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News Articles
Expo 2010 Shanghai China (5/13/10)
TIS Response to Ash-Related Delays and Cancellations (4/19/10)
Use Google’s Person Finder Tool to Locate China Quake Victims (4/16/10)
Travel ALERT: All Non-Emergency Flights In and Out of the UK Will Be Grounded Until At Least 7 AM (BST) Friday, April 16. (4/15/10)
10 Travel Tips for Spring and Summer (4/5/10)
Haiti Earthquake (1/14/10)
Study USA-HealthCare™ Offers Some of the Lowest Rates Available For Student Health Insurance (9/15/09)
ID Theft Protection Added to International Student Health Insurance Plan(8/11/09)
H1N1 Swine Flu Quarantine in China (6/26/09)
Job Loss Protection Safeguards Your Travel Plans (6/12/09)
Swine Flu Declared a Pandemic: Does Travel Insurance Cover This? (6/11/09)
Travel Insurance: Be Prepared for H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) (5/27/09)
TIS Response to Swine Flu Concerns (4/28/09)
New Annual Travel Insurance for Frequent and Business Travelers (9/4/07)
International Student Health Insurance
for a Student-Sized Budget (8/10/07)
Expedition 360 -
Around the World by Human Power (3/13/07)
What if You Get Sick on a Cruise Ship? (3/1/07)
Me—Buy Travel Insurance? Why? (11/14/06)
New Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance (9/14/06)
Tips for Purchasing Travel Insurance Online (7/12/06)
Schengen Visa Insurance for European Travel (5/23/06)
International Students Can Instantly Buy Medical Coverage (3/1/06)
Don't Neglect Medical Evacuation Insurance (11/15/06)
Studying Abroad? Be Prepared (8/17/05)
Expo 2010 Shanghai China
May 13, 2010 - World Expo 2010 is being held in the city of Shanghai, China from May 1 to October 31, 2010 and is a scheduled World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. Read more...
TIS Response to Ash-Related Delays and Cancellations
April 19, 2010 - According to National Air Traffic Services (NATS), volcanic ash emitting from the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland has caused a significant number of flight cancellations and travel delays across Europe. More than one-quarter of all air space in the area is closed. The Travel Insurance Select plan available through USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services includes coverage for this unforeseen event. Read more...
Use Google’s Person Finder Tool to Locate China Quake Victims
April 16, 2010 - USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services would like to extend our thoughts to those affected by the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Qinghai, China, on April 14. If you are seeking information about someone in the affected area, you can use the Person Finder Tool on Google’s Qinghai Earthquake Disaster Relief page. Read more...
Travel ALERT: All Non-Emergency Flights In and Out of the UK Will Be Grounded Until At Least 7 AM (BST) Friday, April 16.
April 15, 2010 - In the wake of the recent Icelandic volcanic eruption, the USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services family would like to extend our thoughts and well wishes to everyone directly impacted by the event. Additionally, we realize that this eruption could continue to impact some of our traveling policyholders over the next few days — the latest updates indicate that all non-emergency flights in and out of the UK will be grounded until at least 7 AM (BST) Friday, April 16. That in mind, our customer service representatives are standing by from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PT) to assist concerned callers at 800-937-1387. Whether you’re concerned about traveling students, passengers, employees or any other parties insured through us, please contact our office and we’ll assist you as best we can.
10 Travel Tips for Spring and Summer
April 5, 2010 - Whether it's a spring break getaway or a summer vacation that you're anxiously awaiting, here are a few tips that can help you get prepared for the trip, keep you safe, and let you focus on what's truly important - having fun!
Haiti Earthquake
January 14, 2010 - In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, the USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services family would like to extend our condolences to everyone impacted by the disaster. We realize that this catastrophe may have affected some of our policyholders, so in addition to offering our thoughts and well wishes, our customer service representatives are standing by to assist concerned callers at 800-937-1387.
Whether you’re concerned about traveling students, passengers, employees or any other parties insured through us, please contact our office and we’ll assist you as best we can.
Additional Information:
The State Department has set up a telephone number for Americans seeking information about family members and loved ones. The toll-free number to call for information is 1-888-407-4747. The State Department advises that some callers may receive a recording because of heavy call volume. You can also follow the State Department's updates on their Website (http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha) and/or via Twitter: twitter.com/travelgov.
Additionally, the American Red Cross has a "Safe and Well List" available at https://disastersafe.redcross.org/. This site allows people in Haiti to communicate information about their well-being to family and friends.
Study USA-HealthCare™ Offers Some of the Lowest Rates Available For Student Health Insurance
September 15, 2009 - USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services is proud to announce a rate as low as $38 a month for student medical insurance. Study USA-HealthCare™, offered exclusively through USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services, is designed to provide affordable, wide-ranging protection to international and domestic students studying outside of their home country. Read more...
ID Theft Protection Added to International Student Health Insurance Plan
August 11, 2009 - USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services is proud to announce the addition of identity theft coverage and 24-hour-a-day concierge service to the already comprehensive Study USA-HealthCare student medical insurance plan.
Study USA-Healthcare, offered exclusively through USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services, provides a wide range of protection to international and domestic students studying outside of their home country. Kevin O'Neal, President and COO of USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services said: "The addition of these new features--to an already wide-ranging student health insurance plan--is just another step to ensure that traveling students and their parents have greater peace of mind throughout a trip. Plus, the timing is perfect as many students are preparing to start a new semester." Read more...
H1N1 Swine Flu Quarantine in China
June 26, 2009 - The Chinese government has implemented new quarantine regulations for the flu in order to prevent H1N1 from spreading to residential areas. This affects all travelers entering the country and has been highly publicized. The US Dept of State released a travel alert on June 19. Travelers who purchase policies after June 26th will not have quarantine coverage when traveling to China due to the fact that this is no longer unforeseen.
While most other plans never cover quarantine, if you purchased a Travel Insurance Select policy before June 26th for travel to China, you have quarantine coverage for Trip Interruption and Travel Delay. Travelers to other countries still have coverage for policies purchased after June 26th if the quarantine is unforeseen.
If you have questions, Customer Service Representatives are available to help. Call 800-937-1387 (or 925-932-1387 in the San Francisco Bay Area) M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm (PT), or email webinfo@travelinsure.com.
Job Loss Protection Safeguards Your Travel Plans
June 12, 2009 - In today’s economy, the future isn’t always certain. Should you make travel plans if you could lose your job? With Travel Insurance Select, you’re fully covered in case you need to cancel your trip due to job loss. Job loss protection is one of the many benefits of Travel Insurance Select – which includes medical expense and emergency medical evacuation coverages as well as 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance. Learn more about Travel Insurance Select.
What about other work worries? Maybe you’ve been job hunting and feel like you’re just on the brink of being hired. Your new employer could want you to start ASAP – meaning you can’t go on the trip you planned weeks ago. Maybe you’ve been scheduled to give a presentation or launch a new product… on the exact same day as your trip departure. “Cancel For Any Reason” lets you cancel your trip due to work obligations and receive a 75% reimbursement of your trip cost. So feel free to book your trip because even if your work schedule or employment status changes, you’re covered. Learn more about Cancel For Any Reason.
Swine Flu Declared a Pandemic: Does Travel Insurance Cover This?
June 11, 2009 - Now that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Swine Flu a pandemic, what will that mean for your travel insurance? While most other plans won’t cover a quarantine or pandemic, Travel Insurance Select covers Trip Interruption and Travel Delay due to quarantine, and the “Cancel For Any Reason” benefit allows you to cancel your trip up to two days prior to departure for a 75% reimbursement – no matter what. Learn more about Travel Insurance Select and “Cancel for Any Reason.”
Travel Insurance: Be Prepared for H1N1 (“Swine Flu”)
May 27, 2009 - You’ve spent a lot of time and money preparing for your trip, but suddenly, the H1N1 flu (“Swine Flu”) outbreak has you concerned about your travel plans. You might be thinking, “What if I were to contract the flu before or during my trip? What if my flight or cruise gets cancelled? What if the area I travel to gets quarantined?” The comprehensive travel insurance plans from Travel Insurance Services provide medical coverage, trip cancellation / trip interruption benefits, and more - giving you peace of mind when unforeseen circumstances arise. Read the H1N1 “Swine Flu” FAQ for more information about how you’re covered.
If the H1N1 flu (or “Swine Flu”) outbreak has you reconsidering your travel plans altogether, “Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance” gives you the assurance of benefits should you choose to cancel your trip. “Cancel for Any Reason” lets you do just that: cancel for ANY reason, including unexpected life events, personal issues, and in this case, fear of traveling to a country or area. This coverage is included in Travel Insurance Select's Elite option or can be added onto the Basic or Plus options. Learn more about “Cancel for Any Reason.”
As always, if you have questions, Customer Service Representatives are available to help. Call 800-937-1387 (or 925-932-1387 in the San Francisco Bay Area) M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm (PT), or email webinfo@travelinsure.com.
TIS Response to Swine Flu Concerns
April 28, 2009 - Travelers who purchased a plan with optional "Cancel For any Reason" coverage can cancel their trip and receive the benefits outlined in the policy. For plans without Cancel for Any Reason coverage, cancellation due to fear of contracting the virus while traveling would not be a covered reason for cancellation. Coverage for trip interruption and travel delay may be available if a traveler is required to be quarantined to an area because of possible contact with the swine flu. It is important to refer to the specific plan for coverage details.
The comprehensive travel insurance plans available through TIS include trip interruption, medical expense and emergency medical evacuation coverages as well as 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance. These plans can help you feel confident knowing that if you need to seek medical attention, emergency help is only a phone call away.
We advise all travelers to practice good health habits to help prevent the spread of germs. For more information on traveling to affected areas, visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
New! Voyager Annual Travel Insurance for Frequent and Business Travelers
September 4, 2007 – Introducing Voyager, the versatile annual travel medical insurance solution for multiple trips each year (business, personal, or both). Travelers, or their corporate travel or HR departments, will enjoy the convenience of buying coverage only once a year. Easily customize with low to high limits for: Medical, Medical Evacuation and Accidental Death; Hazardous Sports option. Voyager Basic is the answer for a fully insured, annual medical evacuation plan. Read more...International Student Health Insurance for a Student-Sized Budget
August 10, 2007 – Study USA-HealthCare projects an all-time record number of students buying coverage this month. The buzz about its great rates and generous coverage is spreading among students in the international student and study abroad communities, who often find the plan a significant cost savings over other options. Read more...
Team Attempts to Avoid Modern-Day Pirates While Making History with Journey Around the World
March 13, 2007 – Expedition 360 is on track to be the first to circumnavigate the world by human power. The team is currently pedal boating across the Indian Ocean while attempting to avoid pirates, fighting difficult currents, and struggling with water-maker failure, reports trip sponsor Travel Insurance Services. Read more...
Cruise Insurance— What if You Get Sick on the Ship?
March 1, 2007 – A surprising percentage of cruise passengers pay a visit to the ship's doctor and not always for a sunburn or hangover. Travelers planning a cruise should take a few simple steps ahead of time to prepare for the possibility of getting sick or hurt. Read more...
Me—Buy Travel Insurance? Ten Reasons Travelers are Glad They Did
November 14, 2006 – Most people don't hesitate to insure their life, their car or home. But what about the trip they've planned and purchased? More travelers are buying travel insurance, but why? Here are ten situations when travelers are glad to have travel insurance. Read more...New Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Benefit Provides Travel Planning Flexibility
September 14, 2006 – Planning your vacation is fun, but worrying about the many reasons why you may have to cancel your trip isn't. That's why we've enhanced Travel Insurance Select®, one of our most popular plans, to include an optional Cancel for Any Reason insurance benefit. Read more...Tips for Purchasing Travel Insurance Online
July 12, 2006 – It's easy to book all of your travel arrangements online, but what about your travel insurance? By knowing what to look for on the Web, it's easy to find the coverage you need at a price you can afford. Read more...
Schengen Visa and Travel Health Insurance Required for Some European Travel
May 23, 2006 – For U.S. residents whose citizenship is elsewhere, travel among 15 European countries is now easier with the Schengen visa. But requirements for this visa are extensive, including proof of qualifying travel health insurance for the duration of the stay. Read more...
International Students Can Instantly Purchase Medical Coverage
March 1, 2006 – Busy international students studying in the United States can now enjoy the convenience of instant online purchase and renewal of Study USA-HealthCare Insurance. Study USA often meets university requirements for medical coverage... Read more...
Neglecting Medical Evacuation Insurance for International Travel Can Be Costly
November 15, 2005 – It can be a costly mistake to overlook travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage for international trips, as a prominent sportsman recently learned when he spent over $100,000 of his own money to return home for treatment... Read more...
Studying Abroad? Be Prepared
August 17, 2005 – For most students, back to school means buying a new backpack and No. 2 pencils, and getting the laptop computer ready. But for students studying outside their home country, the preparation is much more challenging... Read more...