A good business travel insurance policy should cover the costs involved in replacing an employee, including any ticket changes or additional accommodation requirements to replace a traveller who cannot complete the trip due to medical reasons.
Businesses can assign an employee to this information-gathering role or onboard a travel management company equipped with the technology and support to help companies stay abreast of requirements and even rising COVID cases in certain destinations to minimise disruptions. A business could also consider allowing hesitant executives to ease back into travel with short domestic trips before they return to long-haul travel.
A leading travel management company shares six tips for businesses looking to protect their travel from disruption and budget. Good travel insurance will cover overseas medical expenses plus cancellation, amendment, and additional expenses if a traveller contracts COVID-19 during their trip and is hospitalised or forced into quarantine or isolation. They also augment their cover with online tools to check the latest COVID-19 travel information and advice for destinations, including COVID-19 risk and infection levels and entry and quarantine requirements.
While business travel continues to grow healthily, travellers may have another potential disruption to be on guard for the rapid rise of flu and COVID cases that are expected to peak in the coming months. Despite testing requirements being scaled back, businesses would be wise to have measured around testing before travel to minimise the risks as much as possible.
Tom Walley is the Global Managing Director at Corporate Traveller, Flight Centre Travel Group’s flagship travel management provider for SMEs.
“Business travel is here to stay, but businesses need to get smarter at minimising disruptions. He says: “The rapid increase in travel bookings among Corporate Traveller customers confirms businesses understand the value of doing business face-to-face. Businesses should keep up to date on the rules in relevant destinations, communicate these with their travellers and support them in meeting the rules. Having an employee become unwell during travel and unable to continue can cause major disruptions, with substantial rescheduling and insurance administration.
Businesses could consider having executives in place who can be ‘subbed-in’ to cover a business trip to avoid major disruptions. Many of our customers in medical, mining, and construction industries continued essential travel through last year’s lockdowns and restrictions with minimal disruptions.”
Minimise infection risks by strategically selecting executives to travel. The best travel insurance providers offer 24/7 assistance and claims support and can recommend accredited medical facilities and hospitals around the globe. If check-in luggage cannot be avoided, travellers could ensure the essential items are packed in their carry-on luggage, including a business outfit for their next meeting.
Airport staff shortages, increased demand for travel, and some flight disruptions have led to a recent increase in misplaced luggage.
Below, Tom advises businesses to help minimise disruptions and travel this winter. Business travellers should ensure they understand the detail of the cover and who to contact if they need help.
Tom encourages businesses to do their due diligence and shop around to find a policy that offers the most extensive domestic and international cover amid the current environment. Taking them through the company travel policy and risk mitigation strategy could increase their confidence. Boost ‘travel confidence’ among hesitant employees. Travel rules change regularly, with each country and state implementing their own rules.
While most luggage is recovered, businesses must plan for potential mishaps and ensure executives can move seamlessly in and out of airports. Understand what your travel insurance covers. Companies can minimise infection risks by flying executives who have recently recovered from COVID or the flu or are up to date on their vaccinations. With COVID and flu cases rising, travellers risk infection up to the day of their departure.
Singapore has continued its requirement for non-vaccinated travellers to show proof of SGD30,000 COVID medical cover. Businesses could encourage their travellers to take on carry-on luggage only, if possible. Assigning travellers with an emergency contact for advice can also help ease fears. A proportion of travellers may still be concerned about potential risks when travelling. While it requires more forward-planning and can be challenging to navigate updated medical advice, there are ways to take to the skies seamlessly. The easiest method is to have a real-time system that updates executives on rules.
Plan for luggage-related risks. It may be worthwhile for businesses to conduct regular employee surveys to gauge any concerns and questions. Have backup travellers on standby. Sending executives with good immunity can also mitigate risks for clients.
Written by: Jill Walsh
.jpg){kind=tracking}
