ESSENTIAL READING FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WWW.ITIJ.CO.UK AUGUST 2012 • ISSUE 139 Cost concerns
Recent research has found that despite the number of people who fall ill while on holiday, the percentage of Canadians taking out travel insurance is smaller than it should be. Mandy Aitchison reports
BMO Insurance, the insurance subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal fi nancial services group, recently released the results of its Summer Travel Insurance Study, which found that only 41 per cent of Canadians who travel regularly purchase travel insurance, despite the fact that one in 10 reported that either they or a companion has required medical attention while travelling at some point in their lives. The results of the survey show that, in the 12 months preceding the survey, over two thirds (67 per cent) of Canadians travelled within their own country or to the US, and that over four in 10 (43 per cent) travelled overseas. Nevertheless, a high proportion of Canadians still don’t seem to see insurance as a priority. “It’s critical that Canadians ensure they have the proper medical coverage before travelling,” says Julie Barker-Merz, BMO Insurance vice-president and chief operating offi cer. “While Canadians can sometimes be covered under the terms of their credit card or workplace healthcare plan, they need to be certain that the correct insurance is in place given the high cost of medical services that can be incurred while away from home.” Only half of those surveyed seemed to be aware that tourists travelling outside of their own country are responsible for the vast majority of any medical expenses incurred, while two in 10 (21 per cent) believed that either their provincial government Claims data highlights Asian risks or the federal government would foot the bill, and 11 per cent believed that their workplace healthcare plan Over 50 per cent of claims settled by Australian A key area of concern is the hiring of motorbikes, His family has had to launch a support group to raise would cover them if they fell ill ‘on the road’. travel insurance fi rm SureSave originate from trips with many tourists failing to note that their insurance funds to pay the medical bills. “If we had known to Asia, the company has said, while only a quarter policy may not cover them if they do not possess a that he wasn’t covered for a motorbike [accident], of policies sold cite Asia as the primary travel motorbike licence in their own country. This area then he wouldn’t have hired one,” said his girlfriend, destination. Stefan Mohamed has more details has also been highlighted recently by the case of Amy. “He wouldn’t have been riding around on his Sean Kenzie, a New Zealander who was involved in fi rst day.” She and Kenzie’s mother are said to be The highest frequency of claims originate in Thailand, a motorcycle accident on the Thai island of Phuket. ‘stunned’ that his policy – advertised as ‘full coverage’ Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, and SureSave’s Kenzie suffered a split liver, two punctured lungs and – did not include coverage for a motorbike accident. executive director Michael McAuliffe suggests that broken ribs, and has undergone surgery to reattach “It seems so strange when it is the mode of transport travellers often forget the heightened dangers neck and jaw muscles, but his insurance company, for the country,” his mother said. present in overseas countries, and thus indulge in Cover-More, has declined to pay out because he The Insurance Council of New Zealand is urging all New more risk-taking behaviour. “Unfortunately,” he says, was not covered for medical expenses arising from Zealanders who may be travelling abroad to read the “our claims experience reveals that common sense a motorcycle accident, and has subsequently been wording of their policies, so they understand exactly what can, at times, be compromised whilst travelling.” saddled with a NZ$16,000 bill, which is still rising. is and is not covered, so as to avoid similar cases in future.
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IN THIS ISSUE
REGULARS
News continued 4 Editorial rant 4 Company brief 10 ITIJ CONTRIBUTORS Insurance matters 11
Health matters 14 Robert Bailey is a business journalist IPMI news 16 and writer on the Middle East and Africa Travel matters 18 with more than 25 yearsʼ reporting experience of both regions. He has carried Air ambulance news 21 out many in-depth assignments in these Service directory 35 areas for newspapers and magazines including the International Herald Grapevine 42 Tribune, Newsweek, Time Magazine, Wall On the move 43 Street Journal, Forbes and for many other journals. He is also a specialist writer on aviation, tourism and telecommunications, NEWS ANALYSIS as well as security and defence matters. 8 Drinking deviations Robin Gauldie has been a freelance Policy wordings are tightening up for UK consumers journalist since 1989, writing for the travel sections of national newspapers including The EURAMI resignations: The Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The why did the leadership quit? 20 Times, The Sunday Mirror, The Guardian and Scotland on Sunday. He is the author FEATURES of more than 20 travel guidebooks to destinations including Greece, Scotland, ITIC Shanghai Review 24 France, Portugal, Egypt and Morocco. A synopsis of the conference sessions that took place at the Peninsula Shanghai in June Assistance & Healthcare World Markets: Shifting sands 32 Saudi Arabia’s healthcare infrastructure is undergoing a sea change
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Subscriptions: Kate Knowles Copyright © Voyageur Publishing 2012. Materials in this publication may not fax: +44 (0)117 929 2023 Advertising sales: David Fitzpatrick be reproduced in any form without permission James Miller email: [email protected] web: www.itij.co.uk INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE JOURNAL ISSN 1743-1522 Finance: Elspeth Reid Louise Goddard Would you like to make a comment? Design: V Creative Design WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE? Please get in touch with Ian Cameron, vcreativedesign.co.uk VISIT www.itij.co.uk/subscription Editor-in-Chief of ITIJ on +44 (0)117 922 6600 ext205
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Sharp increase in Brit tourist injuries Figures from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth boozy behaviour – not necessarily surprising on Office (FCO) have shown a significant increase in the notorious ‘party islands’ such as Mallorca – has been number of British tourists being hospitalised while partly attributed to changing demographics, with abroad in popular spots such as Mallorca – which much younger people heading out to the islands on saw a 132-per-cent increase in hospitalisations in the their first trips without their parents. So ... more ‘trouble at the mill!’** two years preceding March 2012 – and Ibiza – which However, party behaviour cannot take all of the blame. ... and this time, the epicentre is in has seen a 40-per-cent increase in the same time The FCO’s report has also found that visitors coming Germany. No, it’s not the European period. Last year, an average of 70 British people were by cruise ship – a type of holiday whose popularity Central Bank and its Euro worries hospitalised per week while holidaying overseas, and is consistently on the increase – are often older, and (probably more about that in future over 30 per cent of these were in Spain. frequently have pre-existing conditions that are not issues), no, instead it’s EURAMI, whose The FCO’s annual British Behaviour Abroad report covered by their policies. “We witness many cases headquarters are there. shows that between 1 April 2011 and 31 March where people have invalidated their policy – perhaps EURAMI, for those of you who spend 2012, the government body handled 19,874 by not declaring a pre-existing medical condition or your time reading publications other assistance cases – a three-per-cent rise from the not checking their policy covers a particular activity, than ITIJ (Never!! I hear you cry??), previous year. According to FCO staff, the majority such as hiring a moped,” said Jeremy Browne, minister is the self-styled accreditation body of the Spanish island cases involve Brits under the for consular services. “Unfortunately, they are then for the international air ambulance influence of drugs and alcohol, circumstances that surprised that the Foreign Office cannot pay for their industry, and they’re having a bit of frequently result in the invalidation of policies. This bills and flight home.” a tiff. Actually more than a bit ... the whole advisory board have thrown their aircraft out of the pram, and resigned en masse in protest at the way EURAMI is being run. Visitors to US Unsurprisingly, this has prompted the president to promise to stand aside may require more ... which from the outside looking in, looks to me like a complete PR disaster insurance for EURAMI. The regulated do not like their The upholding of President Obama’s Affordable regulators to look like they don’t agree Care Act may increase travel medical insurance on what they’re doing ... and then there requirements for visitors to the US, according to the are always those that seek to take advantage of turmoil. India Network Foundation, a non-profit US company that sponsors health plans for students, workers and Is that the howling of wolves circling, tourists visiting the country on a temporary basis. I hear? “The health insurance mandate for US citizens may Hmmmm ... likely apply to non-US citizens visiting the US for **trouble at mill: of uncertain origin, but extended stays,” says company founder Dr K.V. invokes images of 19th Century workers in Rao. “The healthcare law addresses a major issue Dickensian Britain rushing back to their factory to save it from fire, flood etc. and/or to join of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions a strike and attempt to heap misery on cruel, for US citizens. It is expected that visitors coming wicked and ruthless rich factory owners. to the US starting from 2013 may be required to Ian Cameron show proof of health insurance coverage from Editor-in-Chief US-based health insurance providers before they [email protected] will be admitted to satisfy compliance with the healthcare legislation.”
Mobile providers lack strategy
Financial market research consultancy Finaccord has organised ‘on a seemingly ad-hoc basis, at a country- published new research revealing that many mobile specific level, and typically [involving] the use of one phone operators worldwide are actively selling or more external partners’. several types of insurance and assistance products to “Mobile operator brands, which often boast tens their clients, despite the fact that the majority of such of millions of customers, can make very attractive initiatives are organised at a national level, rather than on a strategic or global basis. The study shows that, of the types of product sold by mobile phone companies, mobile phone cover was the most common (available from 36.1 per cent of brands), followed by mobile gadget insurance (13.3 per cent), medical assistance (10.2 per cent) and travel insurance/ assistance (9.4 per cent). Household and motor policies, however, were very uncommon, being available from only two per distribution partners for financial services companies,” cent and 0.8 per cent of brands respectively. said Edward Wilford, a Finaccord consultant. “Whilst One of the main findings of Finaccord’s research such initiatives have hitherto been most common suggests that, although many mobile brands have in mobile payments and banking, plus the obvious developed coherent multinational systems for ‘affinity product’ of mobile phone insurance, it is mobile payments and banking, groups’ approaches clear that strategic alliances for the provision of other to insurance and assistance products were nowhere types of insurance and assistance are becoming near as well-developed, with most provision increasingly idespread.”
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Parents not insuring children
Research from oversight is not unique to families, however – the of financial services at Asda. “There may be some Asda Money, survey also found that 24 per cent of Britons in families who believe a European Health Insurance the financial general (and 33 per cent of those aged between 20 Card will cover more than just medical expenses, services arm of and 29) don’t bother to take out travel insurance. however, it will only provide medical care at the supermarket Asda Money’s research also shows that while UK same cost as a national of that country (they could Asda – a UK holidaymakers spend a total of £2.8 billion on still be left with a large bill) and what’s more without subsidiary pre-holiday items such as sun cream and books, travel insurance, they won’t have any cover in place of US retail and a further £12 billion on taxis, ice creams, drinks for such things as repatriation, cancellation, lost corporation etc. while on holiday, they are willing to forego the luggage or theft of property.” Walmart – has average cost of £36.91 for an insurance policy. The Regionally, the survey has shown that people from found that 32 survey does not conclude whether this disparity the Midlands are the worst offenders, with 26 per per cent of is due to ignorance, carelessness or the tough cent failing to take out travel insurance, while a parents do economic climate. quarter of Scottish people also forego cover. The not insure their children, or even take out a family “It’s worrying that parents are taking such a big risk by Welsh seem to be the most sensible – only eight per eCall to be mandatory insurance policy, before travelling abroad. This not having adequate cover,” says Kirsty Ward, head cent will not take out insurance this summer.
The European Parliament’s internal market and transport committees have called for emergency alert system eCall to be made mandatory. The system automatically sends an alert to local emergency services in the event of a serious car accident, as well as supplying airbag deployment, impact sensor information and location data via global positioning systems (GPS), and can lower response times by 50 per cent in rural areas and 60 per cent in urban areas, according to Europe’s Information Society figures. Philippa Oldham, head of transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, welcomed the news: “We hope this will encourage the Commission to urgently table legislation to make the eCall system mandatory by 2015. These technologies have the potential to cut road fatalities by as much as 10 per cent.” The recent Institution report that made the recommendations, Intelligent Transport Intelligent Society, also suggests that collision avoidance technologies should be made mandatory for all UK buses and lorries by 2015, in order to curb cyclist and pedstrian deaths caused by driver ‘blind spots’, and that the UK government must work with the transport industry to agree ‘a unified vision’ for intelligent transport systems across the UK within the next three years.
Row over UK current accounts The UK’s Financial Services Authority (FSA) will shortly publish a report sharply criticising so-called ‘packaged’ bank accounts and calling for changes to the manner in which they are sold. The paid-for accounts often include extras such as identity theft protection, roadside assistance and travel insurance, but research from consumer watchdog Which? suggests that one third of customers do not have any use for these benefits – and it seems that some might not even be eligible, calling into question why the accounts were sold to them in the first place. “Our research shows that banks are among the worst offenders when it comes to creating products that are poor value,” said a Which? spokesman. “Packaged accounts are often complex with so-called benefits that many people will never use or be eligible to claim for. The FSA must be a watchdog for consumers and prevent frontline staff from being offered high bonus payments to push these accounts on to consumers.” The FSA suggests that customers who have been sold policies that they cannot claim on have legitimate grounds to demand compensation, and it has been hinted that banks may be looking at millions of potential claims.
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Capsized Chinese pass Zanzibar ferry on flight delay NEWSWIRE kills dozens insurance A Swiss tourist on holiday on the Channel Island of Sark died after being thrown from a A ferry with nearly 300 passengers There has been little take-up of flight delay insurance horse-drawn carriage. The island does not allow onboard capsized between Tanzania products in China, despite delayed flights remaining cars, so the woman was transferred to the port and Zanzibar on 18 July, killing at least a common problem in the country. Flight delay by ambulance tractor before travelling by marine 30 people and leaving many more products were first introduced in the country in ambulance to Guernsey, where she later died. unaccounted for. The MV Skagit, which 2004, and several insurers – including Shanghai’s A second male tourist was treated for serious is operated by Seagull, had set sail from Dazhong Insurance and Shanghai Spring Airlines – head injuries. mainland Tanzania at around 12:00 pm, entered the market, but according to reports by the and subsequently capsized and sank off Chinese media, air passengers see the maximum The murder of a Dutch tourist and a local Chumbe Island to the west of Zanzibar. compensation of ¥1,800 (GB£181) as too low when camp manager in Tanzania has worried the “One foreigner, a woman, is among the balanced against the inconvenience of a delayed nation’s tourism industry professionals, who were dead,” said Yusuf Chunda, a government flight. Many are of the opinion that the airline should keen to emphasise the rarity of violent robbery spokesman. “Thirteen other foreigners be compensating them, that they should not have against tourists in the country. The tourist and were rescued and are in hospital.” Rescue to take out special coverage, and they also bemoan camp manager were killed by a gang of armed efforts involving army helicopters, boats the lack of a unified definition of what constitutes a men who wanted to rob the camp of equipment and government troops were suspended ‘delay’. Some insurers calculate delay using the time and valuables. at midnight and resumed at dawn the next of departure, while some use the time of arrival, day, but operations were complicated by and passengers also need to obtain a certificate from Local law enforcement officers in Sunny the fact that there may have been many their airline confirming the delay, which is often Beach, Bulgaria, have urged caution after a series unregistered passengers onboard, making problematic. China Daily reports that three out of 10 of tragic accidents saw four tourists fall from their it difficult to estimate how many were flights in China were delayed in 2011, but that many balconies in the resort – one to his death. The missing. Officials blamed the disaster on passengers received no explanation, even after being accidents have prompted some locals to ask for strong winds and rough waves. made to wait for hours. outlets that sell alcohol to close earlier than they currently do, with some of the accidents being blamed on excessive alcohol consumption. New Minnesota law for insurance The murder and beheading of a Belgian tourist who was hiking alone in Nepal’s Himalayan As of 1 July, several new laws have taken effect in disseminate travel insurance information’. The clarified National Park has prompted the US Embassy to the US state of Minnesota, including new regulations definition of travel insurance under the new law states warning against women trekking by themselves in for travel insurance. The new law, according to that travel insurance does not include major medical the region. Nepalese police have launched a murder Representative Jenifer Loon (Republican-Eden Prairie), plans, which provide travellers with comprehensive investigation into the case. who sponsors the law along with Senator David medical protection for trips lasting six months or longer Brown (Republican-Becker), ‘modernises the definition (including those who may be working overseas, either Yet another person has drowned at a beach of travel insurance and regulates how travel agents as expatriates or as military personnel). off Phuket, Thailand, bringing the number of people who have died in the area since 18 May this year to seven. The most recent fatality was a 19-year-old Chinese tourist. Water safety experts have called for a greater commitment from resorts and local authorities to end the spate of drownings.
A tourist bus heading from Bangkok to Phangan for a Full Moon Party crashed en route to the party in July, killing 10 passengers and injuring 17 more. An Indian tourist was among those killed in the accident, while two British, two Indian and Compulsory two Dutch nationals were among the 17 injured. Daniel Kenny, a 24-year-old Irish tourist, fell insurance for Niue to his death from his balcony in Majorca in July. Local police have launched an investigation into his travellers death, but it is not currently believed to be part of the ‘balconing’ craze, which sees daredevils leap The premier of South Pacific country Niue, Toke from one balcony to another adjoining it, or jumping Talagi, has said that his government is considering from a balcony into a pool. making travel insurance compulsory for all tourists coming to the island, in response to recent cuts to funding for emergency medical evacuations. According to the health department, at least one medevac occurs annually on Niue, at a cost of approximately US$95,000 per flight, and although Talagi has assured citizens of Niue that the government has the resources to cover medevacs, he says that compulsory insurance for tourists will ensure that the country’s limited resources are not burdened further. The premier is seeking advice from the Tourism Authority. “I believe that out of goodwill most of these tourists will believe that we shouldn’t be burdened with the responsibility of medevaccing them at a huge cost,” he said. “Therefore a $30 insurance policy taken out prior to their travel is good insurance for themselves and also to assist Niue.”
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Price increases Bulgarian bus bomb kills NEWSWIRE highlighted seven
A Swiss tourist on holiday on the Channel UK consumer organisation Which? has published A bomb explosion had arrived in Bulgaria on a charter flight from Israel. Island of Sark died after being thrown from a new research that highlights how much travel on a Bulgarian bus “There are six bodies on the scene,” said a member horse-drawn carriage. The island does not allow insurance companies are increasing their prices has killed at least of the Israeli foreign ministry. “One critically wounded cars, so the woman was transferred to the port for older travellers after the customer turns 65 seven people, died at the hospital and two seriously injured are by ambulance tractor before travelling by marine or 66. The organisation surveyed 48 policies several of them in intensive care.” The blast occurred on the 18th ambulance to Guernsey, where she later died. available on the UK market, and found that for Israeli tourists, and anniversary of an attack on a Jewish community A second male tourist was treated for serious 15 of the 48, there were significant price rises for injured 30 more. centre in Argentina, an attack for which Israel has head injuries. people on their birthday. “For example,” states The bus exploded blamed Iran – and for which Tehran has repeatedly the research, “a 65-year-old would pay £58.72 at Burgas airport, denied responsibility – and the Israeli government The murder of a Dutch tourist and a local for an annual worldwide policy with Essential near to the Black has also accused Iran of being behind this latest camp manager in Tanzania has worried the Travel. Turn 66, though, and the price for the Sea, just after attack. “All the signs lead to Iran,” said Israel’s prime nation’s tourism industry professionals, who were same customer leaps to £205.51. That’s an 5:00 p.m. on 18 minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Israel will respond keen to emphasise the rarity of violent robbery increase of 250 per cent overnight.” Which? has July. The tourists forcefully to Iranian terror.” against tourists in the country. The tourist and used its results to urge customers to shop around camp manager were killed by a gang of armed before they choose their travel insurance provider. men who wanted to rob the camp of equipment Furthermore, the research found that of the 80 and valuables. annual policies the organisation surveyed, 97 per cent have age exclusions in their policy wording, with Local law enforcement officers in Sunny just nine per cent of the companies surveyed offering Beach, Bulgaria, have urged caution after a series cover for people over the age of 80. of tragic accidents saw four tourists fall from their balconies in the resort – one to his death. The accidents have prompted some locals to ask for outlets that sell alcohol to close earlier than they Consumer focus currently do, with some of the accidents being blamed on excessive alcohol consumption. UK-based insurer Endsleigh has reminded consumers of the importance of choosing the right travel The murder and beheading of a Belgian insurance policy, and has advised them to ask more tourist who was hiking alone in Nepal’s Himalayan questions of their insurer or broker before they National Park has prompted the US Embassy to purchase cover. In particular, the insurer draws warning against women trekking by themselves in attention to the many aspects of travel insurance – the region. Nepalese police have launched a murder ranging from limits on baggage, to loss of money, investigation into the case. to delays – that cheaper policies may not cover. Thus, the company has published a consumer guide Yet another person has drowned at a beach to buying travel cover, and the questions it urges off Phuket, Thailand, bringing the number of people consumers to ask their insurer include: does the policy who have died in the area since 18 May this year to cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation seven. The most recent fatality was a 19-year-old and repatriation?; does it cover scheduled airline Chinese tourist. Water safety experts have called failure?; what excess do I pay if I need to make a for a greater commitment from resorts and local claim?; and does it contain holiday cancellation cover? authorities to end the spate of drownings. Elsewhere, independent US marketplace watchdog Consumer Reports has offered travel insurance A tourist bus heading from Bangkok to advice to people who may be confused or ill- Phangan for a Full Moon Party crashed en route to informed about what they need to purchase. The the party in July, killing 10 passengers and injuring company advises travellers to purchase wisely, 17 more. An Indian tourist was among those killed suggesting that they may not need to buy insurance in the accident, while two British, two Indian and covering small losses such as lost luggage, and that it two Dutch nationals were among the 17 injured. might be more sensible to forego flight insurance in favour of term life insurance, which offers coverage Daniel Kenny, a 24-year-old Irish tourist, fell regardless of the cause of death. “Before you buy to his death from his balcony in Majorca in July. travel insurance, check the insurance you already Local police have launched an investigation into his have,” opines Consumer Reports’ Greg Daugherty. death, but it is not currently believed to be part of “Medical emergencies may be covered by your the ‘balconing’ craze, which sees daredevils leap health insurance, a fender bender by your credit from one balcony to another adjoining it, or jumping card.” He also suggests that a travel agent motivated from a balcony into a pool. by commission may not always have a customer’s best interests at heart, so it could be prudent to avoid purchasing insurance from them.
Mercury International CEO dies
ITIJ reports with sadness the passing of Dennis Bennett, former chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Mercury International Sales and Services. Mr Bennett passed away on 19 June after a long battle with cancer. He and his firm – from which he retired in 2005 – were proud providers of travel insurance in airports, as well as airport, bus and railway terminal lockers, and Mr Bennett once personally donated to the Smithsonian Museum one of the last self-service travel insurance machines to have seen service at an airport. He also worked as a volunteer fireman between 1975 and 1981. Mr Bennett is survived by his wife, sons Christopher and Kevin, daughter Malia and eight grandchildren.
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Drinking deviations
Dean Martin notoriously claimed: “If you can lie therefore any accident could not be considered Meanwhile, the UK’s Association of Chief Police In Florida’s beach resorts – popular destinations on the floor without hanging onto the carpet, unforeseen.” He added: “We know that most Officers gave its judgement that ‘being under the for hard-partying American ‘spring breakers’ as you’re not drunk.” That’s not a definition that people like to have a couple of drinks when they influence’ implied simply being over the legal blood well as for older ‘snowbirds’ – the combination of most travel insurers would accept, but the are on holiday and we are certainly not saying they alcohol limit for drivers. Could that provide a older drivers and drunken college students creates industry might benefit from a firmer consensus can’t do that, but what we do say is that they may guideline for insurers? Perhaps not. an annual spike in accident claims, says one US on how much is too much. Robin Gauldie not be covered if they behave irresponsibly or take Worldwide, permissible blood alcohol concentration source. Spring Break season (from mid-February considers policy variations that are catching unnecessary risks. If police or hospital tests reveal units (BAC) range from nil in most Muslim countries to mid-April) also results in a surge in claims from consumers unawares there were excess levels of alcohol present this may – and in several European Union (EU) destinations destinations such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and have a detrimental effect on any insurance cover.” including Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic Jamaica, according to US insurers, and most of the A report by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Barry Smith, underwriting manager for Mondial – up to 0.8 per cent in the UK, US, Canada and claimants will have been under the influence. (BIBA) warns that a trend towards enforcement of Assistance UK, comments: “When it comes to Jamaica, and an anything-goes no-limits policy in Meanwhile, mature travellers may be less likely to go tighter alcohol exclusion clauses could cause problems exclusions relating to claims caused by excessive the Dominican Republic. So a driver defined as snowboarding, waterskiing or surfing while drunk, for insurers and their clients (see ITIJ Issue 138, July alcohol consumption, the main issue for insurers is having ‘excess levels of alcohol’ by police in a zero- but they are more vulnerable to illnesses such as 2012). BIBA head of corporate affairs, Graeme not necessarily the cost involved, although this is of tolerance destination could have a claim rejected cardiac arrest to which a lifetime of even ‘moderate’ Trudgill, says there is a greater need for insurers to course a significant consideration. It is also the moral on those grounds, even if his BAC were within the drinking can be a contributing factor. Some exclusion make sure that their clients understand the implications obligation of the policyholder to act reasonably and more generous limits of his home country. clauses are worded in such a way that they could of such clauses, and to define clearly what they mean not to endanger themselves or to act irresponsibly. It There is some evidence that younger travellers, allow the insurer to turn down a claim for treatment by ‘excessive alcohol intake’. He cited one company’s would be irresponsible for insurers to promote the especially those from countries with a binge-drinking or repatriation relating to such an incident – even exclusion of claims arising from a blood alcohol level concept of travellers behaving recklessly, safe in the culture such as the UK, Australia or the US, account if the client were sober at the time and had ceased equivalent to drinking two litres of beer, 200 ml of knowledge that any costs they incur through loss of for a larger proportion of claims. But claims that consuming alcohol altogether some years previously. spirits or 350 ml of wine in a single session. At the personal possessions, damage to property or injury to could be turned down under alcohol exclusion Smith of Mondial Assistance said: “The issue of other end of the scale, some companies exclude any themselves will be covered by their travel insurance.” clauses are not restricted to younger drinkers. claims involving excessive alcohol consumption and claims resulting from using alcohol. the insurer’s ability to decline when necessary has been and continues to be contentious for many What is reasonable? In Florida’s beach resorts … the combination of older drivers and insurers. The main difficulty is that each individual On its website, the Association of British Insurers drunken college students creates an annual spike in accident claims has a different tolerance level, and deciding what (ABI) advises consumers: “You are on holiday, so is an ‘acceptable’ or ‘unacceptable’ level of alcohol drinking a reasonable amount of alcohol is not consumption is almost entirely subjective. It is excluded.” But what is a ‘reasonable amount’. Should extremely difficult for an insurer assessing a claim, there be industry-wide guidelines defining ‘excessive potentially many months after the event, to know alcohol intake’? Or would a ‘zero tolerance’ absolutely how intoxicated an individual was at the approach be desirable – or feasible? time or indeed, if they were at all. Therefore, it is Travel insurers might look at how their colleagues in necessary for the attending professionals, be they motor insurance have addressed this issue. Last year, medical or law enforcement staff, to make that several insurers in the UK began introducing policy judgement and for the assessing insurer to have wording that seemingly gave scope to deny claims for confidence in that recommendation.” any accident if the driver were ‘under the influence of alcohol’, but without clearly defining what ‘under A broad stroke the influence’ means. Companies that introduced the Broadly worded exclusion clauses may also give exclusion, including Zurich and Allianz, have since insurers a pretext for rejecting claims arising from withdrawn it after intervention by BIBA. alcohol use, not by the insured, but by another party. Allianz has, however, retained the alcohol exclusion The British Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) cause in its travel policies. “The principle of an cites a case in which an insurer invoked its exclusion insurance policy is that it is there to cover you for clause to refuse a claim from a client who cut unexpected events,” says Robert Sharp, Allianz’s short her holiday to fly home when her father was technical claims case manager. “If you are under the hospitalised with liver disease caused by alcohol influence of substances or alcohol that impair your abuse. The insurer said its policy excluded all alcohol- judgement, it could be argued that you are not in related claims, however caused, and argued that it a position to take appropriate care of yourself and was unreasonable to expect insurers to cover any
International Travel Insurance Journal
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claims arising directly from the long-term or short- Evidence-based denial of alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, we are Would travel insurers consider replacing alcohol term effects of alcohol. The client argued that it was There is some evidence that insurers are asking also finding that medical professionals in hospitals exclusion clauses with an excess for alcohol- unfair to apply the exclusion clause in this case, since hospitals, clinics and consular representatives for overseas are not always automatically providing a related claims? It seems unlikely. Given the cost her father had not been drinking and was not drunk more detailed medical reports after accidents. This toxicology report.” of medical treatment abroad and, especially, of when admitted to hospital. approach can be counter-effective. A spokesman A study in the US Journal of Trauma has indicated repatriation, such an excess might well have to The outcome may help to provide some guidance for a prominent healthcare provider with hospitals that up to 96 per cent of trauma centres do not run into five figures. That might deter sensible for travel insurers. The Ombudsman decided that in four Mexican resorts notes that, although alcohol test patients’ blood-alcohol levels, even where travellers from over-indulging on holiday – but there was nothing inherently unreasonable or unfair and other substances are often a factor in incidents the patient may show signs of intoxication. If an then, it’s not the sensible clients who are the about the exclusion clause, but said that the firm had involving tourists, there is no policy requiring routine insurer rejects a claim as a result of an alcohol source of the problem, but the irresponsible been unfair to apply it in these circumstances. alcohol or drug testing, which is only carried out exclusion clause, the clinic or hospital must seek ones. Arguably, the best insurers can do is to “We interpreted the phrase ‘influence of intoxicating when medically relevant as determined by the payment directly from the patient, which is often make their alcohol exclusion clauses clearer liquor’ as indicating a state of drunkenness and/or treating physician, or at the request of the police. problematic. In the US, 36 states have legislation and more prominent, and perhaps to work lack of control over one’s actions,” the FOS stated. “Test results are shared with insurance companies in permitting insurers to include alcohol exclusion more closely with the broader travel industry “It was designed to exclude claims that arose from the same way as other clinical information; however, clauses in policies. The remaining 14 states have to educate travellers or the risks involved in the insured person being drunk, not from the mere no specific test is ever performed at the request of legislated – under pressure from the US National overdoing it on holiday. There is hope for future consumption of alcohol. We considered that if the any other [party] besides the treating physician or Association of Insurance Commissioners – to clarity, though, says Smith: “Depending on how firm’s interpretation of the clause in question were relevant authorities,” the spokesman said. Mondial’s make alcohol exclusion clauses illegal. Their motive this issue develops in future, it may be that an upheld, the exclusion would be unreasonably wide Smith agrees: “With any claim where alcohol may is to reduce the burden on public healthcare ‘industry standard’ exclusion clause is introduced, and would exclude all sorts of situations for which have been a contributor it is often difficult to prove if represented by patients whose claim has been for insurers to use on relevant policies. Ideally, this most people would expect to be covered. For an incident/injury has arisen as a direct consequence refused by their insurer. would be endorsed by the ABI and the FOS.” n example, it would exclude a claim where a drunken driver injured a holidaymaker.” Such wide-reaching exclusions could also exclude claims relating to alcohol-related deaths or injuries in ‘adventure tourism’ accidents where staff such as balloon pilots, dive leaders or skydiving instructors are found to have had alcohol or drugs in their systems. In May this year, New Zealand’s prime minister (and tourism minister) hinted that his government might introduce drug and alcohol testing for adventure industry staff after revelations that staff in two companies involved in fatal skydiving and
Taking a tougher line by denying claims from clients who admit to having been ‘mildly inebriated’ is likely to be counter-effective by discouraging such clients from being fully transparent
ballooning accident had cannabis in their systems. Such action by governments may act as a deterrent, but it could also provide insurers whose policies include ‘unreasonably wide’ exclusions with a pretext for turning down claims, even if the clients themselves were completely sober and drug free at the time of the incident. Travel insurers also face the problem of determining whether the insured was intoxicated at the time of the loss or accident, and to what extent. This is particularly tricky in terms of deciding on relatively minor claims relating to theft or loss of such items as cameras, phones or handbags. In theory, some clauses could exclude such claims if the client were proven to have been irresponsibly drunk at the time of the theft or loss. In practice, insurers are likely to continue relying on the good faith of the client making a claim and on the judgment of claims adjusters. Taking a tougher line by denying claims from clients who admit to having been ‘mildly inebriated’ is likely to be counter-effective by discouraging such clients from being fully transparent, instead driving them into flat denial and a ‘my word against yours’ stance. The issue of sexual assault also, inevitably, raises its ugly head. Most incidents of sexual assault against young women on holiday involve alcohol. How many insurers would dare to invoke ‘contributory negligence’ to refuse related claims for medical treatment or repatriation resulting from such incidents? Cases involving vehicles are less problematic. Drivers involved in accidents are likely to be routinely tested for blood alcohol levels by police at the scene, giving insurers fairly reliable evidence on which to base a decision. France has recently made it compulsory for breath-testing equipment to be carried in all vehicles, making it virtually impossible for drivers involved in incidents to evade testing, even if police are not immediately on the scene.
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New products for Travel insurance for UAE residents Kenyan travellers NEWSWIRE Orbis Insurance, a UK-based insurer of Swiss insurance company Zurich has launched a Kenyan insurer British American Insurance people with ‘impaired lives’, is celebrating the new range of insurance products catering to the Company has announced the launch of a new successful launch of its new scheme Active Minds, specific requirements of United Arab Emirates (UAE) travel insurance product catering to Kenya’s which took place in the Old Library, Lloyds of residents, representing the company’s entry into burgeoning number of outbound travellers. The London, on 11 June. The scheme is intended to the UAE travel insurance market. Zurich has chosen firm is providing the new policy in partnership with highlight and, when necessary, change the insurance the UAE as the launch pad for a planned rollout into London, UK-based assistance company Speciality industry’s attitudes towards people with mental Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman. Assist, and it will cover emergency medical cases, health conditions. “UAE residents love to travel, but often don’t have flight cancellation and delay, loss of passports or home contents insurance,” said Maroun Mourad, other documents and sudden unexpected illness. Online travel insurance aggregator chief executive officer of Zurich’s general insurance British American has also introduced an agent InsureMyTrip has now added Cancel For Any Reason division in the Middle East, “leaving them exposed payment system to market its new product, which travel protection benefits. Those who purchase the to theft or damage to their possessions while will cover both the travel agency selling the policy new benefit will be able to cancel trips for reasons they’re abroad.” and the individual agent who closes the deal. of their choosing – from bad weather to a change of The company will now offer four levels of cover – “This is the first time we are launching a travel heart – up to two days prior to departure. Schengen, Silver, Gold and Family – which include insurance product, because we had to look for a coverage for missed events and missed flight partner company with [a] worldwide network,” Sallie Mae Insurance Services, a US-based connections, and impose no limit on the number of said British America’s underwriting manager financial services company specialising in education- children that can be included on a policy. Coverage George Odinga. “There is no need for an insurer to Extreme sports related requirements, has announced a partnership also includes home care, whereby the insurer will offer a product without good partnership that will with International Student Insurance. Under the contribute towards the cost of repair or replacement disappoint people – that is why we had no travel coverage for new agreement, the companies will provide health in the event that a customer’s home contents are insurance until today.” insurance coverage to international students taking damaged or stolen while they are out of the country. The company is keen to capitalise on growing thrillseekers courses in the US, and for US citizens taking part in The four products are all fully customisable and trade between Kenya and China, which has caused study-abroad programmes. feature provisions for credit card fraud. business travel to rise. International medical insurer HCC Medical Insurance “By the end of the year,” Mourad added, “Zurich Services, LLC (HCCMIS) has introduced a number The Insurance Quotes USA (IQUSA) will offer a full suite of products which set the of sports-related additions to its existing policies, network, a network of US-based insurance industry standard for meeting the needs of personal hoping to educate travellers about the importance websites – each specialising in different areas of customers in the UAE.” US insurer enhances of insurance and the potential dangers of extreme insurance – has introduced its IQUSA service and activities, while simultaneously inspiring them to give marketing model. Users can compare multiple employee coverage such activities a try. The company has now added quotes simultaneously, select from an extensive rock climbing, skydiving, surfing, wingsuit flying range of coverage options and compare prices to ACE USA, the US arm of global insurer ACE Group, and several other extreme sports to its Atlas Travel maximise savings. Aria Assistance is expanding its International Advantage product, Health Insurance plans, and it has also introduced enhancing coverage options for risks faced by a Sports Travel Insurance awareness campaign – Malta-based GasanMamo Insurance has to expand to UK employees in the accountacy and legal, business including a number of interactive webpages such as introduced an upgraded travel policy, including new consultancy, and architecture and engineering sectors Extreme Travel: An Extreme Guide to the World cover and increased benefits, but with no resulting and Ireland when doing business abroad. The decision is a reaction – so that customers may be better educated about rise in premium. It includes options for holiday to the amount of contract work being performed these challenging activities. activities, winter sports and veterinary expenses, Aria Assistance, formed by the team behind the overseas – according to a survey by the American “Even if you are not planning to do any skydiving on while thresholds for cancellation cover, emergency management buyout of Europ Assistance Group’s Institute of Architects (AIA), international work has your next trip, you should prepare for any situation medical treatment, missed departure etc. have UK and Ireland and International Health Solutions tripled over the last 10 years – and the fact that with a comprehensive travel health insurance been increased. business, is poised to launch its new brand, following employees travelling outside the US may be exposed plan that covers you for any exciting activities you recent Financial Services Authority (FSA) approval. to risks that are not always covered by their companies’ may engage in while abroad,” says HCCMIS chief PanicGuard, a London-based provider of The team, working with its extensive network of insurance programmes. Such risks might include lawsuits executive officer Mark Carney. On the subject of safety and security solutions, has partnered with contractors and service providers across the motor, relating to employee activities, medical-related incidents rock climbing, he added: “We want to reach out Irish IT provider ERGO Group and European travel, health assistance, home emergency and (such as those involving prescriptions or sudden to the biggest thrill seekers out there and let them Travel Insurance (ERV) to provide a free six-month international private medical insurance sectors, plans sickness) and work-related injury. know that there is more to rock climbing safety than PanicGuard subscription to anyone purchasing a to offer combined insurance and assistance solutions The enhanced cover includes property coverage carabiners and rope.” policy with ERV. The PanicGuard smartphone app to customers in the UK and Ireland, working on grants, specialised equipment used by professional The company – which is uncommon in that it (regulated by the British police) acts as a discreet behalf of the Europ Assistance Group and retaining service firms, and specific endorsements such as a includes sports travel insurance automatically in the alarm system, recording video and audio in the access to its resources. Underwriting arrangements waiver of subrogation when required by contract. cost of its policies – intends for the Atlas plans to be event of an attack and sending an SMS to pre- will stay in place for existing policyholders, and at an affordable way of covering gaps in insurance while programmed contacts. It is also equipped with GPS. renewal, policies will be underwritten by Great Lakes on international trips. Reinsurance (UK) Plc, a subsidiary of Munich Re. Aria Assistance will also offer internal underwriting On Call introduces through its own subsidiary, Aria Insurance Limited. New repatriation service for uninsured “The strength of our organisation has always been its deluxe membership people,” said Patrick Leroy, who remains chief executive UK-based air ambulance and medical assistance illness they have sustained. officer (CEO) of the company, working alongside Tim US-based travel assistance provider On Call provider CEGA has announced the introduction of a “CEGA has provided this assistance service for nearly Ablett, “and I look forward to working alongside them International has introduced its new deluxe new private repatriation service that will cover those 40 years,” said Cecilia Geofilo-Pearson, emergency to introduce the new and innovative services we have membership package, including political evacuation, who either have no travel insurance or who find that repatriation manager with the company, “but now in the pipeline, and to ensure that Aria Assistance is natural disaster evacuation and unlimited emergency their policies do not cover them for the injury or we have set up a specialist division specifically for the benchmark for service delivery.” The company medical evacuation coverage. According to company individuals and their families who will continue to trade from its existing offices in West chief executive officer Michael J. Kelly, in addition to are not supported by a travel Sussex, Haywards Heath and Navan, Ireland. On Call’s legacy services such as medical evacuation, insurance policy. Each case is the new membership package provides customers tailored to an individual’s needs, The photograph shows (l to r) Trevor Chrismas (Chief Financial and Information Officer), Tim Ablett (Chairman), Patrick Leroy ‘the added value of political and natural disaster helping to minimise the burden (Chief Executive Officer) and Latif Sayani (Managing Director – evacuation, as well as other key benefits like pet return of an often distressing situation.” Insurance Solutions). and return home coverage The company’s in-house team for a travelling companion’. of multilingual specialists will Other additions included in organise intensive care transport the deluxe package comprise to the patient’s home country, pre-trip planning; a 24-hour or to any country that will offer nurse helpline; dispatch of suitable medical care, as well medicine, physician or a nurse; as making travel arrangements supervised and unsupervised for relatives, translating repatriation; emergency cash important medical information advance assistance; and legal and bringing deceased family consultation and referral. members home.
International Travel Insurance Journal
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NEWSWIRE Munich Re analyses loss from natural disasters Natural catastrophe losses were providing comprehensive information and offering hurricanes. However, due to the number of events, Orbis Insurance, a UK-based insurer of relatively moderate in the first specific prevention incentives for reducing the the aggregate annual loss amounts can attain the level people with ‘impaired lives’, is celebrating the six months of 2012, according vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure to damage.” of a major hurricane landfall, as seen last year.” successful launch of its new scheme Active Minds, to the latest research from global The statistics for the first six months to the end of In Europe too, natural catastrophes caused lower which took place in the Old Library, Lloyds of reinsurance organisation Munich Re. June were dominated by extreme weather event losses than usual in the first half-year. Only 10 per London, on 11 June. The scheme is intended to Overall, global losses up to the end losses in the US. This year’s tornado season began cent ($1.3 billion) of insured losses worldwide and highlight and, when necessary, change the insurance of June were in the order of US$26 earlier than usual and at the start of the spring, in 16 per cent ($4 billion) of overall losses occurred industry’s attitudes towards people with mental billion, of which approximately $12 particular, there were tornado outbreaks from the in European countries. The most severe event was health conditions. billion was insured. The loss statistics Midwest right down to the South, some of which Winter Storm Andrea, with gusts of over 200 km/h were dominated by natural hazard caused losses in the billion range. The most severe and heavy snowfall in the first week of January, which Online travel insurance aggregator events in the US, where, due to tornado outbreaks single event was a squall line that crossed several resulted in overall losses of $700 million (e540 InsureMyTrip has now added Cancel For Any Reason Canada’s Fairfax to and wildfires, nearly 85 per cent of total insured states between 2 and 4 March. In and around Ohio million). Insured losses were around $400 million travel protection benefits. Those who purchase the losses worldwide were incurred. and the Tennessee River alone, some 170 tornadoes (€335 million). In addition, the relatively sparsely new benefit will be able to cancel trips for reasons buy Brit Losses up to the end of June were well below the were counted, and a number of small communities populated region north of Modena in Italy suffered of their choosing – from bad weather to a change of RiverStone, the runoff unit of Toronto, Canada-based six-month average of recent years. Overall losses heart – up to two days prior to departure. Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, is set to buy Brit Insurance for the first six months of the year were $26 billion, Ltd (BIL) of London, UK, from Brit Group for around compared with a 10-year average of $75.6 billion Sallie Mae Insurance Services, a US-based $300 million to expand in the reinsurance market. for the corresponding period. Insured losses for the financial services company specialising in education- RiverStone will buy Brit Insurance at a discount to its first six months of 2012 amounted to $12 billion, related requirements, has announced a partnership book value, said Fairfax, which put the UK insurer’s compared with a 10-year average of $19.2 billion. with International Student Insurance. Under the book value at around $530 million. The transaction, There were, in all, some 450 natural hazard loss events new agreement, the companies will provide health which will require customary regulatory approvals, is in the first six months of 2012, which is slightly above insurance coverage to international students taking expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012. the six-month average (395). However, at mid-year, courses in the US, and for US citizens taking part in As a result of the transaction, Brit Group will retain there had been no major catastrophes like those of study-abroad programmes. the liabilities and claims handling for certain business 2011. Thus, the previous year had been marked by the currently with BIL which relate to the Group’s enormous losses from the earthquake in Japan and a The Insurance Quotes USA (IQUSA) ongoing core business now being written into Brit’s number of quakes in New Zealand. Overall losses for network, a network of US-based insurance Lloyd’s syndicate 2987. Mark Cloutier, group chief the first half of 2011 had already amounted to $302 websites – each specialising in different areas of executive of Brit Insurance, commented: “The sale billion and insured losses to just under $82 billion. insurance – has introduced its IQUSA service and of BIL is a significant milestone in our journey to “Losses in the first half of 2012 were comparatively were almost completely destroyed. Approximately earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 and 5.8 in May, and marketing model. Users can compare multiple restructure our capital base and to establish a leading low. It is in line with expectations that extreme and 180,000 homes were damaged. Overall losses 18 people lost their lives. Many historically important quotes simultaneously, select from an extensive position as a focussed global specialty underwriter. more moderate years will balance each other out in totalled $4 billion, of which $2.3 billion was insured. buildings collapsed or suffered major damage. range of coverage options and compare prices to We have undertaken a significant reorganisation the course of time,” said Torsten Jeworrek, Munich More than 40 people were killed. There was a relatively large number of, fortunately, maximise savings. of the Group over the last year, and following the Re board member responsible for global reinsurance. Peter Höppe, head of Munich Re’s Geo Risks almost entirely minor loss events in Asia and the transfer of Brit’s UK regional business to QBE in “The role of insurers is to set premiums appropriate Research unit, noted: “Overall, most of the severe Pacific region in the first half-year. One very serious Malta-based GasanMamo Insurance has April, this transaction allows us to focus on growing to the risks in the long term, taking into account all thunderstorm-related outbreaks with tornadoes affect event was flooding that affected a number of introduced an upgraded travel policy, including new our core global specialty business through our Lloyd’s such fluctuations. In this respect, insurers can also do a limited area, and may cause serious damage locally Chinese provinces in May, causing overall losses in cover and increased benefits, but with no resulting platform as Brit Global Specialty.” something towards mitigating the loss burdens by but are not comparable in scale to events like severe the order of $2.5 billion. rise in premium. It includes options for holiday activities, winter sports and veterinary expenses, while thresholds for cancellation cover, emergency medical treatment, missed departure etc. have been increased.
PanicGuard, a London-based provider of safety and security solutions, has partnered with Irish IT provider ERGO Group and European Travel Insurance (ERV) to provide a free six-month PanicGuard subscription to anyone purchasing a policy with ERV. The PanicGuard smartphone app (regulated by the British police) acts as a discreet alarm system, recording video and audio in the event of an attack and sending an SMS to pre- programmed contacts. It is also equipped with GPS.
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GCCs top insurers report falling NEWSWIRE NEWSWIRE India’s insurance regulator has suggested The Jiji Press has reported that the Life profitability that it could become mandatory for health insurers Insurance Association of Japan, which has 43 to provide cover for people up to 65 years of age, members, is making preparations to join a new Insurance profitability across the top 30 conventional as part of a series of far-reaching changes the international body of insurers – the International insurers in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) organisation has recently drafted. Insurers can Federation of Insurance Associations – in order has dropped over the last four years – from 28 per currently deny cover to anyone over the age of 60, to get ready for the introduction of tighter global cent in 2007 to nine per cent in 2011 – according and often set the renewability age to between 50 to regulation for the industry. to a report by global management consultancy A. 55 years, which could also change. T. Kearney. The report stated that strong market The People’s Insurance Company of China pressure on all insurance segments is driving down Taiwan’s fourth largest life insurer, China (PICC) has introduced the country’s first online insurers’ profitability in the GCC, which is made up Life Insurance, is relying on significant growth for its shopping insurance product to protect consumers of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and mainland Chinese partner, Jian Xin Life Insurance. from e-commerce fraud. The PICC worked with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Jian Xin is aiming to be the largest bancassurance Kingsoft Network Technology to develop the product. Motor premiums have decreased by 23 per cent over provider in China within the next five years, and the past three years in the UAE, for example. With with the company’s premiums rising nearly sevenfold Life insurance companies in India are re-filing regards to medical insurance, healthcare provider in the first quarter of 2012, China Life is expecting older products with the Insurance Regulatory and costs have increased by as much as 50 per cent in its 19.9-per-cent stake in Jian Xin to pay off. Development Authority (IRDA) for approval, as 1 Brokers are booming some areas over the same period, while return on October this year is the deadline from which all investment remains low at 3.9 per cent, down from Sri Lanka’s insurance industry grew 18.5 per policies have to comply with new rules. The final New research from Finaccord, a market research in the largest European markets, namely France, 10.9 per cent four years ago. The report cites lower cent in 2011, increasing to SLR78.5 billion (US$604 guidelines for the new rules have yet to be published, consultancy specialising in financial services, reveals that Germany, Italy and the UK, brokers have performed technical profitability and suboptimal investment million) from SLR66.2 billion in 2010. Twenty-two but IRDA officials have urged insurers to start re-filing the market for commercial non-life insurance broking well in comparison to other distribution channels, strategies as key contributors to the continuous insurance companies were registered with the now, otherwise there will not be enough time before reached a value of €9.89 billion in commissions and their growth in revenues has been hampered by decline. Insurers, said the report, also suffer from a lack Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) at the end of the deadline to process all the applications. fees in 2011. While there are significant variations in weakness in the underlying commercial non-life of scalability of their operations, with operational and 2011, 21 of which were active. market trends across the region, the overall market insurance market. In the UK, the largest commercial staff costs increasing much faster than the development A survey by Deloitte has found that the need in the 20 countries covered by Finaccord has grown non-life broker market in Europe, revenues fell of business activity over the past four years. Global insurance company RSA has become for increased financial reporting transparency and slightly in nominal terms since 2007 when it was significantly between 2007 and 2011 (at a real However, revamping operating models with the latest member of the Managing General Agents’ consistency has led to more insurers calling for a estimated at €9.73 billion. compound annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent), profitability pillars should prevent further decline and Association, which now includes 50 members with a single global accounting framework. Forty-seven per “Commercial non-life broking has proceeded at which was entirely attributable to the weakness in will steer insurers on the road to recovery, states combined underwriting total of £1.4 billion in gross cent of respondents to the survey said they would completely different speeds within Europe over commercial lines insurance as a whole, since the the report, adding that many insurers have managed written premiums per annum. Tom Downey, RSA’s like to see the US abandon its own accounting the last four years. While in countries like Spain market share of brokers actually increased. to limit their insurance portfolio losses with more director of MGAs, said: “We look forward to working standards in favour of International Financial and Ireland the economic crisis has led to a sharp “Most of the mature markets have suffered from a efficient reinsurance programmes. Furthermore, with the Association and its members to continue Reporting Standards. contraction in insurance broking revenues from soft underwriting cycle. Brokers in these countries over the four-year period, the top 30 insurers have to raise the profile of MGAs as an important part of business customers, brokers have made progress in can expect that once the cycle improves, they increased their retention of gross written premiums the UK insurance industry.” Boston, US-headquartered company markets like Finland, Russia and Turkey where they are well placed to take advantage of any upswing. from 48 per cent to 57 per cent. Liberty Mutual Insurance Group has announced traditionally play a minor role,” commented Bernd While the fastest growth over the next four years Cyril Gourp, principal of A. T. Kearney’s financial Best’s Review has presented its annual Top that it will start operations in India after its joint Bergmann, a consultant at Finaccord. is forecast for brokers in the less mature markets institution practice in the Middle East, commented: 20 Global Insurance Brokers ranking, with Marsh venture with Videocon Industries obtained a licence The research revealed that commercial non-life of Russia and Romania, brokers in several of the “Leading insurers are taking confidence in their & McLennan, Aon plc and Willis Group Holdings to operate from the IRDA. The new company is insurance brokers in Poland experienced the highest advanced markets, including Germany and the underwriting capabilities and progressively retaining taking the top three spots based on 2011 total called Liberty Videocon General Insurance, and will growth in revenues at a compound annual rate UK, now face better growth prospects than in more premiums … building pillars of profitability revenues. It was the first time in the top 20 rankings provide multi-line underwriting with an emphasis of 16.9 per cent in nominal terms, which equates the recent past. However, uncertainties are now now will prevent further declines in the future and if for Insphere Insurance Solutions, AmWins Group on personal lines insurance. to 12.8 per cent in real terms, when adjusted for emerging over the regulatory environment,” said addressed comprehensively will prime insurers for and Confie Seguros Holding Co. inflation. It was followed by Finland, where the Bergmann. He concluded: “In the Netherlands, a rebound.” James McGhie, managing director of New compound annual growth rate in revenues registered for example, In Australia, life policies sold direct to Zealand-based financial advisor firm Apex, said 10.3 per cent in real terms, and by Turkey with a new disclosure consumers without the aid of a financial adviser will that an increased workload as a result of new growth rate of 9.2 per cent on the same measure. rules as well as comprise 40 per cent of the market or A$2 billion regulation is pushing independent financial advisors “In Poland, brokers benefited primarily from strong a ban on broker (US$2.04 billion) by 2021 according to Plan For Life. out of business. In the past three months, Apex has growth in the underlying commercial non-life commissions For 2010-11, this figure stood at 25 per cent, with bought the client lists of three solo financial advisers. insurance market while they also managed to will come into increased consumer confidence in purchasing through increase their market share at the expense of other force in 2013. If channels such as the web and smart phone technology. The West African Economic and Monetary distribution channels. In Finland, on the other more regulators Union has reviewed the region’s financial sector hand, brokers traditionally only play a small role in in Europe follow Prudential, Manulife, AIA and Sun Life and regulations related to banking, insurance and the distribution of non-life insurance for business this example, Financial have made it through to the second stage securities. Based on the review, Islamic Finance customers. Their improvement is encouraging but brokers may of bidding for Aviva’s insurance business in Malaysia Advisory & Assurance Services, an international it comes from a small base. A similar logic applies experience in a deal worth about US$500 million. Aviva is selling consultancy firm, has issued a roadmap of the to the high growth rates of Russia and Turkey,” changes in the its 49-per-cent stake in its joint venture with CIMB regulatory changes required to facilitate the continued Bergmann. overall market Group Holdings, Malaysia’s second largest lender. introduction of Islamic financial services. Another key finding of the research is that while structure.”
International Travel Insurance Journal
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EU to force commission NEWSWIRE NEWSWIRE disclosures India’s insurance regulator has suggested The Jiji Press has reported that the Life that it could become mandatory for health insurers Insurance Association of Japan, which has 43 Insurance sellers are currently under no obligation and more informed to provide cover for people up to 65 years of age, members, is making preparations to join a new to reveal their relationship to an underwriter or insurance product as part of a series of far-reaching changes the international body of insurers – the International how they are paid in 21 of the European Union’s purchases’. The fact organisation has recently drafted. Insurers can Federation of Insurance Associations – in order 27 member countries, but this could change if a that insurance sellers currently deny cover to anyone over the age of 60, to get ready for the introduction of tighter global new European Union (EU) proposal makes its way don’t have to disclose and often set the renewability age to between 50 to regulation for the industry. into law. The proposal is aimed at encouraging their relationships to 55 years, which could also change. consumers to seek impartial advice, making it less underwriters or how The People’s Insurance Company of China likely that they buy unsuitable policies, according to they are paid has Taiwan’s fourth largest life insurer, China (PICC) has introduced the country’s first online a Reuters news report. A part of this would include fostered a lack of trust, it Life Insurance, is relying on significant growth for its shopping insurance product to protect consumers insurance sellers having to tell their customers also says, citing a poll by mainland Chinese partner, Jian Xin Life Insurance. from e-commerce fraud. The PICC worked with whether or not they receive commission payments insurer Aviva in which 50 Jian Xin is aiming to be the largest bancassurance Kingsoft Network Technology to develop the product. from an insurer following a successful sale. per cent of consumers provider in China within the next five years, and The measure would cost insurers around €730 said they relied on personal recommendations rather of existing consumer detriment, and minimal future with the company’s premiums rising nearly sevenfold Life insurance companies in India are re-filing million, but this would be outweighed by increased than professional advice when buying cover. benefit, to warrant disclosure of commission on in the first quarter of 2012, China Life is expecting older products with the Insurance Regulatory and sales and a drop in the number of life insurance In response to the proposal, the Association of British general insurance products,” it said in a statement. its 19.9-per-cent stake in Jian Xin to pay off. Development Authority (IRDA) for approval, as 1 contracts that are cancelled early, according to the Insurers (ABI), which represents Europe’s biggest The draft EU law, expected to come into force October this year is the deadline from which all European Commission. The commission further insurance market, said that consumers had little to in 2015, would also align rules governing the sale Sri Lanka’s insurance industry grew 18.5 per policies have to comply with new rules. The final commented that the changes will ‘pave the way for gain from forcing sellers of home or car insurance of investment products packaged as life insurance cent in 2011, increasing to SLR78.5 billion (US$604 guidelines for the new rules have yet to be published, increased consumer trust in reliable, helpful sources to reveal their commission payments. “While the policies with the tougher standards applied to pure million) from SLR66.2 billion in 2010. Twenty-two but IRDA officials have urged insurers to start re-filing of information, resulting in a greater number of safer ABI is supportive of disclosure, there is no evidence investment contracts. insurance companies were registered with the now, otherwise there will not be enough time before Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) at the end of the deadline to process all the applications. 2011, 21 of which were active. A survey by Deloitte has found that the need UK life insurers to comply with gender ruling Global insurance company RSA has become for increased financial reporting transparency and the latest member of the Managing General Agents’ consistency has led to more insurers calling for a Price adjustment in compliance with the European these markets, and insurers set their prices to reflect expense of women.” Association, which now includes 50 members with a single global accounting framework. Forty-seven per Court of Justice’s recent ruling on gender-neutral the risk for each policyholder. They currently use Premium and annuity rates for joint-life businesses combined underwriting total of £1.4 billion in gross cent of respondents to the survey said they would premiums is not expected to have any significant gender as one of their main pricing factors, given are not expected to change significantly, although written premiums per annum. Tom Downey, RSA’s like to see the US abandon its own accounting impact on UK life insurers, according to global the proven link between gender and mortality.” He implementation costs may be transferred to director of MGAs, said: “We look forward to working standards in favour of International Financial ratings agency Fitch Ratings. From December this cited the example of annuity rates, which differ by customers via premium loadings. The primary with the Association and its members to continue Reporting Standards. year, insurers will not be allowed to charge different approximately 10 per cent between genders, with area of uncertainty is likely to be indirect gender to raise the profile of MGAs as an important part of premiums based on gender, but Fitch believes women generally paying more to reflect their longer discrimination, whereby certain risk factors that have the UK insurance industry.” Boston, US-headquartered company that the majority of UK insurers have sufficient life expectancy. “However,” Prowse added, “as a an effect on pricing – such as occupation – have Liberty Mutual Insurance Group has announced underwriting and pricing expertise to maintain consequence of the gender ruling, annuity rates look a disproportionate gender mix. However, Fitch Best’s Review has presented its annual Top that it will start operations in India after its joint profitability, and avoid any price distortions that could set to fall for men and rise for women. In contrast, predicts that clarity in this area will improve, with 20 Global Insurance Brokers ranking, with Marsh venture with Videocon Industries obtained a licence theoretically result. men may get a better deal on protection, at the legal input likely to play a major part. & McLennan, Aon plc and Willis Group Holdings to operate from the IRDA. The new company is David Prowse, senior director of Fitch’s insurance taking the top three spots based on 2011 total called Liberty Videocon General Insurance, and will team, said: “Mortality/longevity is the main risk in revenues. It was the first time in the top 20 rankings provide multi-line underwriting with an emphasis for Insphere Insurance Solutions, AmWins Group on personal lines insurance. and Confie Seguros Holding Co. James McGhie, managing director of New In Australia, life policies sold direct to Zealand-based financial advisor firm Apex, said consumers without the aid of a financial adviser will that an increased workload as a result of new comprise 40 per cent of the market or A$2 billion regulation is pushing independent financial advisors (US$2.04 billion) by 2021 according to Plan For Life. out of business. In the past three months, Apex has For 2010-11, this figure stood at 25 per cent, with bought the client lists of three solo financial advisers. increased consumer confidence in purchasing through channels such as the web and smart phone technology. The West African Economic and Monetary Union has reviewed the region’s financial sector Prudential, Manulife, AIA and Sun Life and regulations related to banking, insurance and Financial have made it through to the second stage securities. Based on the review, Islamic Finance of bidding for Aviva’s insurance business in Malaysia Advisory & Assurance Services, an international in a deal worth about US$500 million. Aviva is selling consultancy firm, has issued a roadmap of the its 49-per-cent stake in its joint venture with CIMB regulatory changes required to facilitate the Group Holdings, Malaysia’s second largest lender. introduction of Islamic financial services.
Deadline concerns
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published details of reporting to understand the requirements with a much higher disclosure requirements for Solvency II, prompting degree of certainty.” Deloitte, a business advisory firm, to urge insurers, Despite assurances from the European Commission fund managers and banks not to delay the design that the Solvency II deadline will remain where it and implementation of their Solvency II reporting currently stands at January 2014, there are concerns programmes. Francesco Nagari, lead partner at that, in fact, the deadline could be moved again. Rob Deloitte on Solvency II, said: “There is less than 18 Stavrou, commercial director for integrated solutions months to go before Solvency II is expected to go live at IT consultancy Northdoor, said: “Following [the and the first regulatory report is only a few weeks after recent] stalled negotiations, many in the insurance the end of the first quarter 2014. Making changes to industry think it likely that the Solvency II timetable processes and systems, testing and training people in will be further delayed, throwing insurers into limbo. the new regime will require a huge amount of work.” However, British insurers should take comfort in He added: “The EIOPA guidance is a key milestone the fact that the UK remains ahead of its European towards the final reporting requirements because all counterparts, with the London market leading the European insurers can now invest time and resources way for meeting the current deadline.”
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West Nile risk rises Flight gel takes off
The Greek Centre for Disease Control and A new product developed by a Harley Street Prevention has reported that five people in the physician aims to help keep travellers hydrated country have recently contracted West Nile virus, while on long-haul flights, helping to prevent deep which is carried by mosquitoes and is not usually vein thrombosis. Air Flight Gel has been specially found in Europe. The first case of the year was formulated to help aid circulation, prevent swollen reported in late July, and the four others followed legs and ankles and reduce aches and pains caused by swiftly afterwards – all in neighbourhoods of southern sitting for long periods when movement is restricted. Athens. Experts with the Centre have said they expect The gel comprises a blend of pure essential oils that more cases to emerge in the coming weeks. The have been selected for their individual properties, West Nile virus was first detected in Greece in 2010, including lavender, juniper, cypress and patchouli. when 262 people contracted the disease and 35 died. Elsewhere in the world, West Nile virus is also making its presence felt, particularly in the southern central US. The first human case of the virus has been found in Oklahoma, while in Texas health officials have confirmed a total of 13 human cases have been reported to authorities from different cities. Furthermore, according to a statement from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, there are now 10 confirmed cases of the virus in the state, two of which have been classified as neuroinvasive.
Cholera outbreak in Cuba Dengue fever An outbreak of cholera that has killed at least three that the disease had spread further in Cuba. people in Cuba has so far been contained, according The unnamed official stated: “We have diagnosed updates to comments made by a public health official to one case in Havana, another in central Camaguey Reuters in early July. The government also confirmed and a few others around the country, and all these Nine new cases of dengue fever have been reported in a statement on 3 July that three elderly people people had been in the Manzanillo area.” She added in Karachi, Pakistan, as of 14 July. This brings the total had died and over 50 cases had been diagnosed, that the disease might have been brought into Cuba number of suspected cases to 105, 103 of which although other sources suggested the number of by someone travelling from Haiti, which is suffering have been confirmed as genuine dengue infections. cases could be over 80 with up to 15 people dead. from a cholera epidemic. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the dengue situation has Authorities in the Cayman Islands have since issued a According to the official, measures being taken to shown little sign of improvement, with a number of warning advising against travel to Cuba. contain the outbreak include checking people using states reporting ongoing transmission of the disease. According to the official, most cases have been seen public transport in Granma province for symptoms. Ceara state is reporting its fourth-largest outbreak in the city of Manzanillo, Granma province, and the Community clinics are also checking patients of dengue fever since records began, with a total surrounding towns, with only a limited number in suffering from diarrhoea, and those meeting certain of 58,703 suspected cases, 38,852 of which have other parts of Cuba. The official added that as well criteria are being hospitalised for observation. been confirmed. The cases are distributed among as the confirmed death toll of three persons, there Local television and radio stations have also been 152 municipalities, the worst hit being Fortaleza, with were also two suspected fatalities in Manzanillo, but broadcasting advice on preventative measures to 30,437 cases; 54,363 cases have been reported in denied reports that 15 or more people had died and avoid contracting the disease. Bahia state, while half the municipalities in Alagoas have reported outbreaks. Fifty municipalities are in an epidemic situation. Although there tends to be a decrease in dengue cases at this time of year, Measles cases confirmed in Brisbane this year May saw a 19-per-cent increase and June a 21-per-cent increase. Travellers are advised to Commuters in Brisbane, Australia, were warned coughing, red eyes, lethargy, a runny nose and fever. employ personal protection methods to avoid to be on the look out for the symptoms of measles He warned that in many cases, the disease can lead to mosquito bites. recently, after a second case was confirmed in the pneumonia or swelling of the brain, and can be fatal, city. Public health authorities issued the warning after adding: “Measles is one of the most infectious of all a local was confirmed to have contracted the disease communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets in southeast Asia and then used public transport and through coughing and sneezing.” He added: “What visited shopping areas in south Brisbane. we’re saying to people who’ve been in those vicinities is Revised risk in Costa Blanca Dr Brad McCall, public health medical officer for to be particularly mindful that they’ve had their vaccines, The UK’s National Travel Health Network and can be identified and eliminated, risk of exposure in Queensland Health, urged anyone who believed they and to be on the lookout for symptoms. What we don’t Centre (NaTHNaC) has revised its risk assessment the future cannot be ruled out. had been near the person to seek medical advice if they want is people moving around the community while for tourists in Calpe, which lies in the Costa Blanca The risk of tourists acquiring Legionnaire’s disease began to develop measles symptoms, which include they may be infectious with measles.” region of Spain, after fresh reports of Legionnaire’s in the Costa Blanca is no different to that seen in disease emerged. As of 7 July, 14 new cases of other parts of Spain, according to the NaTHNaC. Legionnaire’s disease had been associated with Travellers who develop an influenza-like illness the previously reported outbreak at the Diamante during their stay, or up to 14 days after they return HFMD investigation concludes Hotel in Calpe. The new cluster brings the total home, should seek medical care for appropriate number of cases associated with the hotel since investigations and treatment. A World Health Organization and Cambodian Kantha Bopha hospital. Of these, the investigation the outbreak was first Ministry of Health investigation into a number of focused on 61 cases that fitted a specific criteria (the reported to 39 – 35 illnesses and deaths in Cambodia, which mainly case definition), and of which 54 had died. of which have been in affected very young children, concluded that a severe In response to this event, health centres have been hotel guests. The hotel form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) instructed by the Ministry of Health to report all patients has been subject to was the cause in the majority of cases reported to with HFMD. In addition, the Ministry of Health, assisted extensive environmental the Ministry of Health. Samples from a total of 31 by the WHO, has begun enhanced surveillance for investigations since patients were obtained and tested for a number of neuro-respiratory syndrome, a key syndrome observed the beginning of the pathogens by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. Most among patients with severe HFMD caused by EV-71. It outbreak, and was of these samples tested positive for enterovirus 71 is expected that the enhanced surveillance will identify closed on 3 July in order (EV-71), which causes HFMD. A small proportion occasional new cases of the severe form of the disease to remove any risk to of samples also tested positive for other pathogens in the coming months. In addition, the Ministry of tourists. However, the including Haemophilus Influenzae type B and Health is developing guidelines and training courses European Centre for Streptococcus suis. It was not possible to test all the for staff to manage patients with mild and severe Disease Prevention and patients as some of them died before appropriate forms of HFMD. A campaign to raise awareness on Control has advised that samples could be taken. A total of 78 cases were the prevention, identification and care of children with unless the source of the identified, including the initial 62 cases reported by HFMD is underway. legionella contamination
International Travel Insurance Journal
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New IPMI product from Allianz NEWSWIRE
Allianz Worldwide Care has launched a new A new private medical insurance provider, international private medical insurance (IPMI) scheme Passport2health, has launched, offering tailored to the needs of UK-based employees and policyholders treatment in hospitals across expatriates. Named Signature, it covers a number of Europe. Plans are available for companies inpatient and daycare treatments and optional add- and individuals, and patients will have access ons covering GP visits, dental, optical and maternity to their usual GP as well as private specialist treatments and comprehensive care for cancer consultations and diagnostics in the UK. treatment for as long as it is medically necessary. “We looked at existing plans,” said Claude Daboul, Global diversified health benefits director of sales, marketing and operations at Allianz company Aetna has been granted a license to Worldwide Care, “and, more importantly, we looked sell health insurance in Singapore. “Singapore is at the gaps in those plans and compared them to the the perfect regional hub from which to develop needs of employers.” Treatment can be undertaken further business opportunities in Southeast inside or outside the UK, providing a ‘fully portable Asia,” said Derek Goldberg, the company’s and transparent’ health plan for corporate clients. managing director for Southeast Asia.
Brokers who offer either international or UK PMI without including the other will lose Short-term cover Cigna enhances plan business, according to Dawn Sheldrake, finance Pacific Prime partners and administration manager at Expatriate takes off Insurance Services. She was speaking at a drop-in Global health service company Cigna, which with InterGlobal IPMI clinic at the AMII 2012 Private Healthcare UK-based Bupa International has launched a new provides international health insurance for expatriates Summit, which took place in London in July. flexible short-term international private medical and globally mobile individuals, has modified its insurance (IPMI) policy, called Bupa Flex. The product Cigna Global Health Options individual healthcare Hong Kong-based insurance broker Pacific Prime has London’s King Edward VII Hospital has allows customers to purchase IPMI on a three-to-11- package, enhancing its benefits and granting greater entered an exclusive partnership with UK-based IPMI become the first British hospital to receive month basis, depending on their needs. Previously, flexibility to customers and partners. The plan now provider InterGlobal to provide direct billing services international quality accreditation from expatriates and travellers moving abroad for less than includes coverage for treatment of all cancers from to customers in Dubai. The new agreement is part of hospital standards authority DNV Healthcare. a year had to buy a 12-month IPMI policy, regardless initial diagnosis through to end-of-life care, as well Pacific Prime’s initiative to meet the needs of a rapidly The hospital, which wants to increase the of the fact they would not need it for some of that as chronic or incurable kidney failure. Kidney dialysis expanding client base in the United Arab Emirates number of medical tourists it serves, received time. Bupa Flex, however, allows customers to select will also be covered, providing it is available in the (UAE). accreditation following a recent Care Quality the length of policy that fits their needs. patient’s official country of residence. “The ability for Pacific Prime’s InterGlobal Commission review. Muriel MacCullum, marketing director for Bupa Elsewhere, Cigna has announced that it has signed an policyholders to access expanding direct billing International, commented on the launch of the agreement to acquire 51 per cent of Finans Emeklilik, options will be welcomed by customers in Dubai,” International expatriate insurer William policy: “We’ve listened to our customers and the 6th largest bancassurance company in Turkey, said Neil Raymond, chief executive officer of Pacific Russell celebrated its 20th anniversary in June. designed Bupa Flex specifically for their short-term thereby forming a joint venture (JV) partnership Prime. “These cities are dynamic financial service The company was founded by Inez Cooper in needs. If you are relocating abroad, or travelling with Finansbank to market life and pension products markets; expanding flexibility for private health 1992, and to celebrate the anniversary it is on an overseas assignment through work, you in the country. Cigna will purchase the stake in insurance products for clients is going to be an adopting a major strategy of rebranding, with a don’t necessarily want to take out a full year’s Finans Emeklilik for €85 million and enter into a increasingly vital part of success.” new logo and website. policy, but you still want the comprehensive cover long-term distribution agreement IPMI provides. This new product means that our with Finansbank for the distribution of Expat health insurer Expacare has customers will still have access to the best possible insurance products through its branch announced that its rates will be below market care and treatment.” network and other channels. “With its level for the coming year. The company’s annual expanding population, growing GDP, rate review has shown that its Choices range and low insurance penetration, Turkey will increase by 4.9 per cent, while its Individual is an ideal market for Cigna’s innovative range will increase by 12.4 per cent. product offering that helps customers improve their health, wellbeing and Aviva has announced that it will sense of security,” said Jason Sadler, discontinue any new business of its Global CEO of Cigna International Health, Lifecare products and also the renewal of Life and Accident. “Cigna’s unique all existing Aviva Global Lifecare policies, agreement with Finansbank builds according to Globalsurance, a Hong-Kong upon the strengths of both companies based insurance advisor. Existing customers and aligns our interests to create will continue to be covered until they pass their an effective, long-term relationship renewal date. that serves the protection needs of Finansbank’s 10 million customers.” Muriel MacCallum come and join us
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International Travel Insurance Journal
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NEWSWIRE Below inflation New AXA Hong Kong plan charges for Worldwide insurer AXA has introduced a new new products – the Global medical insurance plan to the Hong Kong market, Elite product will be available in MediCare according to international insurance intermediary both Comprehensive+Prestige Globalsurance. The plan, which will come in two and Standard formats, enabling MediCare International formats and cover some pre-existing medical prestige, high-end cover has announced premium conditions, is likely to prove attractive to the and a more cost-effective, increases that it says are increasing number of high net worth residents in scaled down version of the substantially lower than Hong Kong, and to local expatriates. The plan from protection. Both options are general medical sector AXA is virtually unique in that it offers coverage significantly higher in their inflation (which tends to for some pre-existing medical conditions without scope of coverage than the run at between 12 and 14 levelling a premium loading on the policyholder. existing, domestic Smart per cent per annum), with In addition to the pre-existing condition coverage Medical plan available from group rates rising an average of five available, there will be two major variants of AXA’s AXA Hong Kong. per cent and individual rates remaining stable at eight per cent. The company’s entry level plans will now include organ transplantation and HIV/AIDS benefits at no extra cost, while previous claims limits of £3,000 have been removed, as has the 20-per-cent excess for newborn care.
iFHP chooses VP
The International Federation of Health Plans (iFHP), a London-based global network of chief executives from the health insurance industry, has appointed Dr Ian McPherson of Southern Cross Healthcare Group as its joint vice president. The current president of the iFHP is George Halvorson, chief executive of Kaiser Permanente in the US, who praised Dr McPherson’s time and expertise in the global health insurance sector. He said: “Ian has served with distinction as a Council member of the iFHP for many years, and has been hugely supportive of our activities. He has generously welcomed and shared his expertise and experience with numerous international groups visiting New Zealand, and taken part in many conferences and expert bodies. We are delighted to be able to add a person of his calibre to our leadership team.”
ALC Health upgrades
ALC Health, a UK-based IPMI provider for small and medium-sized enterprises, has announced that it will be investing ‘heavily’ in updating its online claims systems as part of a large-scale rollout of technology imporvements. Users will now be able to track claims in addition to existing online re-authorisation. Separately, ALC is also offering special ‘switch’ terms for individuals and groups, which will enable clients previously insured with full medical underwriting or moratorium underwriting to maintain their original terms when transferring to ALC.
Aetna appoints new brokers Aetna International, the worldwide health insurer, has appointed two well-known British brokers as part of its ongoing plans for the UK and European IPMI markets. Marco Bannerman joins the company as head of global partner sales, while Mike Lewars joins as head of UK intermediary sales. Both will report to Nic Brown, director of European sales. According to Brown, Aetna is intending to capitalise more fully on its acquisition of Goodhealth Worldwide, and to properly articulate the scale of its capabilities to UK brokers, who he thinks have not previously appreciated what the company has to offer.
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International tourist Allianz arrivals grow globally releases
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from summer the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals grew by five per cent vacation globally in the first quarter of this year, despite lingering economic uncertainty. A total of 285 million index tourists travelled worldwide between January and April, with an estimated 415 million set to travel US insurer and assistance provider overseas in the May to August period – the summer Allianz Global Assistance USA peak season in the Northern Hemisphere. The best has released its third annual growth was recorded in the Asia Pacific region and Travel Insurance Summer Vacation in Africa, which both showed eight point rises in the Confidence index, based on data first quarter of 2012 compared with the same period from 1,000 randomly selected adults last year, while the Americas (with a six-per-cent living in the US. The findings of the increase) displayed growth slightly above the global survey show that 57 per cent of average. Despite the volatile financial climate in the Americans are likely to embark on eurozone, Europe remained in a strong growth a summer holiday this year, a three- position, with a four-per-cent increase in travel point increase from 2011 and seven numbers from last year. per cent more than the 50 per cent The figures suggest that the tourism sector is one of Americans who will typically take that has not only withstood the economic crises of a summer holiday. It also showed the last few years, but is coming out fighting, and that the so-called ‘vacation deficit’ could be one of the main sectors to boost global – the number of people who recovery. “The capacity of tourism to drive growth would consider a summer holiday and create jobs needs to be accompanied by Turkey eyeing important, but might not be confident enough to strong supportive public policies,” said Taleb Rifai, New industry safety take one – has fallen to 18 per cent, from 24 per secretary-general of the UNWTO. “[And we are] global cruise trade cent in 2011. These figures are a positive indicator confident that the growing political commitment in policies launched that the tourism industry is weathering the rocky support of the sector will result in overall positive Turkey has announced the establishment of a ‘Turkey global economic conditions well. outcomes for tourism, and [will] contribute to global Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Cruise Ship Platform’ of 13 port cities, hoping to “With the rebound of summer vacation travel, we’ve growth, employment, and a sustainable economic European Cruise Council (ECC) have announced expand and claim a much increased share of the seen an increase in travel insurance sales,” Daniel transformation.” two new safety policies that will shortly be adopted global cruise trade. “In 2003, only ships that had Durazo, director of communications at Allianz USA, by the cruise industry. The policies, the result of the lost their way would come to Izmir,” said Ekrem commented. “This is especially true for bigger ticket Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review initiated Demirtas, chair of Izmir Chamber of Trade (IZTO), purchases such as trips to London for the Olympics – in January 2011, will deal with the recording of at a recent forum, “but last year Izmir hosted the travel highlight this season.” passenger nationality and the common elements of 504,000 cruise tourists.” The Index also showed that social media is playing musters and emergency instructions. The country’s ultimate goal is for all 13 port cities an increasingly important role in travellers’ decision- “Our industry continues to actively identify a range of to enjoy the same level of success, and it hopes that making processes, including whether or not to travel measures that will improve the safety of passengers the traditionally excellent weather will be of help in to a destination. and crew, which is the top priority of the cruise this regard. The port cities involved include Istanbul, A separate survey of 2,199 US adults, undertaken industry,” said CLIA president and chief executive Izmir, Iskenderun, Trabzon, Canakkale, Kusadaasi, by market research firm Harris Interactive on behalf officer Christine Duffy. “These new safety policies Mersin, Marmaris and Cesme, and a new port is of Choice Hotels International, has shown that are representative of the industry’s commitment to currently under construction at Izmir that, upon its although many US citizens are planning on enjoying raising standards across the global fleet and of our completion, will enable the city to host two million summer trips, value for money is at the forefront of willingness to listen and act on good ideas brought tourists each year. their minds, with nine out of 10 saying that getting forward by other interested stakeholders.” Meanwhile, George Anomeritis, president of the a good deal is extremely important, very important The new Nationality of Passengers policy, responding Greek Ports Association and Piraeus Port, has said or important when selecting hotels. “The recession to various governmental requests at the International that Turkey and Greece must co-operate closely if taught us an important lesson about looking for value Maritime Organization’s May Maritime Safety they are to maximise their share of the cruise ship and ways to stretch dollars,” said Steve Joyce, chief Committee Meeting, insists that the nationalities of industry. “We are not merely connected by a sea,” executive officer and president of Choice Hotels all passengers onboard a ship must be recorded and said Anomeritis. “Cruise ships unite us as well. Both International, “and that lesson applies to people’s made available to search and rescue personnel when Piraeus and Izmir market tourism and civilisation. vacations too. With consumer confidence on the rise necessary. The Common Elements of Musters and As ports in the eastern Mediterranean, we need to and unemployment on the decline, people are more Emergency Instructions policy, meanwhile, stipulates closely co-operate.” comfortable with travelling again, but they’re doing Gulf tourists 12 common elements that will be communicated to so with a value mindset.” passengers in the event of musters and emergency expand horizons instructions, including descriptions of key safety systems and recognition of emergency exits. A large percentage of Gulf tourists are bucking Meanwhile, European Commission (EC) and local travel trends and seeking destinations further European Parliament representatives attending a afield this year. For years, many Gulf citizens have conference in Brussels recently took the opportunity preferred to travel to nearby countries such as to highlight the robust growth being experienced by Egypt and Syria, but security concerns resulting from the cruise industry, despite the bleak global economic political and social unrest have prompted tourists to outlook. The sector has provided a great many find alternative destinations. jobs, as well as promoting shipbuilding (five new Karim Mohammed, of Kuwait’s al-Saad Travel, said cruise ships are being launched this year), and it has that Turkey has largely replaced Egypt as a destination also bolstered the tourism industry, which is itself for Gulf tourists, citing the popularity of Turkish soap experiencing decent growth. operas as one reason, with tourists requesting a visit EC vice-president and commissioner for transport to the mansions where many of the programmes Siim Kallas pinpointed Europe as the fastest-growing are filmed, as well as Ottoman palaces, the Princess market for cruise travel, saying that the sector’s Islands, the Black Sea city of Trabzon and the cities economic contribution has hit record highs, with the of Amasra and Rize. “Unlike what used to happen number of people opting for cruise holidays trebling before,” said Mohammed, “tourists now come to us to six million since 2001. with information about places we have never heard “Cruise tourism has a … significant impact on the of, and they almost have their trip fully planned and local economies close to where ports are located,” just need travel agencies for bookings.” added Brian Simpson, transport committee chairman Other destinations that have seen a surge in and a member of the European Parliament (MEP), popularity include Latin America, Kazakhstan, Africa “which is why it is important for many MEPs that the and Malaysia. EU is active in promoting the tourism agenda.”
International Travel Insurance Journal
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High altitude testing for AVOID Rise in Zimbabwe tourist arrivals
UK airline easyJet and Norwegian airborne hazard been successful, and Dr The Zimbabwe Tourist Authority be positive. detection technology developer Nicarnica Aviation Prata is enthusiastic about the (ZTA) has recorded an 18-per- Mainland Africa remains the major source market have announced a new partnership with French technology’s performance: cent increase in tourist arrivals for visitors to Zimbabwe, and has recorded a aircraft manufacturer Airbus, under which they will “AVOID imaged clouds 100 in the first quarter of 2012, 19-per-cent increase in visitors to the country, while test their Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector nautical miles ahead of the with a total of 346,299 arrivals South Africa remains the main source market within (AVOID) technology at high altitudes and speeds A340, demonstrating for the compared with 294,198 in the mainland Africa, representing a market share of 43 using A340-300 test aircraft. The AVOID technology, first time that passive infrared same period last year. According per cent – a two-per-cent increase on last year. which was successfully tested over Mount Etna and cameras can provide sufficient to the ZTA, the rise is 13 per Outside of Africa, 46 per cent of overseas arrivals Stromboli in 2011, works as a weather sensor for warning time. A real-time cent more than the projected originated from Europe (up 16 per cent on the same ash, using infrared sensors to transmit images to pilots display system on an iPad was arrivals for sub-Saharan Africa this period last year), while 26 per cent arrived from and to operation control centres. These images allow used throughout the flights to year, which originally stood at the Americas (28 per cent up on last year), although pilots to see an ash cloud up to 100 kilometres ahead, inform the team of the nature five per cent. Given that the first there was a marked drop in arrivals from Oceania, at altitudes between 5,000 and 50,000 feet, enabling of the clouds ahead.” The quarter of the year is traditionally Asia and the Middle East. However, the ZTA expects them to make adjustments to their flight path in order next step, he added, would a low season, the ZTA is arrivals from these markets to increase again, due to avoid it. be to test the system in the optimistic that prospects for the to a growing number of airlines offering routes to Ian Davies, engineering director at easyJet, warned vicinity of an ash cloud. second quarter and beyond will Zimbabwe, including Air Namibia and Emirates. that an eruption from either of Iceland’s Katla and Askja volcanoes, both of which are on heightened alert due to increased seismic activity, ‘would be around 10 times greater than Grimsvötn and Eyjafjallajökull, and could result in widespread air closure’. “Now that the first phase of testing [of AVOID] is well underway,” he added, “easyJet and Airbus foresee being able to provide … ash detection support this summer for the London Games.” Davies and Nicarnica Aviation’s Dr Fred Prata have been named Flightglobal’s Aviators of the Year for their work on AVOID. Initial test flights over Toulouse involving mounting the equipment externally on the A340 planes as they fly up to 40,000 feet have
Travel ban angers Kenyan officials
Following a US-imposed ban on travel to the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, which caused widespread anger amongst Kenyan officials, the US Embassy has now courted fresh outrage, declaring Kenya’s North Eastern Province off-limits. The Embassy’s official statement, broadcast to US government personnel and citizens living in Kenya, said: “As a result of recent events and threats, US government employees, contractors, grantees and their dependents are prohibited from travelling to the province, including the towns of Wajir, Garissa, Mandera and Liboi.” The travel bans are apparently in place due to the threat of a terror attack, but some within the Kenyan government have called them ‘economic sabotage’ and suggested that the US is attempting to destabilise the country’s tourism industry, which accounts for 40 per cent of its economy. One Kenyan source issued a strongly worded rebuke: “It is clear [the US has] an agenda here which is not clean. I think with their arrogant attitude they are only pushing us to look for other allies and partners, and those will be from China and Russia now that their own status as the single world power is again challenged by those two. We have no issues with Americans, but we have a lot of issues with their embassy and the way their government is treating us.” Other unnamed sources called for a better standard of co-operation and respect from the US. The bans come at a highly sensitive time for Kenya, with elections only eight months away, and the forthcoming trial of two presidential contenders at the International Criminal Court in The Hague – as well as continuing military action in Somalia – already putting strain on its tourism industry.
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the website project, which was contracted top to bottom: physically present at a meeting, a restrictive to EURAMI ex-board member Dr Laurent Dr Michael Weinlich, rule given that the industry EURAMI seeks to The EURAMI resignations: Taymans’ company l’Aeromédicale. Dr Gert Muurling, represent is spread across the world and its Dr Bettina Vadera, Weinlich stated that delays and incomplete Dr Laurent Taymans, members are subject to emergency call-outs. components meant that the contract Volker Lemke and why did the had only been 50-per-cent completed, Dr Michael Braida The future adding: “Therefore I have not accepted It is clear that the meeting at ITIC will be invoices above 50 per cent.” Although crunch time. One way or another, EURAMI his message noted disagreement with will need to take concrete steps to reassure leadership quit? the board members on this issue, the industry of its viability. The key question Weinlich did not explicitly connect this will be whether measures can be put in with their resignations. place that enable the next board to resolve At the end of June, the board members of the for members to put themselves forward went out For their part, the board members any internal conflicts and reduce the chance European Air Medical Institute (EURAMI) put out on 13 July, with a promise that members would be have declined to go much further than of another walkout. And perhaps the new a joint statement announcing their resignation, consulted on whom they would prefer if more than Vadera’s early statements. Dr Michael president and board will even be bold prompting the Institute’s president to follow five candidates step forward). EURAMI members must Braida, regional medical director for enough to remove one layer of intrigue suit. James Paul Wallis asks what was behind the be physically present to vote for permanent board northern Europe, International SOS by publishing the Institute’s accreditation walkout and what it could mean for EURAMI members, so election of a new board will take place at (UK), told Waypoint that the move was standards. That really would be a new the annual meeting at ITIC as described above. down to ‘a lack of confidence in the beginning. n On 28 June, the five EURAMI board members (Dr In the meantime, there will be, said Weinlich, no structure of EURAMI’; with the board Michael Braida, Dr Laurent Taymans, Dr Bettina Vadera, impact on EURAMI’s operational activities. In an email having no powers under the statutes to Dr Gert Muurling, and Volker Lemke) issued a joint to EURAMI members, he asserted: “The operational moderate decisions, the president is not Industry reaction statement to the Institute’s membership declaring part of the EURAMI office remains active according to required to take its recommendations Although ITIJ sought comment from their immediate resignation, due, they said, to a the statutes and procedures.” He also told members: into account, he said. The statutes, he numerous other industry contacts ‘complete lack of confidence in the current leadership “Until November, Andrew Wither, as permanent added, need to be changed in order regarding the resignations, it seems shared unanimously by all members of the board’. secretary of [the] EURAMI office, will continue the for EURAMI to move forward. Braida silence is golden at the present time. The statement further explained: “This has been operational functions of EURAMI.” also questioned the wisdom of giving However, Robert Glück, medical care compounded by outstanding conflicts with the EURAMI the website project to a board member. director of marketing and sales for president, which we attempted to resolve, but to no The conflict Taymans, however, declined to comment EURAMI-accredited ADAC Service avail. Whilst we believe in EURAMI as a professional In initial comments made to ITIJ’s sister publication, on issues concerning the website. GmbH, was happy to speak to ITIJ, organisation, the dissociation between the members of Waypoint AirMed & Rescue Magazine (Waypoint) on 28 stating: “From my point of view, it was the board and the president has reached a point where June, Dr Bettina Vadera, medical director of AMREF The impact a logical and consequential decision it leaves us no choice but to resign collectively.” Flying Doctors, underlined that the resignations were The danger comes from the fact that the and I personally take my hat off to The next day, Dr Michael Weinlich, the not being made due to a lack of belief in EURAMI value of a EURAMI accreditation is only the board for their decision. I haven’t aforementioned president, followed suit, telling the as an institution, but solely due to conflict within the worth the confidence that buyers of air seen much development of EURAMI members that he would resign as soon as interim leadership: “While all of the board members are fully ambulance services have in EURAMI as over the past few years and have been board members were in place, or, if sooner, at the behind the concept of EURAMI as an organisation for an institution. There is a clear risk that concerned about the real benefits that next EURAMI members meeting (at ITIC Barcelona in audit, accreditation and standards control, the current such a public falling out could undermine EURAMI brings for the air ambulance/ Spain, 29 October to 1 November 2012). situation between the board and the president has the Institute’s standing, at least in the assistance/ insurance industry.” He resulted in an unproductive working relationship.” short term, making the timing of the also questioned the Institute’s quality Next steps So, what prompted the board members to quit? No resignations questionable. The counter standards, stating: “Looking at the list of In terms of the running of the Institute, in line with one is stating the reason outright, but in his letter of argument is that the move focuses accredited companies – and don’t want EURAMI’s statutes, which form the legal basis of resignation, Weinlich took the opportunity to inform attention on EURAMI, and means that to blame any of these – I’m not 100 the not-for-profit association under German law, the membership of the status of the EURAMI website the problems with its framework are per cent sure if all of these companies the wheels then set in motion were for Weinlich, as and the new Academy (as described at previous being openly discussed, creating an really operate at the quality level that I president, to appoint interim board members (a request members meetings, the Academy is to be an online opportunity to rebuild a better, stronger personally understand to be the sufficient training resource with e-learning modules available to organisation. Braida, for example, told level for high-quality patient transport.” members, and the main website is to be overhauled Waypoint that he would like to see a He further stressed the importance of outsiders have been left with four with more information on accredited providers, along revision of the legal statutes, creating a maintaining clear minimum standards for full months to speculate on the with other updates). Strikingly, he went into detail on properly structured board. He would accreditation in order for the Institute to machinations until a new board is also favour an update to the voting rules, retain its USP. which currently require members to be It is worth noting that EURAMI, unlike elected at ITIC The value of EURAMI CAMTS, does not make public its accreditation is only worth the accreditation criteria. This has prompted confidence that buyers of air perhaps the new president questions over transparency at the Institute. ambulance services have in and board will even be bold When asked what changes Glück might like enough to remove one layer to see EURAMI make in the coming months, EURAMI as an institution like Braida, he had some clear ideas, and of intrigue by publishing the called for more openness regarding what accreditation standards happens once a provider is accredited; for instance, whether the air ambulance provider receives unscheduled visits from EURAMI for quality control purposes to make sure the accreditation certificate reflects the actual and daily provision of aeromedical transports at the company. “I still think that the idea of EURAMI is great and an institute like EURAMI is important for the industry; but the industry needs transparency regarding the interests and goals of EURAMI. There has to be a committed goal for EURAMI about the objectives of the Institute, a vision where it wants to be in the future and a committed strategy that plans how to get there. Furthermore, any mixing of personal interests and the interests of the Institute has to be a 100 per cent avoided,” he said. The Institute has lots to do with regards to appointing a new board and president, he added, but he also believes EURAMI should consider appointing contracted staff, who can ‘really take the time to develop the Institute’. “It’s not easy to do that part-time alongside a primary occupation,” concluded Glück.
International Travel Insurance Journal
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AJI-AAP announces new base in Seattle
Aero Jet International/Air vacation destination offerings for some time. Ambulance Professionals Having a base in Seattle, Washington will allow (AJI-AAP) has announced us to extend our market presence into the Pacific the establishment of a new Northwest, Canada and Alaska while continuing to base of operations at the offer our clients and vacationers more affordable, Seattle Boeing Field (BFI) in efficient options.” Washington, US, operating Stuart Hayman, chief executive officer of the firm, from 1 July to the end of the added: “[This] is another example of our success summer season. The company said it would open with the re-capitalisation of the companies.” AirMed Partners with Asia Pacific Jet the base with one Learjet 35A aircraft to meet the BFI becomes AJI-AAP’s third base of operations. high demand of aeromedical transport requests in A base in Florida (FXE) boasts five Learjet 35As, US air ambulance company AirMed International has exceptionally pleased to have the opportunity to the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska. currently providing services to the western announced it has entered into a strategic partnership work with Asia Pacific Jet to provide complete air Dawn Cerbone, AJI-AAP marketing director, hemisphere; a second in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) with Singapore-based Asia Pacific Jet to provide air medical solutions in Asia.” explained: “Alaska has been a successful part of serves the Caribbean Basin with a Cessna 402B. medical services to the region and a second base of operations for AirMed in Asia. The Singapore base is slated to be operational this autumn. John Ling, chairman of Asia Pacific Jet, explained: “Combining AirMed’s experience and expertise with Asia Pacific Jet’s business network is truly a win-win formula. The biggest beneficiary will be patients in the region, who will have more access to first-class medical care and transportation.” AirMed also recently celebrated its fourth anniversary operating a fully dedicated Hawker 800 air ambulance aircraft from Hong Kong. The new partnership will add another Hawker 800 medical aircraft in Singapore, and Asia Pacific Jet plans to convert two Beechjet 400 Nextant aircraft for air ambulance services from the Singapore base. Jeffrey Tolbert, chief executive officer of AirMed International, commented: “Singapore is an ideal extension to our base in Hong Kong to serve patients throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region. We are
American Care picks up speed
American Care Air Ambulance recently acquired a Cessna Citation, which is now located at the company’s fixed-base operation in the US state of Washington. In a statement, American Care said the new aircraft will increase its flexibility and expand its fixed-wing and medical services in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. “The Citation’s highly efficient and powerful Williams FJ44 fan-jet engines enable comfort, time, and cost benefits,” said Milan Floribus, president of American Care, adding “The aircraft’s proven safety record and reliable design minimise downtime, increasing availability for critical missions.” The San Diego-headquartered company is also celebrating 18 years in the aeromedical evacuation business, including two years flying with full flight and medical crews out of its newer Spokane base in Washington.
Medical crews given simulation training
CEGA Air Ambulance in the UK recently brought together its medical crews for a simulation training day in a fixed-wing air ambulance plane. The team demonstrated resuscitation and defibrillation procedures in a King Air 200 using a high-fidelity mannequin with breathing functions, palpable pulses and blood pressure displays. Said Dr Tim Hammond, CEGA’s chief medical officer. “By providing a realistic scenario, it can also help crews to develop teamwork and communication and aid in the planning of practicalities, such as the positioning of medical equipment and patients’ luggage.”
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EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 21 PAGE UPDATE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2012/3 Barcelona INCLUDING International Travel Insurance Conference DATE & LOCATION Networking 29 October - 1 November 2012 | Arts Hotel International20th Barcelona Conference Debate CONTACT US International Travel Insurance Conference For more details please visit www.barcelona.itic.co The Air Ambulance Forum
DATE & LOCATION INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 29 October - 1 November 2012 INSURANCE JOURNAL VOTE NOW! Arts Hotel, BaREGISTERrcelona INDUSTRY AWARDS 2012 www.itij.co.uk/awards NOW! 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ A 2 FOR INFORMATION & International Travel Insurance Journal REGISTRATION , ARDSCast 2012 your R vote ITIJ for AW 2012’sARDS award 2012 categoriesR ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 20 DS PLEASE VISIT: INDUSTRY TIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ www.itic.co/barcelona A 2012 Cost ITIJ AContainmentWARDS 2012 Company ITIJ AWARDS 2Assistance/Claims012 ITIJ AWARDS 2 Handler012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 AWARDS 2012 R R R R INDUSTRY R AWARDS 2Air01 2Ambulance R ITIJ AWAR ProviderDS 2012 R ITIJ AWAInsurer/UnderwriterRDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 20201212 2 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITTIJI AWARDS 2012 R IntermediaryR R Hospital/MedicalR Provider R 500+ AWWARDARDSARDS ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 20122020 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE R R R delegad tes INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 29 OCTOBER - 1 NOVEMBER & HEALTH INSURANCE The leading global travel & THE ARTS HOTEL BARCELONA CONFERENCES 2012 health insurance conference Americas 70WWW.ITIC.CO/BARCELONA+coc untries
26-28 February For full details & registration please visit www.sanjuan.itic.co San Juan 2013
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE Innovate. Educate. Debate. conference 1 INSURERS • ASSISTANCE • HOSPITALS • AIR AMBULANCE ONE NIGHT IN… BRIGHTON CONTACT US EAT, DRINK & BE 16 May 2013 For more details please visit MERRY WITH SOME The Grand Hotel www.barcelona.itic.INTERNATIONALco TRAVEL OF THE UK’S TOP Brighton | www.brighton.itic.co & HEALTH INSURANCE COMEDIANS CONFERENCES 2012 t a a a ll ll Hotel Lievan elonet ts Bogate Mar Bell Ar Nova Icaria Barc
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EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 22 PAGE UPDATE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2012/3 Barcelona INCLUDING International Travel Insurance Conference DATE & LOCATION Networking 29 October - 1 November 2012 | Arts Hotel International20th Barcelona Conference Debate CONTACT US International Travel Insurance Conference For more details please visit www.barcelona.itic.co The Air Ambulance Forum
DATE & LOCATION INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 29 October - 1 November 2012 INSURANCE JOURNAL VOTE NOW! Arts Hotel, BaREGISTERrcelona INDUSTRY AWARDS 2012 www.itij.co.uk/awards NOW! 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ A 2 FOR INFORMATION & International Travel Insurance Journal REGISTRATION , ARDSCast 2012 your R vote ITIJ for AW 2012’sARDS award 2012 categoriesR ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 20 DS PLEASE VISIT: INDUSTRY TIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ www.itic.co/barcelona A 2012 Cost ITIJ AContainmentWARDS 2012 Company ITIJ AWARDS 2Assistance/Claims012 ITIJ AWARDS 2 Handler012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 AWARDS 2012 R R R R INDUSTRY R AWARDS 2Air01 2Ambulance R ITIJ AWAR ProviderDS 2012 R ITIJ AWAInsurer/UnderwriterRDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 2012 R ITIJ AWARDS 20201212 2 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITTIJI AWARDS 2012 R IntermediaryR R Hospital/MedicalR Provider R 500+ AWWARDARDSARDS ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 2012 ITIJ AWARDS 20122020 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE R R R delegad tes INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 29 OCTOBER - 1 NOVEMBER & HEALTH INSURANCE The leading global travel & THE ARTS HOTEL BARCELONA CONFERENCES 2012 health insurance conference Americas 70WWW.ITIC.CO/BARCELONA+coc untries
26-28 February For full details & registration please visit www.sanjuan.itic.co San Juan 2013
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE Innovate. Educate. Debate. conference 1 INSURERS • ASSISTANCE • HOSPITALS • AIR AMBULANCE ONE NIGHT IN… BRIGHTON CONTACT US EAT, DRINK & BE 16 May 2013 For more details please visit MERRY WITH SOME The Grand Hotel www.barcelona.itic.INTERNATIONALco TRAVEL OF THE UK’S TOP Brighton | www.brighton.itic.co & HEALTH INSURANCE COMEDIANS CONFERENCES 2012 t a a a ll ll Hotel Lievan elonet ts Bogate Mar Bell Ar Nova Icaria Barc
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EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 23 PAGE UPDATE 24 ITIC REVIEW International Travel Insurance Conference Shanghai 19 - 21 June 2012 | Peninsula Shanghai
ITIC Shanghai sponsors Shanghai The Review
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CONFERENCE The 2012 ITIC Asia Pacifi c event in Shanghai saw leading professionals from the global travel insurance, assistance and IPMI industries meet to discuss the benefi ts and challenges of conducting business in the Asia Pacifi c region today. Moderated by ITIJ’s editor-in-chief Ian Cameron, delegates enjoyed three days of insight and debate, and the opportunity to meet, greet and network with like-minded individuals. Mick Shippen reports
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An explanation of the Chinese healthcare system ‘in and outside perspectives’
Emery Brautigan, mery Brautigan began proceedings with an ratio that he said could only be found in the world’s permits and delays are always expensive,” he said. CEO, insightful look at the high cost of healthcare most exclusive hospitals or in an intensive care unit. With corporate tax in China at 25 per cent and United Family Healthcare Ein China, in particular in Shanghai. “As a Another contributing factor to healthcare costs was many hospitals operating as joint ventures, Emery healthcare provider, I need land and a building equipment, the majority of which is imported and also noted that as much as 35 to 50 per cent of but there are very few places in the world more incurs shipping costs and duty, making it significantly profits are lost to tax and partners. In addition, expensive that Shanghai, perhaps parts of Manhattan more expensive than in the West. hospital buildings and capital must be financed from or downtown San Francisco,” he said. He also Emery cited legal and regulatory procedures as earnings, debt or equity. In closing, he stressed pointed out that recruitment of expats was expensive another major driver of costs. “Compliance [with] that despite the cost, quality of care is equal to or and that even local labour costs had increased the laws here in China is a challenge and more costly exceeds that of private care in the US or Western significantly. “Here in Shanghai, wages of local than in the US. There is also a risk of delays for Europe and includes fast, green channel access to employees are rising 15 per cent a year, so if you top hospitals and physicians in China. During the are of the view that this is a city of cheap labour, question-and-answer session, Emery shared his you need to think again,” he warned. Additionally, patient demographic, showing an equal 25 per cent Emery said that at United Family Healthcare, the split between four groups – English-speaking patients; goal was a staff ratio of one nurse for every patient French, Japanese and German; local Chinese; and and never more than three patients to one nurse – a the rest of the world.
Thorkild Lykke, horkild Lykke began his presentation by to try and establish strong local partnerships. He Manager International Networks, informing delegates: “In 2007, we decided also advised that cost containment measures include SOS International Tto open an office in Shanghai to service evacuation to cheaper nearby countries such as Hong expatriates in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, Kong and Thailand. Taiwan, and Mongolia, as well as inbound and Looking to the future, Thorkild said that he hoped outbound travellers.” He said that although healthcare that China would establish more facilities with an in major cities could be excellent, the situation in Thorkild said SOS International faced many challenges international focus. “This will lead to increased rural areas was very different and presented many working in China. “These include the limited choice competition among facilities to attract international challenges, so the priority was to transfer a patient of facilities, especially outside main cities, and few business with the effect of lowering total costs because to a modern and well-equipped facility as soon as hospitals are geared for international patients and their international payers are regarded as valuable partners.” possible. He then moved on to the issue of China’s insurance company,” he said. “Insurance and assistance high cost of care, stating that on average inpatient companies will also find that many hospitals insist on costs in China are now four times that of Germany, cash before delivery.” He also noted that the level of twice that of Spain and almost three times that of quality as experienced by the patient and the insurance Thailand. The average outpatient costs in China are or assistance provider was not necessarily the same. twice that of Germany, Spain and Thailand. Thorkild This is because customer service in China, he said, is said that although, in his opinion, the market price geared towards service providers. for healthcare was currently unrealistically high, it was Drawing on his extensive experience of working in possible to negotiate discounts. China, Thorkild advised those new to the country
Amelia Yang, Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific, melia Yang began her overview of the care and few individual practitioners. “The public Cigna Global Health Benefits Chinese medical system by saying that the sector is fraught with difficulties. Most hospitals are A development of its healthcare sector was stand-alone and not-for-profit, but are underfunded far behind its economic development. “The major and suffer from poor infrastructure and bad Amelia stated that insurance services in China only challenges that lie ahead are access, quality and management,” she said. Of the 7,000 private facilities, account for two per cent of consumer spending, cost,” she said. Amelia said establishing a well she said that most were stand-alone and for-profit, while medical expenses stand at 10 per cent. functioning National Health System (NHS) to protect often focusing on specialty areas, with some beginning However, healthcare is given as the top reason the community against health risks was considered a to form chains, such as the Phoenix Hospital Group. for saving money, which will translate into a high top priority by the government. “However, due to China also has an estimated 200 to 300 foreign- demand for personal health insurance products. At limited funding and a vast population the priority of owned facilities, most of which are stand-alone and the same time, she said, employers were increasingly the NHS is to focus on providing basic coverage for for-profit with a focus on high-end markets such as recognising the benefits of health insurance as an all Chinese nationals,” said Amelia. For this reason, expatriates. important differentiating factor. employees of multinational companies now look to Due to a scarcity of employees who can function their employers to provide additional commercial in an international business environment, medical medical insurance to increase coverage and reduce insurance was now used as a weapon in a talent war out-of-pocket expenses. to attract and retain staff. High-end medical insurance Amelia said that in China, there are currently 7,000 now has a prevalence of 20 to 30 per cent in China, private and 13,000 public health facilities, no primary mainly among locally hired foreigners and key locals.
Dr Michael Moreton, r Michael Morton took to the stage to give making them very profitable.” Doctor, his personal view of China. He started with Turning to the effects of China’s one-child policy, Bangkok General Hospital Da well known quote attributed to Napoleon Michael said: “It has created spoilt kids – Little Emperors that states ‘China is a sleeping lion, when she awakes – a more ‘me’ than ‘we’ generation. It has also resulted the world will tremble’. “Well, China has awoken in a gender imbalance and a shortage of wives.” and the world is trembling,” said Michael. Michael also touched on the differences between Describing the country as a mosaic, he said that most “In the old China, your housing, education and China and the West that he considered important to countries are held together by the unifying effect of a medical needs were taken care of by the state. understand. He expressed the opinion that Westerners common spoken language. “In China, however, with There were few surprises. You were poor but so focused on personal satisfaction whereas the Chinese its many languages and dialects, the common written was everybody else,” he said. “Today, life is more were more focused on duty to the family and their language is the glue that unifies its people.” Looking uncertain and the inequalities are everywhere.” Even community. “From my experience of working in China at today’s China, Michael said that the old communist the adage of ‘eating the Emperor’s grain’ had taken for many years I also believe that, to the Chinese, mantra had been discarded but this had led to the on a new meaning in modern China. “The saying healthcare is not governed by a scientific thought collapse of the ‘iron rice bowl’, resulting in a life less used to mean that you had a government job. Now process but rather by a mixture of folk law, tradition and stable and secure than in the past, and huge divisions it refers to those who have got extremely wealthy by family experiences. The opinion of your grandmother is between rich and poor. acquiring unprofitable state-owned enterprises and valued as much as that of the doctor,” he said.
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Local service delivery and pricing for the international market – using TPAs to reconcile costs and pricing in Asia
Dennis Lu, ennis Lu addressed the issue of soaring The most dramatic growth was predicated in the regulatory, medical, technological or operational. He President & CEO, tourism in China and the country’s current Chinese outbound market, which currently stands at noted that evolving customer preferences showed China SOS International Dlow travel insurance penetration. He said 70 million but is forecast to increase by 22.6 per cent that the marketplace was polarising. Whereas that third party administration (TPA) was an emerging to 83.75 million by 2015. However, domestic travel mass-market customers seek low costs for basic industry in the country, providing many opportunities stands at 1,300 million and is forecast to grow 16 per goods with a low emotional investment, high- and accompanying challenges. “Speaking from my cent to 1,660 million by 2015. end customers want greater personal value when company’s perspective, we are trying to satisfy The vast country and its huge population are purchasing something they consider to be of ‘high three major market sectors: the inbound expats and challenged by a lack of hospital infrastructure. emotional importance’. “This means that in China foreign tourists, the outbound Chinese, and domestic Although there are 21,979 facilities, only 1,399 are there is opportunity for mega-players to deliver Chinese travellers,” he said. Dennis presented fi gures considered level 3 hospitals and since the majority ‘good enough’ value at low prices, and for specialists and projected growth for each sector, showing over are state-owned non-profi t making institutions, to develop profi table niches,” he said. 27 million foreign travellers visit China each year. service providers face problems trying to fulfi l Dennis ended his presentation with a quote by Sam This is forecast to increase to 31.15 million by 2015. network and direct billing needs. Walton, founder of the retail giant Wal-Mart. “There’s Travellers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau Dennis said it was possible to improve customer only one boss: the customer. He can fi re everybody in account for 108.5 million visitors to mainland China service, but it was essential to fi nd the right local the company from the chairman on down, simply by per year, with year-on-year growth of 0.6 per cent. partner and establish a strong market strategy, be that spending his money somewhere else.”
David T. Youssef, avid Youssef explained that Now Health was countries. Cost containment is critical,” he said. 30-per-cent lower than in neighbouring Thailand, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, an international health insurance provider He then explained how the growth of China’s half the cost of those in the Philippines, and a quarter Now Health International Limited Dthat had built its own in-house TPA services private healthcare sector is dependent on outside of those in Singapore. “Medical fee regulation is to enable on-the-ground, local service delivery to its investment. “Even though it is possible to seek strictly controlled and failure to follow can result in customers. To illustrate how operations are tailored treatment outside China, for the majority it is not a fi ne and imprisonment, which means that cost for each individual Asian country in order to deliver a practical. This means that Western-style hospitals containment is much less of an issue,” he noted. consistent customer experience, David chose to focus are in high demand. With no regulation on price, David ended his presentation with the advice that no on three of the most diverse markets in Asia – Hong containing costs is paramount,” he said. However, provider should enter any Asian market and expect to Kong, high-cost China, and Malaysia. achieving this is diffi cult because, as in Hong Kong, understand it from a distance. “It is important to think He stated that Hong Kong benefi ts from some for inpatient services there is a signifi cant lack of ahead, know your market in advance, put experts on of the best healthcare facilities in the world, with scale, so using TPA services to place guarantees of the ground to set up provider relationships, and train, locals and expats often using the same facilities payment on a discount structure is the only way not train, train and train some more. And remember,” he since dual-language practitioners and facilities were to haemorrhage costs. said, “customers don’t care what you need to do to commonplace. “However, since many people By comparison, David said, Malaysia was a deliver the service you promised.” travel to Hong Kong for medical treatment and completely different story. With Malay, English, there is no pricing regulation, it means costs are and Chinese widely spoken, for many it is easy disproportionately high compared with neighbouring to access healthcare, and medical fees are up to
Xiaopeng Yu, iaopeng Yu returned the focus to TPAs in that the private ownership of hospitals, clinics, Vice-President, China by immediately stating that as yet dental clinics, and health screening centres consists Medilink (Beijing TPA Services Co., Ltd) Xthere was no law to regulate TPAs. He of a combination of those facilities owned by local added that the key TPA players were assistance Chinese, those controlled by foreign-joint ventures, companies, insurance companies, health screening and those that are wholly foreign-owned ventures. companies, and healthcare-related businesses. “Drawing comparisons between public and private Xiaopeng went on to outline the services typically facilities we can see that medical expertise in public provided, which include insurance claims, direct hospitals is high and comprehensive whereas in billing with medical providers, guarantee of payment, private hospitals it is more general,” said Xiaopeng. billing and open to negotiation for medical fees. medical referral and advice, health screening, and the “However, service in a public hospital is provided In conclusion, Xiaopeng outlined the many benefi ts promotion of good health. by a non-dedicated staff whereas in private hospitals of using TPAs, explaining: “It helps gain quick access He told delegates that government-owned hospitals they are extremely dedicated.” Other differences in into the Chinese health insurance market, saving were the major players in China and were rated in the public sector include low prices, a reluctance to time, effort, and cost. Additionally, it helps expand the levels one to three and grades A, B and C, with 3A accept direct billing and no discounts, whereas private direct billing network in China, utilise local medical being considered the best quality. He then explained hospitals charge high prices, are agreeable to direct resources and local healthcare products.”
Shanghai networking lunch
The ITIC Networking lunch was a great start to the conference, offering delegates old and new an opportunity to meet with industry peers and connect with new business partners. Networking is an important part of ITIC events, and the number of delegates who attended the lunch is testament to how useful and productive such meetings are.
International Travel Insurance Journal
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Growth and infrastructure of the emergency assistance industry in the Asia Pacific region
Sharon Tan, haron Tan began by saying that she categorised escort to accompany the doctor,” she said. her company dealt with concerning a family of nine Group Managing Director, types of assistance as ‘inbound’, ‘outbound’, Sharon also added that case volume often follows involved in a crash in Melbourne, Australia. AAI Sand ‘private’, and that over the past three world risk factors. “At one time, Thailand was Finally, Sharon touched on private cases, noting that years, her company had experienced a seven very busy, but following the Red Shirt political in Indonesia there was a large demand for private to 10-per-cent growth in cases from assistance demonstrations and flooding, the focus for leisure air ambulances flying to hospitals in Singapore. companies, TPAs and insurance companies for travel turned to the Philippines,” she explained. However, such cases are also not without their inbound assistance in Asia. “One of the challenges Moving on, Sharon said that the company faced challenges, such as the overloading of baggage. we face is patient expectation, because many are similar challenges with its outbound Asian clients. “Patients often assume that because they are paying travelling for leisure from Europe or America and “Although treatment meets or exceeds expectations for the flight they can bring whatever they want, but when they find themselves in a hospital ward because [our clients] are usually in a good European air ambulances strictly enforce a one-bag rule. Also, they are often shocked by the conditions.” Other hospital, there is what I refer to as the ‘I want to we cannot take off without securing payment, which challenges include insufficient medical information go home syndrome’,” she said. This often leads to can take time,” she said. and local country restrictions: “For example, in difficulties arising from policy restrictions. Thailand, sometimes government authorities do not Sharon also said that for outbound travel, her clients allow a foreign doctor to transport a patient from often require teams ready to deal with mass casualty point A to point B so we will have to provide an cases, such a bus crashes. She cited a recent case
Zhong Yuan Li, irstly, Zhong Yuan Li gave a brief overview of mainland China. It now operates through 900 network Chairman of the Board, the recent history of emergency assistance hospitals across the country. Since 2007, BUMA has also China Healthcare Holdings Limited, Fin China. Although Chinese government been an independent commercial operator. Beijing Universal Medical Assistance Co. Ltd emergency assistance dates back to the 1980s, Zhong then turned to the opportunities and challenges commercial emergency assistance only started in facing medical assistance, saying that the travel market 2000. “Today, with the continuous improvement will continue to grow, especially the outbound of living standards, there is a growing demand and market, which will fuel the growth of assistance adoption of emergency assistance services for services. “Government initiatives designed to improve 40 per pent of those connecting to the web in China unanticipated events. Indeed, assistance services travel security will increase the focus on emergency now do so solely via a mobile phone,” he said. for travel, medical, roadside, and in the home services and that will have a positive influence on He also asserted that there was a growing awareness are growing business segments for the travel and assistance services,” he said. Zhong expressed the of Western healthcare practices and facilities, raising insurance industries,” said Zhong. view that technology, namely the use of mobile web customer expectations for healthcare services and He went on to focus on emergency medical assistance and smartphones would quickly open up many new demand for improved emergency assistance services. provider Beijing Universal Medical Assistance – BUMA. possibilities for emergency assistance and travel-related However, he also offered a word of caution, saying: He said BUMA was established in 2001 by the Ministry services. He added that this year, China will overtake “While the Chinese market for such services has of Health via its International Health Exchange and the US as the world’s biggest smartphone market and been growing fast, it remains at the bottom of the Cooperation Center to provide emergency medical that for many Chinese the smartphone offers them development curve and carries with it the challenges assistance services to nationals and foreigners in their first access to the Internet. “By some estimates, typical of an early stage climb.”
Jason Hue, ason began his informative talk on Indonesia’s were travelling. “Such is the financial power of the even though all necessary legal documents may be at Managing Director, emergency assistance industry by quoting the middle class that it is not uncommon for an individual hand, an official will demand cash to release them.” Blue Dot Assistance Jcountry’s Tourism Minister, who said ‘Indonesia is to walk into our office with cash and say they want He said Indonesian law was another grey area. not just about Bali’. In fact, as Jason pointed out, it to charter a plane to repatriate the remains of a “Speak to 10 consultants and you will get 10 different comprises 17,000 islands, a fact that makes it a logistical relative,” he said. interpretations of the law.” Compounding the nightmare for emergency assistance companies. Jason went on to give an overview of the many problems faced by international assistance companies, Nevertheless, Jason said the booming Indonesian disasters, natural and manmade, that Indonesia has he said that most local hospitals are reluctant to engage economy is considered to be the next best thing after endured. These included the tsunami, earthquakes, in agreements due to legal problems, preferring China, and the outlook for the assistance industry is and terrorists bombings. Within Jakarta, he pointed instead to deal with local companies. looking bright. He joked that when asked to explain out that inadequate infrastructure, traffic gridlock, Finally, Jason said that despite the challenges, there his job he often replied that it was the only business in and an outdated airport all presented problems for were many opportunities in Indonesia because of which the staff get to fly in private jets and helicopters assistance companies. the growth in leisure tourism and medical tourism. while the management flies economy class. “Another challenge is the language barrier. Doctors, “Increasingly, companies are keen to ensure He noted that the rise of Indonesia’s middle class and particularly in rural areas, have a very limited grasp their employees have adequate travel and health the increase in budget airlines meant more people of English,” he said, “Corruption is also an issue, and insurance,” he said.
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Migrant workers: Insurance and security for Asian expats to Third-World countries – what are the risks and medical infrastructure available?
Dr Bettina Vadera, r Bettina Vadera gave an insightful overview Giving delegates a snapshot of the region’s medical district hospitals but many are underfunded, poorly Medical Director, of healthcare in the Third World, namely challenges, Bettina said that the most prevalent equipped and the staff low paid,” said Bettina. AMREF Flying Doctors DEast Africa, a region in which she has lived disease within the population was malaria (30 per Another challenge to medical care in East Africa was and worked for many years. She began by providing cent), respiratory diseases (24.5 per cent), and HIV ground transportation. “Very few health facilities have sobering comparisons of average GDP per head – a (7.4 per cent). However, persistent poverty and on-site ground transport available for emergencies, figure of $1,600 in East Africa, $7,600 in China and poor standards of water purity and sanitation also and there are fewer than 100 ground ambulances $35,000 in the UK. contribute to endemic cholera. Turning to the health available in East Africa,” she said. Bettina also told She said that the East African communities of Kenya, system, she said services in Kenya were provided delegates that St John Ambulance was the only Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi had a through a network of 6,600 health facilities, ranging provider of public ground medical transport in Kenya, population of 128 million, of which 70 to 80 per from small clinics, health centres, and dispensaries but that it only had 10 ambulances. cent live in rural areas. However, 50 per cent of the in rural areas, to government and mission hospitals. In conclusion, Bettina said insurers and migrant population lives below the poverty line. “In rural There are also private institutions that charge $50 to workers should be knowledgeable of the local areas, medical facilities are few and far between and $100 per ward bed per day after an initial deposit of environment, including safety and security, and road infrastructure is poor,” she said. “The cellular $500 to $1,000. “Dispensaries and clinics comprise become familiar with facilities and referral centres on network is not always available in rural districts and approximately 80 per cent of the healthcare the ground, adding: “It is also important to be aware AMREF Flying Doctors provides the largest HF radio system and are staffed by nurses working under of policies between clients and providers, and to coverage in East Africa.” the supervision of a nursing officer. There are also utilise local expertise.”
Major Clarence Sundram, ecurity professional Major Clarence Sundram each year. He also said that during the Libyan conflict “In terms of prevention, pre-departure training is Head of Security Division, focused on the risks facing Asian expatriates and of 2011, 35,860 Chinese migrant workers had to be essential, as well as country and city reports, and Drum Cussac Asia Smigrant workers in developing countries. He evacuated from the country after oil and construction global situation alerts,” he said. “Assistance can include began by saying that with Asian companies expanding companies were raided and attacked. personnel tracking, journey management, close on a global scale, they are faced with complex Turning to the threat of terrorism, Major Sundram protection, and site security management.” issues that affect the security and safety of their staff. said that Tehrik-i-Taliban claimed responsibility for the He also presented a case study that involved the “Although criminal activities in developing regions killing of a Chinese woman in Kohati Bazaar, Peshawar, staff of a corporation in Batam, Indonesia, during a cannot be avoided, we are witnessing a marked northwest Pakistan in March 2012, allegedly to avenge period of violent wage demonstrations. “In this case, increase in violent crime against Asian workers,” he the mistreatment of Uyghur muslims in Xinjiang under we were able to use bulk SMS to warn personnel said. Major Sundram also pointed out that, in many Chinese domestic policies. He added that more than of hotspots and the latest developments, whilst regions, political strife, demonstrations, and even 10 Chinese nationals have been killed in Pakistan, personnel tracking and journey management was kidnapping were commonplace, citing that in 2012, mainly in the Balochistan region, since 2004. also implemented.” When asked by the conference 25 Chinese technicians and engineers working for He asserted that in order to manage the security risk moderator what one issue he would like to see an Egyptian cement factory were kidnapped by for migrant workers, it was important for companies to changed, Major Sundram replied: “Simply put, I Bedouin tribesmen – one of many cases reported have a policy for prevention, assistance and response. would like to see security being taken seriously.”
Market comparison – the sale and distribution of travel insurance and the growth of bancassurance
Simon Tottman, imon Tottman began his detailed talk by saying for several countries in 2012. Of the nine countries The other factor driving travel assurance and Expert for Travel Insurance & Assistance, that Finaccord currently estimates the global he looked at, Germany had the greatest number of assistance, besides the number of outbound trips, is Finaccord Smarket for stand-alone travel insurance and outbound travellers at 87 million foreign trips. “There the amount of travellers who choose to buy a policy. assistance to be worth US$11.9 billion for 2012, with is a lot of talk within the travel press saying that this “Research shows that uptake in the UK is around around 200 million policies sold. He said that by 2016, year will be the first time China exceeds Germany 85 per cent, a figure that is significantly higher than this market would be worth US$14.7 billion, with for outbound travel,” he added. in other European nations. In China, around 80 per policy sales increasing to around 243 million. “I would He noted that although the current figures for outbound cent of travellers purchase insurance, usually through expect around a third of this growth to take place in travel from India – at 16 million – and China – at 78 a travel agent,” explained Simon. He noted that this Asia, largely driven by the Chinese and Indian markets. million – were relatively large numbers, in terms of trips was due to the fact that the majority of travellers As a whole, this region will continue to be one of the per capita they are actually very low. “In China, we have leaving China did so with escorted group tours and most significant players in travel insurance,” he said. 1.3 billion people. And that is crucial to understand, insurance was often part of the package. Simon went on to look at the relative size of because while [current outbound travel figures are] very outbound travel markets, revealing the estimated large in absolute terms, this really is just the beginning in number of foreign trips lasting one night or more terms of getting people travelling,” he said.
Country focus: South Korea
concise overview of South Korea was outbound figures were relatively steady for the past Gna Kh Chung, provided by Gna Kh Chung. Focusing on few years at 12.5 million, with over one third of gastroenteritis, and minor injuries such as sprains, CEO, A inbound and outbound travellers, he those choosing China as their destination. strains, and lacerations; whereas the top three for Global Assistance Partners Korea revealed statistics for travel to the country and Turning to figures for medical tourism, Gha inpatients were fractures, strokes, and pneumonia. about its medical facilities. “Korea is enjoying an informed delegates that there had been a marked Gha noted that since 2009, the Korea Health increase in inbound travellers at around 12 per increase in the number of international patients Industry Development Institute has required cent per year,” he said. “In 2008, the figure was choosing Korea for treatment. “The total figure hospitals and clinics to provide a medical service for 6,890,841, rising to 9,794,796 in 2011.” Gna said for inpatient, outpatient, and check-ups increased international patients with at least one dedicated that the top 10 nations visiting the country were from 81,789 in 2010 to 122,297 in 2011,” he specialist on hand. He said that the Korea Institute for currently Japan with 3,289,051 recorded visits, said. The largest number of patients at 27,506 was Healthcare Accreditation had been actively working followed by China with 2,220,196, and the US from the US, a fact attributed in large part to its toward achieving recognised global medical standards with 661,503. These were followed by Taiwan, the military presence in South Korea. This was closely since 2010 and had significantly improved healthcare Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Russia, Canada followed by Japan at 22,491 and China at 19,222, quality and patient safety. “There are now 99 and Malaysia. “The combined figure of Japanese and figures that have shown growth of 103 per cent accredited hospitals in Korea, a figure that includes Chinese inbound travel accounts for 56 per cent of and 50 per cent respectively since 2009. The top 44 tertiary hospitals. Currently, nine out of 44 tertiary Korea’s visitors,” added Gha. He said that Korea’s three outpatient diagnoses were the common cold, hospitals are also accredited by JCI,” he said.
International Travel Insurance Journal
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 28 PAGE UPDATE ITIC REVIEW 29 Shanghai welcome function sponsored by Assistance Online and Cover-More proudly sponsored this year’s breathtaking Shanghai skyline. George Saunders, chief executive ASSISTANCE Welcome Reception. Held in the Rooftop Lounge at the House offi cer of Cover-More Australia, entertained delegates with a ONLINE of Roosevelt, the cocktails fl owed freely and exquisite canapés short speech, and we thank them, and Assistance Online, for were served whilst delegates had the opportunity to admire the sponsoring such a wonderful welcome to ITIC Shanghai 2012.
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Growth of fraudulent private medical insurance and travel insurance claims in Asia
Gary Sommerford, ary Sommerford provided insight into country, the insurer has a lack of visibility and relies and 11 per cent admit to adding value to a claim. Senior Business Consultant, Fraud & Invgs., the world of travel and medical insurance on local agents and representatives to assist in the “Reasons often given to try and justifying the fraudulent InterGlobal International Private Medical Gfraud. He began by saying that it is fight against fraud,” he said. Gary added that global claim range from ‘everybody does it’ to ‘I’ve never Insurance difficult to accurately measure the amount of fraud commentators believe that one dollar in every 10 is made a claim before so I am entitled to a bit of money committed simply because no crime has a 100-per- lost to fraud across the industry. back’. A problem in some countries is also that socially, cent detection rate. However, he said that a global Turning to who is actually committing medical health insurance fraud is not considered a criminal act, study conducted by the University of Portsmouth insurance fraud, Gary said some hospitals and clinics and so there are no strong deterrents,” he said. Centre for Counter Fraud Studies in the UK or individuals within the institutions are known to Furthermore, Gary noted that the global recession and showed that, before the recession, the average loss commit fraud. This can take the form of duplicate financial pressure on individuals was fueling an increase to the industry was 5.95 per cent, and after the billing, phantom patients, over servicing, and so in fraud. He also said that as the banking industry had recession it was 7.29 per cent, with the potential to on. Common attempts at fraud by patients include become more sophisticated and successful in targeting be in excess of 15 per cent in any business. submitting falsified invoices and failure to declare fraud, criminals could be targeting the insurance industry “The medical insurance industry estimates that at pre-existing conditions prior to taking out insurance. as it was considered an easier, soft target. “It is also worth least 15 per cent of all international medical insurance Regarding travel insurance, Gary said that Britons looking at insurance products and asking if by providing claims could be fraudulent. A contributing factor is lose more Louis Vuitton luggage than is actually sold more convenience for the customer, we are making it that when dealing with a claim outside your own in the UK, while five per cent add items to a claim, easier for them to commit fraud,” concluded Gary.
Travel risk management and duty of care – a case study in responding to corporate disasters
Anthony Moorhouse, nthony Moorhouse opened by describing be held liable for not doing it,” Anthony asserted. training for travellers and expats are also essential,” Founder and CEO, the aims of effective travel risk management He added that the key to providing adequate duty said Anthony. Dynamiq A as ‘reducing the frequency and severity of care is to demonstrate that steps have been Anthony went on to present a case study concerning of incidents, and the costs to an organisation taken to identify and assess all foreseeable risks an incident in the Congo in which Aero Service Casa associated with response, recovery, lost productivity and negate these through a comprehensive risk lost radio contact midway through a flight and the and liability’. He said that the legal requirements for management strategy. aeroplane was immediately declared missing. Phase a travel risk management programme fall into three Key to safety and security support is security risk one of operations assessed possible scenarios and areas: duty of care – the legal responsibility of an assessment; the deployment of protection and prepared appropriate courses of action, including organisation to do everything ‘reasonably practical’ security management personnel; traveller tracking the preparation of medical evacuation plans for to protect the health and safety of employees; – itinerary and GPS-based; vehicle, aircraft and multiple serious injuries, pre-empting any media duty to disclose – an employer has an obligation to ship tracking; and automated SMS and email alerts announcements, and co-ordinating liaison between disclose potential hazards so that informed decisions concerning global safety, medical, security and multiple stakeholders, including overseas diplomats. can be made; and standard of care. “Simply put, if business continuity threats. “Customised country, city Anthony said: “In such a situation, rapid location of others in your industry or a like-sized company are or project intelligence assessments and briefs, as well the aircraft is vital as life-threatening injuries may have doing something to protect their staff, then you can as face-to-face and web-based safety and security occurred and require treatment.”
Air ambulance focus: Touring Club Switzerland
Dr Abdel Djellil Boudemagh, ounded in Geneva in 1896, the non-profit contacts and the trust of our members,” he said. capabilities and 15 stretchers, dedicated medical jets, Chief Medical Officer, Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) has 1.6 Abdel stated that the challenge for TCS was to helicopters, ground ambulances, vehicles and vans.” Touring Club Switzerland Fmillion members and provides personal and improve the safety of its members, and in response Abdel then outlined the company’s strategic goals, vehicle assistance around the world. It also has an air to changes in the tourism sector, the company which include instilling trust in members while they are ambulance division operating medical helicopters in decided to extend its commitment by creating in a distressing situation, and improving service quality the Swiss Alps. Dr Abdel Djellil Boudemagh began a dedicated in-house medical assessment unit through better operational reactivity. He also said: his overview of TCS by saying that prior to 2011, with repatriation capabilities called ETIMED. The “By implementing effective cost management through the company’s medical assessments and repatriation objective of the newly created department was to optimised repatriation assignments handling, essentially services were subcontracted. “The decision to end provide medical assistance to TCS clients travelling in by putting non-emergency patients in combined flights, subcontracting was taken because costs were rising Switzerland and abroad, all under one roof. He said: we were able to reduce the number of air ambulances and there was an increased potential risk of losing “Our fleet includes an Airbus 320 with intensive care from 220 in 2010 down to 52 in 2011.”
Air ambulances in China and obstacles to licensing and operations Lenny Zhang, enny Zhang began his talk on air ambulance medical attention, Lenny stressed the need for 3,000 hours flying experience. However, Lenny Director of Business Development, services in China by drawing comparisons medevac services. “It’s now crucial to develop an said the company had to overcome bottlenecks and Asia Air Medical Lbetween airport infrastructure in the US effective air ambulance service. Despite the boom in difficulties before licences to operate were granted. and China. “In the US, there are a total of 19,802 economic development, there is a huge imbalance Even then, issues remain including a lack of clear airports of which 14,353 are private, 5,175 standard with medical resources. With the growth in tourism industry supervision, restricted aerospace control, and 274 military airports,” he said. “In China, and China’s propensity for natural disasters such as and a lack of service support. however, there are only 191 civilian airports of which flooding and earthquakes, a professional air emergency Lenny asserted that the rapid development of only 37 are classed as international airports, and 136 rescue unit is sorely needed,” he said. He added that China’s aviation industry was essential to facilitate military airports.” despite the demand for such a service by international an air ambulance service but, he stressed, it was Lenny also said that despite its huge population of 1.3 insurance policyholders and domestic patients, also dependent on a low-altitude airspace policy. billion, until Asia Air Medical was established, not a failure to act was due to a combination of issues. He summed up by saying: “As the tourism industry single civilian company provided air repatriation services “These include the lack of resource management and continues to grow and the country’s regulatory in China. “It is still very much the military search and regulatory management, poor air traffic control, a systems align with the insurance companies, and, in rescue team that is used as the first response to natural general lack of expertise, high costs – and education, conjunction with air traffic control and the Ministry disasters such as the Sichuan earthquake,” he said. education, and education,” he stressed. of Health, they develop a package to serve the With statistics showing 20 million foreigners travelling Operating since 2010, Asia Air Medical has a strong public, an air ambulance service will become an in China each year, and around five per cent requiring safety record and a senior captain with more than indispensable part of life in China.”
International Travel Insurance Journal
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 30 PAGE UPDATE ITIC REVIEW 31 Farewell networking buffet dinner This year’s Conference concluded with a Farewell Networking Dinner, which was held at The Peninsula Hotel. Welcomed with cocktails, delegates had the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking skyline of Shanghai and take advantage of fi nal networking opportunities before sitting down to consume the gastronomic delights of Sir Elly’s Restaurant.
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing a sea change in the way it provides healthcare to the country’s 28 million inhabitants, who are being brought into a private insurance system as the state seeks to reduce its role as the sole supplier of health services. Robert Bailey reports on a country undergoing some radical changes
Until the passing of a new law in 2004, the to triple and quadruple respectively over the care. Specialist treatments, especially for Kingdom’s health system was entirely funded next 20 years. While rising oil revenues have complicated procedures, meant patients were by the state. However, the Co-operative Health helped the Kingdom to invest heavily in creating routinely sent abroad, notably to the US Insurance Act introduced mandatory health a modern physical and social infrastructure, and Europe. Local standards had improved insurance for all those working in the private including some of the best-equipped healthcare sufficiently for this practice to end in 2006. sector, whether Saudi nationals or expatriates. facilities in the Middle East, such underlying The Kingdom has invested more in healthcare The only exceptions are those employed as health issues have also become more urgent and than most states in the Middle East. Spending domestic help such as drivers, cooks, maids and increasingly expensive to address. as a proportion of the total national budget gardeners. Penalties for non-compliance include Until the early 1980s, most Saudi hospitals has more than doubled since the 1970s. Some fines for companies and a refusal to renew work provided only general and emergency medical three million patients are admitted to the permits for those without insurance. country’s hospitals and 130 million are treated as Moving Saudi Arabia’s large expatriate outpatients each year. community into private insurance is designed to There are more than 400 operating hospitals and rein in the fast rising costs of providing healthcare over 2,000 primary healthcare centres. At present to a growing population that is living longer, the Kingdom has 2.2 beds per 1,000 people in but there are serious medical challenges to this the population. This ratio compares to 3.4 beds new approach. in the US, while the number of physicians per Though there has been a vast decrease in many 1,000 people is 1.7 in the Kingdom compared to communicable diseases such as cholera, the 2.5 in the US. country has developed other major health The majority of the population now has access problems, especially diabetes, hypertension, and to essential drugs. The immunisation rate for additional problems related to obesity. A survey children approaches 100 per cent and includes by the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association protection against tuberculosis and measles. in 2010 stated that 70 per cent of the Saudi Hospitals are generally clean and most of the population was alarmingly obese. In 2009, 6.2 medical facilities in larger cities have modern per cent of visits to state health centres were equipment with some considered centres of related to diabetes conditions. Treatments for excellence within the region. The extensive King diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are expected Fahad Medical City in Riyadh is the country’s International Travel Insurance Journal For visitors, the
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 healthSALES indicators, SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 32 PAGE UPDATE certainly relative to the rest of the Middle East, are generally good
Shifting sands ASSISTANCE&HEALTHCAREWORLDMARKETS 33
While not on the international tourism map Little more than a quarter of doctors in the as such, the Kingdom also receives millions of Kingdom are nationals, while the percentage visitors each year. These are mainly Muslims of Saudi nurses is even smaller; this means undertaking the annual Haj or lesser Umrah the country is largely dependent on foreign pilgrimages to Mecca. For non-Muslims, it’s recruitment to staff its hospitals and clinics. a difficult country to visit and, other than for The fact that many doctors in the Kingdom short-stay business visits, it can be a lengthy are not Saudi nationals can create language process obtaining an entry visa. problems and a lack of empathy to local cultural Visitors encountering health problems should norms. Diagnostic and referral practices are have no fears about the standard of care they will not consistent, while consultations tend to be receive in the Kingdom. But the fundamentals shorter than international averages, a situation are changing for Saudi residents. Even with its exacerbated by the frequent need for an increasing petro-dollar surpluses, Saudi Arabia interpreter to be present. recognises that rising healthcare costs necessitate New legislation has resulted in a surge in Saudi major reforms to the provision of health services. Arabia’s insurance market, which has seen double- digit growth over the last five years, reaching $4.4 billion in gross insurance premiums in 2010. While motor insurance and life policies have developed strongly, the market’s main driver has been health insurance. There is no shortage of suppliers. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance, which acts as the Saudi regulatory body, now certifies some 26 insurance firms, six third-party administration companies and more than 2,400 healthcare providers. In its latest published report, the council records 74-per-cent growth in the health insurance market in 2010 over the previous year. Saudi health minister Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al- Rabiah, who also chairs the council, reported that 8.4 million residents in the Kingdom hold health insurance, including 1.87 million Saudis. Rapid development Taj Nazer, managing director of Bupa Arabia, told ITIJ: “The regulated health insurance market of private medical in Saudi is at a mature stage as the mandatory health insurance on expats and Saudis in the insurance is being private sector has been completed, moving the Regulation is key market from one million to eight million people Big problemsaccompanied lie ahead in funding an by expanding insured over the past five years.” health service and in meeting clinical challenges. Many insurance companies offer international an increasing main tertiary referral centre. Another major Arabia for the purpose of pilgrimage or for medical facility also in the capital is the King seasonal work. involvement of Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. All travellers arriving to work in the Kingdom must undergo a medical examination and private groups in Expat haven present a medical report confirming that they are For visitors, the health indicators, certainly free from contagious diseases, including HIV/ healthcare provision relative to the rest of the Middle East, are generally good. There are no health warnings concerning major Saudi cities. The only caveats concern some malaria risk in Jizan province and in rural areas of Madina, Makkah, Ramya, Bishah, Asir, Najran and Al Bahah. Dengue fever and other insect-borne diseases are also present in the southwest of the country. The annual Haj pilgrimage after Ramadan has seen outbreaks of swine flu and meningitis. Outside cities and urban areas food-borne and water-borne diseases are also a potential hazard for un-briefed visitors. All visitors, though, should have fully comprehensive medical insurance. A good standard of treatment is available in the main cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, where the leading hospitals are mainly staffed by expatriate doctors and nurses and function according to US protocols. in spite of the However, it has to be noted that Saudi Arabia is a vast country and outside the main urban areas, availability of high- healthcare facilities, while much improved, vary considerably in what they can offer. AIDS. Anyquality worker testing medical positively for the Not surprisingly, the authorities have been keen latter condition is not allowed entry. However, not to add to the state’s medical bill by importing Saudi Arabiacare has not locally,imposed HIV/AIDS travel external health problems. Saudi Arabia is home restrictions on other categories of travellers. to a huge foreign workforce comprising some The majoritymost of the clients foreign element opt travelling 8.8 million people, around one third of the total to Saudi Arabia consists of Indian, Egyptian, population. They fill jobs Saudis either cannot Pakistanifor and Filipino emergency workers, with sizeable perform or are unwilling to do. contingents of Jordanians, Syrians, Sudanese A medical report or physical examination is and Lebanese. There is also a significant presence required to obtain work and residence permits, of Europeanevacuation and North American cover employees, while a meningococcal vaccination certificate estimated to be around 250,000 including is required for all visitors arriving in Saudi spouses and families. www.itij.co.uk
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medical insurance plans that are designed specifically for expatriates in Saudi Arabia. They have no hospital restrictions and include emergency evacuation and comprehensive cover for any medical eventuality. In the last year, the government has limited the duration of work permits for expatriate workers in the private sector to one year, which fits nicely in line with the length of many international health insurance plans. While the quality of care may be good in the country, many people remain wary of the system and would rather pay more to give themselves more choices should they need to make a claim or receive treatment. “Compulsory health insurance for guest workers includes cover for in-patient and out-patient treatment of medical conditions but, for additional peace of mind, many individuals choose to upgrade their policies to include cover for treatment in their home country or outside Saudi Arabia,” according to Karen Teasdale, AXA PPP International’s marketing operations manager. This sentiment is also observed by Bupa International medical director Dr Sneh Khemka, who says that in spite of the availability of high- quality medical care locally, most clients opt for emergency evacuation cover. The burgeoning international private medical insurance market has seen a number of partnerships develop between Saudi insurers and major international groups. Last September, AXA selected Riyadh-based Wasilah Insurance Agency According to Saudi Enaya’s CEO Gianin Zogg, has acquired considerable depth, with six third insurance companies over disputes concerning to be its new business partner in Saudi Arabia. “Health insurance, including both compulsory party administrators (TPAs) providing claims the provision of treatment to insured individuals. Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance Company and non-compulsory lines, is the biggest line of management services and in some cases actuarial In February, the Saudi Ministry of Health was launched last year. A listed company on insurance business in Saudi Arabia, accounting analysis. One of these TPAs, Saudi Nextcare, ordered the temporary closure of the privately the Saudi stock market (Tadawul), Enaya is for more than half of the total gross premiums. It which became part of the Allianz Group last year, run Tadawi General Hospital in Dammam for offering private medical insurance on a group or is also the second fastest growing line of business, administers a portfolio of more than US$400 reportedly delivering poor quality healthcare. individual basis, in a joint venture with Munich realising a growth rate of around 20 per cent.” million a year for more than 60 insurance Of the 140 private hospitals in the Kingdom, Re/Munich Health. In a relatively short period of time, the industry companies and self-funded clients. A 24/7 not more than a dozen would be ranked on call and claims centre is operated from Dubai international standards, observes a representative employing more than 100 staff. at AXA Insurance Gulf, AXA PPP International’s Rapid development of private medical insurance partner in Dubai. However, there are some is being accompanied by an increasing excellent facilities in the Kingdom that he says involvement of private groups in healthcare have ‘an acceptable level of understanding provision. This process is encouraged by the with insurers’. government, which recognises that 100 per cent The Kingdom has a well-regulated system. Under state provision will not be sustainable in the long the Council for Co-operative Health Insurance term given other demands on national finances. rules, invoices have to be submitted within 60 As a result, the government has identified days and paid within a similar period. healthcare as one of the key sectors targeted in In any claim, the paperwork trail is important, its wide-ranging privatisation programme. The with claimants needing to retain itemised bills government has concluded that the only way for treatments, original receipts and copies of to ensure that Saudi nationals’ health needs will prescriptions. Medical care providers designated be met without adversely affecting economic by insurers can bill directly, sometimes with progress is to increase private sector participation pre-authorisation. in the healthcare system. “As far as regulation is concerned, no law is perfect but Saudi Arabia has started from a sound foundation and has evolved into a mature market and is ahead of several others in the region,” said the AXA PPP representative. The relationship between private healthcare providers and insurers is businesslike. Mutasim Alireza, managing director of Magrabi Hospitals and Centres, says that health insurance reform has increased demand for services in private hospitals but that margins have been squeezed. Dr Mamoun Al-Najar, chief executive of the Saudi German Hospital in Jeddah, also says that insurers and pharmaceutical companies continue to push for better terms. AXA’s representative in Dubai says there are pre- agreed price lists for treatments and procedures, which are usually discussed every year or two. Engaging with Saudi healthcare providers he describes as ‘a cat and mouse game between the Pipeline problems strong and weak’. It is not Theall plain sailingrelationship though. In April this However, the state remains the principal driver year, an official report issued by the Health of healthcare provision at least for most Saudi Insurancebetween Council stated thatprivate 556 complaints nationals. The Ministry of Health is the main had been lodged over the previous year against government agency responsible for provision insurancehealthcare companies, employers providers and service of preventative, curative and rehabilitative providers.and More than insurers 70 per cent were is against healthcare for the kingdom’s population. n International Travel Insurance Journal businesslike
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 34 PAGE UPDATE CATEGORY KEY CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INSURERS MEDICAL ESCORT ON AIR AMBULANCE CLAIMS SUBROGATION COMMERCIAL AIRLINE AIR AMBULANCE COMMERCIAL REPAT INTERIOR SPECIALISTS MEDICAL PROVIDER AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CRITICAL CARE SOLUTION PATIENT TRANSPORT MEDICAL SCREENING ASSISTANCE COMPANIES FUNERAL DIRECTORS RE-INSURANCE CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS SPECIALISTS HEALTHCARE CLINICS TRAVEL AGENTS WEB & DESIGN COST CONTAINMENT HOSPITALS SERVICES
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 35 PAGE UPDATE 36 SERVICEDIRECTORY To have your company listed in the Service Directory email: [email protected]
AMREF Flying Doctors ) Medical Wings Dr Bettina Vadera – Medical Director Dr Sura Jaidwatee, M.D. – Medical Flight Manager 222 Room 3259, Bangkok International Airport, Viphavadee-Rangsit Rd, Wilson Airport, LangataRoad, PO Box 18617, Nairobi, KENYA Sikan, Donmuang, Bangkok 10210, THAILAND tel: +254 20 6000 090 email: [email protected] tel: +662 247 3392 email: [email protected] (AFRICA) fax: +254 20 344 170 website: www.flydoc.org fax: +662 535 4355 website: www.medicalwings.com
Assistance Médicale Africaine ADAC Ambulance Service AUSTRALASIA
Docteur Hage – Général Manager ( Robert Glueck – Marketing & Sales Director AIR AMBULANCE AIR AMBULANCE Box 9962, Libreville, Gabon, GABON Hansastr. 19, D - 80686 Munich, GERMANY
24/7 tel: + 241 07 88 80 80 email: [email protected] tel: +49 89 76 76 52 85 email: [email protected] fax: + 241 44 10 20 website: amafrique.com 24h Alarm: +49 89 76 76 50 05 website: www.adac.de/ambulance
Netcare 911 International (EUROPE) Air Medical Ltd Jacques Pienaar – Fixed Wing Operations Manager Glenn Salt – Director of Operations Riverview Park, Janadel Avenue, Midrand, SOUTH AFRICA Oxford Airport, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1RA, UK
tel: +27 10 209 8392 email: [email protected] tel: +44 1865 842 887 email: [email protected] fax: +27 10 209 8405 website: www.netcare911.co.za tel: +44 1865 370 642 website: www.airmed.co.uk
West African Rescue Association Alpine Air Ambulance AG Florian Zagel – Managing Director Peter Meierhans – CEO Klotey Cresent 6, North Labone, Accra, GHANA P.O. Box 233, CH-8058 Zürich Airport, SWITZERLAND
24hr tel: +233 243 666 111 email: [email protected] tel: +41 44 813 09 09 email: [email protected] fax: +233 21 781 259 website: www.westafrican-rescue.com 24/7 tel: +41 44 813 10 10 website: www.air-ambulance.ch ) AIRGURUS Ltd. Co. Augsburg Air Ambulance Capt. Harry Lero – President & CEO Roland Schoberth – Director Delta Air Hangar, General Aviation Area, Manila Domestic Airport, Roseggerstr 17, D-86368, Gersthofen, GERMANY Pasay City, 1300, PHILIPPINES 24/7 tel: +632 781 0727 email: [email protected] tel: +49 821 299 1020 email: [email protected] +63917 596 6288 website: www.airgurus.com tel: +49 821 299 2030 website: www.ambulanzflugdienst.de AUSTRALASIA
( AeroMed Asia Inc. Capital Air Charter Cindy Wong / Lorraine Paul – International Account Management Lisa Humphries – Sales Director SINGAPORE BANGKOK THAILAND Hangar 68, Exeter International Airport, EX5 2BA, UK
tel: +603 7965 3883 email: [email protected] tel: +44 845 055 2828 email: [email protected] fax: +603 7629 8810 website: www.aeromed-asia.com fax: +44 1392 350 039 website: www.capitalaircharter.co.uk
AirMed International LLC DRK Assistance Jeffrey T Tolbert – President Andreas Speich – Managing Director Airport World Trade Center, 1 Sky Plaza Road, Aufm Hennekamp 71, 40225 Düsseldorf, GERMANY Hong Kong International Airport, HONG KONG tel: +852 3756 3680 email: [email protected] tel: +49 211 301805-0 email: [email protected] fax: +852 3756 3681 website: www.airmedasia.com fax: +49 211 301805-21 website: www.drkassistance.com
CareFlight Group European Air Ambulance Brendan Turgiev – Retrieval Services Manager Patrick Schomaker – Director Sales & Marketing AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND 175A, rue de Cessange, L-1321, LUXEMBOURG
24/7 (int) tel: +61 7 5553 5955 email: [email protected] 24hr tel: +49 711 7007 7007 email: [email protected] fax: +61 7 5553 5965 website: www.cmsairambulance.com.au fax: +49 711 7007 7009 website: www.air-ambulance.com
CareFlight International Euro Link Paul Smith – National Manager Dr. Friedrich Renner – Aeromedical Specialist / Medical Director Westmead Hospital Campus, PO Box 159, Westmead, NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA General Aviation Terminal, 85356 Munich Airport, GERMANY
tel: (+61) 2 9893 7683 email: [email protected] tel: +49-89-6137 2103 email: [email protected] fax: +61 2 9689 2744 website: www.careflight.org fax: +49-89-6137 2106 website: www.FlyEuroLink.de
Flying Doctors Asia FAI – rent-a-jet AG Prithpal Singh – CEO , Director Volker Lemke – Director Sales & Marketing 313 Old Bird Cage Walk, #01-15/02-16, Seletar Airport, Flughafenstrasse 100, D-90268 Nuremberg, GERMANY SINGAPORE 24hr tel: +65 9297 7757 email: [email protected] tel: +49 911 36009 31 email: [email protected] fax: +65 6483 5407 website: www.flyingdoctorsasia.com fax: +49 911 36009 59 website: www.rent-a-jet.de
Hope Medflight Asia Pte Ltd IFRA Assistance GmbH – Austria Dr Charles Johnson – Medical Director Mr. Christian Steindl M.D. – CEO 2 Loyang Lane 03-01, Singapore 508913, SINGAPORE IFRA Assistance GmbH, Schießstattring 21, A-3100 St. Pölten, AUSTRIA
24hr tel: +65 6100 1911 email: [email protected] tel: +43 (0) 2742 49 11 email: [email protected] fax: +65 6400 5254 website: www.hope-flight.com fax: +43 (0) 27 42 89165 website: www.ifra.at
Medic’Air International 每递安国际 GlobalMed International Dr Huaqun Gao – Medical Director Gert Muurling – CEO & Medical Director 885 Renmin Road, Huaihai China Building, Room 808, 200010 Shanghai, CHINA Auf Roedern 7c, 56283 Pfaffenheck, GERMANY
tel: +86 2163 558289 email: [email protected] tel: +49 6742 897 425 email: [email protected] fax: +86 2163 558285 website: www.medic-air.com fax: +49 3212 100 5018 website: www.globalmed-international.eu
International Travel Insurance Journal
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) Jet Executive International Charter JET ICU Irena Dimitrijevic – Marketing & Sales Mike Honeycutt – President Mündelheimer Weg 50, D-40472, Düsseldorf, GERMANY 2561 Rescue Way, Brooksville, FL 34604, USA “Homebase FRA & MUC” tel: +49 211 602 7775 email: [email protected] tel: +1 352 796 2540 email: [email protected] EUROPE
( fax: +49 211 602 77766 website: www.jetexecutive.com fax: +1 352 796 2549 website: www.jeticu.com
Malteser Service Center (N. AMERICA) Latitude Air Ambulance Johannes Hoischen – International Network and Repatriation Jeff McIntosh AIR AMBULANCE AIR AMBULANCE CANADA Malteser Service Center Kalker Hauptstr. 22-2, 51103 Köln, GERMANY USA tel: +49 221 98 22 333 email: [email protected] tel: +1 289 426 1133 email: [email protected] fax: +49 221 98 22 339 website: www.malteser-service-center.de fax: + 1 289 426 1134 website: www.latitude2009.com
Mayoral Executive Jet LIFESUPPORT Patient Transport Juan Carlos García Caparrós – Commercial Director Graham Williamson – CEO Dominguez Toledo S.A., 118 La Orotava, Malaga 29006, SPAIN #9-1009 Allsbrook Road, Parksville, British Columbia, V9P 2A9, CANADA
tel: +34 952 048 609 email: [email protected] tel: +1 250 947 9641 email: [email protected] fax: +34 924 048 612 website: www.mayoralaviation.com fax: +1 877 288 2908 website: www.LifeSupportTransport.com
Medic’Air International Medflightone Dr Herve Raffin – General Manager Dave Hedequist – Owner 35 rue Jules Ferry, 93170 Bagnolet, Paris, FRANCE 8244 122ND Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033, USA
tel: +33 141 72 1414 email: [email protected] US: +1 855 633 3544 email: [email protected] fax: +33 148 57 1010 website: www.medic-air.com intl: +1 206 397 0007 website: www.medflightone.com
North Flying a/s Skyservice Air Ambulance Jesper Kragelund – Sales Manager David Ewing – VP International Business Development Montreal/PE Trudeau Int Airport, 9785 Avenue Ryan, Montreal (Quebec), North Flying Terminal, Aalborg Airport, DK-9400, Nørresundby, DENMARK H9P 1A2, CANADA tel: +45 9632 2900 email: [email protected] tel: +1 514 497 7000 email: [email protected] fax: +45 9632 2909 website: www.northflying.com fax: +1 514 636 0096 website: www.skyservice.com/airambulance
Redstar Aviation AIMS Dr. Mustafa Atac – CEO Bernadette Breton – Managing Director Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, J Blok Kurtkoy, 34912 Istanbul, TURKEY Private Bag X5, Benmore Gardens 2010, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
tel: +90 216 560 0 772 email: [email protected] (AFRICA) tel: +00 27 11 783 0135 email: [email protected] fax: +90 216 560 0 770 website: www.redstar-aviation.com fax: +00 27 11 783 2950 website: www.aims.org.za
Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) AMREF Flying Doctors Stefan Becker – Head of Corporate Development Dr Bettina Vadera – Medical Director Rega-Center, PO Box 1414, CH-8058 Zurich, SWITZERLAND Wilson Airport, Langata Road, PO Box 18617, Nairobi, KENYA
tel: +41 44 654 33 11 email: [email protected] tel: +254 20 6000 090 email: [email protected] fax: +41 44 654 33 22 website: www.rega.ch fax: +254 20 344 170 website: www.flydoc.org ASSISTANCE COMPANIES ASSISTANCE
Tyrol Air Ambulance Assistance Médicale Africaine Jakob Ringler – Managing Director Docteur Hage – Général Manager PO Box 81, A-6026, Innsbruck Airport, AUSTRIA Box 9962, Libreville, Gabon, GABON
tel: +43 512 224 220 email: [email protected] 24/7 tel: + 241 07 88 80 80 email: [email protected] fax: +43 512 288 888 website: www.taa.at fax: + 241 44 10 20 website: amafrique.com
Aero Jet International CONNEX Assistance Stuart Hayman – President Dr. Helmy El Tanahy – CEO 4631 NW 31st Avenue, #220 Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309, USA Office 11, Floor 1, 6 El Sad El Aali st, Dokki, Cairo, EYGPT
tel: +1 954 730 9300 email: [email protected] tel: +202 3 336 0005 email: [email protected] fax: +1 954 485 6564 website: www.aero-jet.com fax: +202 3 762 0003 website: www.connexassistance.com
Air Ambulance Specialists Interhealth Technologies Tom Cox – Director of Business Development Kevin Thomas – Director - International
(NORTH AMERICA) 8001 South InterPort Blvd., Suite 150, Englewood, CO 80112 , USA P O Box 3058, Bedfordview 2008, SOUTH AFRICA
tel: +1 720 875 9182 email: [email protected] tel: +27 11 622 8010 email: [email protected] fax: +1 720 875 9183 website: www.airaasi.com fax: +27 11 622 8264 website: www.interhealth.net
AirMed International LLC Medical Services Organisation (MSO) Jeffrey T Tolbert – President Vernon Pillay – Operations Director - International Division 1000 Urban Center Drive, Suite 470, Birmingham, AL 35242, USA PO Box 1578, Gallo Manor, 2052, SOUTH AFRICA
tel: +1 205 443 4840 email: [email protected] tel: +27 (0)11 259 5403 24hr email: [email protected] fax: +1 205 443 4841 website: www.airmed.com fax: +27 (0)11 259 5001 website: www.mso.co.za
Global Jetcare, Inc. CATEGORY KEY CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INSURERS Bart Gray – President AIR AMBULANCE CLAIMS SUBROGATION MEDICAL ESCORT ON COMM. AIRLINE AIR AMBULANCE INTERIOR COMMERCIAL REPAT SPECIALISTS MEDICAL PROVIDER 16479 Runway Drive, Brooksville, FL 34604, USA AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS CRITICAL CARE PATIENT TRANSPORT MEDICAL SCREENING ASSISTANCE COMPANIES FUNERAL DIRECTORS RE-INSURANCE tel: +1 352 799 7771 email: [email protected] CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS SPECIALIST HEALTHCARE CLINICS TRAVEL AGENTS fax: +1 352 799 7776 website: www.globaljetcare.com COST CONTAINMENT HOSPITALS WEB & DESIGN SERVICES
www.itij.co.uk
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Netcare 911 International Global Assistance & Healthcare Louis Mabele – International Assistance Operations Manager Mario Babin – Chief Executive Officer Cilandak Commercial Estate - # 111 GC, Jl. Raya Cilandak KKO, Riverview Park, Janadel Avenue, Midrand, SOUTH AFRICA Jakarta 12560, INDONESIA tel: +27 (0)10 209 8387 24hr email: [email protected] tel: +62 21 299 78 999 email: [email protected] (AFRICA) fax: +27 (0)10 209 8405 website: www.netcare911.co.za fax: +62 21 299 78 9555/66 website: www.global-assistance.net
West African Rescue Association ADAC Ambulance Service
Florian Zagel – Managing Director (AUSTRALASIA) Robert Glueck – Marketing & Sales Director Klotey Cresent 6, North Labone, Accra, GHANA Hansastr. 19, D - 80686 Munich, GERMANY
24hr tel: +233 243 666 111 email: [email protected] tel: +49 89 76 76 52 85 email: [email protected] fax: +233 21 781 259 website: www.westafrican-rescue.com 24h Alarm: +49 89 76 76 50 05 website: www.adac.de/ambulance ASSISTANCE COMPANIES ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE COMPANIES ASSISTANCE
Active Care Management (EUROPE) AP Companies David Rivelis – Senior Vice President Natalya Butakova – Business Development Manager 3600 Rhodes, Windsor, ON, N8W 5A4, CANADA 17 Varshavskoye Shosse, Moscow 117105, RUSSIA
tel: +(519) 945 8256 #4226 email: [email protected] tel: +7 495 989 1120 email: [email protected] fax: +(519) 251 5165 website: www.active-care.ca fax: +7 495 989 1130 website: www.ap-companies.ru (AMERICAS)
ASSIST-CARD ARC Europe SA Zoraida Aguilar – Corporate Communications Manager Alexander Zerzaihi – Network Director ASSIST-CARD Building, 175 South West 7th Street, Suite 2407, Avenue des Olympiades 2, 1140 Brussels, BELGIUM Miami, FL 33130, USA tel: +1 305 381 9959/69 email: [email protected] tel: +32 2 706 6661 email: [email protected] toll free: 1 800 874 2223 website: www.assist-card.com fax: +32 2 706 6601 website: www.arceuropemedical.com
GORAL ASSISTANCE CANADA INC. AXA Travel Insurance David Ohayon – Local Manager Richard Zann – Global Commercial Director 2335 Stevens St, VSL, Montreal, QC H4M 1H1, CANADA The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PR, UK
tel: +1 514 4481343 email: [email protected] tel: +0800 028 3336 email: [email protected] fax: +1 514 4481835 website: www.goralassist.com tel: +0203 2840 879 website: www.axa-assistance.co.uk
SelectCare Worldwide CNAS Magdi Riad – President Carole Luisy – Managing Director 2100 - 250 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2L7, CANADA 80 rue des alliés, 38100, Grenoble, FRANCE
tel: +1 866 261 4441 email: [email protected] tel: +33 438 49 83 49 email: [email protected] toll free: +1 416 340 7152 website: www.selectcareworldwide.com fax: +33 438 49 83 40 website: www.cnas-assistance.com
World Travel Protection DRK Assistance David McLean – Vice President, Sales & Marketing Andreas Speich – Managing Director 400 University Avenue, 15th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S7, CANADA Aufm Hennekamp 71, 40225 Düsseldorf, GERMANY
tel: +1 416 205 4646 email: [email protected] tel: +49 211 301805-0 email: [email protected] fax: +1 416 205 4676 website: www.wtp.ca fax: +49 211 301805-21 website: www.drkassistance.com
Assistance Online Global Assistance a.s. Dr Lajos Szenthe – Medical Director Petr Bold – General Manager Zendai Cube Edifice 6/F, 58, Changliu Road, Pudong, 200135 Shanghai, CHINA Dopraváku˚ 749/3,184 00 Prague 8, CZECH REPUBLIC
tel: +86 21 6854 1008 email: [email protected] tel: +420 266 799 770 email: [email protected] fax: +86 21 6854 1009 website: www.assistanceonline-china.com fax: +420 266 799 797 website: www.1220.cz
(AUSTRALASIA) Customer Care Global Voyager Assistance - Russia Louise Heywood – Marketing and Business Development Manager Costas Danilenko – CEO Level 2, 15 Mount Street, North Sydney NSW 2060, AUSTRALIA PO Box II, 125124 Moscow, RUSSIA
tel: +61 (0)2 9202 8222 email: [email protected] tel: +7 495 775 0999 email: [email protected] fax: +61 (0)2 9202 8220 website: www.customercare.com.au fax: +7 495 775 0998 website: www.gvassistance.com
EMS Assist Pilipinas Corporation (ASIA) Global Voyager Assistance - Black Sea Melanie Tabulina – CFO & General Manager Olga Turubarova – General Manager Room 201, Second Floor, Delta Air Hangar, General Aviation Area, 77-79 Nezhinskaya Str., 65023, Odessa, UKRAINE Manila Domestic Airport, Pasay City, 1301, PHILIPPINES 24/7tel: +632 478 9111 email: [email protected] tel: +38 048 7373 441 email: [email protected] +63917 421 8336 website: www.ems-assist.com fax: +38 048 7373 442 website: www.gvassistance.com
East West Rescue IFRA Assistance S.r.l. – Romania Dr Kimberley Chawla – Program Director Mr. Christian Steindl M.D. – CEO S.C. IFRA Assistance S.r.l, Calugareni Street 2, RO-310181 Arad, 37 Prithviraj Road, New Delhi 110011, INDIA ROMANIA tel: +91 11 2469 0429 email: [email protected] tel: +40 257 21 82 91 email: [email protected] fax: +91 11 2469 0428 website: www.eastwestrescue.com fax: +40 257 20 10 20 website: www.ifra.at
First Assistance MD Medicus Assistance GmbH Mary-Jo McDonald – CEO Sven Scharff – International Network Manager PO Box 17-310, Greenlane, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Industriestr. 2a, 67063 Ludwigshafen, GERMANY
tel: +64 9 356 1650 email: [email protected] tel: +49 - 621 / 5490 171 email: [email protected] fax: +64 9 525 1278 website: www.firstassistance.co.nz fax: +49 - 621 / 5490 029 website: www.md-medicus.net
International Travel Insurance Journal
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Malteser Service Center AIMS Johannes Hoischen – International Network and Repatriation Bernadette Breton – Managing Director Malteser Hilfsdienst gemeinnützige GmbH Private Bag X5, Benmore Gardens, 2010 Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Malteser Service Center Kalker Hauptstr. 22-2, 51103 Köln, GERMANY tel: +49 221 98 22 333 email: [email protected] tel: +00 27 11 783 0135 email: [email protected] (AFRICA)
(EUROPE) fax: +49 221 98 22 339 website: www.malteser-service-center.de fax: +00 27 11 783 2950 website: www.aims.org.za
Marm Assistance Interhealth Technologies Hans Biekmann – CEO Kevin Thomas – Director - International Grup Center Is Merkezi, Mustafa Akyol Sok No. 158, Yenisehir Mah, P O Box 3058, Bedfordview 2008, SOUTH AFRICA Kurtkoy 34912, TURKEY COST CONTAINMENT tel: +90 216 560 07 24 email: [email protected] tel: +27 11 622 8010 email: [email protected] fax: +90 216 560 07 07 website: www.marmassistance.com fax: +27 11 622 8264 website: www.interhealth.net
ASSISTANCE COMPANIES ASSISTANCE med con team GmbH Medical Services Organisation (MSO) Michael Weinlich – Managing Director Vernon Pillay – Operations Director - International Division Gerhard-Kindler-Str.6, 72770 Reutlingen, GERMANY PO Box 1578, Gallo Manor, 2052, SOUTH AFRICA
tel: +49 7121 433 660 email: [email protected] tel: +27 (0)11 259 5403 24hr email: [email protected] fax: +49 7121 433 619 website: www.medconteam.com fax: +27 (0)11 259 5001 website: www.mso.co.za
ONE Assist Assistance Online Linda Norman – Client Relationship Manager Dr Lajos Szenthe – Medical Director
Palma C/Cardenal Rossell No.1, Esc. A 2˚. Desp 8-9, (ASIA) Zendai Cube Edifice 6/F, 58, Changliu Road, Palma de Mallorca 07007, SPAIN Pudong, 200135 Shanghai, CHINA tel: +44 (0) 1992 708 700 email: [email protected] tel: +86 21 6854 1008 email: [email protected] 24 tel: +44 (0) 1992 444 337 website: www.oneclaims.com fax: +86 21 6854 1009 website: www.assistanceonline-china.com
Save Assistance France AP Companies Franck Molinier – Director of Business Development Natalya Butakova – Business Development Manager 6 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Le Campus, Bat. B1, 17 Varshavskoye Shosse, Moscow 117105, RUSSIA 78180 Montigny-Le-Bretonneux., FRANCE
tel: +33 13062 6752 email: [email protected] (EUROPE) tel: +7 495 989 1120 email: [email protected] 24 tel: +33 13062 1122 website: www.saveassistance.com fax: +7 495 989 1130 website: www.ap-companies.ru
Savitar Lydia Semchenkova – Business Development Manager 25/1, 7th Floor, Trubnaya Str., Moscow, 127051, RUSSIA
tel: +7 495 987 1775 email: [email protected] fax: +7 495 987 1776 website: www.savitar-gr.com
SOS International Lene Hasting Toft – Head of Marketing and Communication Nitivej 6, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, DENMARK
tel: +45 7010 5055 email: [email protected] fax: +45 7010 5056 website: www.sos.dk
TBS Team 24 d.o.o Edvard Hojnik – General Manger CROATIA, SLOVENIA, SERBIA, MNE, BH, KOS, MAC
tel: +386 2616 5819 email: [email protected] fax: +386 2618 5800 website: www. tbs-team24.com
CONNEX Assistance Middle East Lara Helmi – International Network Director Office 703, Block B, Belrasheed Towers, Qusais, Dubai, UAE
tel: +97 14 257 82 84 email: [email protected]
(MID. EAST) fax: +97 14 257 82 85 website: www.connexassistance.com
GORAL ASSISTANCE LTD Marcel Kadoche – International Network and Development Manager Maskit 27 str. Herzeliya Industrial Park 46733, ISRAEL
tel: +972 9 9579930 email: [email protected] fax: +972 9 9579931 website: www.goralassist.com
Dr Colin Plotkin & Sons Consulting INC. Dr Colin Plotkin – Managing Director 27-3088 Francis Road, Richmond, British Columbia V7C 5V9, CANADA
tel: +1 604 241 9677 email: [email protected] fax: +1 604 241 0733 website: www.plotkinconsulting.com
Global Excel Management
CATASTROPHIC CATASTROPHIC Michael Drew – Vice-President Sales 73 Queen St, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C9, CANADA 17548 Deer Isle Circle, Winter Gdn, FL 34787 USA
CLAIMS SPECIALISTS tel: +1 866 566 1130 email: [email protected] fax: +1 819 566 8335 website: www.globalexcel.ca
www.itij.co.uk
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 39 PAGE UPDATE 40 SERVICEDIRECTORY To have your company listed in the Service Directory email: [email protected]
ChargeCare International Global Assistance & Healthcare Christiane Burniston – Managing Director Mario Babin – Chief Executive Officer Cilandak Commercial Estate - # 111 GC, Jl. Raya Cilandak KKO, Monument Business Park, 1D Park Offices, Warpsgrove Lane, Chalgrove, Oxford, UK Jakarta 12560, INDONESIA tel: +44 1865 400 007 email: [email protected] tel: +62 21 299 78 999 email: [email protected]
(EUROPE) fax: +44 845 003 9923 website: www.chargecareinternational.co.uk fax: +62 21 299 78 9555/66 website: www.global-assistance.net
Marm Assistance Global Excel Management Hans Biekmann – CEO Michael Drew – Vice President of Sales Grup Center Is Merkezi, Mustafa Akyol Sok No. 158, Yenisehir Mah, 73 Queen St, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C9, CANADA Kurtkoy 34912, TURKEY 17548 Deer Isle Circle, Winter Gdn, FL 34787, USA COST CONTAINMENT tel: +90 216 560 07 24 email: [email protected] tel: +1 866 566 1130 email: [email protected] fax: +90 216 560 07 07 website: www.marmassistance.com fax: +1 819 566 8335 website: www.globalexcel.ca CLAIMS MANAGEMENT
ProAmica Ltd Interhealth Technologies Margaret Devlin – Administration Services Manager Kevin Thomas – Director - International ProAmica Ltd, General & Medical House, Napier Place, Peterborough, P O Box 3058, Bedfordview 2008, SOUTH AFRICA Cambridgeshire, PE2 6XN UK tel: +44 (0)1733 362 880 email: [email protected] tel: +27 11 622 8010 email: [email protected] fax: +44 (0)1733 362 881 website: www.proamica.com fax: +27 11 622 8264 website: www.interhealth.net
Dr Colin Plotkin & Sons Consulting INC. ONE Claims Dr Colin Plotkin – Managing Director Linda Norman – Client Relationship Manager 27-3088 Francis Road, Richmond, British Columbia V7C 5V9, CANADA 1-4 Limes Court, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 8EP, UK
tel: +1 604 241 9677 email: [email protected] tel: +44 (0) 1992 708 700 email: [email protected] fax: +1 604 241 0733 website: www.plotkinconsulting.com fax: +44 (0) 1992 450 717 website: www.oneclaims.com
Global Excel Management SelectCare Worldwide Michael Drew – Vice-President Sales Magdi Riad – President (NORTH AMERICA) 73 Queen St, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C9, CANADA 2100 - 250 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2L7, CANADA 17548 Deer Isle Circle, Winter Gdn, FL 34787 USA tel: +1 866 566 1130 email: [email protected] tel: +1 866 261 4441 email: [email protected] fax: +1 819 566 8335 website: www.globalexcel.ca toll free: +1 416 340 7152 website: www.selectcareworldwide.com
Global Medical Management Star Healthcare Raija Itzchaki – COO Gigi Galen – President 1300 Concord Terrace, Suite 300, Sunrise, Florida 33323, USA 850 7th Avenue, Suite 803, New York, 10019, USA
tel: +1 954 370 6404 email: [email protected] tel: + 1 212 581 8228 email: [email protected] fax: +1 954 370 8613 website: www.gmmi.com fax: + 1 212 581 8272 website: www.starhealthcarenet.com
Olympus Managed Healthcare Voyageur Aeromedical Travel Steven Jacobson – CEO Marc Lucas – Director 777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 410, Miami, Florida 33131, USA Voyageur Buildings, 43 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AX, UK
tel: +1 305 530 8600 email: [email protected] tel: +44 (0)117 927 3554 email: [email protected] fax: +1 305 530 0766 website: www.omhc.com fax: +44 (0)117 925 5940 website: www.voyageur24.com SPECIALISTS OneWorld Assist To have your company listed in our service directory Taka Katsube – Director Assistance & Cost Managment 10th Floor, 6081 No.3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2B2, CANADA contact the sales department now: tel: +1 604 303 2113 email: [email protected] COMMERCIAL REPAT [email protected] or telephone: +44 (0)117 922 66 00 fax: +1 604 276 4593 website: www.oneworldassist.com
SelectCare Worldwide ADAC Magdi Riad – President Christoph Ullrich – Director of Purchase / International Network 2100 - 250 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2L7, CANADA Hansastr. 19, D - 80686 Munich, GERMANY
tel: +1 866 261 4441 email: [email protected] tel: +49 89 7676 2912 email: [email protected] toll free: +1 416 340 7152 website: www.selectcareworldwide.com 24hr Alm: +49 89 7676 5005 website: www.adac.de/ambulance TRANSPORT Star Healthcare To have your company listed in our service directory Gigi Galen – President 850 7th Avenue, Suite 803, New York, 10019, USA contact the sales department now: tel: + 1 212 581 8228 email: [email protected] [email protected] or telephone: +44 (0)117 922 66 00
fax: + 1 212 581 8272 website: www.starhealthcarenet.com CRITICAL CARE PATIENT
Stratose Albin International Repatriation Limited Matthew Lungen – Director, National Sales Emerson De Luca – Managing Director Two Concourse Parkway, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30328, USA George Alfred Dyer House, 51 Neptune Street, London SE16 7JP UK
tel: +1 404 459 7201 email: [email protected] tel: +44 20 7313 6920 email: [email protected] fax: +1 404 459 4408 website: www.stratose.com fax: +44 20 7313 6999 website: www.albininternational.com
UnitedHealth International Flying Home Pte Ltd Philip Brun – Vice President of Sales & Service Mr Ang Ziqian – Director 3100 SW 145 Avenue, Miramar, FL 33027, USA Blk 4 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #01-1345A, SINGAPORE
tel: +1 954 378 0694 email: [email protected] FUNERAL DIRECTORS tel: +65 6253 0001 email: [email protected] fax: +1 954 378 0771 website: www.uhgi.com fax: +65 6353 5801 website: www.flyinghome.com
International Travel Insurance Journal
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 40 PAGE UPDATE call +44 (0) 117 925 5151 To make an alteration to a listing email: [email protected] SERVICEDIRECTORY 41
Funeral Home AURIGA Ltd. Medic’Air International 每递安国际 Helena Sulikova – Chief of International Department Dr Huaqun Gao – Medical Director B. Nemcové Street 1052/1, 412 01 Litomerice, CZECH REPUBLIC 885 Renmin Road, Huaihai China Building, Room 808, 200010 Shanghai, CHINA
tel: +420 724 257 899 email: [email protected] tel: +86 2163 558289 email: [email protected] fax: +420 416 732 582 website: www.funeral-assistance.cz fax: +86 2163 558285 website: www.medic-air.com
Funeralcare International Medical Wings
Louisa Killen – Repatriation Specialist (AUSTRALASIA) Dr Sura Jaidwatee MD – Medical Flight Manager 222 Room 3259, Bangkok International Airport, Viphavadee-Rangsit Rd, 221 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London, SW15 6SQ, UK Sikan, Donmuang, Bangkok 10210, THAILAND [email protected] tel: +662 247 3392 email: [email protected]
FUNERAL DIRECTORS tel: +44 20 8788 5303 email: fax: +44 20 8788 2525 website: www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk fax: +662 535 4355 website: www.medicalwings.com
John Allison Monkhouse Co., Ltd (Thailand) AMREF Flying Doctors Pim Karnasuta – General Manager Dr Bettina Vadera – Medical Director 89/7 MOO 19, Soi Yingcharoen, Bangplee, Samutprakarn 10540, THAILAND Wilson Airport, Langata Road, PO Box 18617, Nairobi, KENYA
tel: +66 2382 5345-7 email: [email protected] tel: +254 20 6000 090 email: [email protected] fax: +66 2261 7939 website: www.monkhouse.com.au fax: +254 20 344 170 website: www.flydoc.org
Memora International LIFESUPPORT Patient Transport Vanda Castro – Manager Graham Williamson – CEO
Joaquim Mollins, 5-7 7 Planta, 08028 Barcelona, SPAIN MEDICAL ESCORT ON COMMERCIAL AIRLINES #9-1009 Allsbrook Road, Parksville, British Columbia, V9P 2A9, CANADA/USA
tel: +34 914 849 400 email: [email protected] tel: +1 250 947 9641 email: [email protected]
fax: +351 214 706 491 website: www.memorainternational.com (AMERICA) (AFRICA) fax: +1 877 288 2908 website: www.LifeSupportTransport.com
Mortuary Brussels Airport | Worldwide Funeral Repatriations part of DELA GlobalMed International Greta Plas – Repatriations Manager Gert Muurling – CEO & Medical Director Ringlaan 49, 1930 Zaventem, BELGIUM Auf Roedern 7c, 56283 Pfaffenheck, GERMANY
tel: +32 2 720 80 00 email: [email protected] (EUROPE) tel: +49 6742 897 425 email: [email protected] fax: +32 2 720 88 22 website: www.repatriations.com fax: +49 3212 100 5018 website: www.globalmed-international.eu
Rowland Brothers International Redstar Aviation Fiona Greenwood – Manager, International Department Dr. Mustafa Atac – CEO 299-305 Whitehorse Road, West Croydon, Surrey CR0 2HR, UK Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, J Blok Kurtkoy, 34912 Istanbul, TURKEY
tel: +44 20 8684 2324 email: [email protected] tel: +90 216 560 0 772 email: [email protected] fax: +44 20 8684 8000 website: www.rowlandbrothersinternational.co.uk fax: +90 216 560 0 770 website: www.redstar-aviation.com
Servilusa Voyageur Aeromedical Travel Vanda Castro – Manager International Department Marc Lucas – Director Agencias Funerarias SA, International Dept. Rua do Voyageur Buildings, 43 Colston Street, 43 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AX, UK Entreposto Industrial, 8-2 Esq, 2610-135 Amadora, PORTUGAL tel: +35 121 470 6300 email: [email protected] tel: +44 (0)117 927 3554 email: [email protected] fax: +35 121 470 6499 website: www.servilusa.pt fax: +44 (0)117 925 5940 website: www.voyageur24.com
Baptist Health South Florida International Services AMREF Flying Doctors Yohandra Fuentes – Assist V-P/Int. Insurance Dev. & Revenue Mangement Dr Bettina Vadera – Medical Director 8940 North Kendall Drive, Suite 601-E, Miami, Fl 33176, USA Wilson Airport, Langata Road, PO Box 18617, Nairobi, KENYA
tel: +1 786 596 2373 email: [email protected] tel: +254 20 6000 090 email: [email protected] fax: +1 786 596 5979 website: www.baptisthealth.net/international fax: +254 20 344 170 website: www.flydoc.org HOSPITALS HOSPITALS Boca Raton Regional Hospital Gestitursa
Mindy Shikiar RN MSN MBA LHCRM – Vice President Business Development Dr. Antoni Salas – Medical Director c/ Marina 16-18, 5ª planta, módulo D. Torre Mapfre.
(NORTH AMERICA) 800 Meadows Road, Boca Raton, Florida, FL 33486, USA
MEDICAL PROVIDER 08005 Barcelona, SPAIN tel: + 1 561 955 5133 email: [email protected] tel: +34 93 224 74 99 email: [email protected] fax: + 1 561 955 5151 website: www.BRRH.com fax: +34 93 221 21 61 website: www.fundaciongestitursa.org
) Vejthani Hospital StandbyMD Lauranee Sirikasem – Assistant Marketing Director Alex Sánchez – Managing Director ASIA
( 1 Ladprao Road 111, Klong-Chan Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240, THAILAND 777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1370, Miami, Florida 33131, USA
tel: (+66)-2-734-0000 email: [email protected] tel: +1 305 459 4882 email: [email protected] fax: (+66)-2-370-1596 website: www.vejthani.com fax: +1 305 421 5575 website: www.standbymd.com
CareFlight Group Voyageur Aeromedical Travel Brendan Turgiev – Retrieval Services Manager Marc Lucas – Director AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND Voyageur Buildings, 43 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AX, UK TRAVEL TRAVEL
24/7 (int) tel: +61 7 5553 5955 email: [email protected] AGENTS tel: +44 (0)117 927 3554 email: [email protected] fax: +61 7 5553 5965 website: www.cmsairambulance.com.au fax: +44 (0)117 925 5940 website: www.voyageur24.com
CareFlight International V Creative Design Paul Smith – National Manager Steve Annette – New Media Director Westmead Hospital Campus, PO Box 159, Westmead, NSW 2145, Voyageur Buildings, 43 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AX, UK AUSTRALIA
MEDICAL ESCORT ON tel: +61 2 9893 7683 email: [email protected] tel: +44 (0)117 929 4636 email: [email protected] fax: +61 2 9689 2744 website: www.careflight.org fax: +44 (0)117 925 2040 website: www.vcreativedesign.co.uk COMMERCIAL AIRLINES WEB & MEDIA ADVERTISING
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EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 41 PAGE UPDATE 42 REGULARS
• GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE• GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPE- GRAPEVINE • VINE GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • VINE Grapevine According to the American Association of Nude 150 km (90 miles) from Donnybrook. Images Israel(is) ruled Recreation (AANR), the nude tourism industry is RFDS heads captured by a video camera on the balloon officially hot worth around US$440 million per year, and the into space include a shot of the brave bear against a popularity of naked travel is on the rise. backdrop of the curved horizon of the earth Nancy Tiemann, owner of Bare Necessities, An unusual mission for an aeromedical provider and the blackness of space beyond. Jean Conditions can get pretty hot in Israel, not least the company organising the cruise, explained: recently. This June, the Royal Flying Doctor Hudson of the RFDS said the plucky toy made as the citizens are so extremely attractive. That’s “When we vacation, we would rather travel with Service (RFDS) of Australia became arguably it back to earth a little worse for wear, but according to the Travelers Digest, which put Israeli like-minded people, whether nudists or jazz music the highest-flying medevac provider in the otherwise fine, ready to be auctioned off to men and women on its Top 10 World’s Best lovers.” Susan Weaver of the AARN added: “That world when an RFDS pilot teddy bear was raise money for RFDS Western Australia. Looking lists. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs whole joyous experience of the healthy human strapped to a weather balloon and sent to the gave its approval to the news by posting it on its body is what we’re all about.” edge of space. Boasting a traditional pilot’s official website, announcing the nation’s good Presumably, there will be fewer baggage-related jacket, cap and flying goggles, Astro Bear was looks to the world. claims than the norm, due to there being less launched from Donnybrook, Western Australia, Dicing with death Tel Aviv ranked 10th in the Travelers Digest’s list of baggage, but incidents of medical conditions such and reached a height of 105,000 ft (32,000 A list of the some of most dangerous places in cities with the best looking men, thanks to its ‘local as wandering eye may well be prevalent. Another m) before falling back to earth. A parachute the world that tourists visit has been compiled, cuties’ who ‘flaunt their fit bodies, made all the destination being considered by Bare Necessities that deployed at 60,000 ft (18,000 m) made so ITIJ thought it best inform the travel better by their year-round tans’. Israel itself came for a future cruise is a cause for concern though – for a soft landing, and the bear was found by insurance community about what they are in at number seven on a list of the countries with Antarctica. Frostbite anyone? RFDS staff, who tracked a GPS signal to a field facing! The first destination on the list is actually the most beautiful women, thanks to their ‘dark a road – Death Road, to be more specific, features and green eyes’. which is a 43-mile stretch of mountain road No doubt the country will now receive an influx that connects the cities of La Paz and Coroico of tourists looking to meet Mr/Mrs right, with a in Bolivia. With no guardrails and the road no matching flood of claims for broken hearts perhaps. wider than 10 feet in some parts, each year the More serious injuries are also possible, given the road claims around 1,000 lives as a result of Travelers Digest’s warning: “In Israel women over cars or bikes falling 1,600 feet over the edge. the age of 18 are required to have served in the Next on the list is Chernobyl, in what is now Israeli military. This means that you should be very Ukraine, where a nuclear reactor exploded in careful before trying to pull a fast one.” 1986. Travel agencies now offer tours of the site of the disaster and nearby abandoned town. Next up is sure to be a favourite with insurers – volcano bungee jumping in Pucon, Chile. Clothes not Tourists can jump out of a helicopter and swing 700 feet above molten lava … for $10,000. required Climbing Mont Blanc, which lies between France and Italy, also appears on the list of Sticking with the hot under the collar theme – but dangerous tourist activities, followed by white without the collar – the latest craze seems to be water rafting the Zambezi River in Africa, and naked cruising. In February 2013, the Carnival walking along the small wooden plank that Freedom will depart from Florida on an eight-day forms a high-rise walkway along the side of
cruise, with up to 2,974 passengers, all in the buff. Captain Ted plummeted back to earth at 145 km/h (90 mph) before his parachute deployed RFDS Mount Huashan, China. VINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE VINE • GRAPEVINE •GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE VINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPEVINE • GRAPE-
International Travel Insurance Journal
EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 42 PAGE UPDATE ONTHEMOVE 43 red24 appoints new Mark Weil new CEO of Marsh New role for Evgeny head of business ops The Board of Marsh Ltd has appointed Mark Weil as conditions are placing Malachinsky chief executive officer (CEO) in succession to Martin UK businesses under Crisis management assistance company red24 South, who was recently appointed CEO of Marsh tremendous pressure. I Cunningham Lindsey recently announced the has announced the strengthening of its senior Europe. Subject to and following regulatory approval, am excited to be leading appointment of Evgeny Malachinsky to the role management team with the appointment of Robert Weil will oversee Marsh’s UK and Ireland operations. Marsh’s excellent team in of country manager in Russia. The firm’s Russian Peasgood as head of business operations. Peasgood, He joins from sister company Oliver Wyman, where UK, which I know well, operation, based in Moscow, consists of a team of who will be based in London, UK, will help to he is head of EMEA Financial Services. and working with them 20 dedicated adjusters, engineers and insurance law develop and direct red24’s strategic plan, in addition Commenting on the appointment, South said: “[Mark] to enable our clients to specialists. Malachinsky, who will now be heading to managing all commercial, operational and general brings deep experience in running a world class client manage and mitigate up this experienced team, brings his specialist business functions for the company, said the firm. advisory business, extensive knowledge of Marsh those risks. Good advice knowledge in numerous major losses and 15 years of Peasgood began his career with the British Army, and our operations and a strong understanding of the and practical solutions for Mark Weil experience in the Russian market to the role. where he completed insurance industry. As a highly respected management risk management have Chris Panes, chief executive officer of Cunningham army officer leadership consultant in the financial services sector, he has never been more important.” Lindsey International, said: “Evgeny assumed the training at the Royal developed an excellent insight into the opportunities, Weil, an engineering graduate from the University leadership of our Russian operation from Andrey Military Academy as well as the challenges, facing the insurance industry of Cambridge, started his career in consumer goods Bogachov who has left to pursue other interests. I Sandhurst. He and its clients. He is thus exceptionally well qualified in the UK, France and Japan. He has 15 years of am confident that Evgeny will take our business here was subsequently to lead our UK and Ireland business in its next stage of consulting experience in financial services with Oliver to the next level in terms of the technical services commissioned as an growth and development.” Wyman, where he has led their global retail banking we can offer to our clients, and he will enjoy all officer, served for nine Weil added: “Having seen at first hand the risks facing practice, established their public policy practice and the support that our years, and finished his the financial services sector, I know that economic led their business in EMEA. global Group can service in the role of bring to each of our company commander. operations.” He joined the private Cunningham Lindsey Robert Peasgood security sector in 2004, Legrand joins Broker MDS as COO Russia handles losses in where he initially worked a wide range of areas, as a consultant. Peasgood was involved in designing, MDS Holdings, the European and Latin Prior to joining Frank Crystal, including casualty, developing and implementing a recruitment selection American insurance brokerage group, has Legrand held various senior construction, energy, and retention process for a company with a announced the appointment of Jacqueline management positions in the marine and property in US$100-million turnover. Prior to joining red24, he Legrand as chief operating officer (COO) insurance and IT industries in France, both the domestic and was director of business operations for international and board director, as part of moves to including at Théorème and IBM. international markets. Evgeny Malachinsky security management group Blue Hackle. expand into new international markets MDS chairman José Manuel Fonseca Maldwyn Worsley-Tonks, red24’s chief executive outside of its current Portuguese, Angolan commented: “The broad expansion officer, said: “We are very pleased to appoint Robert and Brazilian territories. of our international footprint is to our team, where he will play a critical role in Legrand brings 20 years of experience, highly strategic for our group and it John R. Dacey to helping to develop and guide the strategic direction mostly in the insurance brokerage is where we have decided to focus of red24. His extensive experience and skills will be industry, and a strong expertise in our energy and efforts. Jacqueline leave AXA Group invaluable in ensuring that we achieve our objectives global insurance programmes. She Jacqueline Legrand brings a fantastic experience and continue to build on our success in providing worked most recently at Frank Crystal in international operations AXA has announced that John R. Dacey, a member of expert advice, support and emergency response & Company in New York, US, where she managed management, and with her expertise and personal AXA Group’s executive committee and vice-chairman services to businesses and consumers worldwide.” its international activities. In 2009, she was also drive, she will greatly contribute to [building] the next for Asia Pacific, has decided to leave the Group. He will appointed COO North America for BrokersLink. chapter of MDS development.” continue in his current role until 1 September 2012. Dacey stated: “It is with gratitude and pride that I New underwriter look at the five years I have spent at AXA. I would Mitsui Sumitomo signs Burke like to thank my fellow Group executives for their for Ageas trust and support, and especially the employees Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has appointed Martin Burke Burke has also been joined by Mark West, previously of AXA Asia and AXA Japan for their engagement International insurance provider Ageas has as chief risk officer. Most recently finance risk manager of Navigators, who becomes chief corporate actuary, and professionalism. It has been a true honour to appointed Craig Allen as its new head of household within the Enterprise Risk Management team at Catlin, and Melanie Cooper, previously of QBE, who has work with them, and I wish them all the best as they underwriting. Allen, who joins the company from Burke has worked joined to become chief actuary – underwriting. A continue to drive AXA’s success in Asia.” Groupama, will now be responsible for managing within the Lloyd’s and further role, head of risk management, was recently Henri de Castries, chairman and chief executive the performance and profitable development of the company markets for 15 filled by Ayan Man who joined from PwC. officer of AXA, said: “I would like to very warmly company’s home account through price control, years. In his new role, John Roome, chief financial officer at Mitsui Sumitomo thank John for his numerous contributions to the underwriting and business development activities. he will be responsible at Lloyd’s, said: “Risk management has always been development of AXA in Asia and, in particular, for the He will report to underwriting director Adam Clarke. for the actuarial and a key element of our management responsibilities. instrumental role he played in the success of the AXA A chartered insurer with over 24 years of industry risk management However, by investing in recruiting four more Asia Pacific Holdings transaction achieved in 2011. experience, Allen has also worked at More Than functions supporting experienced market practitioners, Mitsui Sumitomo Together with the executive committee members, and Aviva, and Adam Clarke said that his background risk identification, at Lloyd’s has created a robust team that will be I have had the privilege to benefit from John’s ‘will be significant in terms of further developing our quantification and make an even greater contribution to the growth and expertise and strategic insights for more than five multi-distribution product and pricing strategy’. Martin Burke management. profitability of the business going forward.” years. We wish him the very best for the future.”
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EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 43 PAGE UPDATE EDITOR SIGN. 1 EDITOR SIGN. 2 SALES SIGN. 1 SALES SIGN. 2 CONFR. SIGN. PAGE NO. 44 PAGE UPDATE