Travel insights from claims experts

By working closely with clients, we are able to ask the right questions to continually refine our services and identify the most effective ways to meet those needs. This approach is reinforced by a preventative strategy that includes online travel-risk mapping services, helping companies better prepare for trips and proactively avoid or mitigate common risks. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was seen that several guidelines were inadequate in preventing the spread of the disease. Many companies were aware of hygiene challenges when traveling internationally, especially the difficulty in maintaining sufficient standards—yet some employees still opted to go abroad during this time. For example, travel to Asia increased employee vulnerability due to the region's initial severe impact from the virus and the strain on healthcare systems in several countries. 

One way to reduce health risks when sending employees abroad that is recommended for companies is to consider the possibility of optional health check-ups for business travellers. These health check-ups can help prevent hospitalisation, emergency transportation home, or even death. Naturally, the Nordic countries apply different legislation, so it is advisable for a company to find out in advance any restrictions and obligations imposed by legislation. 

Collaborating with healthcare partners  

Reliable and modern health services are common in many Nordic countries. However, companies cannot rely on foreign health systems to operate with the same efficiency in other destinations, especially when employees have complex health needs. 

Increased collaboration with healthcare partners can offer significant benefits, such as: 

• a dedicated claims team specialising in international travel claims to ensure swift and effective handling
• effective coordination between claims teams, local healthcare providers, and assistance partners to reduce response times in addressing medical needs
• continuous improvement in claims handling processes and alignment with partners to promote transparency and expedite claim management
• accurate reporting and data analytics to identify patterns and help prevent future claims 

Illness abroad can lead to significant business disruptions. For instance, if a key employee with specialised expertise becomes ill, it could delay or disrupt the completion of an entire project. As mentioned previously, conducting an optional preventative health check-up before travel is one way to mitigate these risks. 

Depending on the situation, it may be more efficient to transport the ill or injured employee to a neighbouring country for medical care. With extensive experience in this area, we can optimise the treatment paths and costs without compromising quality. Clients can also stay ahead of travel risks through their own travel portal. 

For instance, at If, we initiate claims by assessing the risk landscape and asking the right questions to establish an overall understanding of what needs to be done and to identify the appropriate partners to contact. Companies adopting a similar service model have experienced fewer claims, gained insights into managing their employees’ health during travel, and are now able to make informed decisions when these employees are unwell. 

The evidence is clear: companies investing in travel safety solutions can achieve long-term financial benefits and stability.