It's true! DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. State Department, and aims to give you an insider's look into U.S. foreign policy. Its mission is to serve as a daily, jargon-free alternative to mainstream media, and to help open the lines of communication between senior State Department officials and the public.

Last week, DipNote celebrated it's first birthday... maybe Angelina Jolie will stop by for cake...

More than four million Americans live outside the U.S.—more than the populations in 26 states— and they may play a key role in the upcoming Presidential election. . Americans living outside the U.S. vote at a higher rate than stateside citizens, according to the expatriate groups organizing Overseas Americans Week which was held in June.

Overseas Americans Week is a joint effort by three expat groups to address the unique challenges faced by Americans living abroad such as: no direct representation in Washington, weak absentee-voting procedures, and complications in tax laws and federal benefits programs.

Read our press release for more information on expatriate voting

Dear Friends at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia,

We have exciting news! Two of our representatives, Dan and Dave will be visiting your embassy tomorrow, September 26 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. They will be available to answer any questions you may have about your policy, claims, or international insurance in general. Even if you don't have any questions, take a break from your busy day and stop by to say hi. Since most of our business is conducted over the phone and email, we always welcome opportunities to meet you in person!

See you there!

Labels: Bulgaria, embassy, sofia

Following our recent post on the best places to be living as an expatriate, we
thought it would be relevant to discuss another recent survey which presents the most expensive places to be an expatriate.

Moscow remains the most expensive city to be living as an expatriate for the third straight year.


Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to be an Expatriate
1. Moscow
2. Tokyo
3. London
4. Oslo
5. Seoul
6. Hong Kong
7. Copenhagen
8.Geneva
9. Zurich
10. Milan

This cost of living survey is conducted annually by Mercer. Mercer surveys expatriate employees in 143 cities measuring the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

To see how your city ranks, visit the full survey summary.

Labels: Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, International Organizations

VP of Marketing Lloyd Yavener and I enjoyed the beautiful weather, and welcomed back over 100 Foreign Service families yesterday at the yearly Foreign Service Youth Foundation Potluck Picnic. Lloyd manned the grill, cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers (and of course, Boca burgers for the veggie fans). Guest speaker Norma McCaig, founder of Global Nomads International, spoke on "Resilience and the Foreign Serivce Child," and what parents can expect in the re-entry process.

Clements International is a proud sponsor of The Foreign Service Youth Foundation, a group which serves the children of Foreign Service personnel by offering insight, events, contests, and more.

Labels: Clements International, Foreign Service Youth Foundation, fsyf, picnic

With less than 8 weeks until Election Day in the U.S., it's important to start filling out your paperwork now if you plan to vote. Many states require you to be a registered voter at least one month before the election.

If you're the type of person who likes to put things off until last minute, Overseas Vote Foundation has got you covered. OVF is a non-partisan organization, which allows you to register online, review each candidate's platform, and more. This year, OVF has also added a feature where you can print off your absentee ballot from the website, meaning no more waiting for your local election office to mail it to you. Moveover, OVF has partnered with FedEx, so that you may mail your ballot for free or at a reduced cost, and track and confirm delivery.

Fast and accountable -- now that's something both parties can believe in!

Labels: absentee ballot, election day, overseas vote foundation, vote, voting

As news regarding AIG continues to develop, we found this insightful article on CNN about their financial status, and what it means to you.

5 questions: Why AIG matters to you

Labels: AIG, International Insurance

An article in Forbes (7.25.08) ranked the 14 best countries to be living in as an expat. According to the article, a large international bank* surveyed 2,155 expatriates then ranked the top countries in several categories: Length of stay, the ability to earn and save while in country, luxury and accommodation.
Click here to read the full article

The Forbes.com Top Places to be an expat

1. Singapore
2. (Tie) U.S and UAE
4. Belgium
5. Hong Kong
6. (Tie) Canada, Netherlands and Germany
9. India
10. (Tie) Australia and China
12. (Tie) France and Spain
14. UK

* HSBC International Bank

When you move to a new location, you can't help but be excited by the fact you're now steps away from famous local sights and landmarks. But after you've waited in lines, bought tickets, and admired every piece of art and history your city has to offer, you ready for something more adventurous.

In our next issue of GlobalInsight, we will take a look at eight landmarks, museums, and activities off the beaten path, so you can feel less like a tourist and more like a local while seeing something new. Here's a sneak peek...

Amrum Island – North Sea, Germany
Just off the coast of Germany lies the perfect spot to get away. Amrum Island’s wide beaches offer plenty of space to soak up the sun, climb the sand dunes, or go for a swim. Bikes are recommended for transportation around the island, as there is only one road for cars. During low tide, it is also possible to walk between Amrum and neighboring island Föhr. Ferries to the island are available from Dagebüll or Schlüttsiel.

Look for the next issue of GlobalInsight in your email at the end of the month!

Each year, we travel throughout the world to visit with our clients and colleagues at embassies, international schools, conferences and organizations. This fall is no exception as we travel to more than 20 countries as we bring our personal service local.

Here is the first look at our upcoming travel schedule:

Sept. 9 -12
World Medical Tourism and Global Health Conference (San Francisco)

Labels: Amsterdam, ASIS, Berlin, Brussels, Bulgaria, Colombia, Dubai, EARCOS, Expatica, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Medical Tourism Association, NESA, Travel Schedule, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela

Clements International may be traveling to a city near you in October! Clements is participating is Expatica’s “I am not a tourist” Fair in Amsterdam at the Beurs van Berlage on October 12. Expatica.com is an online community, which offers news, features and resources to expatriates. You can order your free tickets here or purchase them at the door for 10€.

The following weekend, it’s on to Brussels, where you can find us at the Welcome Fair at Autoworld on October 18 and 19. This event is free. For more information, visit http://www.welcomefair.be/.

Stop by these expat fairs to hear more about unique services, organizations, and clubs available for you. We hope to see you there!

Labels: Amsterdam, Brussels, Clements, Expatriates, welcome fair

Medical tourism is the increasingly common practice of individuals traveling outside their home country to obtain medical treatment. Medical tourism offers cost savings to the patient as well as the possibility to schedule the procedure sooner. This makes medical tourism an attractive option for Americans as well as those in Canada and the UK who come across long wait times for surgery and crowded hospitals.

Medical tourism companies help the patient find accredited hospitals and arrange their trip so they can get the care they need and return home safely. As the medical tourism industry continues to grow so does the risk of being sued by a customer should something not go to plan.

This year, Clements, has worked closely with medical tourism operators in Asia and India to create insurance products to meet the needs of the industry. These include a professional liability policy to protect the company should a lawsuit be filed, a personal accident policy for the clients should they be injured during the trip and a trip cancellation policy to reimburse nonrefundable expenses due to an emergency.

For more information visit our medical tourism site.

Labels: Clements International, International Insurance, medical tourism

Agents who have insureds with international exposures must be aware that local laws, business customs, economic conditions, political climate, and government regulation all affect the insurance risks that the organization faces.

Lloyd Yavener, our Vice President of Marketing, recently discussed this topic online at the at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association's Virtual University.

Labels: Agents and Brokers, iiaba, International Insurance, virtual univeristy

Clements International was recently featured as one of the "Worlds Greatest" Insurance Agencies. Our feature highlights the unique insurance programs Clements has developed to meet the needs of expatriates, international schools, and organizations operating in high risk areas of the world.

Labels: Expatriates, Foreign Service, International Insurance, International Organizations, War Risk Insurance

(Washington, D.C.) Clements International announces it has been formally accepted as an association member of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB). Being a member of the CIAB enhances Clements’ ability to build professional relationships with other industry leaders.

Based in Washington, D.C., the CIAB unites top tier agents and brokers worldwide with programs designed to help them continue to build their business. It also compiles detailed reports and creates award winning publications to inform members on current developments and future industry trends.

“Joining the Council provides Clements the opportunity to represent the international insurance segment, and be at the forefront of issues concerning the global marketplace,” said Jon Clements, President and CEO of Clements International.

Vice President of Marketing, Lloyd Yavener will be representing Clements at the Council’s annual Insurance Leadership Forum in Las Vegas this October.

About the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers
Founded in 1913, The Council is the premier association for commercial insurance, and represents the leading commercial brokers and agents in the United States and abroad. Council members annually place 80 percent of all commercial property/casualty premiums in the United States.

Labels: Agents and Brokers, CIAB, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers

Clements International now offers a unique War Risk Insurance policy for organizations with vehicle fleets in high risk areas of the world, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Clements offers a unique borderless, International Vehicle Insurance policy specifically developed for organizations operating in foreign countries. War Risk Insurance is an affordable, extension of this policy that is available for any eligible vehicle fleet operating in high risk areas of the world. War Risk Insurance provides protection for vehicles should a loss be incurred from a declared war, act of terrorism, riot, strike or civil unrest. This type of risk is excluded in most auto insurance policies.

"As the number of private organizations involved in development and reconstruction efforts continue to increase in areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it is vital for us to develop products that appropriately address their risks," explained Chris Beck, Senior Vice President of Sales at Clements. "We are pleased to offer a new, War Risk Insurance policy to compliment and extend the coverage offered through our International Vehicle Insurance policy."

Clements has gained the insurance expertise while assessing risks and developing specialized, insurance products that protect the individual risks faced by organizations.

Labels: Afghanistan, International Insurance, Iraq, Terrorism Insurance, War Risk Insurance

(Washington D.C.) Each year the Clements International Award for Community Service is given to teenage members of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) “who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the community and service to their peers.” This year’s winners included Lucinda Joi Chu-Ketterer, 13 posted with her parents in Beijing, China and Alissa and Sarah Jones, 16 and 14, living at a Foreign Service post in Gaborone, Botswana.

The Clements International Award was presented on Tuesday July 8 in the Benjamin Franklin Room at State Department. Chris Beck, Clements International Senior Vice President was on hand to present the award.

“The young people who have received the Clements Award are truly remarkable, showing great generosity and compassion along with creativity and dedication to see each of their projects to fruition,” said Chris Beck.

About Foreign Service Youth Foundation
The Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1989 to inform, assist and advocate for Foreign Service Youth and their families in the Washington, DC area and around the world.

Winners of The 2008 Clements International Foreign Service Youth Foundation Award for Community Service (direct link)

Labels: Expatriates, Foreign Service, Foreign Service Youth Foundation

Vice President of Marketing, Lloyd Yavener was featured on a recent installment of AM Best's Conversations video interview series. Lloyd discusses Clements International's niche market focus on Americans living abroad. The full interview is available on the AM Best website as a video, podcast or audio file.

Labels: Afghanistan, AM Best, Clements International, International Insurance, Iraq, Terrorism Insurance, War Risk

Vice President of Marketing, Lloyd Yavener was featured on a recent installment of AM Best's Conversations video interview series. Lloyd discusses Clements International's niche market focus on Americans living abroad. The full interview is available on the AM Best website as a video, podcast or audio file.

AM Best Article (Direct PDF Link)

Labels: Afghanistan, AM Best, International Insurance, Iraq, War Risk Insurance

Clements International's coverage of high risk areas was discussed in an article by AM Best’s Alyn Ackermann. Clements Vice President of Marketing, Lloyd Yavener spoke to war and terrorism insurance risks in Iraq and Afghanistan. The full article is available below.

View Article "Clements Finds a Niche in Some of the World's Most Dangerous Places"

Labels: Afghanistan, AM Best, International Insurance, Iraq, War Risk Insurance