Half way through your trip home you hear news that the airline you are flying has gone on strike. Now you’re stuck in an airport with your team. What do you do? If you had taken out travel insurance then your hotel expenses, meals and some miscellaneous expenses would all be covered.
What if a volcano erupts and impacts your trip? Travel insurance can cover that as well.
While some may consider travel insurance a luxury item, savvy travelers know the importance of being protected. In fact, many international missions and relief agencies require their staff to carry insurance any time they leave the country. The risks of not having insurance are too great, especially when you are traveling with a team.
Good insurance includes medical assistance with 24-7 access to doctors who can advise you in case of an illness or injury. It will also provide emergency medical evacuation and other services that could easy cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.
Beyond the tangible benefits, there are a lot of intangibles. In fact, providing insurance for your short term teams is an effective marketing tool. With global terrorism and natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes, many people are leery of international travel. Others are concerned about getting sick abroad. Knowing that their trip includes comprehensive travel and medical insurance often gives them the peace of mind they need to join your team.
Terrorism coverage is now included in many policies, covering cancellation costs should an act of terrorism occur in a city you are flying to or through. If you are delayed from volcanic ash, insurance can be a financial life-saver. During the ash-caused flight interruptions in Europe this spring, for example, we had some clients delayed 12 days. That was 12 days of unexpected expenses for lodging and meals!
Here are some tips when you do take out insurance. First, read over your policy to make sure you thoroughly understand it. Second, make sure all your team members have the policy number and travel assistance phone numbers, as well as an outline of coverage. Finally, contact the company immediately for guidance should your trip be delayed, cancelled or if your bags are lost or stolen.
For more information about travel insurance, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, check out the insurance page on our website at http://www.ministrytravel.com/travel-services/missionary-travel-insurance.shtml.
By securing travel insurance when you make your flight arrangements, you may save yourself or your organization a lot of headaches down the road.