Refer them to FEMA’s web page about “What to do After an Earthquake”.   The most important things are to listen to the radio and to only place phone calls in the event of an emergency, since call volumes are very high during these times.

For Family Members:

The U.S. State Department Operations Center is advising Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti to call 1-888-407-4747. Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. “Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time.” You can also follow the U.S. State Department’s latest Tweets for up-to-date information: http://twitter.com/dipnote

VISIT® represents all major international insurance companies, and designs comprehensive yet affordable Group Insurance Plans for any Group, including:

Groups Traveling INBOUND & OUTBOUND to/from the USA and Canada

• Study Abroad programs
• High School travel abroad
• Visiting Faculty
• Teacher Exchange
• Edu-travel
• Historic/Religious Tourism
• Hostelling
• Cultural Exchange
• Work/Travel/Practical Training
• Corporate Travel
• Humanitarian Trips
• US & Canadian Citizens traveling abroad

Worldwide International Travel Groups

• Worldwide Travel
• Corporate Travel
• Short Term Travel (less than 1 yr)
• Long Term Travel (more than 1 yr)
• Foreign Nationals
• US Citizens living abroad
• Travel outside your home country
• Maternity coverage available
• Major medical programs available

Domestic USA Travel (Inter/Intrastate)

• High School travel programs
• Experiential education
• School field trips
• Any travel more than 120 miles from permanent residence
• Trip Cancellation coverage
(Special note to Travel Agents & Tour Operators; special group plans/rates available that include Trip Cancellation/Loss of Revenue coverage.)

We can customize one or several alternative plans for your Group’s needs, while suggesting money-saving options that can provide the coverage you need while watching out for your bottom line. All international plans are US Department of State DS-2019 compliant, and can easily provide additional optional coverage.

To Obtain A Competitive Group Quote, please provide the following information:

• Number of Participants
• Duration of Travel in days (include first and last day)
• Date of Birth of each participant (or age range of participants)
• Coverage desired (DS2019 minimum requirements, or higher if preferred
• Detailed Loss Runs for the past 3 years (if available)
• Multiple groups per year may qualify for even lower rates; please ensure that you inform us completely of your annual group requirements.

Call us for a new Group/quote, or simply send us a copy of your current group insurance plan for a no-obligation evaluation and quotation.

Use VISIT® Travel & Medical for your next Group. You’ll be glad that you did!

The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program
The Trusted Name in International Travel & Medical Insurance for over 30 Years®

Washington, DC USA (USA Eastern Time Zone)
1-800-247-5575 Toll-Free USA and Canada
1-703-660-9062 Worldwide
1-703-991-9164 Facsimile
www.visitinsurance.com
info@visitinsurance.com

VISIT® is pleased to offer many insurance plans for Students, Spouses, Families, and other non-student Visitors to the USA and Canada, including our Economy, Standard and Super Plans as well as Plan E Plus.  See our website www.visitinsurance.com for complete details about these insurance plans. 

VISIT® offers competitive insurance plans for: 

• Students/Scholars/Researchers/Faculty – F1/J1 visaholders are eligible for Economy, Standard and Super Plans (Maternity coverage included) and/or Plan E Plus and Plan S (No Maternity).  Plans are also ideal for OPT and AT programs.
• Female Spouses – F2/J2 visaholders are eligible for Economy, Standard and Super Plans (Maternity coverage included) as long as the Student/Husband/Partner is also enrolled in the same Plan.
• Female Spouses – F2/J2 and other visaholders (as well as Male Spouses of Female Students) NOT requiring Maternity coverage are eligible for Plan E Plus.  Plan E Plus has very competitive rates for Students, Spouses, Families and non-student Visitors who do not require Maternity coverage.
• Any Non-Student – including Spouses, Families, Siblings and Parents, and any Visitors to the USA and Canada are eligible for Plan E Plus. 

Please call The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program at 1-800-247-5575 for complete details OR visit www.visitinsurance.com for details or to enroll ONLINE. 

The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program
The Trusted Name in International Travel & Medical Insurance for over 30 Years® 

Washington, DC  USA (USA Eastern Time Zone)
1-800-247-5575 Toll-Free USA and Canada
1-703-660-9062 Worldwide
1-703-991-9164 Facsimile
www.visitinsurance.com
info@visitinsurance.com

The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program would like to take a moment to discuss the benefits of our ONLINE ENROLLMENT for our medical insurance plans.  

For the fastest insurance enrollment and immediate confirmation of your order, please visit our website at www.visitinsurance.com and (when ready) click BUY ONLINE.  You will be directed to our secure server for safe and convenient ordering.  VISIT® accepts VISA, MasterCard and American Express for your convenience, so please have your credit card handy to complete the order process.  If you have any questions, live help is available by email at info@visitinsurance.com or at 1-800-247-5575. 

Remember, ONLINE ENROLLMENT provides safe, convenient ordering 24 hours a day, and provides immediate confirmation of your order that can be used for University Registration!  If you experience questions with a Waiver of Insurance Requirement from your job or university, simply SEND US the form and we will complete it for you! 

VISIT® is very pleased to work closely with most Universities, and in many cases we are listed on the university website on the International Student/Scholar (ISS) webpage.  If you would like to see VISIT® appear on the ISS webpage of your school, simply contact us OR request to your ISS Advisor/Department that we be included! 

Remember, for fastest service, please ENROLL ONLINE at www.visitinsurance.com! 

Have a great semester! 

Applications are also welcome by: 

Email:              info@visitinsurance.com 

Fax:                 1-703-991-9164

US Mail:            VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program
                        PO Box 210
                        Mount Vernon, VA  22121-0210 

                        Telephone Assistance 1-800-247-5575 9AM – 6PM ET USA,

                        Or via Email during and after hours at info@visitinsurance.com 

Please visit www.visitinsurance.com for downloadable and printable Application Forms (in .pdf format) and/or answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 

The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program
The TRUSTED Name in International Insurance for over 30 Years!

Most of us have heard about the new H1N1 Influenza (“Swine Flu”) and are wondering what to do to protect ourselves from illness and medical costs.  The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program would like to provide some basic information about this influenza virus, and to reassure our insured students and visitors and their families that all of our VISIT® Insurance Plans do provide insurance coverage for this new illness. 

However, because all medical insurance generally provides coverage only for illnesses that occur after the insurance is obtained, VISIT® strongly recommends the purchase of Travel and Medical Insurance coverage as soon as possible so that the coverage becomes effective before such illness occurs.  VISIT® is pleased to offer a wide variety of insurance plans to suit your needs, and the plans may be viewed and/or purchased ONLINE at www.visitinsurance.com.

Some Background on the H1N1 Influenza 

This new H1N1 flu virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of the H1N1 flu was underway. 

Human infections with the new H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States.  Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.  However, it is important to take precautions to avoid illness, and it is very advisable to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case medical treatment becomes necessary.  Review a wide variety of VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Plans at www.visitinsurance.com.

How does the H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of the H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.  Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza.  Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How severe is illness associated with the H1N1 flu virus?

Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.  Obviously, because medical care is costly in the USA and Canada, it is advisable to obtain medical insurance so that you have such coverage before you become infected.  We invite persons interested in purchasing insurance to visit the VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program website at www.visitinsurance.com to review a wide variety of available insurance plans.

Prevention and Treatment

The overview above is excerpted from the United States Government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  For more information on prevention and treatment, please visit the CDC website directly at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.

We from The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program would like to be among the first to welcome you to the United States, and to wish you a safe and pleasant visit. 

As you may be aware, purchasing Travel & Medical insurance for your trip to the USA is not only a very good idea (because the cost of Medical Care is very expensive) but the insurance usually is also a requirement of your visit. 

We at VISIT® proudly have been serving International Students and Visitors for over 30 years (since 1979!), and we are very pleased to introduce our NEW Insurance Plans that are less expensive and provide more coverage and coverage options than ever before.  VISIT® Insurance Plans provide coverage for every international insurance need. 

I encourage you to review our new VISIT® Insurance Plans for International Students and Visitors to the USA and Canada on our website www.visitinsurance.com or call VISIT® at 1-800-247-5575 (9AM – 6PM USA ET) or email us at info@visitinsurance.com at any time. 

You may order VISIT® Insurance Plans ONLINE (all major credit cards accepted) and receive immediate coverage confirmation. 

We will be pleased to assist you with your travel and medical insurance needs, and we hope to hear from you soon.  We will be updating our Blog periodically to provide new and timely information that may be helpful during your visit, so we invite you to check in with VISIT® often!  Meanwhile, welcome to the USA and have a safe and pleasant trip! 

Sincerely,
Peter Constandy
President
The VISIT® Travel & Medical Insurance Program
Washington, DC  USA
1-800-247-5575

www.visitinsurance.com

info@visitinsurance.com