News & Media

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

International Commercial Insurance: Just In Case There's A Mistake


Even companies with the best of intentions can run into trouble. When you're in business abroad, you may have some of the same problems that you could experience in domestic locations, but the stakes are higher. There are some differences in business responsibilities for overseas offices according to laws, customs, cultural differences. International commercial insurance can help to minimize the damage in the event of a mistake or problem.
When choosing a custom package for international insurance, keep in mind that sometimes your employees and business partners will make mistakes or cause the company harm. Some actions may be accidental, while others are intentional. 

Legal Troubles
If your company is involved in a lawsuit, you will need protection for legal liability. General liability insurance can cover problems regarding products, operations and injuries on your company's premises, as well as events of libel and slander. If your company is charged with misconduct as an employer, additional liability coverage for employment practices may cover suits for wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment.

Employee Behavior
Employee dishonesty may result in theft of products, income or property. While most employers like to think this will never happen, it is an unfortunate reality and business risk. This is an optional risk coverage in a custom international commercial insurance package. Likewise, there is specialty insurance for critical mistakes in judgment and investment errors that company executives, directors and officers may commit or encounter.

Clements Worldwide offers international insurance plans for companies overseas, just in case things don't go as smoothly as you hope. For more information on our custom international commercial insurance options and packages, contact us at request@clements.com or +1.202.872.0060.

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Thursday, May 10, 2012

International Health Insurance in India Helps Employees Living Abroad



India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with more than 1.2 billion people. If your company is sending employees abroad to India, take a moment to think about that. While vaccinations are routine before relocating, expatriates can still experience health problems in India that are somewhat rare in the United States. Typhoid, hepatitis A and B, malaria and altitude sickness are all common ailments. Air quality is an issue as well, so those with respiratory problems like asthma and chronic bronchitis should take additional precautions. India health insurance is a necessity. International health insurance will cover your employees in India whether they are injured, sick or need routine medical care.

Employees relocating to India on a long-term assignment can take several precautions to lower health risks.

•          Have all recommended and required immunizations before relocating to India.
•          Avoid using untreated or non-bottled water for drinking and food preparation.
•          Prepare for monsoon season and its after-effects.
•          Minimize mosquito exposure.
•          Don't wait until something happens to read and understand exactly what an international  health insurance plan does and does not cover.

Expatriate employees should make an effort to blend in with the local population while paying attention to health and safety. Companies can help their employees to make the most of their experience abroad by planning ahead.

Photo Credit: ruffin_ready

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Schedule an Expat Insurance Presentation for Your Group

Most people think of living abroad as an exciting adventure. It's a way to discover new lands, try new cultures, eat new foods and make new friends. Planning for an extended mission trip or long-term employment relocation to another country requires planning ahead. Learning everything you can about the country or countries where you will be living is very important to your safety and health. While it's more pleasant to think that nothing will happen while you're abroad, exercising caution is just common sense. When you're traveling through employment or with a non-profit organization, they may provide international insurance for you. If not, you may need to secure it for yourself. If you've never been far away from home for an extended period of time before, you've probably never thought about expatriate insurance and what types of coverage you'll need.

Clements Worldwide handles expat insurance for local and government agencies and companies sending personnel all over the world. We offer presentations for groups to help them determine what type of expat insurance they need, since every country has its unique features and challenges. Clements has representative that can put together a custom presentation for your group to help you learn what about some of the unique experiences, risks and challenges you may face in specific countries.

If your company or organization is planning to do some work overseas, schedule a presentation with Clements Worldwide. If you want to know more about the different types of international insurance we offer, see our Expat Insurance Guide.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Understanding International Cargo Insurance and Risks in Transit


When a company relies on its manufacturing components and finished products to arrive safely in transit, it's important to have international transport insurance. There are several risks involved in worldwide cargo transport. Depending on the points of origin and destination, reaching a shipping and transport destination safely with all of its contents intact can be a challenge. There are a number of financial burdens that can be eliminated or minimized through a reliable international cargo insurance plan should anything happen during transport. Many risks and hazards increase dramatically in certain locations.

There is a variety of risk involved in international transit, depending on how the products or components are sent. Oftentimes they go over land, through the sea and in the air.

Land
Trucks and other vehicles must cross many miles laden with hazards. Treacherous roadways are common in some countries abroad, including high altitudes, unpaved streets, absence of guardrails, and an abundance of animals, cars and people in the vehicle's path. In some international hot spots, vehicles are used as targets in acts of war and terrorism, regardless of the company's political affiliations or allegiances. When crossing through hostile areas prone to war and terrorism, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, or volatile weather zones prone to extreme heat, floods, dust storms and other hazards, cargo transport faces an increased risk.

Sea
Sea travel also risky, pitting ships and barges against strong storms at sea, vessel collisions, pirates and acts of war. Goods in transport can sometimes become lost or damaged. International cargo insurance is one way to provide financial protection against these losses.

Air
Air travel offers a more expensive alternative to land and sea. While transport time is often much shorter, it must still contend with the hazards of the air. These often include terrorism threats and acts of war, extreme weather patterns, unsecured airports and poorly maintained landing strips. What may meet the pilot and cargo at their destination is often unknown, making the risks higher.

Clements Worldwide offers international insurance plans cover all of these scenarios. For more information about specialized insurance packages, contact our office at +1.202.872.0060

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

What Are the Different Types of Individual International Insurance?

If you plan to relocate to another country this year, now is the time to start thinking about international insurance coverage. There are many different types of international insurance. Each one has a purpose and can protect you or make things easier if you encounter a problem while living overseas. Clements Worldwide offers a number of different types of individual international insurance plans. They include international motor insurance, property and liability, life and health.

International Car Insurance
If you plan to own a car while living abroad, consider vehicle insurance. When you're far away from home, you'll want to be covered in case of an accident, vehicle fire, theft or other incident. Clements Worldwide offers hassle-free policies that include collision, third-party liability and comprehensive coverage.

International Health Insurance and International Life Insurance
If you're like most people, you probably like to think you're invincible. You don't like to get sick or injured, and you don't like to think about the unthinkable happening, especially while you're living overseas. International health insurance and life insurance plans are your contingency should something go wrong while you're abroad. Taking the time to secure an international insurance plan doesn't mean you think something will happen, it just makes things easier if it does. We carry individual life and health policies, as well as family plans. We offer interactive health and safety resources, with optional clauses on life insurance for terrorism and war, should you find yourself in these situations.

International Property Insurance and Liability
Whether you're moving overseas or you're already there, Clements Worldwide offers property and liability insurance to cover your belongings.

If something happens to them while they're en route, in storage or after you've arrived, international liability coverage and property insurance will give you peace of mind and help you to replace or restore your belongings. If you have some things in storage back home, we also have coverage for their loss or damage.

When you've been reassigned abroad, take some time to think about what type of insurance you need. Plan ahead, and contact Clements Worldwide if you need more information or a quote.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

4 Tips for Expats Relocating Abroad



Relocating overseas can be an adventure. Staying safe overseas shouldn't be. When you are living abroad as an expat, there are a number of things you can do to decrease your risk of danger and increase your positive experiences.

Language
Make an effort to learn the languages of every country you visit. Not only will you have a very different experience, you will reduce your risk of standing out and attracting unwanted attention of people who prey on foreigners. Try to learn some common phrases before you go, and immerse yourself in the language upon arrival.

International Motor Insurance
If you plan to use a vehicle while you are abroad, take the time to purchase international motor insurance before you leave. An international car insurance policy will provide liability or comprehensive coverage in the event of a car accident, auto theft or other physical vehicle damage. International Motor insurance can often be rolled into a larger plan with other types of international insurance for a better rate.

Law
When you are relocating in a foreign land for any length of time, be familiar with the country's basic laws before you move. Find out about their customs and respect them to avoid any incidents. Try to blend in and observe the local and etiquette when possible.

Food and Water
Learn about the local cuisine and what the foods are. Observe what the locals eat, where they shop and how they cook. Take precautions for clean food and water. Consider drinking alternate beverages or using bottled water to avoid food-borne illnesses. If you're relocating, purchase international health insurance for added protection in the event of a problem.

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Friday, July 15, 2011

Clements Honors U.S. Foreign Service Youth Making a World of Difference Abroad

Clements will present Community Service Awards to Alexandra Ike and Jared Gibson during the 2011 Foreign Service Youth Awards today in Washington, DC.

The Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Award for Community Service honors teenagers who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer efforts overseas, either in community service or in service to their peers, while facing the challenges of growing up living an internationally mobile lifestyle. Two finalists each receive a certificate of recognition for their volunteer work and a $1,500 savings bond sponsored by Clements Worldwide.

Alexandra Ike, age 18, was selected to receive one of two community service awards for demonstrating strong leadership and service to her local community in Ghana. She served as president of Street Girls Aid, raising over $1,000 to assist working, homeless mothers by providing a safe place for their children to go everyday. She also served as the president of her school’s Habitat for Humanity, leading and organizing efforts to build homes in impoverished communities. With her committee’s support, Alexandra raised over 900 Ghana Cedis to assist a local village in building a library. As a member of her high school’s theater group, Alexandra visited and performed at a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana and helped raise over $500 for the refugee children’s school. In addition, she volunteered with WorldVenture Ghana to reach young ladies in her age group and made personal visits to their villages.


Jared Gibson, age 16, was selected to receive the second of two community service awards for his work in introducing skateboarding to local youth in Tunisia. He taught classes to children and teenagers, and educated them on important safety precautions. He used his skills to host skateboarding events and raised over $600 to benefit an ailing ten-year-old boy from a small village close to the Embassy community in Tunis. Through Jared’s passion for skateboarding, the international community in Tunis has been introduced to a new sport and a family in need received financial assistance to help with their child’s medical care.

“We are very proud to sponsor this award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of U.S. Foreign Service youth,” said Chris Beck, president of Clements Worldwide. “It is truly inspiring to see the impact they have had on their communities, all while handling the unique challenges of the expatriate lifestyle.”

The 2011 Foreign Service Youth Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, July 15 at noon at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Click here to read the official press release.

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