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News Release
EMBARGOED until July 24, 2006
Travel Assist Network Eliminates Terrorism Restriction from Emergency Travel Coverage
Protection Against “Acts of Terrorism” Signals Change in Market in Response to a Changing World
Austin, TX – July 24, 2006 – Travel Assist Network™, a global emergency services network providing medical assistance, evacuation, and critical information services to both business and leisure travelers, today announced it has eliminated the “acts of terrorism” restriction from its Air Rescue Card™ membership policies. Travel Assist Network is the first and only provider of medical evacuation services to waive this restriction in all its travel coverage plans. Travelers carrying the Air Rescue Card are now eligible to receive emergency medical attention and transport to a hospital of their choice in the event of a medical emergency related to an act of terrorism on both foreign soil or within their own country.
With the heightened uncertainty and risk of terrorism around the globe, and recent events in North Korea, Mumbai, India, The Middle East and reports that three different terrorist groups were plotting to destroy the Holland tunnel in New York, Travel Assist Network recognizes the growing danger to world travelers. Waiving the “acts of terrorism” restriction from its coverage policies is another way Travel Assist Network helps its members travel with confidence wherever they go. Members can now call a toll free hotline in the event of a medical emergency and be evacuated from any country. By waiving this restriction, Travel Assist Network leads the industry in providing the most comprehensive, least restrictive emergency travel coverage in the market.
“While it’s a sad commentary on the state of our world affairs, terrorism has become a normal concern of our members and world travelers everywhere,” said Travel Assist Network President Tim Prero. “Our goal is to help our members travel with confidence by delivering both the financial security they expect and the personal security they demand from a world leader in emergency travel services. We want our members to know that if they are injured in a bombing or other terrorist event, we will get them to medical attention, and then we will get them home.”
Corporations, whose employees travel overseas frequently for business, are increasingly faced with the potential risk of terrorism. More than 80 percent of all critical infrastructures in the United States are owned by private firms. As critical infrastructure becomes a target for terrorism, companies are beginning to evaluate their policies and how they manage that risk in a world that has changed greatly since 9/11.
Over the last year, Great Britain’s home secretary acknowledged 20 terrorist groups containing 1,200 terrorists in Britain. In addition, 18 people in Canada were arrested with twice the explosives that were used in Oklahoma City having threatened to bomb Canadian parliament. Said Travel Assist Network Vice President, Joe Aiello, “This is a global problem that requires a global policy to protect world travelers. The market is asking for this level of protection and we believe it is our responsibility to meet that demand.” Since 9/11, the demand for travel insurance and protection has increased dramatically with 1 in 30 Americans requiring emergency care while traveling. Many hospitals will not accept a foreign insurance card nor release the patient until the medical bill is paid in full.
While it is common for travel insurance to be laden with restrictions, Travel Assist Network has been able to eliminate most restrictions, including age, in order to expand coverage for all its Air Rescue Card services plans. “In this market the more restrictions you have the fewer services you provide, so our goal is to eliminate as many restrictions as possible in order to offer the broadest protection to our members,” Prero said.
Coverage for a single trip is priced at $75 for an individual traveling more than 100 miles away from home. Annual memberships to the Air Rescue Card program start at $235. A family of five can travel with all the benefits of membership for as low as $390 per year. Without a membership to a program like the Air Rescue Card, travelers can expect to pay as much as $150,000 for a medical evacuation. The average airlift cost is nearly $50,000, and trip insurance and health insurance plans rarely cover such costs.
About Travel Assist Network
Travel Assist Network is a global emergency services network providing medical assistance, evacuation, and critical information services to business and leisure travelers anytime, anywhere. As a single, direct and dependable source for life-saving, emergency services, Travel Assist Network gives members the confidence and freedom to do more and see more of the world without compromise. The company has assembled more than 1,300 travel agent affiliate partners and has offices in more than 40 countries. For more information, visit http://www.travelassistnetwork.com.
Travel Assist Network™, Air Rescue Card™ and the Travel Assist Network™ logo are trademarks of Travel Assist Network, Inc. |
