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On Call Swine Flu Update

In response to the growing concern regarding the Swine Flu outbreak and the extensive amount of information that has surfaced, from the local and national news to travel blogs and Twitter, On Call International is happy to serve as your resource for the critical information you should know about Swine Flu prevention and preparedness, as well as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Download On Call_Swine Flu Update_ 5.01.09

Updated Coverage Alert - Swine Flu Outbreak

Travel Insured continues to closely monitor the outbreak of Swine Flu and the potential impact to our customers.  Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees.  Travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas are encouraged to contact their travel suppliers.  

At this time we are covering Swine Flu as any other Sickness.  However, cancellation or interruption due to the concern of contracting the Swine Flu is not covered.  Cancellation or Interruption due to Sickness requires documentation by the attending physician.

Coverage does not include concern of traveling to a specific region, and generally there is no coverage due to government regulations or advisories to specific regions.  However, Travel Insured does provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to travelers purchasing the Cancel for Any Reason option with their Travel Insured plan and cancelling their trip two or more days prior to their scheduled trip departure date.

We have prepared answers to many of the questions we have been receiving from our customers along with some general information on the swine flu. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our position as developments occur.  If you have a question that is not addressed below, please call us at 1-800-243-3174 or via live chat at www.travelinsured.com.

  

Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Can I still purchase insurance for this outbreak of swine flu?
  Yes. If you or other covered individuals contract swine flu before or while traveling, coverage will be provided for Sickness as specified in the terms and conditions of your policy.
   
• Am I covered for swine flu?

 

Cancel for Any Reason

If your policy includes our optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage; you may cancel your trip at any time up to two days prior to departure and receive up to 75% of your total trip cost.

 

Trip Cancellation – Interruption

We are treating Swine Flu as any other sickness supporting Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption as per the terms and conditions of your policy.  Claims will require supporting statement from your attending physician.

 

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
Swine flu would be considered an emergency medical condition if you contract it while traveling. 

Emergency Medical Transportation
If you contract swine flu, contact our Assistance company.  If evacuation is required as determined by our consulting physician and the local attending physician, we will take you to the appropriate medical facility. All transportation must be authorized and arranged by the Assistance Company.
Travel Delay
If you are quarantined because of swine flu, many of our policies will pay a daily per person benefit up to the coverage limit for unexpected meals, accommodations and transportation that result from your delay.  Please review your specific policy for the terms and limits that apply. 

 

• What if I am Quarantined?

 

Quarantine coverage is included under Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits, in the event a physician quarantines the traveler/insured for any illness which prevents traveling.  Quarantine means that the person is restricted to their home or a medical facility; not restricted from one country or destination.

 

• How can I find out if my travel supplier will allow me to change the dates of my trip?
  Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees.  We recommend travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas, to contact their travel suppliers.
   
• Can I change the travel dates on my policy if my supplier is allowing me to rebook?
  Yes. We are happy to adjust the travel dates on your policy provided that you have not filed a claim and you have not departed on your trip and your new travel dates are within eighteen months of your original application date.   If your supplier will charge you a change fee, we will not be able to cover that unless you file a claim on your existing policy. Should you choose to file a claim, you will need to purchase a new policy for the new trip.
   
• Can I cancel if I am concerned about traveling?
  No.  Our policies provide coverage for Trip Cancellation due to specific listed reasons that are unforeseen prior to purchase.  Coverage is not provided for concern of traveling other than coverage provided under our Cancel for Any Reason option.
   
• Does my policy cover medical care if I become ill while traveling in Mexico?
  Yes.  Swine Flu will be treated as any other Sickness under the terms and conditions of your policy.
   

What should I do if I become sick while traveling?
Seek medical care immediately.   Contact our Assistance Service provider for help in locating a doctor or nearest medical facility.  Contact information and phone numbers are included in your Description of Coverage and on your Confirmation of Benefits.  Be sure to take your policy documents with you when you travel and have these important phone numbers readily available.

Travel Insured Supports Tourism Cares 2009; Joins in Cleanup of Gettysburg Battlefield Hospital

E. Hartford, CT, April 24, 2008 – Travel Insured International has stepped up support of Tourism Cares, the industry non-profit volunteer organization founded jointly by foundations of both the National Tour Organization and the U.S. Tour Operators Association. Travel Insured was represented by Cynthia Perry, CTC, Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations, who is a “Tourism Caretaker” for Tourism Cares, and Marc Flood, Senior Vice President of Sales, at the 2009 Tourism Cares volunteer project. The event took place on April 16 - 18 at Spangler Farm, a historic site adjoining the Civil War Battlefield in Gettysburg, PA.

The Gettysburg cleanup project was the second major Tourism Cares event supported by Travel Insured in the last six months. Travel Insured joined with its underwriter Arch Insurance Group as co-sponsors of the fund-raising “Golf Tournament to Benefit Tourism Cares” on Dec. 4, 2008 at the annual U.S. Tour Operators Association Convention at the J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA.

April 2009 Gettysburg Event

During the Gettysburg event, Perry and Flood joined 300 fellow industry volunteers to help begin the cleanup toward the restoration of Spangler Farm. The site, which has been in deteriorating condition for decades, includes a surviving barn used as an emergency field hospital for thousands of wounded soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to 3, 1863.  The field hospital was the site of the death of Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who led the decisive Pickett’s Charge on the final day of the battle.  Tourism Cares, which raised $10,000 to support the Gettysburg operation, supervised the volunteers’ cleanup of debris and underbrush from Spangler Farm as the first phase of a planned restoration toward the farm’s ultimate re-opening to visitors. Bruce Beckham, CTP, the Executive Director of Tourism Cares, based in Canton, MA, declared the 2009 Gettysburg volunteer project an unqualified success.

In addition to participating in annual tourism restoration projects, Tourism Cares fulfills its mission by raising industry funds to provide scholarships to tourism and hospitality students, to provide grants to worldwide tourism non-profit organizations and to help support capital improvements in the tourism industry. Since 2003, Tourism Cares has supported and participated in restoration projects in Ellis Island in New York City, New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, VA and, Virginia City, NV. The organization hopes to begin sponsoring international tourism restoration projects in 2010.

“Tourism Cares is a wonderful opportunity for all of us at Travel Insured to join with our industry partners in giving back to our customers by helping preserve our tourism resources for the benefit of future generations,” said Cynthia Perry. “We are delighted to be able to contribute both financially and with our personal time to support this most worthy industry endeavor."

Travel Insured International Statement Regarding Coverage of Swine Flu Illness

At this time we are covering Swine Flu as any other Sickness. However, cancellation or interruption due to the fear of contracting the Swine Flu are not covered. Cancellation or Interruption due to Sickness requires documentation by the attending physician.

Travel Insured does provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to travelers purchasing the Cancel for Any Reason option with their Travel Insured plan and cancelling their trip two or more days prior to their scheduled trip departure date.

Travel Insured plans provide Emergency Sickness Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation benefits for all necessary medical events, including those resulting from an insured traveler’s contraction of swine flu.

If a Travel Insured policy holder is subjected to an imposed quarantine as the result of swine flu, Travel Insured Trip Delay benefits will apply as normally specified in each plan’s Description of Coverage.

Worldwide Emergency Travel Assistance, included with every Travel Insured plan, will continue to be provided in all travel emergencies, whether or not related to a swine flu illness.

Default Coverage - Happy Vacations Ceases Operations

April 21, 2009 - Happy Vacations, a leisure tour operator based in Watsonville, CA, posted an April 20, 2009 announcement on the company web site at www.happyvacations.com stating that it has ceased operations due to financial problems. The company said it is seeking financial capitalization in order to continue operations, but has not yet successfully done so. It gave no information on when it may resume conducting business. The same announcement was reported on April 20, 2009 in the online edition of Travel Weekly at www.travelweekly.com.

Default of Happy Vacations would be a covered reason for Trip Cancellation on Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector plans, except for Worldwide Trip Protector Lite, when the effective date of a plan’s coverage is on or before April 5, 2009. Under the plan’s description of coverage, the default must occur more than 14 days following the effective date of the Worldwide Trip Protector for coverage to apply.

 Please do not hesitate to contact Travel Insured International’s customer care department at 1-800-243-3174 if you have any questions about this coverage.

On Call International Aids Italy Earthquake Victims

On Call International, a medical and travel assistance company reportedly has announced an emergency hotline to aid the family and friends of travelers visiting Italy. The hotline has been set up to help people visiting the victims of the recent earthquake that shook the city of L'Aquila, located around 60 miles north of Rome.

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If you are trying to connect to people traveling or living in the region, you can call the On Call International hotline: 800-576-5172. The company is also offering another number: 603-328-1924 and request the callers to be ready with as much information as possible. It will be helpful if you have details like the name of the tour operator, itineraries, hotel information, or cell phone numbers.  

On Call International is a provider of customized medical, security and travel assistance for international business and leisure travelers, as well as expatriates, students and others away from home. The company specializes in emergency evacuations from any point on the globe.  

The company was in news this February for signing a new partnership with Travel Insured International, a major travel insurance provider. Both companies have joined hands for the promotion of safe travel and offer travel protection products for anyone planning a trip away from home.

Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jessica Kostek

Job Loss

Job Loss,one year,travel,travel insurance,travel insured,protection,trip cancellation

One-Year Job Loss Trigger Available on All Worldwide Trip Protector Plans

Travel Insured International becomes the first travel insurance provider to expand Job Loss Protection for trip cancellation across its entire Worldwide Trip Protector line of products. This feature is included in its in its Cancel for Work Reasons option and covers insureds terminated from employment after only one year on the job. The company continues to offer standard Job Loss Protection, with a three-year minimum continuous employment requirement, as a trigger of coverage included in every Worldwide Trip Protector plan for those who choose not to purchase the Cancel for Work Reasons option.

The upgraded Job Loss Protection benefit from Travel Insured, is included as part of the $24 optional purchase of the Cancel for Work Reasons package.

With this Cancel For Work Reasons enhancement, Travel Insured International has addressed the growing economic concern of job security.  This upgrade complements our already comprehensive, existing programs that feature benefits such as:

• Supplier default and bankruptcy protection as included triggers for Trip Cancellation coverage with most Worldwide Trip Protector plans.
• Job Loss Protection that is applicable to all types of travel; not limited to specific suppliers or cruise travel.
• A waiver of the Pre-Existing Medical Conditions exclusion for most Worldwide Trip Protector plans.

In addition to the one-year job trigger for Job Loss coverage, Travel Insured’s Cancel for Work Reasons package allows an Insured or their Traveling Companion to cancel their trip due to a documented work conflict; because their company has been made unsuitable to do business due to a natural disaster, vandalism or burglary; because their company is involved in an acquisition in which the insured is directly involved; or for a job relocation of 250 miles or more.  Travel Insured reimburses a covered Trip Cancellation under Job Loss Protection with a cash refund up to the full trip cost .

Travelers and travel agents can be confident that they are receiving programs with the highest levels of travel protection available. Travel Insured also recommends travelers and agents consult with AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, and USTIA.com to ensure the company they are dealing with is financially secure.  With the enhancement to our Cancel For Work Reasons option, travelers may continue to travel relaxed, and travel secure, when they Travel Insured.

Vacations for Happiness

College Study Says Vacation Experiences Bring Greater Happiness

A research study by Dr. Ryan Howell, a psychology professor at San Francisco State Univ., has determined that experiences, especially vacations, bring consumers greater happiness than buying material objects. The study of 154 people from age 19 to 50 showed that people “feel more alive,” “feel invigorated or inspired” and “are left with positive memories, a return on their investment” with experiences compared to material purchases, according to Howell in a Los Angeles Times report of the study.

“You’re happy with a new television set, but you’re thrilled with a vacation,” the psychologist reported from his study. He added that, “whether you spend a little or a lot on a life experience, you still have the same level of happiness.”

Travel agents, who might want to share this information with their clients and prospects, can find a complete report on the Howell study from the L.A. Times at:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/02/money-doesnt-ma.html.

Protect Against Added Fees for Mileage Program Bookings

U.S. airlines in 2008 scrambled for ways to generate more revenue amid declining passenger bookings, and one way was to increase booking and change fees to their frequent flier club members using mileage awards to book tickets. When you book a client using mileage awards as part of a vacation booking, remind them that new airline fees have made those tickets no longer “free” of charge. Some fees on display on the frequent flier section of www.creditcards.com show that major domestic airlines start with service fees of $5 to $30 per ticket unless it is booked online. There is also a quick ticketing fee ($50 to $75) if the tickets are booked less than either 20 days or 14 days from departure, depending on the carrier. Worse are the change fees ($50 to $150 for domestic, or $250 for at least one carrier on international) when you change the date or time of a flight, and the redeposit fees ($50 to $150 for domestic, or $250 for at least one carrier on international) for putting miles back into an account from an unused ticket. Some carriers even charge $50 or $75 if the passenger receives a paper ticket rather than an E-ticket.

When your clients cancel their trip for a covered reason under a Worldwide Trip Protector plan, their cancellation coverage includes “airfare cancellation charges for flights joining/departing your land or sea arrangements.” Remind them that frequent flier program award tickets are no longer “free” anymore, and travelers who leave themselves unprotected can face airline service and penalty charges that can add expensive insult to injury after their trip is cancelled!

Operator Shutdown - Travel Insured Coverage Ends for Defunct RiverBarge Excursions – Operator to Process Cruise Refunds

RiverBarge Excursions (http://www.riverbarge.com), a cruise operator that conducted scenic cruises along U.S. rivers on its River Explorer vessel, has ceased operations according to an announcement posted on the company’s web site and reported in Travel Trade Magazine on Jan. 2, 2009. Effective with the Jan. 2 announcement, Travel Insured no longer sells insurance for RiverBarge Excursions.

Eddie Conrad, CEO of RiverBarge Excursions, announced that his company “has been forced to curtail all operations for 2009 due to economic conditions. Rising costs and very soft bookings have forced this decision.” Conrad added that refunds will be processed through RiverBarge’s escrow account at Whitney National Bank, based in New Orleans. The account is overseen and regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission, according to Conrad.

Passengers holding bookings for cancelled RiverBarge Excursions are advised by the operator to call 888-GO-BARGE (1- 888-462-2743) for further information on the obtaining of their cruise refunds from RiverBarge.