The Importance of Protecting Your Employees Abroad
An international assignment or work trip can be an incredible experience for employees, offering them the chance to grow while bringing valuable global expertise and connections to your business. However, sending employees abroad also means taking responsibility for their safety and your company's interests.
Unforeseen events like medical emergencies or political instability can quickly escalate risks and costs. That's why global insurance for employees is crucial – not only for their health and safety but also to protect your business from unexpected liabilities.
Streamlining coverage under one plan can also save time, reduce administrative tasks, and help avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses in emergencies. We can help you find the best coverage options to ensure that both your business and employees stay protected when working abroad.
An international assignment or work trip can be an incredible experience for employees, offering them the chance to grow while bringing valuable global expertise and connections to your business. However, sending employees abroad also means taking responsibility for their safety and your company's interests.
Unforeseen events like medical emergencies or political instability can quickly escalate risks and costs. That's why global insurance for employees is crucial – not only for their health and safety but also to protect your business from unexpected liabilities.
Streamlining coverage under one plan can also save time, reduce administrative tasks, and help avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses in emergencies. We can help you find the best coverage options to ensure that both your business and employees stay protected when working abroad.
When Should You Invest in a Global Benefits Package for Your Employees?
Investing in a global benefits package for your employees is not just about compliance or employee satisfaction – it’s about providing proper protection and support when your workforce operates beyond borders.
Here are some examples of situations where your company should provide global insurance for employees:
- Your company is expanding globally, and more employees are traveling abroad frequently.
- International consultants are coming to your home office for a three-month assignment.
- You are hiring new international employees who will be moving abroad for an extended period, six months or longer.
- You are sponsoring an international conference for your sales team and want to protect your investment in case of cancellation while ensuring your employees are covered abroad.
Providing your employees with the right international group health insurance or group travel insurance plan offers your company peace of mind.
It ensures your employees are covered in case of unexpected events while they are working outside their home country, so you can focus on growing your business without worry.
Why is International Insurance Necessary for Your Employee Group?
If you are responsible for corporate benefits or employee travel for those working internationally, it’s essential to ensure your employees understand the risks associated with their travel destinations.
When sending employees abroad to represent your company, it’s crucial that they are adequately insured to protect against unforeseen accidents, injuries, security risks, or trip cancellations. Employees should be able to carry out their work assignments with peace of mind, free from worry.
Additionally, if you are hiring employees from different countries, an International PEO (Professional Employer Organization) can help you navigate the complex legal and administrative requirements.
Three Steps to Planning International Group Health Insurance
A group international insurance plan for your teams can save both time and money. By customizing the policy based on your company’s needs and anticipated number of employees, you can effectively manage health and travel coverage.
These three steps will help you assess your company’s health and travel insurance needs and guide you in selecting the right coverage.
1. Review Your Company’s Status, Base, and Locations
Start by reviewing your existing global group medical or travel insurance plan, including its benefits and exclusions.
Check whether your current policy covers challenges like pandemics or travel disruptions caused by extreme weather. Also, take note of how much you are currently paying.
Next, assess your company’s base and locations. To select the right insurance, you’ll need to determine which of the following categories best describes your company today:
- U.S. company with employees traveling internationally
- U.S. company with operations abroad (offices, manufacturing, or technical facilities)
- International company with a central office outside the U.S. and offices worldwide
- International company with operations and employees in the U.S.
Each company type above can have international insurance plans tailored to meet its specific needs. If your company is growing, you may need to update your description accordingly.
Additionally, if your company plans to expand internationally in the coming year, it’s wise to plan your coverage ahead of time as your business grows.
2. Determine How Many Employees Need International Insurance
Next, determine how many employees need international coverage to avoid overpaying for more coverage than your company needs.
To do this, work with your team leaders to identify how many employees are expected to travel or be based internationally. Discuss estimates of these numbers for the next one to two years.
It’s okay to start with a general figure. International insurance plans are typically designed for small teams (2–50 employees), medium-sized groups (50–100 employees), or large companies (over 100 employees) with global operations or employees needing travel or health coverage abroad.
3. Consider Your Employees’ Travel and International Work
Once you know how many of your employees travel, it's important to analyze how, where, and for how long they travel or work abroad. Review your records and speak with managers to gather the most up-to-date information – you might be surprised by the findings.
Understanding the frequency and purpose of their travel helps you determine the international insurance coverage they require. For example, you may discover that only a few teams travel internationally, but those employees may travel frequently – more than 10% of their working time. In many companies, sales, marketing, and deployment teams handle most international travel.
Alternatively, you might find that nearly all employees travel internationally, but only occasionally. This is common in tech companies with remote global staff who gather once a year for team-building or conferences.
It's also essential to talk directly with your employees about their needs and priorities regarding international work travel. What are their experiences with healthcare, travel issues, or cancellations? What type of coverage would give them peace of mind so they can focus on their work?
Sharing clear information about international insurance coverage can foster goodwill and make professional travel more attractive to employees.
For individuals living abroad, explore our individual international health insurance plans.
What Type of International Corporate Health Insurance Coverage Does Your Employee Group Need?
Once you’ve identified your company type, the number of employees, and their work travel patterns, you can explore coverage options with a travel insurance provider.
The level of coverage you need will depend on these factors. If you have employees working abroad, you’ll require an international group health insurance plan with coverage tailored to their specific locations.
A group travel insurance plan, on the other hand, will provide comprehensive coverage for teams with employees who frequently travel abroad throughout the year.
We can help you assess your needs and recommend multiple coverage options. Consider the following plan types and coverage areas to protect your employees.
Global Health Insurance for Corporate Groups
Medical Coverage: It’s essential to ensure that each of your employees is covered under a comprehensive group health plan, both on location and abroad. This coverage should include funds for hospital visits or medical care while they are overseas.
Make sure the coverage amount is high enough to protect each employee. You don’t want them to face a situation in which their medical expenses exceed the coverage available.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Coverage: Depending on the length of your employees' assignments, you can choose between short-term and long-term medical coverage plans.
Long-term coverage is necessary for employees who will be outside their home country for 180 days or more, ensuring they remain protected throughout their entire stay.
Read More: International Group Health Insurance Plans
Company Travel Insurance for Employees
In addition to covering medical expenses, business travel insurance for employees should provide protection across several key areas.
Here are some of the essential benefits to consider:
- Trip Protection: This coverage safeguards against trip interruptions due to illness, political unrest, or natural disasters. It also provides funds for booking a return trip home and back to the destination if an employee faces a family emergency.
- Baggage and Document Protection: This ensures coverage in case of lost or stolen baggage or travel documents. It can also provide funds for purchasing essential items if baggage is delayed and for replacing lost or stolen travel documents.
- Security Protection: Security protection is crucial for employees traveling in risky areas. This coverage includes evacuation during natural disasters or political crises and can extend to hijacking, detention, kidnapping, and ransom scenarios. Be sure to look for these specific terms in your coverage plan to ensure comprehensive security protection.
- Life and Body Insurance: Unfortunately, it's necessary to consider the worst-case scenario when providing travel insurance for your employees. This coverage ensures that funds are available to transport the body back home in the event of death. It also provides an indemnity up to the covered amount for the loss of limbs or life during the trip.
Read More: Group Travel Insurance
International Life, Disability, and Income Protection for Corporate Groups
Offering a group international life insurance policy is a valuable benefit that can help attract and retain top talent, especially in a global workforce where employees may not have access to the same benefits as their local counterparts.
Your team will greatly appreciate the added security and peace of mind this coverage provides, including:
Key Benefits of a Global Corporate Life Insurance Plan
- Whole and Term Life options to suit varying needs
- Customized coverage for international employees, remote teams, and expatriates
- Comprehensive benefits for death resulting from illness or accidents
- Flexible terms ranging from one to 25 years or more
- Worldwide protection, ensuring employees are covered no matter where they are
Read More: Group International Life Insurance
Key Benefits of Global Corporate Liability Coverage
International corporate liability insurance provides essential protections for companies with global operations. Here's how it can benefit your business:
- Legal Protection: International corporate liability insurance helps protect businesses from legal claims arising due to bodily injury, property damage, or financial losses caused to third parties. This coverage is particularly important when dealing with the diverse legal systems and regulations in different countries.
- Risk Mitigation: Operating internationally exposes companies to various risks, including political instability, economic volatility, and natural disasters. Corporate liability insurance helps mitigate the financial impact of these unforeseen events.
- Compliance with Local Laws: Many countries require businesses to have liability insurance before operating legally within their borders. This coverage ensures compliance with local regulations and protects your company from potential penalties or legal issues.
- Reputation Protection: In the event of a liability claim, having insurance can demonstrate that the company takes responsibility for its actions, which can help safeguard its reputation and maintain trust with stakeholders, customers, and partners.
- Financial Security: Liability claims can result in significant financial burdens, especially when legal expenses and compensation payments are involved. International corporate liability insurance offers financial security by covering these costs, reducing the risk of bankruptcy or severe financial setbacks.
- Enhanced Risk Management: The process of obtaining international corporate liability insurance often involves risk assessment and analysis. This helps companies identify potential risks and implement better risk management strategies to minimize the likelihood of future claims.
- Facilitating Partnerships and Contracts: Liability insurance is often necessary when entering into international contracts or partnerships with clients or suppliers. Having this coverage can facilitate smoother negotiations and instill confidence in potential collaborators.
- Access to Expert Advice: Many international corporate liability insurance providers offer risk management resources and legal counsel. This expertise can be valuable for companies navigating unfamiliar legal and regulatory landscapes.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that the company is protected against potential liabilities across multiple countries gives business owners and stakeholders peace of mind. This allows them to focus on what matters most: managing core operations and driving growth.
Overall, international corporate liability insurance is essential for companies with global operations. It helps them navigate complex legal landscapes, mitigate various risks, and safeguard both their financial stability and reputation.
Key Benefits of International Income Protection for Businesses with Global Employees
- Global Coverage: International income protection insurance offers coverage no matter where the policyholder resides or works. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who frequently travel for business or have relocated abroad, ensuring they are protected wherever they go.
- Income Continuity: If an employee cannot work due to illness or injury, international income protection replaces a portion of their lost income. This ensures that they can maintain their standard of living and meet financial obligations, such as rent, mortgage, and daily expenses, even during periods of disability.
- Customizable Policies: Many insurance providers offer flexible policies that allow individuals to customize coverage according to their needs and budget. Policyholders can select the benefit amount, waiting period (the time before benefits begin), and benefit duration, ensuring a personalized insurance solution that suits their unique situation
- Portability: One key advantage of international income protection is its portability. Coverage remains in effect even if the policyholder moves to a different country or changes employers. This portability ensures continuous coverage, eliminating the need to reapply for insurance or face potential coverage gaps due to international relocations.
- Financial Security for Expatriates: Expatriates and individuals living abroad face challenges like being far from their support networks and healthcare. International income protection offers financial stability and peace of mind during illness or injury, helping expatriates and their families manage potential income loss while living in a foreign country.
Overall, international income protection insurance provides valuable benefits for individuals working or living abroad. It offers financial stability and security in case of disability or incapacity, ensuring individuals can maintain their financial well-being, regardless of location or employment status, and focus on recovery during challenging times.
Our plans also include repatriation, medical evacuation, foreign general liability, and more. We can customize a plan to meet your specific needs.
How Can I Buy International Insurance for My Employee Group?
Start by reviewing the basics of planning international group coverage for your company and teams, as outlined above. You can then contact our team of experienced international agents. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide quotes from multiple providers. multiple providers.
Alternatively, you can request a free quote, and our team will get started on your group’s coverage!
We recommend taking the time to shop around for the best insurance options. Don’t make your decision based solely on price. Instead, consider all your needs, the insurance company's ratings underwriting the plan, their customer service, and the benefits provided.
Keep in mind that uncovered accidents or injuries may make your corporation liable. Providing the best travel insurance is essential to ensure your employees have a successful and safe work trip abroad.
Review the best group global benefits and insurance and complete a group quote request form.
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Author: Andrew Blomberg is the Vice President of Global Benefits at International Citizens Insurance. Andrew is a licensed insurance broker with expertise in the areas of international group travel, global health, life, and disability insurance. Having worked and traveled throughout the world, he has the experience to provide personal insight along with his industry knowledge. Andrew is dedicated to providing group benefits to organizations, large and small, for today's global workforce. Connect with him on LinkedIn.