Increasingly risky expat assignments lead to demand for advice

Employers who are sending expat employees to risky locations are increasingly demanding that their international private medical insurance provider helps meet their duty of care requirements, HR professionals say.

Research from Collinson Group, a global insurance and assistance provider, says that 23% of HR professionals they questioned say their organisation is increasingly sending staff to pursue opportunities in emerging economies such as Russia and China.   more ...

These days, it seems as though there is always an epidemic for us to worry about. Bird flu and SARS, swine flu and Zika, even the terrifying Ebola have threatened to spread around the word. Every sneeze and fever seem to represent a real and present threat to life. Now, another deadly disease is threatening to strike fear into doctors, governments and travellers alike in the form of Lassa fever.   more ...

Demand rockets for expat travel risk advice

Advice on the risks facing expats and executive travellers is growing quickly, say International SOS and Control Risks. The organisations say that over the last 10 years, demand for their specialist advice has gone up by 800%.   more ...

Sending Staff Overseas 'More Complicated'

The process of sending an employee overseas has become more difficult and complicated from a duty of care perspective thanks to travel risks increasing, a survey of HR professionals reveals.

The findings from the Collinson Group show that 54 percent of HR professionals say that while issues have become more difficult over the past year, they will become more difficult and complicated over the next year. Just seven percent of respondents said this process will not become more complicated this year.   more ...

This time of year is famed for the ‘Winter Blues’, the underwhelming funk that settles in after the festive season. For many people, this may be a hangover from overindulging in food and drink or splashing too much cash. However, for others, the cold and dark of the winter months trigger a depression that can have a very real and debilitating effect. Expats moving to northern latitudes may find themselves suffering symptoms for the first time.   more ...

Aviva announces move out of international PMI

Insurance firm Aviva has announced that it's leaving the international private medical insurance (IPMI) market to focus on its other UK insurance businesses.

Aviva's health insurance business is being taken over by Aetna International and Aviva has confirmed that they will maintain a relationship with current clients until their renewal time, when they’ll be offered terms from Aetna. The cessation of new business and transfer at renewal process starts from the 1st of May this year and will run for 12 months. Aviva is maintaining headcount within the teams that service the policies to ensure that both intermediaries and customers will receive support as and when required until the policy is renewed elsewhere.   more ...

Expanding Expat Workforce Changes Health Focus

With the global workforce of expats expanding, international employers are adapting how they deliver health and well-being benefits to employees, reveals a survey. Expats are increasingly demanding more extensive lifestyle and medical benefits in their relocation packages. They are also looking for flexible working arrangements and a focus on their well-being and mental health.

The findings from Bupa Global, who questioned human resources directors working for international employers, discovered that 52% of respondents reported a greater demand for employee benefits over the last five years. Also, one in three HR directors say the demand had led to greater well-being and health benefits for expats being put in place.   more ...

In this video, Dr Martine Luntz shares a quick tip for expats suffering from homesickness.

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Employers 'Must Do More' To Protect Traveling Staff

With authorities around the world stepping up their advice to travellers in the face of the growing threat from terror attacks, employers are being told they must do more to protect their staff.

Independent advisors the Health Insurance Group (HIG) say that employers should help their staff feel better prepared and protected should they be involved in an emergency, wherever they are living and working in the world. The call comes after research from Concur found that 53 percent of business travellers who were questioned said they had been close to a major incident and 41 percent of those workers said their employer had not contacted them.   more ...

Organising health insurance is one of the most important things an expat needs to do before moving overseas. But what are the common health insurance mistakes you might make?

The first thing to do is select the right international health insurance plan for you and your family; without the appropriate plan, you may be putting your finances and health at risk.   more ...