Summer Student Travel requires Extra Safety Measures, according to Travel Assist Network's President Tim Prero

Experts say emergency medical services should be at the top of any packing list

For parents of children heading off on a summer adventure, the most important item to pack for them isn't bug repellent, cash or even last-minute advice.

While many people buy travel insurance to provide for lost luggage or canceled trips, they often overlook medical evacuation insurance, a unique travel benefit that transports seriously ill or injured individuals to a hospital. In a medical crisis, a personal health policy won't get a child home, according to Tim Prero, president of Travel Assist Network, a membership plan that provides emergency evacuation and other travel services to its members. Prero cites several examples: "The college graduate who severely damaged two vertebrae rock-climbing in Peru; the young lady who suffered internal bleeding in a car accident in Cabo; or the 18-year-old from Des Moines who broke his neck while surfing in Australia - accidents abroad are far more common than most people would expect."

Too often and too late, travelers needing emergency medical care find that health care in much of the world is nonexistent or substandard, and language barriers can create difficult and frightening circumstances. Few are aware that their health insurance will not pay for medical evacuation. "You may need to pay $50,000 or more to transport your child home by air ambulance," says Prero. "We hear it over and over again. No one expects serious illness or injury to occur while theyare traveling, but life is fragile and unfortunately, tragedies do happen."

Prero recommends five important tips for students or anyone who travels:

. Determine what benefits, if any, medical insurance provides overseas.

. If a policy doesnat cover medical evacuation, purchase coverage before traveling.

. Choose a company that guarantees transport to a hospital of personal choice. Some emergency insurers transport only to the nearest hospital.

. Be certain a child's country of destination is included in the coverage.

. Coverage varies - compare plans and rates before making a choice.

Travel Assist Network provides worldwide emergency air evacuation and travel services through the Air Rescue Carda"¢ program. Benefits are available to anyone traveling more than 99 miles from home, regardless of age, medical history or global destination. When required, members are evacuated to the hospital of their choice by air ambulance with trained medical flight crews. Air Rescue Carda"¢ membership also includes a guaranteed trip home for spouse and dependents. Fourteen-day benefits start at $75. Annual plans are available for individuals, families and groups. For more information, visit 'http://www.travelassistnetwork.com' or contact 866-500-0333.

Travel Assist Networka"¢, Air Rescue Carda"¢ and the Travel Assist Networka"¢ logo are trademarks of Travel Assist Network, Inc.
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