Travel Guard® Launches New Student Travel Safety Initiative

Global travel insurer hopes to educate and empower students, parents and other stakeholders with new Depart Smart™ travel safety training modules and resources

HOUSTON (February 18, 2025)Travel Guard, a global leader in travel insurance and assistance services, launched a comprehensive student travel safety campaign this week that was designed to increase awareness of the considerations students should take before embarking on study abroad or school-sponsored trips to international destinations. As a cornerstone of the campaign, Travel Guard has created a dedicated microsite that contains engaging videos depicting common safety scenarios and advice, as well as safety-focused tips around topics such as travel choices, beach trips and nightlife.

The initiative was developed with the understanding that students may not have a significant amount of global travel experience, and their chosen housing, transportation and activities during their journeys may negatively impact their risk profiles. For example, students on shoestring budgets may choose accommodations or transportation that is less secure than other options.

The branding of the Depart Smart™ travel safety training is a nod to the non-profit organization founded by Sheryl Hill, who lost her son Tyler to a preventable death while overseas on a student-abroad trip in 2007. Sheryl made it her mission to arm students with travel safety skills and contingency plans for international trips and study-abroad programs. After years of advocacy working to improve student travel safety, Sheryl passed the torch to Travel Guard.

“Early on, we realized how closely aligned Sheryl’s mission was with our own goals for travel safety advocacy, and we’re honored to carry on her legacy by offering Depart Smart training and resources for free to student travelers,” said Rhonda Sloan, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing, Travel Guard. “International travel for educational opportunities is popular among students of all ages, but given the increased risks they face while traveling, more can be done to enhance their safety and wellbeing.”

As a travel safety advocate, Travel Guard is focused on leveraging their experience to provide students and their families with guidance and resources to ensure that the student travel experience is safe and academically rewarding. As such, the Student Travel Safety campaign includes resources that empower and encourage students to take ownership of research and planning for their trip, tips for parents on how to best align with trip organizers and be aware of potential risks, and resources for schools and chaperones.

For more information about Travel Guard, its products and services, and its initiatives to help ensure safe and enjoyable travel experiences, visit www.travelguard.com or follow Travel Guard on FacebookInstagram and LinkedIn.

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About Travel Guard
Travel Guard meets the diverse needs of leisure and corporate travelers alike through its comprehensive portfolio of travel insurance plans and assistance services as well as a network of experienced providers. With global service centers placed strategically around the globe, our 24/7 multilingual team is always just a phone call away and ready to assist when our customers experience travel issues – from lost luggage or minor travel inconveniences to medical emergencies or life-threatening events. We help customers recover from travel disruptions and enjoy their journeys knowing Travel Guard has their back every step of the way. Learn more at www.travelguard.com and follow us on FacebookInstagram and LinkedIn.

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Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. Similar travel insurance coverage, offered by Travel Guard or another insurance provider, may be available through a variety of other sources, but may be subject to different terms and conditions (i.e. benefits, limits, exclusions, etc.). You may wish to compare the terms and conditions of this policy with those of your existing life, health, home and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (Travel Guard). California lic. no.0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482, www.travelguard.com. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP. This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 37th FL, New York, NY 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Travel assistance services provided by Travel Guard.