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What is a Schengen Visa? Thumbnail

What is a Schengen Visa?

Since 1996, one of the companies Insurance Services of America (ISA) proudly represents is Seven Corners (originally called Specialty Risk International). The following is an article that they have written, regarding Schengen Visas. We have many clients that require travel insurance in order to obtain the Visa. Find out more, here! Read More »

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Our Vote Goes To…

It’s hard to know you’re making the best choice sometimes. Thankfully, unlike too many past elections, we at Insurance Services of America offer you great candidates to choose from—

When it comes to group travel medical insurance, we’ve nominated only the most qualified, vetted and intelligent of options. No scandals. No flip-flopping. Just honest insurance coverage backed by the world’s oldest and largest health insurance market, Lloyd’s of London, and highly rated by AM Best and Standard and Poor’s. So who are these stellar candidates? Meet them and cast your vote for the one you like best!

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Travel Insurance for Visiting the United States of America

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Summary regarding the need for travel insurance when you visit the USA. Your own health plan will likely not cover you if you suffer an accident or need routine medical treatment.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Travel Insurance for the USA

When traveling to the USA, it’s unlikely that your own medical insurance will cover you should you find yourself in a situation where you need to use it. To alleviate this concern, it’s wise to purchase a type of holiday travel insurance that will cover any unexpected illness. If you are immigrating to the United States, this insurance is even more important.

Medicare & Medicaid for Immigrants

In most situations, immigrants to the United States are not immediately eligible for state or federally funded insurance coverage. Some require you to already have a green card. Others mandate certain income, residency or citizenship requirements before you may be eligible. Depending on your unique situation, you may not be eligible for any program for quite some time. Travel insurance can help bridge the gap until you are eligible for other options.

Types of Insurance Available

Things you should consider when purchasing travel insurance include the type of coverage and where providers are located. It’s not helpful to purchase a plan that only covers catastrophic accidents or only has providers in major cities if that’s not where you plan to visit. You’ll also need to look at the dates of your coverage and whether or not you have the option to extend it, should that be necessary. Finally, the cost of coverage is important. You need something affordable that will provide the degree of coverage you need for both minor and major medical issues.

Cost of Travel Insurance

The cost of travel insurance will vary a great degree. Sometimes it will depend on the traveler’s age, the type of plan chosen and the plan coverage limit. The cost of this insurance may also include other accident issues such as if the airline loses your baggage or if you miss a connecting flight. Before signing up for a plan, make sure that you read the fine print and understand what the cost covers and what it does not.

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Travel Overseas Safely with International Travel Insurance

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Many Americans travel overseas for pleasure or business, but what if disaster strikes and emergency medical treatment is needed? Fortunately, there are emergency and urgent care insurance plans available for these incidents.

Insuring Yourself for International Travel

Americans love to travel. Venturing to a new destination and seeing new sights is an exciting aspect of going on a new journey. Even so, there are accidents and injuries, sometimes fatal, that can occur. Having international travel insurance is one way to assure that your family has adequate protection while outside of the country.

Convenient Coverage for Clients

With insurance for international travel, there are a variety of clients who can benefit from sound protection and services. For example, those traveling to developing countries for mission trips may be traversing dangerous territories, such as war zones and other unstable locations. With a high incidence of automobile accidents and terrorist attacks, knowing that you and your loved ones have insurance for traveling provides added peace of mind. Moreover, those who make trips for both business and holidays can be covered by an urgent care package, as there are always risks of injuries or other harm. Even a short stay abroad could result in something disastrous, and international destinations may make you feel less certain of your protection.

With a comprehensive emergency or urgent care insurance package, you can know that your well-being will not be compromised regardless of the distance between you and your home. What is more, there are high limit caps for this solution, which helps to assure people that even the most endangered trip will not cost too much.

Providing Protection for Plenty

There are several other individuals who can take advantage of overseas travel insurance. For instance, there are some high-risk jobs that are sometimes outsourced to overseas locations, such as fishermen, aircraft pilots, and outdoorsmen. These jobs already hold their own dangers; yet being in a faraway place can cause increased anxiety over protecting oneself. Fortunately, being insured with a plan like this is key to protecting your well-being.

Don’t Let the Possibility of Danger Ruin Your Travel Plans

Ensuring that both you and your family members receive the required attention is crucial. You do not need to let the possibility of catastrophe leave you dreading your traveling plans or even canceling them altogether. With careful planning and preparation, you can set out to foreign lands with the comfort and advantage of a stable solution for insuring yourself.

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Make Your First Trip to America More Fun with Some Simple Tips

Planning your first trip to America can seem daunting and may leave you feeling confused. With some basic travel tips and trip planning ideas, you can have a better experience.

How to Have the Best Time in America

A first time trip to the United States might leave you feeling overwhelmed. You will likely feel homesick and miss your family and friends back home, and you may find yourself facing problems you never expected. Using some simple travel tips lets you worry less and enjoy your visit more.

Make a Plan

You only have a limited amount of time to see everything you want to see, which is why you need to make a plan before you arrive. Whether you spend time in New York City, California or the heart of the Midwest, you can write down a list of things you want to do and experience. That list may include seeing a Broadway show, visiting an art museum or watching a baseball game. Sticking to the list helps you keep track of everything you want to experience.

Plan for Emergencies

While you can’t plan for all types of occurrences, you can plan for medical emergencies when you buy travel medical insurance. This type of insurance can cover visits to an emergency room, doctor’s appointments and even dental visits. If you come from a country with universal health care, it’s especially important that you buy travel medical insurance. Some clinics and hospitals may require upfront payment before treating you.

Enjoy Yourself

Though you do need to plan some aspects of your trip, it’s important that you don’t stick to a specific itinerary or schedule. The unexpected can always happen. You might win tickets to a concert, find a museum you never heard of or make friends with locals who want to show you some off the beaten path attractions. If you stick too closely to your schedule, you might miss out on some great things.

With hundreds of larger cities and thousands of smaller towns, America really does offer something for everyone. Have fun on your visit and make sure to enjoy your trip.

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Keep Safe While Backpacking Through the U.S.

It can be intimidating to trek through a foreign country, but taking measures to keep yourself safe and secure can make it a positive and enlightening experience. From the clothing you wear to the valuables you carry, decisions you make will affect your travels.

Backpacking Through the USA: How to Keep Safe

An effective way to experience a foreign culture is to immerse yourself within the society, and the United States boasts many unique cultures and landscapes. No matter if you’re headed to the Appalachians or the Mojave Desert, you should take precautionary measures in order to remain safe. The following tips may help you to be prepared for anything.

Safety and Security While Traveling

Travel in populated areas and avoid isolated locations. In the event of an emergency, you are more likely to receive assistance with people around. It may also be a good idea to resist traveling at night.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Even though an area may look safe, it could still pose a threat to your safety and security. Many people had bags and suitcases stolen even when these were placed right next to the individual.

Know the area you’re traveling through. Contacting your local government or researching the location online can help reveal risky areas to avoid for nearly any location around the world. Accustom yourself to emergency facilities of the area and places to rest.

Keeping Your Valuables Hidden

One way to avoid being a victim is to not look like one. Keep your valuables hidden from view and utilize secret compartments within clothing and your backpack. This will reduce the temptation of others because it will look as if you have nothing of value.

Use disposable phones while traveling. In the event you lose the device, the impact to you financially and emotionally is reduced. Prepaid units work extremely well since you don’t invest a great deal of money up front.

Protecting Yourself While Abroad

One of the most important aspects to consider before backpacking through the USA is by investing in overseas health insurance. If you become ill or injured, this can help you get back on your feet. Take measures to ensure you have a safe travel and you can reduce the complications that may arise while on an adventure like backpacking.

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4 Reasons to Get Winter Travel Insurance When Traveling to The U.S.

Although the West Coast of the United States seems to be almost immune to winter weather, this is not the case for much of the rest of the U.S. Much of the East Coast is already blanketed in several feet of snow with another blast of Arctic weather on the way. If you are planning to travel abroad to the U.S., winter travel insurance can ensure you are not stuck out in the cold if weather interrupts your travel plans. Here are 4 reasons to get winter travel insurance.

1. Reimbursements

Although you may be able to plan most aspects of your winter trip to the U.S., weather is often unpredictable. A winter travel insurance policy can help you cover any expenses incurred if your trip is delayed. This can cover reasonable travel expenses including accommodations, meals, and transportation until travel becomes possible.

2. Travel investment protection

Oftentimes when booking a vacation, you may be required to make a deposit to secure your room or buy non-refundable tickets. In the case that your vacation is delayed or cancelled at the departure point, winter travel insurance can help. A policy can provide coverage if your trip is cancelled due to a covered reason such as severe weather. You can receive reimbursement for any pre-paid, forfeited and non-refundable trip costs up to your selected limit of coverage.

heavy snow accumulations

3. Assistance

After all of the preliminary planning it took to get your vacation underway, it can be frustrating if something such as weather causes delays or cancellations. Most winter travel insurance policies include valuable assistance services. These services will work with airlines on your behalf to find and book a new flight to help get your U.S. vacation underway. This will help alleviate some of the stress of a delayed or cancelled trip.

4. Late purchase

If you have done your due diligence and checked weather forecasts for anywhere you are planning to travel on your vacation, you may think you don’t need winter travel insurance. While this may be the case, many of the severe winter storms that have been affecting the eastern and southern U.S. this winter, have been relatively quick forming.

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Most winter travel insurance providers will allow you to purchase a policy up to 24 hours before a severe winter storm warning or watch is issued. This means if you have a vacation planned and it looks like a storm is forming where you are going, you can still purchase a policy as long is it is at least 24 hours in advance of any watches or warnings.

Even if a policy is purchased after the 24 hour watch and warning window, you will still be able to take advantage of most of the services offered by your policy provider.

 

The U.S. is a great place to visit in the winter, as long as you take measures to ensure severe winter weather doesn’t cause delays or interruptions. If you are interested in learning more about winter travel insurance or overseas health insurance, contact Insurance Services of America at (800) 647-4589 or 01 (480) 821-9052 today.

What Are Your Green Card Insurance Options? Thumbnail

What Are Your Green Card Insurance Options?

Although requirements will vary depending on your specific situation, most lawful residents and green card holders are required to have qualifying health insurance according to the Affordable Care Act. Depending on your current resident status, you will have a number of different option available to you. It is important to meet with a qualified insurance professional to determine what health insurance options are right for you.

Green Card Holders

Green card holders or lawful permanent residents are not much different than U.S. citizens when it comes to health insurance. Depending on your specific circumstances, you can get health coverage from your place of employment, through a public assistance program or through an individual plan purchased through the health insurance marketplace.

If you are a green card holder who travels frequently between your home country and the U.S. you may want to consider purchasing short term travel medical insurance to stay covered when you are in the U.S.

Green card holders and Medicare

Medicare is a need based federal health insurance program designed to provide coverage to those with little to no income. This may be available for green card holders who meet certain criteria. Lawful permanent residents may qualify for Medicare if they can prove they have worked in the country for 40 quarters (10 years).

Green card holders who are over the age of 65 and have lived here for 5 years, but don’t have the work history can either buy into Medicaid for a small monthly premium, or purchase an individual private plan from the health insurance marketplace. Those who purchase through the insurance market place and cannot afford the premium may qualify for federal subsidies to help cover the cost.

Health insurance and dependents

It is important to remember that for most current insurance plans in the U.S. you may only include qualified family members. This mean your spouse and dependent children can receive coverage under your plan, but your parents may not. Even if your parents are current green card holders as well, they will be responsible for finding their own health insurance coverage.

For lawful permanent residents who are participating in a green card sponsorship program for their parents or other family members, it is important to be aware of your responsibilities when it comes to health coverage. You may be responsible for any medical expenses they incur while under your sponsorship.

 

Your options will vary depending on your specific circumstances, but it is important to make sure you are covered. If you are interested in learning more about what options are available to you or are a green card holder interested in purchasing travel medical insurance, visit Overseas Health online or call one of our insurance experts at (800) 647-4589 or 01 (480) 821-9052 today.

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The Process Of Studying In The United States

When it comes to studying in the United States, there are a few requirements that must be completed prior to entering the country. Most students from foreign nations will take two specific tests, which are called the TOEFL and the SAT.

The TOEFL is a test of English language proficiency. It’s specifically for non-English speakers looking to attend universities in the U.S. Meanwhile, the SAT is a widely known test that provides a basis for the academic abilities of the student. Most believe the SAT is harder than the TOEFL, but both are often required for those looking to study in the U.S.

Preparing for the tests

Before you start to prepare for these two tests, it’s important to understand what to expect. Both tests will have a heavy emphasis on English vocabulary terms and their use in conversations and applications. Even though the TOEFL won’t require as many words as the SAT, it’s important to work on your vocabulary.

Take the TOEFL first

This test is a great way to start, since it focuses primarily on language proficiency. If you understand the English language, you will be able to answer the questions correctly on this test.

Prepare for the tests separately

Trying to prepare for both the TOEFL and the SAT at the same time can become confusing and overwhelming. Instead, prepare for just one at a time to ensure you don’t create even more stress for yourself.

Be aware of the transition from the TOEFL to the SAT

While preparing for the TOEFL can help to build your vocabulary, transitioning into SAT preparation can be quite different. It may take some time to adjust to the preparation used for the SAT.

Many students struggle with the difference in learning styles for both tests. Often, students will retake the TOEFL test after they have taken the SAT and it will be much easier.

What else will you need to study in the United States?

Along with these two tests, students wishing to study in the United States may need a visa, travel insurance and other items in place before leaving their home country. Students may also need to have already been accepted by a school and may also require permission from their home nation.

Travel insurance is a very important part of the requirements necessary to study in the U.S. It will help the student if they become ill or have a medical issue, ensuring their protection in a foreign land.

When it comes to choosing the right travel insurance to the USA, it’s important to find a company willing to cater to your needs. The right specialists will be able to help walk you through the process and make sure you have the coverage you need to study in the United States.

Before you study in the US, make sure you take the right tests, get the proper visa and obtain the right travel insurance. These requirements will ensure you get to study in the US without any issues.

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Studying in the US vs the UK

If you’re a student in the United Kingdom, and you’ve ever considered studying abroad in the United States, it’s important to consider that there are many variations between the systems of education. Here are a few of the key differences that should be considered before making the decision to study overseas.

Time in school

In the United States, colleges are referred to as “4-year universities” for a reason. While the length of study varies depending on what choices a student makes (e.g. transferring, changing majors, taking AP courses in high school, workload), most students are expected to finish their undergraduate degree in about four years. If a student chooses to pursue further education, such as a master’s degree, they will be in school for another two years at the minimum. Some degrees can even add four or more years of education after the undergraduate degree has been obtained.

In the United Kingdom, time spent in school is compressed significantly. General education and elective courses are curtailed, if not entirely omitted from studies. As a result, students obtain their degrees in about three years. Also, graduate degrees are not always necessary to successfully practice in some fields, as qualifications can be obtained within the three-year undergraduate period.

Grades and coursework

While students in the United Kingdom are lucky enough to find themselves in school for a shorter period of time, they are often under much stricter scrutiny. On the surface, it may seem as if it’s easier to earn an “A” in the UK, as it is only necessary to obtain 65 percent or higher (in the United States, a 90 percent or higher is required). Although a lower percentage is required to get an “A” in the UK, only a few students in any given class will earn the grade, as grade inflation is not common.

How students are educated is also much different. In the US, students tend to receive more guidance, whereas students in the UK are expected to be more regulating. A course in the United States will meet for three or four hours a week, but a class in the United Kingdom will only meet for one to two hours. Students are expected to spend the additional time reading and doing work on their own.

Campus life

For better or for worse, American universities have a certain stigma surrounding them. Many may call to mind scenes from National Lampoon’s Animal House, where toga parties and binge drinking are the norm. While these hyperbolic narratives don’t ring true in the majority of cases, they aren’t entirely fictitious. Fraternities and sororities, with all of their partying and pledging, are not something you are likely to encounter anywhere else in the world. In fact, many students who travel to the United States are likely to testify that that have never encountered anything like Greek Life.

If you do decide to study abroad in the US, being prepared by having holiday travel insurance is in your best interest. For more information on travel insurance plans, get in touch with Insurance Services of America by calling (800) 647-4589.