New Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports the following countries have yellow fever (YF) vaccination requirements for people who are entering their country after travel from a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Algeria, Anguilla (UK), The Bahamas, Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Costa Rica, Dominica, Easter Island (Chile), El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mayotte (France), Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts (Saint Christopher) and Nevis (UK), Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Syria, Thailand Read More »

You Must Purchase Travel Medical Insurance If…

… you are not a US Citizen and are traveling to Germany, France, Greece, Iceland, Spain and Schengen countries.  You must present proof of insurance at the nearest consulate or embassy before leaving.

The State Department website updates a list of countries that require insurance, which also include countries experiencing infectious disease breakouts like yellow fever.

Purchase a travel medical insurance policy from Insurance Services of America today and print your proof of insurance from your local printer.  Call and speak with a Client Advisor at (800) 647-4589 for personal customer service.

Road Accidents Pose Biggest Threat Overseas

This past weekend, 26 Boston University students studying in New Zealand were involved in a fatal three-vehicle collision. Sadly, three of those students lost their lives in the tragic accident, while one of the student drivers was air lifted to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. As reported in the Huffington Post,

The school said 26 students were traveling in three vans on their way to walk the Tongariro Crossing, a hike across a volcanic crater that is rated as one of New Zealand’s most spectacular. One of the minivans drifted to the side of the road around 7:30 a.m., then rolled when the driver tried to correct course near the North Island vacation town of Taupo, New Zealand police said….Study abroad program executive director Bernd Widdig called the deaths were the worst tragedy to hit the program since it began in the 1980s.”

More than any other cause of injury or fatality, road accidents pose the biggest threat to American travelers. According to a USA Today analysis: Read More »

A Few Tricks for Getting a Travel Upgrade

NBC’s Today Show shares some tricks to getting travel a travel upgrade

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Israel: Updated Travel Warning

Source: U.S. Department of State

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued June 22, 2011, to update information on the general security environment.

The Gaza Strip and Southern Israel
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately. Read More »

Updated Travel Warning for Mali

Source: U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of travel to Mali, and recommends against all travel to the north of the country due to threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners. In addition, the National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) and other armed groups have attacked several locations in the north and engaged in battles with the Malian military. The conflict has sparked civil disturbances and attacks against ethnic minority groups in Bamako and other cities in the south. U.S. citizens are also advised that presidential and legislative elections scheduled Read More »

We Are A Veteran Owned Business

Did you know Insurance Services of America is a veteran owned business (VOB)?

Graham Bates, the owner and president, enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. We are very grateful for the sacrifice of all our soldiers and families and service personnel protecting the United States.

You can see our VOB listing here:

Haiti: Travel Spotlight

Haiti covers the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola; its capital city is Port-Au-Prince. In January 2010, a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti instantly leaving thousands of people without homes, food, clean water and medical care. According to the most recent report from Mission Data International, Haiti was the most popular mission / volunteer trip destination in 2011. Over the past year, we have insured thousands of people volunteering and serving in Haiti. With the increased travel to Haiti, we have also seen an increased number of clients becoming sick and injured in accidents. Over the past two years we have assisted in evacuating 5 individuals from Haiti.

If you have purchased an international health insurance policy form Insurance Services of America and need medical assistance, please contact the 24 hour worldwide telephone assistance number located on your ID Card. Prior to departure, we recommend completing the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Program. Even if you are traveling in a group, take time to be concerned about your personal safety and security.

We want our clients to remain and return safe. Here are some practical pre-departure tips:

1. Contact a travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks prior to your departure date to allow time for vaccinations to take effect. If you are going on a Spring Break mission trip, Read More »

Keep This Information Near When Traveling

Keep the following information in your luggage or hotel room, or better yet, keep it permanently in your e-mail inbox so you can access it from any Internet point anywhere.

Click here for the information checklist.

Do you have any other travel advice? Share it here.

Safe Travels!

Travel Medical Insurance—Peace of Mind

Do you have peace of mind while traveling? The truth is, unexpected illnesses and injuries happen to us no matter where on the planet we happen to be. So why would you take chances, especially with your health:

In December 2011, Mr. An Nguyen contracted the bird flu H5N1 while visiting Hong Kong. He received some treatments at a local hospital in Hong Kong and was air evacuated back to the US.  The medical bill was $300,000USD.

Fortunately, before his trip, Mr. Nguyen purchased a $210 travel medical insurance policy for 6 months. Therefore, not only the medical cost for his treatments in Hong Kong, but also all the cost for his evacuation back to the US and follow-up treatments were covered under the policy. Read More »