Insurance Coverage

Insurance Coverage

All students on the InterExchange Work & Travel USA program have basic accident and sickness insurance coverage that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements for the length of their stays. All students should have information with their insurance details, including a toll free number they can call while in the U.S. regarding their coverage, claims, or recommended area physicians. Please direct any students to contact us if they are unsure about their coverage or insurance company contact information. Please visit our insurance page for more information.Note: Remind your students to locate a doctor before they need one and always make copies of any bills and claim forms they submit to the insurance company.

Workers’ Compensation

As with any employee, if an InterExchange Work & Travel USA student is hurt while working at your establishment, your workers’ compensation plan should provide insurance coverage. InterExchange will cease to sponsor students for any employer found to use InterExchange participant insurance in lieu of workers’ compensation insurance. Students’ insurance premiums – which they must pay themselves — are greatly affected by the size and number of claims, and InterExchange makes an effort to keep these premiums affordable. For participants injured on the job, employers are expected to arrange transportation to and from medical care and follow-up care.

Promote Personal Safety

Encourage the students you’re hosting to keep security and safety in mind throughout their programs. We suggest sharing these guidelines with them:

Do not hitchhike – it is illegal and dangerous.
Do not accept rides from strangers.
Do not walk across highways or jaywalk.
Do not jog or walk alone at night.
Do not wear headphones while driving, riding a bike, or walking.
Do not carry more money than you will need for the day.
Do not accept any form of money from strangers.
Do not carry a passport as identification. Carry a different form of ID, such as a driver’s license or a copy of the passport.
Protect personal and confidential information: the Social Security number is a unique lifelong identifier. Do not allow others to use the number. Record the number in a safe place in case the card is lost or stolen. Protect both the card and the number to prevent misuse.
During local emergencies, obey all warnings and advice from authorities and InterExchange.
Internet safety: Don’t respond to emails from strangers or provide personal information over the internet unless on a trusted website with appropriate security.
Avoid parks, woods and remote areas when alone, especially at night.
Be alert to surroundings when using an ATM. Take extra caution at night.
Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Contact them if your plans change.
Always wear a bike helmet and obey all traffic laws when riding a bike. Use lights and reflective clothing at night.
If you feel you are being followed, cross the street and observe what the other person does. Put space between yourself and the person following you. Pretend to see a friend, even if it is a person you do not know, and call out or wave to that person. You should try to attract attention and scare away the person following you. If a store, restaurant or business nearby is open, go inside and ask for help.
If you think you are being followed while driving, drive to the nearest police or fire station.
Remember that cars drive on the right side of the road in the USA.
Notify the authorities and InterExchange if you are threatened by your employer, colleagues, landlord, or anyone else.
Be careful if drinking in a bar or restaurant. Watch your drink at all times, stay sober, and do not leave with anyone you don’t already know. It is illegal to drink alcohol in the U.S. if you are under 21 years old.
Do not get into a car with anyone who has been drinking.
Become familiar with laws that protect international visitors.

Our Programs