International Travel Assistance: Responding to Worldwide Catastrophes

What would you do if you were traveling abroad and you were caught in a flash flood or
hurricane? Or you suffered an unexpected stroke or were injured in a motor vehicle accident?
Or you unwittingly broke a local law and ended up in prison or facing a stiff fine? What if no one
in your party spoke the native language?

One of the first things you should do is call your travel insurance or assistance company – if you
purchased a policy before you left home.

Worldwide travel assistance is often included in most travel insurance plans sold in the United
States. Or travelers can opt to purchase travel assistance services directly from a travel assistance
company. It offers 24-hour, multilingual emergency help to respond to any number of
emergencies anywhere in the world. Assistance services can help travelers navigate complex
local requirements, serve as translators, arrange for medical evacuation in the case of an
emergency, and help facilitate medical or legal assistance abroad.

According to Brad Finkle, president of the US Travel Insurance Association, “Travel assistance
is available 24/7 to help safeguard travelers and coordinate often times complex arrangements
when things go wrong. When traveling abroad, travel assistance is even more critical, especially
in today’s world where something can go wrong at any time.”

How it Works

A toll-free or collect call connects the policyholder with a round-the-clock multilingual hotline
which offers help in case of emergency. When illness or injury occurs, the travel insurance
provider or assistance service coordinates with medical professionals, hospitals, clinics, and
medical evacuation providers in order to facilitate needed help. The service can help direct you
to reputable facilities and doctors, arrange for necessary medical procedures, consult with
treating physicians, update family, employers and insurance companies, and coordinate
repatriation where warranted. Specialists can also coordinate direct payment of covered medical
expenses or help arrange for fund transfers so treatment is uninterrupted.

Lesser Known Benefits

Lesser known, but very important assistance services include medical evacuation, legal support,
and security services. According to a UStiA Consumer Study released in 2006, the vast majority
of people are unaware that medical evacuation is often included in comprehensive travel
insurance policies. The study noted that fully 50% of people who buy travel insurance were
unaware of medical evacuation coverage. Among non-purchasers that number rose to 84%.

When local facilities are not capable of offering the quality of care needed, medical evacuation
services provide special transport arrangements, which can range from ground ambulance to
medically-staffed air ambulance. Depending on the patient’s condition, transportation may be to
the nearest medically adequate facility or to a hospital close to home. Such assistance can save
travelers tens of thousands of dollars for the cost of such transport services.

Many people are also unaware of legal assistance available through most comprehensive travel
insurance policies. For instance, legal blood alcohol levels while driving differ from country to
country; U.S. drivers may not understand traffic signs and get into an accident in countries where
customs and laws differ; or a traveler may unwittingly purchase and export an ancient vase
classified as a protected antiquity under local law. Assistance services often have affiliations
with legal specialists who can negotiate with local authorities and provide referrals to appropriate
legal counsel. And in cases of arrest, legal assistance will try to get the traveler released from
jail.

Travelers going to destinations with political instability may also want to check out special travel
insurance policies that provide security services and repatriation for U.S. citizens in case of war
or civil disturbances. When violence threatens the safety of travelers, these security services
often include transportation and accommodation, updates to family and employers, including
specialized transport arrangements, which can range from coordination during government-led
evacuations to armored ground transport and chartered planes.

To Buy or Not to Buy

According to UStiA research, major reasons for purchasing travel insurance are peace of mind,
protecting against the unforeseen, and being able to recoup nonrefundable expenses. When
deciding if travel insurance, and/or travel assistance, is right for you, Finkle suggests that you
determine how important peace of mind is to you, and consider what you could conceivably lose
(your health and your wallet) due to illness, emergency or catastrophe. Finkle advises that one
comprehensive policy can insure all parties traveling together, covering them against a wide
range of possible mishaps. Travel insurance and assistance can be purchased on a per-trip or
annual basis for frequent travelers.

About UStiA

UStiA promotes fairness, integrity and a commitment to excellence in the travel insurance
industry. With a mission to educate the public on travel insurance while maintaining high
industry standards, the UStiA is a non-profit association of insurance carriers and allied
businesses involved in the development, administration and marketing of travel insurance and
assistance. In 2004, UStiA member companies provided travel insurance policies to more than
17 million people. Travel insurance is available from travel agencies, airlines, tour operators,
hotels and resorts, and insurance brokers as well as through the Internet. For more information
on UStiA visit www.ustravelinsurance.org.

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