Travel News and Advice

Airlines announce plans to cut flights

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:49:00 +0000

The airlines have given us yet another reason why you should never travel without trip insurance. Below is a list of popular carriers and the percentage of flights they are planning to cancel this season.

AirTran Airways: Plans for capacity to fall 7 percent to 8 percent between September and December.
Alaska Airlines: Its parent company has said the carrier’s fourth-quarter mainline capacity will be cut by 5 percent compared with 2007.
American Airlines: Plans to cut its U.S. flying by up to 12 percent after the busy summer travel season ends.
Continental Airlines: Its plans include reducing flights in the U.S. this fall by about 10 percent.
Delta Air Lines: It has said it intends to cut domestic capacity by 13 percent during the second half of the year. A spokeswoman said a good portion of that would come during the fall.
JetBlue Airways: It has said it expects September capacity to be down 10 percent and does not expect to grow next year.
Northwest Airlines: It is planning to cut fourth-quarter consolidated domestic capacity by 7 percent to 8 percent.
United Airlines: Fourth-quarter mainline domestic capacity will shrink 16 percent compared with the previous year.US Airways: It will reduce capacity 6 percent to 8 percent on domestic flights in the fourth quarter.
Source: The Associated Press

Insurance Services of America has a policy to fit any traveler's needs and budget. They even include travel assistance benefits so if you get stuck, we'll get you on a different flight. Save yourself the headache and hassle. Call the pros at Insurance Services of America when planning your next trip!

INSURANCE SERVICES OF AMERICA
800-647-4589
SERVICE
is our middle name!

British Travel Company Collapses:

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0000

September 12, 2008. British Travel Company Collapses

SOURCE:Air Security International

Spokesmen at XL Leisure Group Plc announced the company has gone into administration on 12 September 2008, stranding thousands of travelers around the world. British Civil Aviation Administration officials stated that approximately 89,000 travelers who used the XL airline and travel agency will need to make other travel arrangements as the company will be unable to continue operating. An announcement on the XL Website cited rising fuel costs and a slowing economy as reasons for the financial collapse. XL Airways officials announced that all scheduled flights have been canceled and the company's aircraft will be unable to operate. TUI Travel Plc, a rival tour company based in Europe, announced that the firm will try to assist stranded travelers with making alternate travel plans.

Insurance Services of America policyholders: if you had a flight booked with an XL Airline, be sure to call the 24 hour travel assistance number on your ID card. Representatives are standing by to provide you with the astonishing travel assistance services outlined in your policy, such as book you on a different flight, get you a hotel room, emergency cash, and more.

You just never know what might happen while you travel; that's why you shouldn't leave home without adequate coverage. Call the experts at Insurance Services of America when you plan your next trip and see how affordable peace of mind can be.

800.647.4589

Insurance Services of America:

SERVICE

is our middle name!

Fish to the face? Yeah, we cover that, too...

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:46:00 +0000

So you're getting ready to take your trip, and you might be thinking you don't need trip insurance. It's a short trip, you're in good health, what's the worst that could happen?

Well, that's what trip insurance is for; to cover those unforeseen occurrences. The stuff you never thought would happen. Take for example, the story of Seth Russel, courtesy of the Associated Press:

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - A teenager's jaw was broken when a fish flew from the lake where he was riding in an inner tube and smacked him in the face.
Seth Russell, 15, was cruising Lake Chicot in Arkansas on a large inner tube towed by a boat when a Silver Asian carp leaped from the water and hit him in the face. Seth was knocked unconscious.
"He doesn't remember anything at all," the boy's mother, Linda Russell, said last week. "He was laughing, and the next thing he remembers, he is waking in a hospital."

The teen has had oral surgery to wire several teeth together and still experiences back pain that doctors attribute to whiplash from the high-speed collision, his mother said.

Don't let a fish to the face ruin your vacation. Call the trip insurance experts at Insurance Services of America help you select an affordable plan to cover those 'What's-the-worst-that-could-happen" moments...

800.647.4587

Service is our middle name, And THAT'S no fish story.

WHEN IT COMES TO AIRLINES CHARGING FOR THINGS THAT WERE ONCE FREE, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:20:00 +0000

Airlines are now charging for extra bags, blankets and pillows, even to redeem your frequent flier miles!
Below is a list of popular carriers and what they will be charging for and what will still be complimentary.

(Hint: Bring your wallet or bring your own snacks!)

American
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; beer, wine and cocktails are $6.
Snacks: Nuts, cookies, or cheese and crackers on flights of two hours or more are $3 or $4; chips are offered after 10 a.m. for $3.
Meals: Light meals — like a turkey bagel sandwich, Italian wrap or turkey-and-cheese ciabatta sandwich — are available for $6 on flights of three hours or longer. Boar’s Head sandwiches with chips are $10 on flights to and from Hawaii and on transcontinental flights.
Mealtimes: No specific times.

Continental
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; for beer, wine and cocktails, $5.
Snacks: Free peanuts or pretzels, after 10 a.m., on one-to-two-hour flights.
Meals: Free on flights of two hours or more, including a muffin for breakfast, turkey sandwich with carrot sticks or chips and candy for lunch, or a meatloaf sandwich, a salad and sweets for dinner.
Mealtimes: Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m.; lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; dinner, 5 to 7 p.m.

Delta
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; $3 for Vitaminwater; $7 for alcoholic beverages, including margaritas and pomegranate martinis.
Snacks: Free peanuts, cookies or peanut butter crackers. Chocolate bars, potato chips and other snacks are available for $2 or $3 on flights of an hour and a half to two hours.
Meals: From $4 on flights of more than two hours, including a strawberry cream cheese crepe ($4), mushroom pea orzo ($8), and grilled shrimp Caesar salad ($10).
Mealtimes: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

JetBlue
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and tea; $3 for Vitaminwater; $5 for beer, wine and cocktails.
Snacks: Free Terra Blues chips, Frito-Lay Munchies, cookies, cashews, biscotti or animal crackers.
Meals: None.

Northwest
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; $5 for alcoholic beverages.
Snacks: Pringles, M & M’s, Twizzlers or trail mix are $3; snack boxes with crackers, cheese, cookies, trail mix and either beef sausage, chicken salad or tuna are $5. Fruit and cheese or vegetables with ranch dip, $7.
Meals: $10 for a breakfast sandwich and fruit salad with a breakfast cookie, or for a deli meat sandwich and salad with a chocolate bar.
Mealtimes: Meals are available only on “select flights” like those from its hubs to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. Fresh snacks are offered only on such flights as well.

Southwest
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; $3 for Lo-Carb Monster Energy; $4 for beer, wine and cocktails.
Snacks: Free peanuts or pretzels on flights about two hours long. Honey Maid Snack Bars and Cheese Nips on flights three hours or longer; Oreos, Wheat Thins or Ritz Real Cheese crackers on the longest flights.
Meals: None.

Spirit
Drinks: $2 for water, coffee or tea; $3 for soda or juice; $5 for alcohol.
Snacks: $2 to $4 for Pringles, animal crackers, M & M’s, and other snacks.
Meals: None.

United
Drinks: Free soda, juice, water, coffee and tea; $6 for beer, wine and cocktails.
Snacks: $5 for snack boxes with bagel chips, vegetable cheese spread, granola, diced pears, cinnamon twist pastry, toffee and mints, or other assortments.
Meals: $7 for salads and sandwiches like a smoked turkey chipotle wrap or a Santa Fe chicken salad.
Mealtimes: Breakfast is available on flights departing before 10 a.m. Lunch and dinner, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

US Airways
Drinks: Coffee and tea, $1; bottled water, juices, and soda, $2; beer, wine and cocktails, $7.
Snacks: $5 for boxes of chicken salad, crackers, trail mix, a fruit bar and cookies on flights over two and a half hours.
Meals: From $7 on select flights over three and a half hours, including a turkey croissant and yogurt, chef salad or chicken Caesar sandwich.
Mealtimes: From 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Insurance Services of America is the nationwide leader of Travel Medical insurance. Call one of friendly knowledgeable agents today so we may assist you with your travel needs.
And don’t worry, our quotes are free!
One less thing to worry about, from Insurance Services of America,
Where SERVICE is our middle name.
800-647-4589

A Word About Comparison Websites

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:01:00 +0000

When discussing Trip Insurance options, I’m often asked about those comparison websites that show numerous different insurance companies to help you choose a plan. The problem with sites like these is that the choices can be overwhelming, and unless you are an insurance agent, you might not know exactly what you’re looking at while comparing the different plans. Do you know the details of the plans, the policy maximums, the benefits and the loopholes?

Do you know your insurance company’s AM Best rating?

Sometimes there can be such a thing as too many options.

That’s why at Insurance Services of America, we represent only the most highly rated and reputable companies out there. We won’t sell a mediocre plan and we won’t confuse you by throwing in a lot of ‘fluff’ that you don’t need. Furthermore, we’ll never ask for your name, email address, or any other personal information just to give you a quote.

Trip Insurance and Travel Medical Insurance plans are becoming more popular, as airlines continue to go bankrupt, as flights are cancelled, and as unforeseen illnesses interrupt our vacation plans. If you are traveling internationally or closer to home, there is no better time to consider protecting your travel investment with Trip Insurance.

When you visit our website, you can rest assured that we have selected the best travel insurance companies out there, and if you prefer to speak to a live person, we’re here to help.

Give us a call at 800.647.4589 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Do one thing and do it right, that’s Insurance Services of America.

If only they'd purchased the Trip Protector...

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:40:00 +0000

SOURCE:Air Security International

American Airlines has fixed a software glitch that forced workers at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK/JFK) to sort checked bags by hand. Nevertheless, further flight delays are likely on 31 July 2008 as the airline addresses its backlog of checked bags. The malfunction led to the delay of 48 flights and cancellation of five others on July 30th. The delays will likely cascade throughout the airline's destinations in the United States, as 75 percent of all delays and cancellations nationwide originate in New York. The delays have also affected several international flights. The airline gave passengers the option of rescheduling flights or boarding aircraft without their bags (which would be delivered to them later). The airline has temporarily waived fees for travelers checking fewer than three bags at the airport.

Just another reason to have Delayed or Lost Baggage benefits and Trip Cancellation Coverage from Insurance Services of America!

The Trip Protector Travel Insurance and Assistance Services will reimburse you if your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged while on your trip, and if your baggage is delayed more than 24 hours, you will be reimbursed for the cost of additional clothing or personal articles you purchase.

And it's not just coverage for your belongings. The Trip Protector Plan also covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical or dental expenses, and over 25 other travel and medical expenses.

Protect your stuff, protect yourself. Call the experts at Insurance Services of America today to find a plan to suit your needs and budget. Mention this blog, and we'll throw in a handsome set of shiny new luggage tags to help your luggage stand out on the carousel!

800.647.4589

Travel Checklist for Plane Trip:

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Planning a vacation can be stressful, so to help you make sure you've left no stone unturned, print out this handy dandy checklist!

Planning the trip:

Enroll in frequent flyer mileage program
Request in-flight meals for special dietary needs
Check auto insurance policy to ensure coverage on rental car
Request smoking/non-smoking accommodations
Ensure passport or visa is current
Arrange for pet sitter
Arrange for houseplant and lawn care
Arrange for pickup of packages and solicitations left at door
Leave emergency contact info and itinerary with relative or friend
Get appropriate inoculations for destination
Purchase local currency
Purchase traveler's checks
Pay bills
Put hold on newspapers
Put hold on mail
Arrange transportation to and from airport

Purchase Travel Insurance

In checked luggage:

Shoes (walking/dress/beach/hiking)
Swimsuits
Exercise clothing
Sweaters, coats, hats, gloves
Comb/brush
Shampoo, hairspray
Hair dryer
Deodorant
Lotions/creams
Cosmetics
Nail clippers, emery board
Toothbrush/paste/floss
Sunscreen
First aid kit
Mini sewing repair kit
Travel plugs/adapters if leaving country
Travel alarm clock
Extra luggage space for purchases

In carry-on luggage:

Prescription medication, vitamins, and over-the-counter meds
Address book/PDA and PDA charger
Cell phone and charger
Camera, video camera, film, batteries, binoculars
Magazines, books, portable music or DVD player, playing cards
Travel maps, guidebook, phrase book
Travel neck pillow
Snacks and bottled water
Lip balm
Towelettes
Ear plugs
Credit cards
Health insurance card
Long distance phone card
Driver's license
Auto insurance policy number and agent telephone number
Passport/visa
Recent photos of all travel companions
Local currency
Traveler's checks
Airplane tickets
Confirmation numbers for hotel, rental car, and other reservations

Day Prior to Departure:

Set timers for lights in house
Water plants
Empty trash
Update voice mail and e-mail auto-reply message
Update Web sites that you manage
Give or throw away perishables from refrigerator
Get seat assignments for flights

Day of Departure:

Lock all windows and doors
Turn down thermostat
Disable garage door opener or set to vacation mode
Remove unnecessary cards from wallet (library, video rental, punch cards, extra credit cards)
Check in for flight via Web
Power-off computer and other sensitive electronic equipment
Lock all luggage; ensure all pieces have current ID tags
Set house alarm

When you purchase travel insurance from Insurance Services of America, you can be assured that you have found an honest, reputable company that truly cares about your travel insurance needs. For 38 years we have been the Worldwide leader in travel medical insurance.

Call us today at 800.647.4589 to protect yourself and your travel investment.

Your airline is going to change this summer…

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:40:00 +0000

This busy summer travel season, with all the airline mergers and alliances, overpaid executives and frustrated employees, you need to prepare yourself, because air travel is changing right before your eyes. Carriers are desperate to shrink their operations and bankruptcy fears are resurfacing.

Here are some of the changes to the airline industry that you the passenger should be prepared for this summer:

You could experience a whole host of new delays. Airlines trying to adhere to self-imposed passenger rights, fuel prices, and cutbacks are bound to foul up that on-time arrival that you counted on. What if you miss your connection? Will you have to shell out even more money for a new flight?

With airline executives making record salaries and front-line employees’ paychecks being slashed, management has informed their workers that fuel prices have hastened the need for cost-cutting measures yet again. You will get very few sympathetic employees doing more than their absolute bare minimum. What’s more, an industry that used to see employees start careers at a young age and stay until retirement is seeing senior executives make statements such as, “We’re not looking for people to make this a career any longer, this is just a job.”

Don’t expect amenities such as a pillow or a blanket. From additional check-in bags, to aisle seating, nothing is off-limits when it comes to chargeable items. With fuel at historic levels the airlines are pulling no punches when conserving oil. This could affect you in several different ways such as no running water for washing your hands before take-off, longer wait times at the gate, and possible flight cancellations for lack of connecting passengers.

Now you might be rethinking that trip altogether, but here is a way to protect your investment and not miss out on your vacation… Trip insurance.

Check out our trip protector plan and how it works:

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

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

Are you Ready for the Summer Travel Season?

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:22:00 +0000

In recent weeks, thousands of air passengers have been stranded by airline bankruptcies and flight cancellations, and there may be more disruptions ahead as the economy bubbles with trouble.

So what's a traveler to do as the busy summer travel season draws near?
Pack light, know your options, and buy travel insurance.

• Susan Foster of smartpacking.com advises you limit luggage to one carry-on bag. That way, your "rebooking options are completely open".
If you must check luggage, don't do it "until you are positive that your flight is flying and reasonably on time."

• Buy trip insurance. If your trip is disrupted by flight delays or cancellations, travel insurance will cover new tickets, hotel stays and incidentals, and insurance agents can help you rebook if you're stranded.

Here’s the lowdown on the Trip Protector Insurance plan:

The Trip Protector is a travel protection plan that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, medical evacuation, and other insurance coverage, as well as emergency medical transportation, travel delay, lost ticket or passport assistance, as well as critical assistance that helps you understand health and security risks and find appropriate doctors and hospitals when traveling abroad.

If you purchase the Trip Protector plan within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, even pre-existing conditions are covered!

Your vacation investment is at risk from illness, accidental injury, terrorism, financial default by your tour of cruise operator, dangerous weather conditions and more. Trip Protector covers certain non-refundable expenses should covered circumstances force you to cancel or interrupt your vacation.

Apply online at http://www.insurancefortrips.com/ or call one of our friendly knowledgeable agents at 800-647-4589

Travel Insurance is a wise investment in the peace of mind you need to enjoy your travels to the fullest.

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

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:43:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

However, as with all policies, it is important to read the fine print. Skybus insurance policies covered things such as the illness of a traveler, inclement weather, and in policies sold after March 5, airline-caused delays and cancellations. But Skybus did not include “default" — going out of business — as one of the circumstances covered by the insurance.

This is why it is also important to make sure you purchase your trip insurance from a reputable insurance company focused on getting you the most comprehensive coverage available. The kind of customer service and coverage that you will not find from an airline, cruise line, or travel agent.

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

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

Spring Break in Mexico

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:37:00 +0000

With its beautiful oceans, great shopping, and fantastic nightlife, Mexico is a popular destination for Spring Break travelers. If you are planning on celebrating south of the border, take a few tips from the US Department of State Travel Advisory:

While traveling in Mexico, American citizens are subject to Mexican law. An arrest or accident in Mexico can result in a difficult legal or medical situation, sometimes at a great expense to the traveler. Mexican law can impose harsh penalties for violations that would be considered minor in the United States, and U.S. citizenship in no way exempts one from full prosecution under the Mexican criminal justice system.

Excessive alcohol consumption and unruly behavior can lead to serious problems with Mexican authorities. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, and deaths suffered by American students on Spring Break. Disturbing the peace, lewd or indecent behavior, littering, driving under the influence, drinking on the street or on public transportation, using public transportation without payment, or making obscene or insulting remarks are all considered criminal activities by Mexican authorities. The importation, purchase, possession or use of drugs can incur severe penalties, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried, and imprisonment of several years following a conviction. All individuals 16 years of age or older are tried as adults.

Warning flags on beaches should be taken seriously. If black or red flags are up, do not enter the water. Strong undertow and rough surf are common along beaches throughout Mexico, especially on the Pacific coast, and drownings have occurred when swimmers have been overwhelmed by conditions. Do not swim in pools or at beaches without lifeguards.
Use only the licensed and regulated "sitio" (SEE-tee-oh) taxis. Hotels, clubs and restaurants will summon a sitio taxi upon request.

Oh yeah, and when eating in the restaurants, watch your fingers, those plates are hot!

Now that you have taken all the steps to ensure your safety while in Mexico, it’s time to take care of one major precaution before you leave for your trip.

Make sure that you are covered in case you get sick, lose your luggage, require medical attention for the burned fingers from the hot plates, or need to be evacuated.

Insurance Services of America has a variety of plans to fit your travel needs as well as your budget. Give us a call at 800-647-4589, and let one of our friendly knowledgeable agents help you choose the plan that is right for you.

Viva La Spring Break!

Alternative Spring Breaks

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:50:00 +0000

DEDICATE YOUR WEEK TO RESTORING HOPE TO THOSE IN NEED

Forget about the parties, drinking and debouchery of Spring Breaks past. A growing trend in Spring Break travel is the Alternative Break Experience. Last year, an estimated 36,000 students dedicated their Spring Break week to things like rebuilding communities devastated by hurricanes, improving the quality of child care centers, and building ramps to provide people with disabilities a safe means of leaving and returning to their homes.

Wheather you're providing citizens in Venezuela with electricity and clean water, or helping impoverished communities closer to home, Insurance Services of America has a plan for you.

Call one of our friendly knowlegable agents to see how affordable it can be to cover your health, personal belongings, and travel plans so you can enjoy your Alternative Spring break experience.

As you spend your week taking care of others, let Insurance Services of America make sure you're taken care of too!

Give us a call at (800) 647-4589 for a quote.

Have a safe and memorable Spring Break Experience!

Tips For Traveling Abroad

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:21:00 +0000

Planning a trip overseas?

Take some tips from the United States Department of Travel:

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

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

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

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

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

International Adoption~ Something To Be Thankful For

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:31:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Voluntourism ~ Good Times, Good Deeds

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:35:00 +0000

According to the Macmillan Dictionary website "voluntourism" is a new word that describes a newish practice - taking a holiday which combines leisure and sightseeing with the opportunity to work for a charity or other worthwhile cause. So, if you combine fun and philanthropy on your holiday - that's "Voluntourism", a new wave in the travel industry.
Whatever the reason, more tourists — such as college students on spring break, jet-setting luxury travelers and retiring baby boomers — are using their vacations to volunteer.
Volunteer vacationers assist with humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, care for AIDS patients, feed the hungry in remote villages or save endangered species. But not all volunteer programs involve life-and-death matters; travelers can teach English, care for orphaned and disabled children, tend animals, maintain hiking trails and do other conservation work, assist with scientific and environmental research or participate in archaeological expeditions.
You can build schools in El Salvador, or conserve the tropical rainforest in Belize. Assist with marine biology expeditions in the Bahamas, care for injured seals on the Scottish coast, or work in an orphanage in Tanzania.
While the trend is hard to quantify, a wide variety of environmental, medical, nature, children's and other groups as well as churches report that participation in volunteer vacations is on the rise. The percentage of travelers planning to volunteer during vacations in 2007 nearly doubled from the previous year, jumping from 6 percent to 11.
Weather you're building an orphanage in Mozambique or saving the turtles in Costa Rica, protect your health and investment with adequate insurance coverage. Call Mark Sneed or Adam Bates at 1-800-647-4589 and tell them about your upcoming adventure. They will help you find the best, most affordable coverage for your vacation with a purpose.

Insurance Without Borders

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:51:00 +0000

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

THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE

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

WHEN EMERGENCIES HIT

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

THE GOOD NEWS!

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

LIFE INSURANCE

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

NOW WHAT?

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

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

Here's the 411 on 3-1-1:

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:25:00 +0000

When packing those bags for your next trip, keep in mind the new carry-on regulations set forth by the Transportation Security Administration. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints. Following these simple guidelines will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

For a complete list of carry-on rules and regulations, visit the transportation Security Administration at www.tsa.gov

For all your travel advice and insurance needs, check out our website: www.insurancefortrips.com, or give us a call at 800-647-4589. We look forward to assisting you!

Getting home can be the most expensive part of a health crisis abroad

insuranceservicesofamerica@gmail.com (ISA Brokers) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:59:00 +0000

Sometimes when planning a trip abroad, travel insurance can be the furthest thing from your mind. However, what would you do if you found your self sick, injured or without your personal belongings while overseas?

Travel insurance picks up the considerable expenses that can be incurred if you get hurt or injured and have to be evacuated for proper care. Just recently, a college student on spring break in Mexico was badly hurt while surfing and had to be flown back to the U.S. for medical care at a cost of more than $20,000

Many travelers need additional medical coverage while traveling abroad, either because their private health coverage offers only limited benefits overseas or because they are covered only by Medicare, which will not pay anything for medical care outside the United States. There's another factor now: With the new carry-on restrictions, more of us will be forced to check bags, and that means a greater likelihood that bags will get lost or delayed.

Our Trip Protector plan covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, medical evacuation, and much more. Protect your vacation investment, and allow us to assume the financial risk of you getting sick, injured, or delayed while traveling.

Check out http://www.insurancefortrips.com/, or call Mark or Adam at 1-800-647-4589 to see just how affordable it can be to safeguard your family and your vacation investment.