Bite-sized company briefs - May 2014

“We’re pleased that Arch has chosen us as the exclusive provider for these policies,” said Dan Skilken, TripInsurance’s founder and CEO. “These policies give an added dimension to our site’s suite of insurance options, and this of course means more benefits for our customers. Seniors planning cruises or other costly trips will be particularly interested in the very attractive rates Arch offers.”

RoamRight, a travel insurance brand used by Arch Insurance Company, has released a new mobile app for travellers, now available for Apple and Android mobile devices. Free to all mobile users, and boasting extra features for RoamRight policyholders, the app provides local security information, easy access to essential travel documents and critical translations for health and medication issues.

The N’Djamena, Chad-based medical centre operated by Europ Assistance – Global Corporate Solutions (GCS) has opened a medical annexe in the Klémat neighbourhood of the city centre. The new annexe features two consultation rooms, an emergency and hospitalisation room, a laboratory and a dressing room. “Our aim is to bring international standards [of] medical care closer to our clients’ locations and accommodate the increasing number of enrolled patients,” commented Emmanuel Légeron, CEO of Europ Assistance GCS.

FGB, a bank based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched a new time-limited promotion intended to help customers in the region to benefit from free travel insurance. Customers will enroll via a simple online process, and the offer expires on 30 June – those who enroll before the cut-off date will be entitled to free worldwide Schengen-compliant travel cover for one trip. The initiative is part of FGB’s ongoing plans to increase public awareness of the benefits of insurance.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, unveiled the first product in its new travel insurance line on 19 May. Called AirCare, the company has said that it is the first low-cost fixed-benefit flight protection coverage available up to one hour before the departure of a policyholder’s flight. Data from FlightAware has shown that 2014 has been the worst year on record for cancelled flights, with lost productivity and additional incurred expenses costing around $2.5 billion, and AirCare has been developed in response to this.