Rise in International Maritime Piracy

Pirates may sound like they belong in a storybook or a blockbuster film but the reality is much different. According to the U.S. Department of State, the number of pirate attacks has risen significantly. Americans travelling by sea should be careful when sailing through certain coastal danger zones. Piracy happens all over the world but the coasts of Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Venezuela and Yemen are particularly problematic. In Africa, most attacks happen in the Gulf of Arden off the coast of Somalia. Pirates, while most often targeting commercial ships, do attack private yachts. First, make sure your marine […]

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Dramatically Different Diving Adventures

Been there, dived that? Scuba diving enthusiasts with plenty of “regular” dives under their belt are eagerly searching out new adventures underwater. Where are the diving hot-spots right now? Go wreck diving in Micronesia. Head to Truk Lagoon in Chuuk, Micronesia where more than 300 Japanese WWII battleships, submarines and aircraft lie on the coral atoll seabed. Fly to Weno Island to start your wreck dive. Try lake diving in Malawi. You’re heading inland but you can still experience great diving in Lake Malawi, home to over 1,500 types of tropical fish. Mexico also has its inland attractions – the […]

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Entry Procedure Reminder for UK visitors

If it’s your first time visiting the U.S., or it’s been a while since your last trip, don’t forget the steps you need to take to enter the country. Making sure you’re up-to-date with the current requirements for non-U.S. citizens from the UK travelling to the United States will avoid any pre-flight panics. UK visitors must apply online for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/). ESTA was introduced in 2009 and is obligatory for travelers under the ‘visa waiver’ program. As of 2010, you need to pay a fee using a credit card when applying for the ESTA. If […]

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U.S. Visitors – Plan Early for Summer Vacation

It takes a lot longer than you think to organize a summer vacation. Like many people, every year you wish you’d started earlier. Give yourself an easy ride and start planning for a trip to the U.S. now – you have plenty of time to look at destinations as well as the practicalities of travel medical insurance, flights and foreign currency. Visitors to the U.S. have a wealth of choice in destinations – do you want a tropical beach, a vibrant city, the beauty of the mountains or an action-packed sports break? Visit the websites of the U.S. states you’re […]

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Extreme Sport Equals Extreme Expense?

Bungee jumping, rafting, surfing and spelunking – extreme sports can turn an average vacation into something amazing. Many people take part in activities and sports while abroad but for a lot of people, the worry about the consequences should something go wrong puts them off. The perceived cost of travel insurance, too, is enough to make people want to skip it. Thankfully the number of serious accidents that occur when taking part in extreme sports abroad is low. But these sports are ‘extreme’ for a reason – they are not risk-free. Making sure your sports travel insurance covers your chosen […]

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Life on the Ocean Waves With Added Protection

Marine crew and yacht crew have enviable jobs when you consider the international travel, the exotic destinations and the clear blue seas… But it’s not all sunshine and seaside fun. Crew work hard every day and are sometimes placed in dangerous situations. Crew members – and boat owners – need to consider health and travel insurance plans carefully. Marine crew insurance or yacht crew insurance is essential for life aboard ship. Yacht crew insurance provides short term coverage to cover crew for medical expenses incurred on an ocean trip. This type of coverage is available for 12 months – renewable […]

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Which Expat Insurance Is Best For Me?

Many people today live and work abroad. Whether you stay one month covering the opening of a new office or 10 years raising a family in a different country, the need for expatriate insurance is higher than ever. Many people will not qualify for local health insurance in their new country. For others, the standard of public healthcare is not high enough to meet their requirements. Expat health insurance fills the gap. Which coverage is right for you? Two types of expatriate health insurance exist to cover you wherever in the world you live. The first is short term insurance, […]

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Health Insurance Perks for Nannies

Attracting the best possible carer for your children can be difficult. That’s why many people who employ nannies or childminders offer nanny health insurance as an incentive. Offering health insurance to your prospective nanny as a bonus means you get a wider choice of applicants from which to find the perfect match. Nanny health insurance can be short term or permanent and covers in-patient hospitalization and doctor’s office visits. Other highlights can include coverage for surgery, prescription drugs and ambulance expenses. You may also be able to offer health insurance in lieu of a higher salary and reap some tax […]

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Malaria: Know the Risks and Get Treated Fast

If you’re traveling long-haul, here’s another reason to make sure your travel health insurance is of good quality and up to date – malaria. Malaria is a potentially life-threatening illness that is relatively easy to pick up if you travel to at-risk areas. With swift medical treatment you increase your chances of cure. Malaria is spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. The disease is prevalent in Mexico and Central America, South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Check with your healthcare provider if you need anti-malarials for your trip and which one […]

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When the Worst Happens, Will You Cope?

Travel is exciting, happy and life-expanding – for you and your loved ones. It’s almost unthinkable to consider losing your wife, friend, husband or sister while they are visiting a foreign country. Or to think about coping with their serious illness while they are abroad. But the unthinkable can and does happen. The cost of medical evacuation and repatriation are huge. Could you cope if the worst happened when your loved one was traveling? Here’s where evacuation insurance becomes invaluable. With emergency medical evacuation insurance or repatriation insurance you can quit worrying about the worst and concentrate on the best […]

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