• 03
  Sep
  2010

• Mass Ilness at Hotel Reminds us of the Need for International Health Insurance

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
  0 comments, add yours

International health insurance is not just for visitors to volatile countries, or for people partaking in dangerous activities while visiting abroad. The truth is, injuries, accidents, and illness can strike at any time, necessitating hospitalization. Visitors to a hotel in Las Vegas found this out the hard way.

Last week, a chemical leak affected patrons of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Over 100 people visiting the hotel's pool claimed to be made sick from the leak, with 12 making trips to the hospital. These visitors were suddenly faced with a problem, and an expense, they could never have anticipated.

You see, something as seemingly harmless as lounging by the pool can accidentally wind up sending you to a hospital. Of course the lesson learned is not to avoid hotel pools, but instead to be prepared with a good international health insurance plan. The group health insurance plan provided by your employer likely only covers domestic incidents, so if something like this were happen to you while you were vacationing abroad, you would definitely appreciate the ability to count on an international insurance policy.

This type of insurance will keep the costs of hospitalization and subsequent treatment at an affordable rate. Without this coverage, you could be faced with anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars in medical bills; all because you stopped by the pool for a few hours! As you can see, illness and injury during vacations abroad are more unpredictable than you'd ever thought, which makes having the right insurance a very smart move.

• 27
  Aug
  2010

• As Airlines Add More Fees, International Insurance Offers Travelers a Chance to Save

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
  0 comments, add yours

In the last week, a major airline announced that it would be adding yet another fee to specific seats on its planes. This represents just the latest additional fee that travelers have been faced with in the last few years. In a time when travelers continuously fall victim to the airlines' need to find new revenue sources, it is good to know that you can still save money with international health insurance.

American Airlines just announced fees on coach class seats. A few specific rows will now have a surcharge and be considered to be a tier of premium seating, despite the fact they are not first class. This could be a very frustrating development for international travelers, who have seen fees added for items that were once free like checking bags, and who have seen ticket prices rise steadily in the past few years. Airlines are struggling with surging fuel costs and unfortunately the result of that struggle is this myriad of new fees.

While travel itself is not getting any cheaper for consumers, international health insurance does offer international travelers a way to save money. If you need to visit the doctor or a hospital during a trip, this coverage will save you hundreds or perhaps even thousands of dollars on your treatment. Without a plan like this, you will be considered uninsured, meaning you will need to pay full price for any care you receive.

That can get extremely expensive. But for a low upfront investment, you can protect yourself against the high cost of healthcare in foreign countries. It is good to know that when planning your next round of international travel, there is still one way to protect your financial interests.

• 20
  Aug
  2010

• Group International Health Insurance Provides Strength in Numbers

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
  0 comments, add yours

Traditionally, most citizens get their health insurance plans through their employers. The reason for this is simple: employers can get lower rates for their employees by brokering deals with insurance providers to send large numbers of customers their way. You probably knew that already, but did you know you can use the same ability to "buy in bulk" for international health insurance as well?

There is a product called group international health insurance that offers you that very opportunity. Many employers who send large groups of employees overseas choose this type of insurance to protect the health of their employees while also protecting their financial bottom lines. This way, employees can avoid the high cost of buying insurance individually and still get the benefit of having protection for emergency hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, and more.

Large employers are not the only ones who can benefit from group international health insurance. Oftentimes you will see churches and other nonprofit organizations sending large groups of volunteers to foreign countries to help with relief efforts after natural disasters. These groups can also purchase this coverage for their volunteers.

Whether you are a member of a large group preparing to travel overseas or you are a human resources representative looking for the best way to maintain the health of your employees and the health of your company's finances, this is definitely an insurance option worth exploring. You can find out more information online or by contacting your domestic health plan provider.

• 13
  Aug
  2010

• Missionary Insurance Is an Essential Investment When Spreading the Good Word

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
  0 comments, add yours

One trend increasing in popularity in churches is to encourage more members to participate in missionary work overseas. As humanitarian efforts have become more well-publicized through news media and the internet, a growing number of religious followers realize that missionary travel allows them to help people in real need while also spreading the beliefs of their religion. If such a trip is in your future, be certain you invest in missionary insurance.

Missionary work typically takes people to dangerous locales. These may be places that are experiencing violence amongst citizens or areas that have been devastated by natural disasters. Areas that have fallen victim to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophes can be dangerous long after the event because of structural damage to infrastructure and buildings.

In addition to the dangers presented by violent activity and the residual problems that come from natural disasters, there are other pitfalls that may await visitors to these countries. For instance, air quality may be substandard, making you ill, or you may drink water contaminated with bacteria. Food poisoning is another common problem in areas where food preparation measures are below par.

These potential illnesses and injuries can harm more than just your physical well-being. Without insurance, the resulting hospital bills can put a dent in your finances. Missionary insurance is designed to help you in this regard, absorbing the high costs of healthcare and leaving you to pay just a fraction of the fees. This way, you can stay focused on delivering a positive message while making a real difference in the lives of people who desparately need it.