Case Study: Dual US / Foreign Citizenship

An insurance agent contacted us and informed us he has a client who has dual citizenship. He spends an unpredictable amount of time in and out of the US and his family and career require him to travel frequently. He currently had a plan which covered him outside the US, but limited his time in the US to 6 months per policy year. A medical condition along with a long work assignment required him to reside within the US for 240 days this past year. A claim was recently filed but was declined when the insurance company discovered he was no longer eligible for coverage due to the amount of time within the US. His citizenship and frequent international travel disqualified from traditional US health insurance, HMO's and PPO's. Unfortunately many individuals who have dual US and foreign citizenships face the same problems in obtaining medical insurance.

GlobalCitizenInsurance has the international health insurance solution. Are you a US Citizen who lives abroad? Do you have a US and foreign citizenship? Let us limit the financial risk of the high cost of US medical care as well as helping you locate, contact and pay for medical services outside the US. Don't let the restrictions of most international health insurance plans limit your travel itinerary. Call and speak with one of our international health insurance advisors. We have been providing high quality health insurance with prompt personal service for over 39 years.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates

American Couple Medically Evacuated from Centeral America

Unfortunately tourists are prime targets. Petty theft and street crimes are higher in tourist destinations than rural areas. Here is a video from MSNBC of an American couple who ended being medically evacuated back to the US. The victim was physically attacked and also had to financial burden of paying for the $50,000 medical evacuation.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Here are some safety tips from the US Department of State

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

• Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home.
• Be especially cautious in (or avoid) areas where you may be more easily
  victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators,
  tourist sites, market places, festivals and crime-ridden neighborhoods.
• Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
• Try not to travel alone at night.Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
• Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments. Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers.
• Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer t be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices.
• Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will jostle you, ask you
  for directions or the time, point to something spilled on your clothing, or distract you by creating a disturbance.
• Beware of groups of vagrant children who create a distraction while picking your pocket.
• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers.
• Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.
• Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change or token on hand.
• Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them handy in written form so that you can signal your need for police or medical help. Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: police, fire, your hotel, and the nearest U.S.
  embassy or consulate.
• If you are confronted, don't fight back -- give up your valuables.

Happy and SAFE Travels,

Adam Bates

Relocating to Costa Rica

Wither you are retiring, relocating due to work or wanting a second home, finding a trust worthy real estate agent or company can be very difficult. Each destinattion has it's own national and local laws regarding property ownership, leasing and renting. If you desire to move to Costa Rica, then I would recommend contacting Paul Yeatman at www.RetireForLessInCostaRica.com. He's an excellent resource for all things Costa Rica and can assist you in finding a great location depending on your needs. He can be contacted at:

410-665-4961
pdyeatman@comcast.net
www.RetireForLessInCostaRica.com

Visit www.RetireForLessInCostaRica.com and read Paul's blog. His recent post is Unraveling the Mysteries of Shipping. Paul can also let you know about the local medical care. There are some highly recommend hospitals, but he still recommends international health insurance. Contact Paul and get local advice on Costa Rica Real Estate.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates

International Cell Phones

I carry the Blackberry 8830 World Phone and use a SIM card I purchased from Telestial. The telephone rates are reasonable and I can recharge by calling their customer service center, online or text. It's been a lifesaver and I highly recommend anyone who travels abroad carry an international cell phone.

Besides the convenience of having a phone to call your firends and family, if there is a medical emergency or you need assistance in translating or communicating in a foreign language then you can login to your Global Citizen account and access online translation directories, find local english speaking doctors or call and speak with a live person who will listen and assist you. We understand communication is key and continue to develop new ways and technologies for our clients to access and recieve global assistance.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates

Email and Text Updates

Here is a sample of the email and text updates you can receive when you sign up for our Global Citizen, Travel Gap and Trip Protector policies.

February 9, 2009. Security Increases at Mexican Airport

SOURCE: Air Security International

Mexican officials assigned 100 additional police officers to provide security at Mexico City International Airport (MMMX/MEX) on 7 February 2009. Authorities stated that the decision to deploy additional security was made in response to several high profile assaults against foreign travelers on or near the airport grounds. Crime statistics indicate that there have been at least five foreign victims in recent months as a result of incidents in which criminals followed travelers after they exchanged money at the airport terminal. A criminal gang reportedly shot and killed a French tourist in one of the robberies in January 2009. Police officials told reporters that there are now at least 500 uniformed officers patrolling the airport facility. The announcement came just hours after a Colombian tourist became the latest victim in the string of airport robberies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author and/or source and are not necessarily the views of either ISA or its partners and affiliates. Similarly, the accuracy of this article is solely the responsibility of the author and/or source.

*** This News Alert has been sent to you because you have requested email health and security alerts about AIRPORTS, as a feature of your Well Prepared Profile. If you would like to stop receiving these alerts, or you would like to change your personalized news and email preferences, please edit your personal news alerts in your profile.

Receive alerts for all 195 countries. Be informed before and during your trip with Country, City and Airport News Alerts.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates

Cabo San Lucas

Today I spoke to a customer who is traveling to Cabo San Lucas and recently was treated for a Kidney infection. Her doctor recommended she had travel medical insurance in case she had to be treated in Mexico. She called her Blue Cross health plan, but they recommended a supplemental policy. I recommended our Travel Gap Excursion which provides medical coverage for both new and pre-existing medical conditions as long as you have a primary US health plan. For less than $21.00 she was able to insure your time while in Mexico.

Here are some notable medical facilities that have english speaking doctors and also direct bill medical expenses so there is less paperwork and out of pocket expense.

AmeriMed Cabo San Lucas
52.624.105.8500
Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas S/N Edificio Pioneros • Local 1 • Cabo San Lucas • 23450 • Mexico

Clínica de Especialidades
52.624.143.2919
López Mateos • entre Leona Vicario y Morelos • Cabo San Lucas • 23410 • Mexico


You can find out more information regarding our Travel Gap travel medical plan at www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/travelmedical or feel free to call or email our office.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates
www.GlobalCitizenInsurance.com

New Web Site Redesign

I hope you find the new website easy to navigate, review benefits and get a quote for our Global Citizen or Travel Gap international health insurance policies as well as our Trip Protector trip cancellation insurance.

As always, please don't hesitate to call or us with any questions or for personal service. Bookmark or subscribe to the feed for current internatinal living and travel advice including travel alerts, U.S. State Department warnings and useful tips to make your time abroad enjoyable as well as educate on different country and city health and security profiles.

If you need advice or collecting information for your destination, then leave us a comment and we will respond.

Happy Travels,

Adam Bates
VP Marketing
www.GlobalCitizenInsurance.com