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2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt Today

isaclients — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:10 +0000

The USA Today reports the abduction of two American women and their Egyptian guide at gunpoint along a major highway in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula early Friday…

The two tourists were among a group of five people traveling from Saint Catherine’s monastery in central Sinai to the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh when a vehicle carrying men with machine guns stopped their small bus, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Last month, Bedouin seized 50 German and British tourists whose bus accidentally crossed a roadblock they had set up as a protest against the governor of South Sinai. Those tourists, who were also on a trip to the monastery, were released a few hours later.

We highly recommend preparing an emergency plan. You will not be able to prevent unforeseeable emergencies, but you can have a plan of response which should include emergency contact information, embassy information, copies of your passport and itnerary are just a few of the items which you should have immediate access to and your emergency contact person should also have access to. In medical emergencies, we highly recommend calling the 24 hour worldwide assistance telephone number for live assistance. If your insurance policy does not provide trained live assistance personnel who can help you overseas, then please contact Insurance Services of America for a travel medical insurance quote. Insurance Services of America also provides kidnap and ransom insurance as well as high limit international life insurance and AD&D.

The Best and Worst Airport Terminals

isaclients — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:08:11 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Norway

isaclients — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:30:40 +0000

Norwegian media have reported a number of violent assaults in the Oslo area over the past several months. These include a daytime knife attack on a tram near Solli plass on January 5th and two stabbings near Oslo Central Station on January 10th. Parks can be especially dangerous, even Slottsparken (The Palace Park) across from the U.S. Embassy, which has been the site of multiple assaults.

The U.S. Embassy wants to remind all U.S. citizens to exercise basic safety precautions, even in a generally safe country like Norway, as you would in other locations:

· If possible, do not walk alone at night. If you are out late, arrange to walk with others or consider another form of transportation.

· Remain in well-lighted areas with heavy traffic.

· Be aware of your surroundings at all times; see potential threats before they become actual threats.

· Trust your instincts. If something seems wrong, get yourself out of that area.

· Keep your cell phone with you and charged to call for help if necessary. The police emergency number is 112, which you can dial from any land line or cell phone.

Individuals needing consular assistance from the U.S. Embassy should contact the Embassy by email or by telephone (+47 2130-8550, or +47 2244- 8550, after hours). The U.S. Embassy in Oslo is located at Henrik Ibsens Gate 48.

Spanish national airline Iberia pilots to strike

isaclients — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:14:16 +0000

The pilots from Spain’s national airline announced on January 14th plans to hold three more strikes in January 2012 to protest the launch of a new low-cost airline, reports indicated. The moves are scheduled for January 25th, 27th, and 30th, after two strikes earlier that month and two more in December 2011. The pilots fear that the new low-cost airline would take over the majority of the Spanish airline’s short and medium routes.

Emergency Travel Warning for Nigeria

isaclients — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:32:34 +0000

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General issue the following emergency message for U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Nigeria.

International and domestic air travel remain disrupted on day three of a nationwide strike protesting the Nigerian government’s decision to end its subsidy on gasoline. While the international airports in both Abuja and Lagos remain open, most airlines have cancelled incoming and departing flights. All domestic airports nationwide have closed, with all domestic flights grounded. Given the fluid situation, we advise U.S. citizens to confirm flight schedules directly with airlines before they travel to the airport.

Travelers between the airports serving Abuja and Lagos and their respective city centers periodically experience blockages. We advise U.S. citizens to avoid or minimize road travel for the duration of the strike. Demonstrations continue in various cities in Nigeria. Large demonstrations may occur Thursday, January 12, on Victoria and Ikoyi Islands in Lagos and in the center of Abuja. Authorities have established curfews of varying lengths in the cities of Kaduna (Kaduna State), Kano (Kano State), Oyo (Oyo State), Potiskum (Yobe State), Yola (Adamawa State), and Gusau (Zamfara state).

Even though organizers pledged to stage peaceful strikes and protests, the potential exists for some events to become confrontational and escalate suddenly into violence. We therefore urge U.S. citizens to avoid areas of such protests and maintain low profiles. U.S. citizens should monitor news reports regarding the location of demonstrations. During the general strike, U.S. citizens should expect continued closure of shops, gas stations, and banks.

If you have purchased the Roundtrip or Trip Protector travel insurance, then please contact the 24 hour worldwide assistance telephone numbers on your ID cards for travel delay benefits.

Top Ten Tasks to Do at Home Before You Travel Abroad

isaclients — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:21:23 +0000

1.    Put your jewelry and other small valuables in a safe at home or at the bank.
2.    Set timers for both indoor and outdoor lights at your home.
3.    Take out all the garbage and run the disposal.
4.    Unplug major appliances.
5.    Find a way to have your plants taken care of or use a self-watering device in your absence.
6.    Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers (or temporarily stop delivery) and any door-hangers that are left in your absence.
7.    Leave a house key with a neighbor or family member.
8.    Leave your itinerary and contact info with a family member or neighbor.
9.    Lock all windows and doors.
10.    Leave a car in your driveway to make it appear as though someone is home.

Ash column rises from Mount Etna in Italy, disrupts air traffic

isaclients — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:32:13 +0000

A column of ash rose on the morning of January 5th from the Mount Etna volcano on Sicily, leading officials to limit air traffic over Catania province, reports indicated. Officials, however, did not believe the volcanic activity posed a threat to nearby residents. The column of ash reached some 5,000m in height, while lava flows were reported at the summit of the volcano, traveling towards the deserted Valle del Bove. The Catania airport remained open, although traffic was limited.

Fala português? A Language Barrier Won’t Keep You Grounded—Insurance Works

isaclients — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:06:48 +0000

I enjoy culture shock from time to time. Traveling abroad is a welcomed interruption in my otherwise ordinary life. New foods, exotic traditions, foreign languages—these are some of the things I love the most about visiting a new country. Whether I travel off the beaten bath or into a thriving metropolis, the adventure of a new place prods me to book my next overseas flight.

A few of my fondest memories include getting lost in the Tahitian rainforest only to stumble upon a picturesque waterfall; sharing a single bus seat with two adults, children, and chickens in Mozambique; and touring underground cities thousands of years old in Istanbul.

Along with fond memories, I’ve also experienced some pretty nerve-wracking situations. Airline check-in counters that open just two hours before your sold-out international flight; weather delays that cause you to miss your connecting flight; seeing your luggage sitting on the tarmac as your plane ascends—even the most carefully planned trip can be disrupted by an unforeseen crisis. Even a language barrier can leave you stranded.

I have been through enough airports to say that the worst is the Maputo airport, the capital of Mozambique. Only a couple of airlines fly in and out of Mozambique and flight schedules are inconsistent at best. In 2009 I was visiting over Christmas and during my trip I learned that the Maputo airport decided to close on the day I was scheduled to depart—without notice. My flight was cancelled and that meant I could not make my international connecting flights.

As much as l love Africa, I was ready to get home. I don’t speak Portuguese, the local language, so I could barely communicate with the local ticketing agent. After a few days of frustration and not being able to rebook my flights, I was at my wits’ end. Even my local hosts didn’t know what I should do.

But there was hope. Before my trip, I had purchased an Atlas travel medical insurance policy and one of the plan’s benefits is 24-hour live assistance. I doubted they could help me in this remote part of Africa, but I was desperate and called the assistance line anyway.

To my surprise, I was connected almost instantly with a multilingual operator. She spoke with the local ticketing agent and helped not only reissue a new ticket out of Mozambique, but helped rebook all my international connecting flights. In less than an hour, my Atlas travel insurance helped me accomplish what I was unable to do in the past four days.

While language barriers and airport scheduling debacles may not be what we think of when we imagine unforeseen crises abroad, I know first hand that these things do happen and they can be just as disruptive as a medical emergency or natural disaster. I was fortunate enough not to have a medical emergency on that trip, but I was still able to take advantage of the live assistance my insurance provided.

The next time you crave a little adventure, be sure to think about purchasing a travel insurance policy. I’ll be happy to recommend a plan. You just never know how it might help.

Safe travels! Boa viagem!

Adam Bates, Vice President

U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Ceara, Brazil

isaclients — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:05:34 +0000

This message alerts all U.S. citizens visiting or living in the state of Ceara, including its capital, Fortaleza, of ongoing security concerns stemming from a state-wide work-stoppage by the Military Police that began December 31. The Army was immediately called in to provide security during holiday festivities and remains in place. Violence was reported in Fortaleza and Juazeiro do Norte on January 1 and 2 due to “arrastoes” (”swarming” or assaults by large groups of youths); these have occurred on main streets and tourists areas, with one report of a shooting at a supermarket. There are no reports of assaults on U.S. citizens or other foreign tourists. The violence does not appear to be targeted or organized, but rather appears to be the result of criminal elements taking advantage of the strike.

Currently, schools and stores have closed. Public bus service has been temporarily discontinued, but flights are operating normally. The Civil Police are meeting this afternoon to decide whether to join the Military Police in the strike.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Fortaleza is currently closed and will remain closed tomorrow. We will provide updates as the situation changes. We advise all U.S. citizens to remain vigilant of their surroundings and to expect transportation delays.

Unforeseen accidents and assaults can happen. Purchasing visitors health insurance can reduce the financial risk if you are hospitalized or need to seek emergency medical care. Contact Insurance Services of America for a no-obligation travel health insurance quote. 800.64734589 or health@overseashealth.com

Travel Alert – Yellow Fever Vaccinations Recommended for Travel to Brazil

isaclients — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:16:33 +0000

Yellow fever is a risk for travelers to most areas of Brazil, except coastal regions. During 2009, an outbreak of yellow fever, including a number of deaths, occurred in parts of southeastern Brazil that had not been affected by yellow fever for many years. In response, the Brazil Ministry of Health has gradually expanded the list of municipalities for which yellow fever vaccination is recommended in the four southeastern states of São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.

Globally, yellow fever occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America and is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, backache, nausea, and vomiting.

Yellow Fever Risk Areas in Brazil

Currently, Brazil and CDC recommend yellow fever vaccination for travelers to the following states:

All areas of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Distrito Federal (including the capital city of Brasília), Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins.

Other designated areas of the following states: Bahia, Paraná, Piauí, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. Vaccination is also recommended for travelers visiting Iguassu Falls.

Vaccination is NOT recommended for travel to the following coastal cities: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza.

Recommendations for US Travelers

Vaccine

Brazil currently does not require yellow fever vaccination for entrance into the country. However, travelers are strongly urged to get the yellow fever vaccine before traveling to an area of Brazil with risk of yellow fever virus transmission.

Protection from Mosquito Bites

Since yellow fever is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, travelers are also reminded to take steps to prevent mosquito bites:

When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. Always apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.

Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent.

In general, repellents protect longer against mosquito bites when they have a higher concentration (%) of the active ingredient. However, concentrations above 50% do not offer a marked increase in protection time. Products with less than 10% of an active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often just 1-2 hours.

The American Academy of Pediatrics approves the use of repellents with up to 30% DEET on children over 2 months old.

Protect babies less than 2 months old by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.

Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Spray clothing with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection. (Remember: Don’t use permethrin on skin.)

In addition, we always recommend checking with your current health insurance policy to ensure it adequately covers you while you are traveling abroad. You want to make sure it covers local medical expenses inccured while outside your home country, emergency medical evacuation which medically transports you to a hospital (if necessary, even back to the U.S.) in case you cannot receive proper local care and repatriation. Contact Insurance Services of America for a travel health insurance quote.