WorldTrips Insurance Services, a global travel insurance provider and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies, launched a new product that provides insurance coverage for remote workers traveling or working abroad. The coverage,
"What makes this attractive to [remote workers] is the way that we've set up the pay structure," says Jonathon Nichols, WorldTrips' vice president of underwriting. "They don't have to know how long they're going to be gone. We've made this product available to them on an installment basis."
Non-U.S. citizens and residents working and traveling outside of their home country are eligible for the coverage. The flexibility of coverage offers traveling remote workers monthly payment options, as well as the ability to buy coverage at any point during travel. Atlas Nomads provides coverage for unexpected medical expenses, including emergency medical evacuation, and trip protection such as trip interruption, travel delay or lost checked luggage.
"What we like specifically for the digital nomad community is making the product easy to use. And so one of the biggest sources of confusion and dissatisfaction, particularly amongst people who are coming into the U.S. but unfamiliar with the U.S. medical system, is this idea of a deductible," explains Nichols. "We've addressed that concern by simply eliminating the deductible… If you have a covered medical expense, it's covered. It's one less thing that they then need to worry about while they're trying to navigate what is already a complicated system."
Natural disasters, emergency reunion, civil unrest and political evacuation and crisis response are also included as emergency support travel benefits.
"For instance, for political evacuation, if the Department of State issues a level three travel advisory or higher, the plan will kick in and we can coordinate departure arrangements out of the country, and then cover the eligible associated costs with that…" Nichols says. "If there's a natural disaster during your trip and you have to either cut things short or move somewhere else, we can provide payment for alternative arrangements for a few days while you look to make a longer term arrangement somewhere else."
Claims can be submitted through WorldTrips' member portal, which all members are eligible to sign up for from the moment they purchase a policy. Remote travelers can submit claims forms and attach any necessary documentation either through the online portal or through the customer service department. Members can also check on the status of their claims and submit further documentation as needed via the member portal.
"The launch of this product — with its global reach — is a landmark achievement for us, and underpinned by our strong underwriting culture at Tokio Marine HCC," says WorldTrips CEO Mark Carney in a press release statement. "Atlas Nomads understands the unique challenges faced by digital nomads and perpetual travelers. And, we are excited to be a part of our customers' journeys around the globe."
Nichols states, "We're constantly looking at ways to enhance and improve the product… Over the next several months to the next year, be on the lookout for some additional value added enhancements that we think will resonate with our customers."
