RISKY BUSINESS?

Taking care of safety and security on the road

The global picture continues to shift geopolitically, culturally and economically, making it more important than ever for business travelers to understand their insurance needs, corporate security programs and best practices for personal safety. This is especially relevant today in light of the coronavirus outbreak that has catapulted the travel industry into disarray. According to a report in Bloomberg News, “It’s the biggest setback for the travel industry since a downturn that accompanied the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and the SARS outbreak and the war in Iraq two years later.” As tourists and business travelers alike fear being both quarantined and becoming infected, staying at home seems like a safer option.

It is still unclear how refunds on flights, hotels and insurance claims are being handled in this fluid situation, but for now, there are several things to keep in mind: Reports indicate that many airlines are waiving all change fees, while others are allowing travelers to change or cancel flights at no charge but only on itineraries involving certain destinations. Hotels, cruise ships and other tour operators must be contacted individually as there is no one acrossthe-board policy.

In case of travel insurance, some providers are honoring cancellation coverage. However, it’s important to note that usually, travel insurance protects against unexpected events, so if you buy a policy for a destination where an outbreak has been reported, your trip most likely is not going to be covered. Additionally, your typical national standard medical insurance policy is likely to exclude infectious disease outbreaks, in an effort to keep costs low.

Our best advice: Check with your provider, and then double check again.

Pandemics aside, according to a recently released survey from SAP Concur, nearly one third (31 percent) of business travelers prioritize their own safety as the most important factor on a business trip. For female travelers, the risks are particularly acute; more than three in four female business travelers report having suffered harassment while traveling.

Everyone in the travel value chain – travel providers, organizations and individual travelers – has a part to play in travel safety. However, realizing that the burden of safety is largely the traveler’s own, it’s vital for a traveler to constantly stay vigilant and “travel-aware” (i.e., be monitoring the news, managing their fatigue, figuring out the safest place to eat after hours, and conducting business, all at the same time).

TOOLS FOR THE TRAVELER

Fortunately, there are several ways travelers can streamline their traveler safety protocols. Enter technology, which is making life easier for the traveler both in small to medium enterprises, as well as major corporations with massive security departments.

For example, in December 2019, AIG launched an updated app through a partnership with GeoSure (geosureglobal.com), which provides travelers who are insured through a group AIG business travel policy with access to hyper-local safety awareness functionality for more than 65,000 cities and neighborhoods. The data is broken down into categories of Physical Harm, Women’s Safety, Theft, LGBTQ+ Safety, Political Freedoms, Health & Medical and an overall safety rating.

Another tool is simply exercising common sense safety precautions. “It’s so important for travelers to understand safety conditions at their intended destinations,” states Michael Becker, CEO of GeoSure in Boulder, CO., who recommends the following tips:

• Be prepared and do your homework. Understand what’s happening at the neighborhood and street level around meeting venues, hotels, restaurants or other points of interest.

• Familiarize yourself with the culture and customs of your destination. ‘Business casual’ in the US might mean some completely different attire elsewhere. Dress accordingly. This will help minimize the chance of accidentally offending someone and keep you safer.

• Backup your travel documents. Take photos of your passport and other documentation and store them in an online backup service, and give a copy to a trusted coworker, as well.

• Stay in a well-known district of the city with shopping or dining amenities. Take daytime and nighttime safety into consideration. Stick to populated areas and carry your valuables close to your body (or leave them at home). Only venture out after dark with a group.

Bruce McIndoe, CEO of WorldAware (worldaware. com) in Annapolis, MD, agrees: “Given the dynamic world that we live in and the shifting political alliances, travelers need to be aware, more than ever, about the geopolitical, social, health and security situation in the countries they are visiting.” He advises travelers to follow several easy rules:

• Before leaving home, don't take anything of value that you don't truly need. Clear out your wallet or purse and keep only the essentials required on your travels.

• While on your trip, don't let your guard down. Pay extra attention when crossing roads – especially when traffic is driving on the opposite side of the road than what you’re used to.

• If you don't need to be out and about from midnight to 2 AM, avoid this time; especially in areas with a lot of tourists and bars.

WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP

In addition to these common sense steps, McIndoe advises, “Having someone you can turn to for assistance, whether travel, medical or security, is even more important these days. Obtaining proper insurance that matches your travel profile can give you that piece of mind. Insurance policy