Killing Time Without Getting Killed (Financially)

               Azimuth's Beacon Series - Exclusively Offering Trip Delay Benefits

Delayed getting to Oz to see his flying monkey cousins

Anyone who has more than one page of their passport stamped has probably felt that iceberg in the stomach feeling that seems to be attached with a stainless steel tether to the airport's departure screen as it mocks him, displaying his flight status as delayed. Thus, letting him know that the flight bound for home that he rolled out of the rack for at 4:30 am won't be leaving any time soon.  The one for which he threw in his travel clothes, a toothbrush (but no toothpaste), jammies & teddy bear in a bag, then waited for the shuttle that was running late, had airport insecurity grope his nether regions and negotiated his way to an open chair next to the hygienically-challenged Rastafarian and the elderly lady with 7 decades of stories to share. So, now what to do?  Hang out with your new friend and learn about how things were done when she had to share a telephone party line with the whole neighborhood in the 1950s?  Woo, listening in on that Ethel Simpson's conversation, she was such a character....um, no.  Instead, of being THAT guy, you can enjoy the knowledge that you were prepared.  Prepared not only for accidents and unforeseeable illness that might arise while traveling internationally, but also for extended flight delays.  Travel medical insurance plans usually provide no benefits for trip delays or flight cancellation, so Azimuth stands as alone as Tom Hanks in that movie where he buddies up to a volleyball.  The Beacon Series provides coverage for up to $100 a day for return trip flight delays/cancellations lasting 12 hours or more.  Granted, it may not mean a night at the Ritz or dinner while suspended by a crane, but it will most certainly defray a significant unanticipated expense and maybe soothe an annoyance or two.  

PS. Insurance is the Brussels sprout of subjects.  You know you need to understand it for your own good and I'll work to make it palatable (if it doesn't work, feed me to the dog under the table).  So, if you enjoy learning a little more about it in an (occasionally) entertaining way, then someone else might too.  Share the love via social media or get on the subscriber list.  After all - Don't cost nuttin' 

PPS. Living or traveling internationally now or soon?  Contact your insurance agent and demand to see what Azimuth Risk Solutions can do for you.  Or, visit www.AzimuthRisk.com to learn more

Compassion for the Expat

Even if you aren’t in the process of relocating, you very well may have a friend, family member or acquaintance who has spent an extended time outside of his or her home country.  While those of us who remain may only consider how exciting and exotic an international assignment sounds, have you ever considered all that’s involved with moving yourself and everything else in your life to a country with which you may not have even passing familiarity?  Tough enough to do so on your own, but how about a family with small children, think for a moment of the logistics, emotions and planning that must take place to make this a successful transition. Consider further the fact that if you are working for a company and leaving the familiar confines of your cubicle for a distant office with supporting staff diminished or all together absent.  You are away from the central nervous system of the company and risk being out of sight and out of mind.  Moreover, your spouse has a huge adjustment, from perhaps planning the move, searching for local employment or finding the best place for your families favorite dinner ingredients.  It's not easy and Azimuth knows it.  Layer in the potential fear and frustration a family endures on top of this dubious dessert, remove a dash of health insurance benefits the family is accustomed to accessing, and you have a recipe for disaster.   Whether you are contemplating a move or are a human resources professional charged with helping your company emerge as a multinational operation, be sure that you plan to have proper benefit plan available for international placement.  Check out Azimuth's Meridian Series for individuals and families or the Contour Series international group benefit plans.  Both of these value filled offerings will greatly enhance employee recruitment, retention and likely successful outcomes of an organization's international employment postings.

As a fairly regular traveler myself, I occasionally visit the online forums that are geared for the road warrior.  One interesting one recently went over the most common annoyances and aggravations associated with hotel stays you can get a pretty comprehensive set of gripes here.  It always seemed curious to me that the lesser priced hotels always seemed to have better amenities than the high dollar glitz stations.  E.g. free local calls, free internet and even free breakfast buffets.  Instinct would tell me it should be the other way around.  What sort of travel peeves have you experienced?