EF’s industry-leading safety & coverage programs for 2022 tours
When you decide to travel with EF, we want you to feel secure in that decision. That’s why as the world changes, so do we. Below are a range of policies and programs designed to flex to meet our travelers’ specific needs—no matter where they are in the planning process.
Please note: These programs apply to tours departing before October 1, 2022.
We’re covering:
1. Safety First Program
2. Peace of Mind Programs
3. Individual Coverage
4. General Liability Coverage
5. Risk-Free Enrollment Period Terms
Provided to all groups
This program was created to provide the safest possible tour experience for our customers.
EF’s unmatched global presence
With 600 schools and offices in 50 countries worldwide, including regional offices dedicated to on-tour support, our global presence is truly unmatched. Our 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the world provide a local presence and are able to react quickly and in person where necessary. Plus, the staff in each office and school are trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations.
Dedicated Emergency Service and Incident Response Teams
EF’s Emergency Service & Support Team is available 24/7 to resolve any issue, from a missed flight to a lost passport to more serious on-tour incidents. They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. The Emergency Service & Support Team is made up of highly trained, dedicated EF staff based in our Boston, Denver, and Austin offices who are equipped to solve problems and answer questions that may come up, even outside of regular business hours. This team also maintains direct communication with our Operations Safety & Incident Response Team to jointly solve issues as needed.
Background checks on adult travelers
We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. This is meant to help provide a safer tour experience for all travelers, and is a similar process to what many school districts implement for adults who volunteer in schools or chaperone school activities. Background checks take place through a secure process that is meant to specifically identify individuals who could present a risk to student travelers while on tour.
Provided to all groups departing through September 30, 2022
In addition to our standard Peace of Mind program, EF provides an exclusive COVID-19 Peace of Mind program for tours scheduled to depart between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022, to account for situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is automatically included for travelers within these departure dates and can be enacted at the group level and specific options can be implemented at the individual level.
Up until 110 days prior to the departure of your tour’s original departure date, your Group Leader can enact the COVID-19 Peace of Mind program on behalf of your group for any reason. In that event, your Group Leader can choose one of the following options (referred to as “Group COVID-19 Options”):
- Change the travel dates or tour itinerary of your group’s current tour; or
- Cancel your tour with each traveler receiving a transferable COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for 100% of all money paid to EF; or
- Cancel your tour with each traveler receiving a cash refund for all of the money paid to EF less $500*
Individual travelers also have up until 110 days prior to their tour’s original departure date to choose one of the following options (referred to as “Individual COVID-19 Options”):
- Cancel off your tour and receive or reinstate a transferable COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for 100% of all money paid to EF; or
- Cancel off your tour and receive a cash refund for all of the money paid to EF less $500*
Between 109 to 45 days prior your tour’s original departure date, your Group Leader can enact the COVID-19 Peace of Mind program on behalf of your group and choose among the Group COVID-19 Options if any of the following conditions (referred to as “COVID-19 Travel Events”) newly occur within that timeframe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- A U.S. federal governmental authority has issued a travel ban or an order restricting travel to a location on your group’s itinerary;
- A U.S. federal or state governmental authority has issued an order that would require a self-quarantine for travelers in your group upon return home from a location on your group’s itinerary;
- A governmental order applicable to a location on your group’s itinerary would ban or restrict travel or require visitors to self-quarantine upon arrival
Individual travelers also have between 109 to 45 days prior to their tour’s original departure date to choose among the Individual COVID-19 Options if any of the COVID-19 Travel Events newly occur within that timeframe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If at 44 days or less prior to the departure of your tour, travel restrictions, governmental orders, or other conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible or impracticable for EF to operate your tour as scheduled, or any of the COVID-19 Travel Events referenced are newly imposed such that a postponement of your tour program becomes necessary, then your Group Leader will be offered the same Group COVID-19 Options, or travelers will have the same Individual COVID-19 Options referenced above with the cash refund option increased to all monies paid, less $350.
* For travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher, the cash refund option available will be based on the originally issued voucher terms (e.g., travelers who received a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for a tour originally scheduled to depart between March 1, 2020 and May 14, 2020 may exchange their voucher for all monies paid, less $565).
EF’S COVID-19 PEACE OF MIND PROGRAM TERMS & CONDITIONS
This COVID-19 Peace of Mind program is applicable to travelers on EF Educational Tours and EF Tours for Girls programs scheduled to depart between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022. The benefits of the COVID-19 Peace of Mind program are available at the group level and for individual travelers. The COVID-19 Peace of Mind program will not apply based on travel conditions or restrictions imposed or recommended by local (i.e., non-state) governmental entities or third-party entities unrelated to the provision or arrangement of travel services for your tour. So long as the COVID-19 Peace of Mind program would apply, individual travelers can choose to cancel from their original tour or revised tour and receive a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher to be used for future travel or exchanged for the cash refund option detailed above. Travelers missing any payment deadlines must pay any incurred late fees to qualify for this program. EF will make every effort to accommodate revised tour requests. Revised tours must depart prior to September 30, 2023. If the revised tour has a higher price than the original tour, travelers will be required to pay the difference as a condition of traveling on the revised tour. If the group does not travel on the original tour, travel on a revised tour, or if EF cannot accommodate a revised tour request, the travelers will receive COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers. Travelers cancelling from a revised tour will be charged a cancellation fee based on the date that the original tour was revised or the date of cancellation from the revised tour, whichever is higher. COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers will be issued in the amount of all monies paid by a traveler for the original tour. COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers are valid for the current and following travel year expiring on September 30, 2023 and may be exchanged during that time period for the cash refund option that the traveler was originally eligible to receive pursuant to the COVID-19 Peace of Mind program policy at the time of issuance. COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers are transferable at the face value of the voucher to members of the traveler’s immediate family or community. The COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher is not a merchandise credit or a gift certificate.
Provided to all groups
We understand that plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. EF provides an exclusive Peace of Mind program to account for such situations. This program is automatically included for all travelers and can be enacted at the group level for any reason, including terrorism, pandemics, or other world events.
Your Group Leader may choose from the following options:
45 days or more prior to departure:
- Work with EF to modify your group’s current tour itinerary and dates, or find a new tour and apply all money paid to the new tour
- Cancel your tour and all travelers will receive a transferable Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid for the original tour, less the cost of any purchased Travel Protection plan
- Cancel your tour with applicable fees under the Standard Cancellation Policy
44 days or less prior to departure:
- If any location(s) included in the group’s itinerary is newly designated as a Travel Advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State; or a U.S. federal or state governmental authority has newly imposed a travel ban to your destination, or newly issued an order requiring a self-quarantine for travelers in your group upon arrival to a location on your itinerary or upon return home from a location on your group’s itinerary; your Group Leader or the individual traveler may choose not to depart on the tour as scheduled and will have the same Peace of Mind options set forth above.
Terms & Conditions
Benefits of the Peace of Mind program are only available to the entire group and not to individual travelers unless specifically indicated. Travelers missing any payment deadlines must pay any incurred late fees to qualify for this program.
Revised tours must depart within one year of the original tour. If the revised tour has a higher price than the original tour, travelers will be required to pay the difference as a condition of traveling on the revised tour. If EF cannot accommodate a revised tour request and/or the group decides not to travel on the original tour, then the group may opt for future travel vouchers. If the group does not travel on the original tour, travel on a revised tour, or receive a Future Travel Voucher, standard cancellation fees will apply.
Travelers canceling from a revised tour will be charged a cancellation fee based on the date that the original tour was revised or the date of cancellation from the revised tour, whichever is higher. EF will make every effort to accommodate revised tour requests.
Future Travel Vouchers are valid up to 25 months from the month of the original tour’s scheduled departure. Future Travel Vouchers are transferrable at the face value of the voucher to members of the traveler’s immediate family or school community. The Future Travel Voucher is not a merchandise credit or a gift certificate and may not be redeemed for cash unless specifically noted on the voucher. Travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued Future Travel Voucher may have different terms and options available to them based on the originally issued voucher terms.
Provided to all groups
If a traveler is diagnosed with COVID-19 while on tour, EF will provide or arrange for the following, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the traveler throughout the duration of any on-tour quarantine period:
- Lodging and meals
- EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary
- Assistance connecting with local health care providers
- Translation services
- Communication between the traveler and the traveler’s family back home
- EF-arranged flights home, based on existing itinerary, for the traveler once cleared to return
- If the diagnosed traveler is a minor, flights for their parent or guardian to join them at the tour location
If a traveler or group is not diagnosed with, yet is required to quarantine on account of, COVID-19 while on tour, EF will provide or arrange for the following, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the travelers throughout the duration of any on-tour quarantine period:
- Lodging and meals
- EF representatives available to support the traveler or group and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary
- Assistance connecting with local health care providers
- Translation services
- Communication between the traveler or group and their family back home
- EF-arranged flights home for the traveler or group once cleared to return
Travelers can choose to enroll in one of the Global Travel Protection plans, both of which are designed specifically with EF travelers in mind. These affordable plans provide pre-departure and on-tour benefits, including medical expense coverage that may apply on tour and tour cancellation for the stated reasons below. Please read on for additional coverage details, as well as deadlines to purchase each Global Travel Protection plan.
Available to all travelers
Cost: $165Can be added from the time of enrollment up until 45 days before departure. To purchase this plan, log in to your EF account here.
Designed specifically with EF travelers in mind, this plan provides both pre-departure and post-departure benefits, including medical expense coverage that may apply on tour and tour cancellation for the stated reasons below.
Trip Cancellation coverage
This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. If a traveler needs to cancel a trip due to reasons specified in the plan, this reimburses non-refundable pre-paid payments.
Illness and accident coverage
Provides benefits related to hospital bills, doctors' fees, and medical transportation associated with on-tour illnesses or injuries, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for a family member to be with your child while hospitalized in the event of a life-threatening illness.
Trip Interruption coverage
This plan includes Trip Interruption coverage. If a traveler needs to interrupt a tour due to serious injury or illness, this provides a benefit.
Protection for your belongings
Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay.
Trip delay coverage
Coverage for expenses due to trip delays (lodging, food, and other reasonable expenses plus limited reimbursement of unused, forfeited, prepaid non-refundable payments for travel arrangements).
Emergency evacuation coverages
This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest.
Nonrefundable fees are outlined in EF’s Booking Conditions.
The Global Travel Protection plan includes insured components that are underwritten by US Fire Insurance Company and cancellation fee waivers provided by EF Educational Tours. You can find further details of the policy, coverage limits, and exclusions here.
Available to all travelers
Cost: $540
The Global Travel Protection Plus plan must be purchased when you book your tour. To purchase this plan, please call 800-665-5364 to speak with one of our Traveler Support Specialists.
Cancel for Any Reason*
The Global Travel Protection Plus plan provides a refund of the Program Price (minus the cost of the plan and other non-refundable fees) if your child needs to cancel their tour up to 24 hours prior to departure for any reason.
Trip Cancellation coverage
This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. If a traveler needs to cancel a trip due to reasons specified in the plan, this reimburses non-refundable pre-paid payments.
Illness and accident coverage
Provides benefits related to hospital bills, doctors’ fees, and medical transportation associated with on-tour illnesses or injuries, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for a family member to be with your child while hospitalized in the event of a life-threatening illness. Subject to policy limits and exclusions.
Trip Interruption coverage
This plan includes Trip Interruption coverage. If a traveler needs to interrupt a tour due to serious injury or illness, this provides a benefit.
Protection for your belongings
Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay.
Trip delay coverage
Coverage for expenses due to trip delays (lodging, food, and other reasonable expenses plus limited reimbursement of unused, forfeited, prepaid non-refundable payments for travel arrangements).
Emergency evacuation coverages
This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest.
Nonrefundable fees are outlined in EF’s Booking Conditions.
* The Global Travel Protection Plus plan includes a non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver benefit provided by EF Educational Tours. The non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver benefit provided by EF Educational Tours provides a cash refund for trip costs paid to EF Educational Tours for cancellation prior to departure. For plans issued in New York, customers can purchase the non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver separately from the rest of the travel protection plan. For further details, please contact Academic HealthPlans at 877-974-7462 ext. 321.
For additional details regarding the insurance components of this plan, underwritten by US Fire Insurance Company, including coverage limits and a full list of exclusions, please visit this page.
Provided to all Group Leaders and Schools
All Group Leaders, schools, and districts who travel with EF are automatically added as additional insureds under our $50 million General Liability Policy, whether or not the tour is considered a school event. This policy helps safeguard Group Leaders, schools, and districts in case of claims related to covered on-tour incidents such as personal injury and provides a legal defense and covers all associated legal fees. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
New travelers who enrolled on an EF Educational Tour no later than May 1, 2021 had the option to cancel their tour for any reason prior to August 1, 2021 for a full refund of 100% of the monies paid to EF. To be eligible, the traveler must have been enrolling on a tour with a scheduled departure date between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2023. Travelers must have paid in full or enrolled in our Automatic Payment Plan at the time of tour enrollment and must have remained either paid in full or enrolled in our Automatic Payment Plan and in good financial standing at the time of cancellation to have remained eligible. Travelers who applied a Future Travel Voucher towards the cost of their tour were not eligible for this risk-free enrollment period.