There Is More to Business Travel Insurance Than Meets the Eye
Does this sound like your workweek? You catch the red-eye to New York for a day of meetings and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch up with your college friends at an early dinner. Before you know it, it’s another overnight flight to Brussels, where you have a morning of meetings with international delegates before catching the train to Munich. A few days later, you repeat the schedule, this time to head to London. The trip concludes with a final round of negotiations in Bonn and some socializing with the clients before you head home. You would do anything for a direct flight, but the only thing that would work with your schedule was a bit of a puddle-jumper, changing carriers halfway through the journey.
Business travelers don’t see the world like everyone else. They’ve got the hottest tips on cool airport lounges and they’re pros when it comes to sniffing out a good cup of coffee. But when it comes to flexibility and spontaneity, they’re much more constrained. Their journey is unique, and so are their business travel health insurance needs. Here’s a look at what an employer should consider when buying insurance for their employees.
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Related: Group Travel Insurance
International Business Travel Insurance Quote
The cost of group travel insurance is determined by: the coverage selected, the size of the group, the duration of coverage, the destination, and any deductible you choose to include. Plans typically start at $1 per day per person and go up from there. Older travelers will be more expensive. Travel to the United States costs more than travel outside of the USA. Use the following link to request a quote and apply for group travel insurance coverage via the Atlas Group Travel Insurance Plan. For a custom plan design, email quotes@internationalinsurance.com and we will assign an agent to work with you.
Emergency Evacuation Coverage for Employee Trips
Most people would never imagine traveling to a region with a high risk of volcanoes, earthquakes, monsoons, and political instability. But business travelers know that a trip to Sumatra is invaluable when coffee is your cash crop and that some of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the world are in the Middle East. Sometimes, there’s no choice but to travel to a rather dangerous part of the world. Comprehensive emergency evacuation coverage can be your best friend when Mother Nature (or a group of protestors) decides to roar. Along the same lines, a generous medical coverage package is important for employees who likewise find themselves in developing countries. If you need emergency medical care, you’ll want to ensure you receive it in a hospital that meets global standards. All of the plans recommended below include emergency evacuation benefits.
Baggage Coverage While on a Business Trip
Most business travelers are geniuses when it comes to carry-on packing. No one can pack a small suitcase better! No business traveler wants to have their polished dress shoes and presentation blazer go missing. Alas, sometimes checking a bag is a necessary evil – especially if you have irreplaceable tech gear or product samples in your carry-on bag. When it comes to baggage protection, make sure you’re signed up for adequate coverage. The cost of a custom suit or business-appropriate clothing can rapidly exceed the basic baggage coverage that’s a part of most plans.
Trip Interruption Coverage
This scenario is a familiar one to most business travelers. You’ve spent a small fortune and a massive chunk of time preparing for the presentation of a lifetime. Everything hangs on this meeting, and you’ve sunk more money into the trip than you can afford. But as soon as you arrive, the meeting is canceled. Political unrest is generating travel warnings in your destination country. Rumors of terrorist activity make authorities nervous, and all non-essential travel is restricted. Bad luck is an inevitable part of travel – but for business travelers, it could derail their work indefinitely. Protecting the investment made in your trip with trip cancellation insurance protects your business in the long run.
Related: Trip Cancellation Insurance Plans
Coverage for Adventure Travel – No, Really!
Everything is going according to plan. Your fight was right on time, and everything arrived just as you expected. Your conference was a smashing success and your presentation skills have never looked so good. Now all you have to do is to bond with your new clients. And, after all, cultural niceties dictate that you accept their invitation to help you with a little sightseeing. There’s just one catch. You had no idea sightseeing meant alpine hiking in Switzerland, scuba diving with sharks when visiting Malaysia, or camel riding in Morocco. And as you stare down the meanest camel in Africa, you’re suddenly wondering if your insurance covers foolish adventure activities. Many business travelers would never identify as adventure enthusiasts – but that doesn’t mean they’re not taking part in adventure activities. If there’s more to your travel life than boardrooms and hotels, make sure your side excursions are properly insured.
Best Travel Insurance for Business Travelers
Business Travel Insurance for Single Trips
We offer some great solutions for individual employees on a business trip. For US citizens traveling abroad on a work trip, we recommend the GeoBlue Voyager Plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield backs this plan and offers an excellent network of international hospitals and doctors. For international citizens traveling worldwide, we recommend the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan, which is available to all nationalities. These plans will cover all the benefits listed above, including medical care, repatriation, emergency assistance, and more.
GeoBlue Voyager Plan
- For U.S. citizens up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
Annual Multi-Trip Business Travel Insurance Plans
For employees and business travelers who travel frequently throughout the year, you might be better off with an annual travel insurance plan. These plans can be purchased anytime and will cover you for the next twelve-month. These plans can be renewed for the subsequent year. There are cost savings when buying these plans if you travel three or more times each year. You also have the peace of mind of being covered for any trip without having to purchase a new plan each time you go abroad.
Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans for Business Travelers
Seven Corners Frequent Traveler: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply
Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Insurance: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply
Expatriate Insurance for Employees Living Abroad
If you have employees living in a foreign country or traveling abroad for six months or more, you might consider an expat insurance plan. These are international health plans which provide comprehensive coverage worldwide, including in your home country. One example is the Cigna Global Plan which offers a flexible plan design, excellent service, and a range of benefits to meet your specific needs.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Request a Quote for Your Employees Abroad
A group plan may be your best option if you have two or more employees living or traveling abroad. Our team is available to help you determine the coverage and benefits you need to protect your most valuable assets while they are outside of their home country.
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