What do business travellers really want from their Business Travel Insurance?
It's not just reimbursement of losses.
Business travellers expect their policy to work as an operational support system when something goes wrong overseas.
Their strongest expectations are:
- Fast access to medical help
Business travellers expect 24/7 medical assistance, with appropriate medical direction, medical coordination, assistance in navigating local healthcare systems and medical evacuation support when needed.
- Proactive duty-of-care support
GBTA found that 73% of business travellers expect their organisation to contact them proactively within two hours of an emergency event.
- Protection for work continuity
An unexpected medical event or other disruption can quickly compromise the purpose of a business trip. The business travel insurance policy should provide timely, effective assistance to minimise disruption and help the business traveller return to their original travel objectives as quickly and safely as possible.
- Clear rules for bleisure travel
Business trips may include added leisure days. Travellers and employers need clarity on when cover applies, when it stops, and who remains responsible.
- Security and evacuation support
Business travellers increasingly expect support for civil unrest, natural disasters, political instability, and destination deterioration. A strong business travel assistance program should therefore include access to timely practical advice, medical and travel assistance, emergency transport coordination, hotel relocation, flight changes, evacuation planning, and escalation support when conditions deteriorate. The traveller needs to know who to contact, what to do next, and how to leave or remain safely if the situation changes.
Business travel insurance must go further than a leisure travel insurance. It needs to protect the business traveller, support the employer’s duty of care, and help preserve business continuity.
The real test of a business travel policy is what happens at 2am when an employee is unwell, overseas, alone, and the employer needs a safe, fast and well-coordinated response.