Globalization has brought todays travelers to new far-flung locations that they would not have visited even just a decade ago. From engineers and doctors to information technology specialists and banking/financial executives more and more people in a myriad of industries are traveling around the globe. Companies are also expanding operations internationally with a growing population of expatriates stationed around the world.
At the same time that worldwide business travel is increasing so is the frequency of natural disasters political unrest and terrorist incidents affecting travelers and expatriates. Disasters both natural and man made pose a host of health security safety and risk concerns for individuals traveling on business. For instance a medical evacuation can cost at least $10000 according to the U.S. Department of State and can easily have a price tag in excess of $100000 in more remote areas of the world.
Now more than ever employers are faced with the challenge to control costs. At the same time employers have a legal fiduciary and moral Duty of Care for their employees. This responsibility extends globally and must apply to employees stationed in all corners of the world.Meeting this very important and essential Duty of Care obligation is more challenging than ever.
The question becomes: How can employers balance the need to send employees overseas and protect these employees while still keeping an eye on the bottom line?One solution is a comprehensive travel risk management program that incorporates extensive international security and medical assistance services available on a 24/7 basis for overseas travelers and expatriates.
Benefits of such a program include: protecting the health and safety of traveling employees mitigating potential legal and financial liability protecting the companys brand and reputation fulfilling corporate social responsibilities meeting shareholder and stakeholder expectations and contributing to the recruitment and retention of key employees.Even in times when increasing scrutiny of expenses has become the new norm and will continue despite an improving economy providing Duty of Care must continue.
But even with business travel expected to rebound - particularly to emerging regions of the world human resource directors risk managers and travel managers still need to watch expenses. HR professionals are tasked with evaluating and selecting a cost-effective benefits program for their employees. Increasingly they are being called upon to provide evaluate and select comprehensive travel risk management programs that incorporate extensive international security and medical assistance services.
When evaluating travel risk management options company decision makers should look for a provider that offers cost management solutions while continuing to provide high-quality service. These solutions should also take into account and help address Duty of Care requirements. Since no two organizations are the same you want a program that can be customized to meet the unique needs of your organization.
For instance you may want a program that has assistance and insurance benefits integrated into one solution or you may want a program that has assistance services that can be fully integrated with your existing insurance approach. For example if the assistance program is fully integrated with a companys travel management program and there arises the need to provide last-minute or business class travel for an injured or ill executive the costs could be substantially lowered.
Also you want a travel risk management program that provides travel alerts and warnings for high-risk destinations. When speaking to potential travel assistance providers make sure to ask how they will keep your employees informed on up-to-date health and safety information while your employees are traveling.
Some providers maintain dedicated customer or member web sites and/or provide the capability to send e-mail alerts and text messages with the latest updates.In addition examine the cost drivers once you have fully assessed a providers quality.
Ask these questions:
Is there a fee for service?
Is there a mark-up for third-party expenses?
If you currently have a program but youre not sure if its working as efficiently as it possibly could or providing all the services your company needs request that an assessment be performed. Some providers will do this free of charge and it is a great way to compare your program to industry best practices so that you get an objective view of your companys travel risk practices.
Make sure that the assessment takes a look at such items as your travel medical policy travel security policy pandemic policy expense patterns crisis response plans governance and strategic development and team composition. Lastly but possibly most vital is that once youve selected a provider and have a program in place make sure you communicate this information to your employees on an ongoing basis.
It doesn't do your employees any good if you have a great travel risk management program that they are not aware of when they travel. Offer this information in your company newsletter. Also consider sending internal e-mail blasts that are repeated and instruct department heads to brief their staffers about this program. Communication and understanding of these programs are essential if they are to be utilized to their fullest potential and greatest benefit to travelers within your company.
Knowing this important information in advance is a key component in being able to contain costs and manage an efficient and well-developed travel program. And at the same time you can provide Duty of Care and quality care for employees who are venturing out to the far reaching corners of the globe.
About the Author
Shawn Austin is Senior Vice President Employer Markets Accident & Health Division of Chartis.Chartis is a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organization serving more than 45 million clients in over 160 countries and jurisdictions. With a 90-year history one of the industrys most extensive ranges of products and services deep claims expertise and excellent financial strength Chartis enables its commercial and personal insurance clients alike to manage virtually any risk with confidence. The Accident & Health Division of Chartis is an industry leader and innovator with 50 years of experience in developing and providing tailor-made solutions for the employee benefits specialty risk occupational accident educational and travel insurance markets. The Accident and Health Division of Chartis offers a comprehensive portfolio of need-driven solutions to help our clients manage risk help protect their people and be well prepared for the unexpected.
