Your Airline is Going to Change This Summer...

This busy summer travel season, with all the airline mergers and alliances, overpaid executives and frustrated employees, you need to prepare yourself, because air travel is changing right before your eyes. Carriers are desperate to shrink their operations and bankruptcy fears are resurfacing.Here are some of the changes to the airline industry that you the passenger should be prepared for this summer:
You could experience a whole host of new delays. Airlines trying to adhere to self-imposed passenger rights, fuel prices, and cutbacks are bound to foul up that on time arrival that you counted on. What if you miss your connection? Will you have to shell out even more money for a new flight?
With airline executives making record salaries and front-line employees’ paychecks being slashed, management has informed their workers that fuel prices have hastened the need for cost-cutting measures yet again. You will get very few sympathetic employees doing more than their absolute bare minimum. What’s more, an industry that used to see employees start careers at a young age and stay until retirement is seeing senior executives make statements such as, “We’re not looking for people to make this a career any longer, this is just a job.”
Don’t expect amenities such as a pillow or a blanket. From additional check-in bags, to aisle seating, nothing is off-limits when it comes to chargeable items. With fuel at historic levels the airlines are pulling no punches when conserving oil. This could affect you in several different ways such as no running water for washing your hands before take-off, longer wait times at the gate, and possible flight cancellations for lack of connecting passengers.
Now you might be rethinking that trip altogether, but here is a way to protect your investment and not miss out on your vacation… Trip insurance.
Check out our trip protector plan and how it works:

For a very small percentage of your trip cost, trip protector will safeguard your travel plans in case something goes wrong.If your trip insurance is in effect for at least 14 days prior to departure, you will be covered in the event of airline default or bankruptcy. Good to have in a time when airlines are going belly up left and right and without any warning. Additionally, if you purchase trip insurance within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, pre-existing conditions are covered too.Other coverage includes emergency medical and dental expenses, lost luggage, emergency cash, missed connection, trip cancellation and trip interruption, just to name a few.At Insurance Services of America, we have a variety of plans to fit your needs and budget. Call one of our agents today at 800-647-4589, or click here for an instant quote or to apply online.

These are uncertain times, and a small investment in trip insurance can save you a fortune in the long run.

Short Term Health Plan, no proof of citizenship required!

BUENOS NOTICIAS!
GREAT NEWS!

The AMIGO Short Term Health Plan is now available in Espanol!
That's right, now you can get the same great Short Term plan in Spanish.
You'll still get the same benefits, including:

*EZ Decline question

*EZ Major illness question

*GENEROUS weight maximums

*OK issue for high blood pressure or cholesterol

*OK issue for Mental or Nervous disorders

*$50 Urgent care visits, not subject to deductible

*Bilingual customer support

*Very competitive rates, and a 2 Million Dollar policy maximum from an A+ rated carrier

*NO PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED!

When you apply online for the Amigo Short Term Plan, just request electronic issue and you can download and print out your policy and Id card instantly.
Your Friend in Short Term Health Insurance~ That's why we call it The AMIGO!

Another Airline Folds. Why you need Trip Insurance now more than ever:

First it was Aloha Airlines, then ATA, then Skybus. American Airlines Cancelled 500 flights yesterday for maintenance.

In the course of five days, tens of thousands of passengers are left stranded, unable to get home. The others have just discovered their vacations are never going to happen.

On the Skybus Web site yesterday was a brief announcement saying the airline had ceased operations because of rising jet-fuel costs and a slowing economic environment. The note said people with reservations should contact their credit-card companies for refunds. Passengers who paid cash are just plain out of luck. One scuttled Skybus passenger said he had been quoted $2,000 for a last-minute ticket home to Ohio.

This is when you can be glad you had the foresight to purchase trip insurance.

However, as with all policies, it is important to read the fine print. Skybus insurance policies covered things such as the illness of a traveler, inclement weather, and in policies sold after March 5, airline-caused delays and cancellations. But Skybus did not include “default" — going out of business — as one of the circumstances covered by the insurance.This is why it is also important to make sure you purchase your trip insurance from a reputable insurance company focused on getting you the most comprehensive coverage available. The kind of customer service and coverage that you will not find from an airline, cruise line, or travel agent.

At Insurance Services of America, we have trip insurance and travel medical insurance that will cover you weather your destination is Istanbul or Idaho, and everything in between. If your luggage gets lost, or you miss your connection, or if your trip gets cancelled for whatever reason, including airline default or bankruptcy, we've got you covered.

Call one of our friendly knowledgeable agents today at 800-647-4589 to find out more about this very affordable coverage. Wherever you go, we'll get you home.

Canada Introduces 10 Year Passports

TORONTO, March 4

Starting in 2011, Canadian travelers will be issued a higher security electronic passport that will be valid for 10 years instead of the current five.
Canadian citizens are required to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air or sea from any port of the Western Hemisphere.
Although not strictly required to carry a passport at this time, Canadians
entering the U.S. by land are required to present proof of identity and
citizenship such as a driver's license combined with an original birth
certificate.


Accordingly, the Canadian federal government is developing an alternative secure travel document for short-term travel to the United States. Ottawa will spend $6-million over two years to support enhanced provincial drivers' licenses that will, for the first time, list a driver's citizenship.
This new license will help people living in border communities conform to the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires the use of a secure travel document at land crossings by June, 2009.
The federal government has also pledged to invest $14 million over the next two years to expand the joint Canada/United States NEXUS program by adding dedicated infrastructure, increasing the number of users from 160,000 to 350,000 and better targeting frequent travelers.

Now that you have gotten your Canadian Passport out of the way, it's time to focus on your travel medical insurance, since Provincial government health insurance plans do not cover full medical expenses outside Canada, 80-90% of any medical bills will usually be your responsibility.

At Insurance Services of America, we have a variety of Travel Medical options to suit your needs. Let one of our friendly, experienced agents help you decide which of our affordable plans is right for you. You may compare plans online or give us a call at 800-647-4589.

Tips for Traveling Abroad

Planning a trip overseas?

Take some tips from the United States Department of Travel:

Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov/. This will help them to contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

Check your overseas medical coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.

Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000. Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States.

At Insurance Services of America, we can provide you with comprehensive overseas medical coverage, including hospital stays, dental emergencies, trip interruption, evacuation and repatriation, and much more. Call Adam or Mark at 800-647-4589 to answer any questions you might have. You can even apply online and print out your ID cards on the spot.

Insurance Without Borders

by MARK SNEED, Vice President • INSURANCE SERVICES OF AMERICA
health@globalcitizeninsurance.com • +1-800-647-4589/ 480-821-9052




THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE


Most times, when living overseas, traditional sources of US private, group, or HMO health insurance will not meet your employees’ needs. Geographical exclusions and provider limitations common to these policies will restrict or even eliminate the health insurance coverage available to them while they are outside the USA. At the same time, they may not be eligible for participation in a foreign government run health care system. Most Americans desire not to get involved with government run health care, but want access to health care in other countries on their own terms.


WHEN EMERGENCIES HIT

In the event of a dire emergency, where an employee needs to be air evacuated from one country to another for proper treatment, who pays for this tremendous expense? Medical evacuations can easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars! In the event of a death overseas, who pays for the return of remains back to America for burial? It is not uncommon for a grieving family to be left with the burden of paying tens of thousands of dollars to have a body returned from overseas.


THE GOOD NEWS!

The good news is that US style health insurance plans are now available at very reasonable rates for individuals or groups, who are living overseas. These plans can cover up to $5,000,000.00 of major medical expenses, plus emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of mortal remains, accidental death, and they automatically include other important features such as a 24-hour, worldwide assistance telephone number.

LIFE INSURANCE

One last item to consider for anyone going long term is life insurance. Many US life insurance companies frown on insuring the life of workers living in other countries. To fulfill this need, seek out an "international" life company. Lloyds of London, for example, provides affordable coverage for US workers and expatriates living overseas.

NOW WHAT?

Now the obvious question as an employer is - where do I get more information and a quote on international health or life insurance? Well, the average insurance broker doesn't have a clue! These types of policies are not found on every "street corner". However, there are some insurance agencies that specialize in providing international health & life quotes. A few that you may wish to look up are: http://www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/, http://www.worldwidemedical.com/ and http://www.overseashealth.com/.
In a post-9/11 world, as people continue to travel and live abroad, the need for international health & life insurance is no longer a luxury, but has become just as important as obtaining a passport! So, when your employees leave our borders make sure that their insurance goes with them!




Mark Sneed is the Vice President of Insurance Services of America, a company that specializes in international health and life insurance. With over 4000 agents nationwide, they are one of the largest marketers of international health, travel and life insurance in the US. Utilizing some of the oldest and most respected insurance companies in the industry ISA is able to offer a wide variety of plans for groups of any size as well as the individual expatriate.

International Adoption~ Something To Be Thankful For

November is Adoption Awareness Month, and a great time to think about the multiple trips you'll be taking overseas if you plan to adopt internationally.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were more than 22,000 international adoptions in 2006, with those numbers increasing every year.


We at Insurance services of America know first hand about International Adoption. Our staff and their families consist of adopted children from Korea, Russia, Japan, and Turkey. We've been there, and we will be there for you.


Give us a call at 800-647-4589, and let us know about your travel plans. We can help find the best plan and rates for your International travel insurance needs, so you can concentrate on what is really important, bringing your family home.



Oh, and be sure to ask us about our own internationally adopted children, we love to brag....