Emergency Assistance Protection Differs From Travel Insurance

Do you travel for business or pleasure? Take frequent “road” trips to see family, friends or sporting events across the state? Or are you planning on heading out to sea or overseas anytime soon? No matter what your plans, you should consider adding emergency assistance protection before you do.

Many people believe that their basic health insurance plan will pay for care if something happens while on their “trip.” Unfortunately, most medical plans limit coverage when out of their network, and especially when out of the country—and most don’t pay anything for medical evacuation or bringing a loved one to your side. In addition, credit card companies and other providers often help replace lost or stolen items but do little to help locate them.

Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury among U.S. citizens requiring emergency transport back to the U.S.Whether traveling close to home, throughout the country or abroad, medical and travel emergencies can and often do happen. According to the National Safety Council “Injury Facts” for 2009, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental deaths in 47 states and also cause 2.3 million disabling injuries every year. In fact, auto accidents along with falls are the top two leading causes of emergency room visits every year.

For travel outside the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Traveler’s Health report indicates that the situation could get worse:

  • Injuries are the leading cause of preventable death among travelers.
  • Emergency care may not be available or acceptable by U.S. standards outside the U.S.
  • Trauma centers are uncommon outside urban areas and travel to the nearest medical facility can take a long time and cause a preventable death.
  • Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury among U.S. citizens requiring emergency transport back to the U.S.

That’s why the CDCP recommends that travelers consider purchasing special health and evacuation coverage if their travel destinations include countries where there may not be access to good medical care. emergency assistance programs may provide a wide array of emergency medical and travel assistance services if and when you need them while traveling.

Emergency assistance plans are not travel insurance, which may be purchased from a travel provider before leaving on a trip and that only cover the one trip, and just provides benefits if your trip is cancelled, delayed or if your luggage is lost. In fact, emergency assistance is usually a membership program, not insurance. This means you can easily obtain it without submitting yourself to health questions, medical exams or lengthy forms.

Emergency assistance program services may include:

  • Medical Assistance—Medical monitoring, doctor/dentist referral, as well as help with prescription replacements and advanced medical payments.
  • Medical Evacuation—Emergency medical transportation, including airlift.
  • Companion Assistance—If you’re hospitalized alone, emergency assistance can fly a friend or family member to be at your bedside. If children, grandchildren and even pets are left unattended because you’re hospitalized, emergency assistance will help return them safely back home. Emergency assistance will even keep family members updated about your condition with a 24-hour message relay system.
  • Travel Assistance—If you’re injured and cannot drive your vehicle home and none of your companions can either, emergency assistance can even arrange to return your car home. It also helps locate or replace lost luggage, passports and other important documents, offers interpreter services, provides emergency evacuation assistance in the event of political unrest, and offers the latest travel advisories and security intelligence.

If you are interested in emergency assistance protection, the AIA Trust now offers Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+).  The AIA Trust EA+ Plan offers all of the services described above:  emergency medical assistance, evacuation, travel assistance, assistance for companions and security intelligence benefits for you and your family for an affordable group rate. Plus, in the future, you’ll have the option to add on additional medical and travel benefits. For more information, call 1-800-255-8215 or visit www.theAIATrust.com.