OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2011
| International Health Insurance Insights Quarterly | TRAVEL SAFE. SAVE MONEY | www.GNInsurance.com |
01. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY?
02. A MORE IMORTANT QUESTION YOU SHOULD BE ASKING…
03. MATERNITY INSURANCE – WHO CAN AND WHO CAN’T BE COVERED
04. IS THERE AN IDEAL LONG_TERM OVERSEAS HEALTH PLAN?
05. WE INSURE ALL SPORTS, EVEN “EXTREME SPORTS”
06. BOOK OF THE QUARTER – UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE AND REDEMPTION
07. HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BOTH OVERSEAS AND IN THE USA
08. ANNOUNCING NEW VIDEOS, A NEWLY-DESIGNED WEBSITE AND A YOUTUBE CHANNEL FULL OF GREAT STUFF!
09. ENGLISH TEACHING & WORK OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
10. INSURANCE PRODUCTS CARRIED BY GNI
11. WHO CAN BE COVERED & INFORMATION NEEDED FOR AN INSURANCE QUOTE
12. INSURANCE BROCHURES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND/OR TEAMS
13. LINKING TO THE GNI WEBSITE
01 QUESTION OF THE QUARTER
Most travel policies will cover the following: hospital room and board, intensive care, medical expenses, outpatient medical, local ambulance, prescription drugs.
Check the level of emergency evacuation coverage. If going to Central America $50,000 is adequate. Anywhere else in the world it is good to have $100,000. Almost all plans include coverage for “Emergency Reunion.” (If you are hospitalized, in certain situations the insurance company will fly a loved one to be with you) Generally “Return of Mortal Remains” is included. Many plans now include coverage for returning minor children and political evacuation.
If you have good US insurance, then you can purchase a plan with lower maximum coverage. If you have no US insurance you might want a plan with $1,000,000 of maximum coverage.
There are a wide variety of deductibles. Some plans have no co-insurance limitations for care that is received outside the USA.
Check to see if your plan has coverage for “Sudden Recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition.” This coverage is for pre-existing conditions that you are aware of but have not had any problem with for some time. Good Neighbor Insurance has several short-term travel plans that include one or all of these benefits.
02 A MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU SHOULD BE ASKING…
“Do you have terrorism coverage? Plane coverage? What if I’m mugged?” Good Neighbor always gets those questions. But rarely do overseas travelers think about being injured or killed in an overseas car accident. DID YOU KNOW AN AMERICAN DIES EVERY 36 HOURS IN OVERSEAS ROAD ACCIDENTS?
US State Department data shows that road accidents are the main killer of healthy Americans traveling outside the USA. Between Jan. 1, 2003 and June 2010, 1,820 Americans died in road accidents in a foreign country. That averages out to one American traveler dying in a road accident every 36 hours. A non-profit group, Make Roads Safe, said that road deaths are the top risk for overseas travelers.
Solutions? Obviously be careful! And besides that it is good to have good trip insurance. Make sure medical evacuation coverage is included. Good Neighbor has international travel insurance plans offered by six different international companies ? you have a good selection to choose from.
What is also interesting is that travel plans are relatively inexpensive. Premium is based on age and benefits and can be as low as $1.00 per day. When you must pay $1,000 for plane fares, plus all other expenses for a one-to-two week trip, providing cost-effective travel insurance is a real bargain, and it also provides peace of mind. Please check out the various travel insurance options offered by Good Neighbor Insurance.
The next time you say, “I’ll take my chances,” when it comes to purchasing international health insurance for your overseas trip, remember that accidents happen every day–especially road accidents. And they are often beyond your control.
US citizens overseas experience more road accidents than any other medical emergency. According to a USA Today analysis:
About 1,820 Americans, almost a third of all Americans who died of non-natural causes while abroad, have been reported killed in road accidents in foreign countries from Jan. 1, 2003, through June 2010. On average, one American traveler dies on a foreign road every 36 hours. >> read more
In the event of a fatal road accident, our international health plans offer these key benefits often lacking in domestic health plans:
100% U&C medical coverage
Emergency medical evacuation
Accidental death and dismemberment benefits
Repatriation of mortal remains
There are a variety of plans you can use to protect yourself and your group:
Atlas International Individuals and Families
Day Tripper Group Plan Groups of 5 or more
Roundtrip Trip Cancellation and Medical Evacuation
Global Citizen 12+ Months with Renewable Coverage
Travel Gap Multi-Trip For Frequent Travelers
If you have questions or need help choosing the right plan, give me a call or send me an email, and I’ll be happy to help.
03 MATERNITY INSURANCE – WHO CAN AND WHO CAN’T BE COVERED
In your heart you might be saying “Oh, yes!” or possibly “Oh, no!” when you discover you are pregnant. But it will certainly be an “Oh, my!” if you don’t have maternity insurance.
The cost of having a baby is expensive anywhere, but certainly much more expensive in Western countries.
There are many plans that provide maternity coverage for the international worker. All of these plans have either a 10-month or a 12-month waiting period. So if you are planning on having a baby, it’s best to wait until after one year of coverage if at all possible.
There is no maternity coverage for a person who is already pregnant. In fact, all insurance companies we know decline to insure a woman who is already pregnant.
A woman already pregnant can apply for a two or three-year plan. These plans will not cover the pregnancy. Yet, if injured by a fall, etc., the insurance will provide protection for both mother and unborn child.
Another important reminder: Will the insurance plan automatically accept the newborn for coverage if the necessary paperwork is submitted to the insurance company in a timely fashion? Please check out “International Maternity Decisions” [bottom of the page] to see what companies provide the best maternity options for you and your family.
Good Neighbor provides an excellent overview of nine international health plans that provide maternity coverage. Please email info@gninsurance.com with questions and/or call us at 866/636-9100.
04 IS THERE AN IDEAL LONG-TERM OVERSEAS HEALTH PLAN?
What does an ideal international health insurance plan look like? If you are a US citizen or permanent resident and work with an NGO, the Global Navigator might be that plan for you. To be accepted you must plan to be outside the USA for at least three months during your first year of coverage.
Here are the specifics:
- There are no restrictions on the amount of time you spend in the USA. Need to visit a doctor’s office? The deductible is waived if the doctor is a participating provider.
- Do you have a pre-existing condition? It’s covered if you provide a “Certificate of Creditable Coverage.”
- There are no waiting periods for preventive services.
- You will have full benefits related to terrorism with no countries excluded.
- You will not be penalized if you fail to pre-certify for routine and urgent medical services.
- The plan includes mental health and substance-abuse benefits. It also meets USA health insurance laws so you have great consumer protection.
· Finally, the premium is affordable. The rates for a 24-year-old female are between $116 and $172 a month depending on deductible. For a 24-year-old male the rates are between $89 and $132.
We invite you to learn more about this great international health plan: Global Navigator.
05 WE INSURE ALL SPORTS, EVEN “EXTREME SPORTS”
What’s on your bucket list? Bungee jumping? Paragliding? Windsurfing? Caving /Spelunking? High Diving? Believe it or not we carry insurance for the above plus 33 other “Extreme Sports.” All agree that insurance for extreme sports is a no-brainer.
Do you need insurance for mountaineering and rope climbing with no height restrictions? What about full-contact sports? Most international insurance plans specifically exclude these types of behavior/fun, but we have found excellent solutions for you.
Some of the options provide coverage for a professional surfer, a pilot, or even someone learning to fly. So these plans extend beyond sports.
Most don’t participate in extreme sports. But if you need coverage for scuba diving, snowboarding, water skiing, mountain biking, etc., Good Neighbor has a wonderful sport’s insurance web page providing international sports coverage. The plans are offered by four excellent international health and travel insurance companies. Wherever you go and almost whatever you choose to do, we can help protect you with world-class insurance!
· Finally, the premium is affordable. The rates for a 24-year old female are between $116 and $172 a month depending on deductible. For a 24-year old male the rates are between $89 and $132.
We invite you to learn more about this great international health plan, Global Navigator.
06 BOOK OF THE QUARTER: UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE AND REDEMPTION
This page-turner is almost impossible to put down. On Amazon.com, a good book will get 50-60 reviews – This book has 1,708 reviews.
The title summarizes the book–The true story of how Louie Zamperini survived World War II. This man was an American track and field star. He participated in the Berlin Olympics in the 1930’s. Joined the US Air Force. Was adrift in the Pacific for weeks. Makes it through a POW camp. Returns to the USA. Finds deliverance from the nightmares of prison camp and alcoholism. And learns the meaning of forgiveness.
The author, Laura Hillenbrand, does a wonderful job of telling his story. You will be inspired, and also develop a new appreciation for life. This book brought great comfort to my soul!
The cost on Amazon is $12.99 on the Kindle.
07 HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BOTH OVERSEAS AND IN THE USA
Do you need insurance coverage before you go overseas? Do you need health insurance coverage when you come back to the USA? Need U.S. health insurance for an extended furlough? Does a child need U.S. health insurance for college?
We now have plans that provide extended health insurance coverage in the USA and overseas. They are truly international policies, but have no restrictions on coverage in the USA!
These plans come with deductible options of $0, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000. They all include medical evacuation and have a maternity coverage option. They include preventative annual physical and Rx copays. The pre-existing condition waiting period has been limited to six months.
This is a great policy for someone who wants long-term health insurance coverage for both inside and outside the USA. Please read more about this great international plan.
08 ANNOUNCING NEW VIDEOS, A NEWLY-DESIGNED WEBSITE, MORE RESOURCES AND A YOUTUBE CHANNEL FULL OF GREAT STUFF!
As you may know, we recently redesigned our entire website making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for AND WE CREATED TWO NEW APPLICATIONS to help travelers get free instant quotes on both short-term Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance. Just a couple days ago we launched a new Travel Insurance Videos page as well as a channel on YouTube where you can learn more about Good Neighbor and our Insurance providers, as well as get great travel savings tips.
Check us out at: https://www.gninsurance.com/video-library.asp and https://www.youtube.com/user/gninsurance. Are you a Third-Culture Kid yourself, having grown up overseas away from your native culture/land? Don’t miss the video, “Third-Culture Kids,” under our favorites on YouTube!
09 ENGLISH TEACHING & WORK OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
We are in touch with many institutions outside the USA that are looking for English-speaking teachers. Most of these positions provide some reimbursement beside lodging and meals. If you would like further information, please contact info@gninsurance.com. Also, we have a NGO working in Afghanistan that is looking for a City Planner and also an Organizational Management Advisor.
10 INSURANCE PRODUCTS CARRIED BY GNI
[1] Long-term health insurance for individuals working outside their home countries [2] Career/long-term plans for single women [3] Short-term plans from five days to three years for individuals [4] Group health for international agencies [5] Short-term team insurance [6] Term life insurance [7] Trip cancellation insurance [8] Flight insurance [9] Immigrant health insurance and insurance for students and visitors to the USA [10] Political and/or medical evacuation insurance [11] USA short-term health insurance including furlough insurance [12] War and terrorism insurance [13] Disability insurance [14] Individual and group insurance for most states in the USA [15] Kidnap and ransom insurance
11 WHO CAN BE COVERED & INFORMATION NEEDED FOR AN INSURANCE QUOTE
The following can be covered: Long-term and short-term workers, furloughing Americans in the USA, Americans returning permanently to the USA after an overseas assignment, foreign nationals working or studying in the USA, non-Americans working cross-culturally in another country other than the USA (e.g., Japanese working in Zaire, Indonesians studying in Australia), career overseas workers, and non-Americans who wish to purchase “private health insurance” instead of using their government-run health care system.
If you want a quote on insurance, give us the age of each person to be insured, country of residence, citizenship, where you plan to go, and how long you plan to be there. State plainly all your outstanding chronic medical conditions.
We will also need your E-MAIL, TELEPHONE, and FAX numbers, as well as your postal addresses. If you want coverage while on furlough in the USA, give the state and zip code of your USA billing address and the type of work you do. If you are presently in the USA or plan to furlough shortly, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR USA TELEPHONE NUMBER.
NOTE: We can also provide health insurance for Americans living in most of the 50 states in the United States.
12 INSURANCE BROCHURES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND/OR TEAMS
Are you organizing a short-term team for overseas travel? If you would like brochures on insurance for each team member, let us know how many you need. We can also provide “group” insurance for your short-term team so that they will not need to apply individually.
Please feel free to photocopy any brochures you receive from Good Neighbor Insurance. It is good to remember that insurance companies are always producing new materials and applications. If your brochures are two years old, they are probably outdated. Please contact us for a new supply. If you want an electronic (e-mail) brochure and application, please let us know.
We mail hundreds of organizations updated brochures every year. Sometimes we mail quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. If you are getting more brochures than you need, or if you no longer need brochures, would you please let us know? We don’t want to be wasteful and/or waste your time with unneeded mail. Thanks!
13 LINKING TO THE GNI WEBSITE
Some organizations like to provide international insurance information for those traveling or living outside the USA. Here is information to help you link your web site. You are welcome to edit and/or shorten the suggested content.
GLOBAL HEALTH INSURANCE –Individual, group, career, short-term international health plans. Coverage for: Short-term teams, furloughing missionaries, missionaries settling back into the USA, medical and political evacuation, terrorism coverage, non-Americans studying, visiting or working in the USA. Also term-life insurance plans.
Visit www.gninsurance.com; E-mail: info@gninsurance.com; Toll free: 866-636-9100; Fax: 480-813-9930.
Please note the www.gninsurance.com web site has a whole section of medical tips for the international traveler, a fine glossary of insurance terms and a large library of articles that will help you understand international health insurance. And since GNI represents nine international health insurance companies, we offer a wide variety of insurance plans for the international travelers.
Insurance Policy Information: International Travel Insurance with International Health Insurance