444. Travelers should understand what the DOS can and can't do in a crisis.
6. Contact family / friends. If you are involved in an emergency, it is important for you to remain in contact with them. They will be concerned and anxious to hear regular updates from you. Note that the nature and amount of information International Affairs may disclose to students’ parents / designated emergency contacts are limited. It is best for them to communicate directly with you.
It is important to familiarize yourself with these resources before and upon your arrival in the host country, so that you can get help quickly.
Students
On Call International is the SDSU Travel Abroad Insurance and emergency assistance provider for student travelers and is REQUIRED for all SDSU-approved foreign travel. The plan ID card and program summary with the below-listed 24/7 emergency contact information is provided to the student upon their enrollment in the On Call foreign travel insurance. If you need medical, security or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, contact On Call and reference SDSU Policy Number INT06899:
Global Number (call collect from anywhere): +1 603-328-1344
US or Canada (toll free): 1 855-464-8975
Text Only: 603-945-0103
24/7 Live Chat: oncallinternational.com/chat/direct
Email: [email protected]
Faculty, Staff and Employees
AXA Assistance is the California State University Risk Management Authority (CSURMA) Foreign Travel Insurance Program’s (FTIP) emergency assistance provider that partners with Chubb Insurance, the insurance carrier for CSURMA FTIP. SDSU faculty, staff, employees and student employees traveling to international destinations for university-related business, programs, or activities associated with their employment must be enrolled in the Chubb (FTIP) insurance. Access Chubb’s Travel Assistance Website via http://www.acetravelassistance.net and enter your username and password (shown on your Travel Assistance ID card). Access to the FTIP plan summary requires a valid SDSU ID.
If you need medical, security or travel assistance, regardless of the nature or severity of your situation, contact AXA Assistance 24/7 and reference Chubb Insurance policy number GLMN04950872R:
Global Number (call collect from anywhere): +1 630-694-9764
US or Canada (toll free): 1 855-327-1414
Email: [email protected]
Questions about Foreign Travel Safety & Security
If you have non-emergency questions about safety and security matters (8:00 am to 4:30 pm PST), contact the SDSU International Safety Unit at +1 619-594-6402 or [email protected].