Completing a travel risk assessment

When registering details of a trip on the Travel Log you will be required to follow the guidance below for completion of a Travel Risk Assessment form (MS Word , 83kb)

Risk ratings

Staff and students have access to Solace Global Assistance, a travel security advisory service provided by Aviva.

This provides comprehensive information on worldwide travel, including country risk ratings. When deciding on a destination’s risk rating, the overall country rating should be applied for TRA purposes.

To register for Solace Global Assistance:

  1. Add the company name (University of York).
  2. Enter your name and email address.
  3. Enter the policy number (100742260GPA).

You will received an activation email and once logged in, you will be directed to the homepage. From here you can access Country Reports and sign up for alerts.

If you are a student travelling to a destination that is within the low risk category, then you will be required to complete a written travel risk assessment approved by your Head of Department or nominated representative.

The Insurance Office does not require a copy of the travel risk assessment, but it should be made available if required by insurers in the event of a claim.

If you are a member of staff travelling to a destination that is within the low risk category, then you do not need to complete a travel risk assessment. You should still review the destination travel advice on Solace Global Assistance and Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office prior to departure. 

If you are travelling to a destination that is within a medium risk category, then you will be required to complete a written travel risk assessment approved by your Head of Department or nominated representative.

The Insurance Office does not require a copy of the travel risk assessment, but it should be made available if required by insurers in the event of a claim.

If you are travelling to a destination that is within a high-risk category, then you will be required to complete a written risk assessment approved by your head of department or nominated representative.

Please send a copy of your completed risk assessment to insurance-enquiries@york.ac.uk for review by the Health & Safety team.

Travel to a number of countries is prohibited unless stringent conditions are met and prior confirmation of cover is given. If a trip to any of these countries is essential, please contact insurance-enquiries@york.ac.uk at least one month prior to the intended date of departure.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a useful source of information and advice on practical tips on staying safe, secure and healthy and avoiding problem situations.

The FCDO also gives specific travel advice on all countries of the world, including advice on crime, health, terrorism and natural disasters, and should be consulted before your trip abroad. You should always be guided by the FCDO and never travel against their advice.

Trips against FCDO advice are not insured. There is no business travel insurance in place for countries where the FCDO advise against travel. Such trips must be referred to insurance-enquiries@york.ac.uk for discussion with the Director of Health & Safety Services Department, prior to making any travel arrangements.

Prohibited countries

The University forbids business travel to these countries without explicit, written, prior approval.

This list of countries is provided by our insurers. If these conditions are not met, travel to these countries will not be insured, even if the traveller has put the trip on the Travel Log.

It may also not be possible to insure trips to these countries (eg due to a deterioration in the security position, political situation or sanctions applying to the specific countries listed below).

  • Afghanistan
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Syria
  • Yemen
  • Venezuela