Spring Break Travel Concerns
U.S. public and private school Spring Break holidays are right around the corner and millions of Americans of all ages will be traveling as families, as individuals and as part of student groups throughout the country and beyond. Many are embarking upon these journeys without a firm grasp of the hazards that might lie ahead.
In addition to the familiar Florida and Gulf Coast U.S. hotspots, many sunseekers are venturing south of the border to exotic ports of call where the legal drinking age is 18 and the civic regulations and safety standards are less than one would hope. Off-road motor vehicle and recreational watercraft operation are common practices at many Latin American and Caribbean locales, and with the prevalent use of alcohol and drugs, accidents and injuries occur frequently. The actions of intoxicated and carefree spring breakers can be detrimental to themselves as they may not be aware their U.S. health insurance policies typically provide insufficient coverage while overseas. However, there are other significant dangers lurking.
As kids let loose, they let their guards down, making them perfect targets for criminals. Over the last two decades, Mexico has become a breeding ground for illegal drug traffickers and the extreme violence that accompanies their business. Much of the country has become a paradise lost. Tourist destinations like Cancun, Mazatlan and Acapulco have all been in the news recently regarding kidnappings, gang violence and drug cartel activity. Anyone traveling in Latin American or the Caribbean needs to be informed, cognizant of their surroundings and protected with sufficient insurances.
Petersen International offers a variety of protection plans for Americans traveling outside the United States for Spring Break. The USAway International Major Medical Plan provides inexpensive, short-term medical insurance with comprehensive benefits including emergency medical evacuation back to the U.S. Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance and Kidnap & Ransom insurance are also important products to many families with children traveling abroad. Kidnappings for ransom have become efficient sources of income for foreign organized crime outfits, and Petersen International has a product that employs both monetary benefits and a crisis response team to properly manage the safe return of someone kidnapped while traveling outside the U.S.
Spring Break travel may be fraught with hazards, but Petersen International Underwriters has the tools to protect and reassure your clients during this fun and exciting time of year. Call us today at (800) 345-8816 for immediate quotes and expedited policy issue. We can have insurance in your clients’ hands in time for their upcoming travels.