Travel Insurance Information relating to the H1N1 Swine Flu

H1N1 is now the dominant virus strain

Evidence from multiple outbreak sites demonstrates that the H1N1 pandemic virus has rapidly established itself and is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world. The pandemic will persist in the coming months as the virus continues to move through susceptible populations.

Travelers are encouraged to visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/whatsnew.htm for updates about the flu and other potential health concerns.

Following are the "Swine Flu" Released Information statements from our Travel Insurance providers.

CSA Travel Protection | Travelex Insurance Services | Travel Guard | Travel Insured International | TravelSafe | International Medical Group

CSA Travel Protection
CSA "Swine Flu" Released Information
Swine Flu Outbreak

CSA policies offer coverage if one of our clients, their traveling companions or their family members need to cancel or interrupt their trip due to a covered sickness, injury or death.

There will be no coverage offered for the fear of contracting an illness, or the additional risk involved with traveling to an area where an outbreak occurred.

If you are currently traveling and experiencing flu-like symptoms, please call our 24-hour emergency assistance hotline at (866) 922-0278 or collect from outside the US (202) 974-6480.

CSA Travel Protection continues to closely monitor the outbreak of Swine Flu and the potential impact to our customers.

Please Note: Always refer to the Certificate of Insurance or Insurance Policy if you have any questions.

Following is information on some of the most common scenarios regarding coverage under CSA's policies:

Contracting Swine Flu prior to traveling:

CSA plans include Trip Cancellation coverage for covered illnesses that prevent you from traveling, provided you are treated by a doctor in person and the illness commences after the purchase of the CSA plan.

Contracting Swine Flu while on a trip:

Travelers should first notify CSA by calling one of its 24-Hour Emergency Hotline numbers. Please call (866) 922-0278 directly from within the U.S., or place a collect call to (202) 974-6480 from outside the U.S. CSA plans have access to the following Europ Assistance services:

• Referral to qualified medical personnel
• Medical monitoring of each traveler's case
• If necessary, emergency evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility

CSA plans include Trip Interruption benefits that provide coverage for unused land or water arrangements and additional transportation expenses to return home due to covered illnesses that commence while on the trip.

CSA plans include Medical Expense coverage in excess of your standard coverage for illnesses incurred while on the covered trip.

Quarantine prior to, or while on, the trip:

CSA's plans will generally cover losses for travelers who are quarantined before or during a trip, under Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and/or Travel Delay coverage, depending upon the circumstances.

Concern about traveling to a specific area where Swine Flu has been detected, or where a government warning has been issued:

Coverage does not include fear of traveling to a specific region, and generally there is no coverage for cancellation due to government regulations or advisories to specific regions.

Travelex Insurance Services
H1N1 Flu Coverage Statement
6/12/09

Travelex Insurance Services offers a variety of policies all in which provide certain aspects of coverage in regards to the H1N1 Flu. To assist travelers as they make plans to address the recent and evolving events associated with the H1N1 Flu outbreak, we thought it might be helpful to provide you with the following summary of coverage's provided with your respective travel protection plan.

Coverage for those contemplating cancellation: Insured customers that are considering cancellation or have canceled arrangements due to the travel restrictions, warnings or general fear of traveling, are not eligible for cash reimbursement under the provisions of the plan. However, to accommodate our traveler's needs, Travelex would like to offer a policy transfer / adjustment to an insured's current travel protection plan, provided all terms and conditions have been met (see below under Treatment of Protection Plan Payments).

Insured customers who may contract the H1N1 Flu prior to departure and are advised to cancel their travel arrangements are eligible for Trip Cancellation under the provisions of the plan. Provisions include: the insured must have contracted the H1N1 Flu and been advised to cancel their trip by a physician after the Effective Date of the protection plan.

Insureds who purchased the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade on appropriate plans will be eligible for Trip Cancellation coverage under the provision of the plan. Provisions include: purchasing the plan within 21 days of initial covered trip payment and for the full cost of the trip and the traveler must advise of their cancellation within 2 days of their scheduled departure date.

Additional benefits available to the traveler include: Specific plans offered by Travelex Insurance Services offer a cancellation benefit due to the traveler missing at least 50% or more of their trip due to a delay as defined in the policy. Should the destination airport close and insured customers are unable to reach their destination, the cancellation benefit for losing 50% or more of their covered trip may apply, assuming all terms and conditions of the benefit are met.

Note that there is quarantine coverage under the policy for Trip Cancellation / Interruption and Trip Delay coverage in the event a physician or government official quarantines the traveler/insured (for any illness they have or have been exposed) which prevents traveling. Quarantine means that the person is restricted to their home, a medical facility or another dwelling, but not restricted from traveling into a country or destination.

Coverage for those currently traveling: Travelers who are currently traveling and have fallen ill would be covered under the trip interruption for sickness, medical expense and evacuation benefits, up to the limits of the policy and subject to its general terms and conditions. If you are aware of any insured passenger with flu—like symptoms or any who has been admitted to the hospital, please make sure to contact the 24 Hour Medical Emergency Assistance providers for your plan.

Treatment of Protection Plan Payments: Although usually protection plan premium is nonrefundable, if the insured is allowed to transfer their travel payments (trip deposits or full payments) without charge, in this specific case, the traveler may also elect to transfer their protection plan coverage to their new trip destination or new travel dates. It should be noted that any expenses for change fees to move airfares to a new trip destination would not be covered, unless such move was a direct result of the travel supplier cancelling the trip. Transfers will only apply to trips that are booked within 12 months from the original departure date.

If the trip cost increases as a result of the transfer, the insured will have to make an additional insurance payment to cover the full trip cost in order to best protect themselves. They would need to make the purchase within the allotted time to continue to receive any benefits that contain a purchase time requirement

Travel Guard
Travel Guard "Swine Flu" Released Information

Swine Flu Q&A
The following questions and answers have been prepared to help you understand the typical coverage that may or may not be available for insured travelers.

Q: If I were to contract swine flu, would I be covered for trip cancellation?

A: As long as the insurance was purchased before you contracted the disease, you would normally be covered for cancellation. Travel Guard would require a note from the doctor as verification. (Please confirm that plan has coverage for unforeseen illness.)

Q: If I were to contract swine flu while on my trip, would I have coverage for medical expenses?

A: As long as the disease was contracted while on the trip, you would normally be covered. (Please confirm medical expense coverage is included in the product.)

Q: Would I have coverage for Trip Interruption if the area I am traveling in is quarantined by that country's government?

A: Generally there would be coverage under Trip Interruption, if you are quarantined to an area because of possible contact with swine flu.

Q: Would I have coverage for Trip Delay if the area I am traveling in is quarantined by that country's government?

A: Generally there would be coverage under Trip Delay if you are quarantined up to the maximum limits of the coverage.

Q: If I am denied entry to a country because I appear to be ill or have a fever, would I have coverage?

A: Generally there would not be coverage unless you were quarantined.

Q: If I am afraid to Travel to a specific area because swine flu has been detected, will I have coverage for Trip Cancellation?

A: No, there is no coverage for fear of traveling to a specific region. Under Trip Cancellation, most plans provide coverage due to reasons such as illness or injury, weather conditions, or traffic accidents. The insurance through Travel Guard generally does not provide coverage due to government regulations or advisories to specific regions. Under Trip Cancellation, most plans provide coverage due to reasons such as illness or injury, weather conditions, or traffic accidents.

Q: Would I have coverage for Trip Cancellation if the area I am traveling to is quarantined by that country's government?

A: Generally, Travel Guard's plans would not provide coverage for Trip Cancellation should your destination country's government have quarantines due to the swine flu.

Q: Would I have coverage for Trip Cancellation if the government issues a travel warning covering the area I am scheduled to travel to?

A: The plans available through Travel Guard do not provide Trip Cancellation coverage due to government warnings.

Q: Would the possible "epidemic" be covered as a "Natural Disaster"?

A: The definition of "Natural Disaster" is flood, hurricane, earthquake, or blizzard that is due to natural causes. So, this would not be considered a "Natural Disaster".

Travel Insured International
Travel Insured International "Swine Flu" Released Information

Updated Coverage Alert — Swine Flu Outbreak

Travel Insured continues to closely monitor the outbreak of Swine Flu and the potential impact to our customers. Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees. Travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas are encouraged to contact their travel suppliers.

At this time we are covering Swine Flu as any other Sickness. However, cancellation or interruption due to the concern of contracting the Swine Flu is not covered. Cancellation or Interruption due to Sickness requires documentation by the attending physician.

Coverage does not include concern of traveling to a specific region, and generally there is no coverage due to government regulations or advisories to specific regions. However, Travel Insured does provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to travelers purchasing the Cancel for Any Reason option with their Travel Insured plan and cancelling their trip two or more days prior to their scheduled trip departure date.

We have prepared answers to many of the questions we have been receiving from our customers along with some general information on the swine flu. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our position as developments occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still purchase insurance for this outbreak of swine flu?

Yes. If you or other covered individuals contract swine flu before or while traveling, coverage will be provided for Sickness as specified in the terms and conditions of your policy.

Am I covered for swine flu?

Cancel for Any Reason
If your policy includes our optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage; you may cancel your trip at any time up to two days prior to departure and receive up to 75% of your total trip cost.
Trip Cancellation — Interruption
We are treating Swine Flu as any other sickness supporting Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption as per the terms and conditions of your policy. Claims will require supporting statement from your attending physician.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
Swine flu would be considered an emergency medical condition if you contract it while traveling.
Emergency Medical Transportation
If you contract swine flu, contact our Assistance company. If evacuation is required as determined by our consulting physician and the local attending physician, we will take you to the appropriate medical facility. All transportation must be authorized and arranged by the Assistance Company.
Travel Delay
If you are quarantined because of swine flu, many of our policies will pay a daily per person benefit up to the coverage limit for unexpected meals, accommodations and transportation that result from your delay. Please review your specific policy for the terms and limits that apply.

What if I am Quarantined?

Quarantine coverage is included under Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits, in the event a physician quarantines the traveler/insured for any illness which prevents traveling. Quarantine means that the person is restricted to their home or a medical facility; not restricted from one country or destination.

How can I find out if my travel supplier will allow me to change the dates of my trip?

Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees. We recommend travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas, to contact their travel suppliers.

Can I change the travel dates on my policy if my supplier is allowing me to rebook?

Yes. We are happy to adjust the travel dates on your policy provided that you have not filed a claim and you have not departed on your trip and your new travel dates are within eighteen months of your original application date. If your supplier will charge you a change fee, we will not be able to cover that unless you file a claim on your existing policy. Should you choose to file a claim, you will need to purchase a new policy for the new trip.

Can I cancel if I am concerned about traveling?

No. Our policies provide coverage for Trip Cancellation due to specific listed reasons that are unforeseen prior to purchase. Coverage is not provided for concern of traveling other than coverage provided under our Cancel for Any Reason option.

Does my policy cover medical care if I become ill while traveling in Mexico?

Yes. Swine Flu will be treated as any other Sickness under the terms and conditions of your policy.

What should I do if I become sick while traveling?

Seek medical care immediately. Contact our Assistance Service provider for help in locating a doctor or nearest medical facility. Contact information and phone numbers are included in your Description of Coverage and on your Confirmation of Benefits. Be sure to take your policy documents with you when you travel and have these important phone numbers readily available.

TravelSafe
Travel Safe "Swine Flu" Released Information

TravelSafe Covers Swine Flu Outbreak. Here's how...

Medical Expense and Emergency Assistance:

If an insured is on a trip and contracts the Swine Flu, they are covered up to the plan limits for medical expense incurred as the result of their illness, subject to the plan provisions and exclusions.

If this Swine Flu outbreak is officially declared to be an epidemic or pandemic, then coverage from that time forward will not provide benefits as there is a specific exclusion for epidemics and pandemics in our policies.

Our One Call Travel Assistance Service is available 24/7 to help travelers obtain medical care, arrange for medical evacuation and if required, answer any related questions they might have.

If a traveler experiences flu-like symptoms while traveling in the USA or Canada, insureds should call the Assistance Hotline at 1-800-555-9095. If you are traveling outside of the USA or Canada call collect at 1-603-894-4710.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption:

Canceling or interrupting a trip due to the fear of contracting the Swine Flu is not covered. However, if the "Cancel For Any Reason" Benefit is in effect the insured may cancel for the Swine Flu outbreak two days or more prior to departure.

If the traveler becomes ill while on their trip and must interrupt their trip, benefits are available up to the amount provided by the plan to reimburse the unused land and water travel arrangements and additional transportation expenses as outlined.*

If this Swine Flu outbreak is officially declared to be an epidemic or pandemic, then coverage from that time forward will not provide benefits as there is a specific exclusion for epidemics and pandemics in our policies.

You may continue to purchase our "Cancel For Any Reason" Benefit even if an epidemic or pandemic is declared in the future. "Cancel For Any Reason" is cancel for any reason and may be purchased within 15 days of trip deposit.

International Medical Group
International Medical Group (IMG) "Swine Flu" Released Information

Patriot Series of Products and Programs

Travel Medical Products

Is swine flu a covered illness?

It would be treated like any other illness or flu condition so that as long as the product was purchased prior to contracting the flu, the illness will be considered as an eligible medical expense under all other terms and conditions of the Certificate of Insurance.

What happens if a Travel Warning is issued?

A traveler should always review and be aware of all Travel Warnings. Based on that review, a Traveler must make a responsible decision regarding his or her travel plans. Swine flu, like any acute illness, is and would be considered an eligible medical condition subject to all other terms and conditions under the Certificate of Insurance.

Can I cancel my plan and get a refund?

Yes, as with all of the Patriot series products, you may cancel the Certificate for any reason prior to the effective date and receive a full refund. If canceled after the effective date, the refund is contingent upon the plan design. Please refer to the product brochure or contact IMG for clarification.

Trip Cancellation Programs

Is swine flu a covered illness?

It would be treated like any other illness or flu condition so that as long as the program was purchased prior to contracting the flu, you would be covered for cancellation and other benefits due to an Emergency Illness.

May I cancel my trip due to concern over the outbreak and still receive benefits?

No, travel insurance benefits provide coverage on a named peril basis. To see a listing of those specific perils, please see the brochure wording.

What happens if a Travel Warning is issued? Would I have coverage if I cancelled my trip?

No, a Travel Warning is not a qualifying event. A full "medical quarantine" must be issued by a government entity for cancellation benefits to apply