Taking a Strategic Approach to Travel Risk Management

In today’s ever-changing world, preparing for work-related travel involves much more than booking flights and hotels. The international travel risk landscape is constantly evolving. The growing threats of geopolitical unrest, terrorism, and health and environmental emergencies create significant risk that can jeopardize employee safety and disrupt business operations.  

Organizations have a legal and moral responsibility to protect their employees’ physical and mental health wherever they conduct business. In addition, courts and federal regulators are increasingly assessing whether organizations have taken reasonable measures to protect their employees during work-related travel. Failing to have an effective Duty of Care strategy can leave you vulnerable to:   

• Legal & Regulatory Risk: Liability claims, regulatory fines, or sanctions  

• Operational Disruptions: Critical business operations or projects delayed  

• Reputational Damage: Public opinion of the organization suffers based on a perceived failure to protect employees  

• Financial Risk: Medical and security incidents that fall outside the scope of insurance coverage can be costly  

The Cost of Being Unprepared

The financial risk, in particular, can be substantial. Not all insurance plans cover emergency healthcare when traveling abroad. Travel insurance policies vary greatly, and they might not cover the full cost of emergency services or medical evacuation. Unplanned medical or security emergencies can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars without the appropriate coverage.  

Insufficient travel risk management can also create confusion for employees during emergencies. Imagine you break your leg while on a business trip in a foreign country. You decide to seek medical attention, only to find yourself overwhelmed with questions. What hospital should you go to? Do you have the right health insurance coverage? How will you navigate the situation if you don’t speak the local language?  

Employees value feeling protected by their organization. If an incident arises, and an employee is left feeling unsupported, it could reduce morale across the organization and cause employees to be less likely to accept future travel-related assignments.  

Given these exposures, organizations must develop a proactive strategy for travel risk management. Waiting until an emergency occurs can lead to bigger complications in the long term.   

Preparing for the Unexpected

Our Special Risk team has developed a robust program for managing the complexities of work-related travel through partnerships with leading travel assistance companies. Our program emphasizes preparation and incident response, equipping employees with the resources they need.  

Our partners provide robust medical and security assistance programs and operate in dozens of countries worldwide. Employees can gain access to a wide range of medical and security resources, including:  

• 24/7 access to a global network of medical and security professionals who can help coordinate emergency evacuations and guide employees to the appropriate provider when an incident occurs  

• Pre-trip communications with health and security information 

• Security alerts based on location   

• Digital learning resources to increase security awareness  

• Streamlined and customized escalation protocols   

Pairing these services with Unison’s insurance program allows for full coverage and seamless integration. Our experienced team has the knowledge and industry relationships to design a program that meets your unique needs.   

A Wraparound Approach

Travel is essential to the function of many organizations, yet the travel risk landscape is only getting more complex. Organizations have a legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their workforce during work-related travel. Implementing a proactive travel risk management strategy can help you minimize the risk that comes with travel while fulfilling your obligations as an employer.   

In an emergency, every second matters. Being in an unfamiliar environment during a medical or security incident can make a challenging situation even more stressful. Equipping your travelers with the right tools can help them navigate critical situations more effectively, connecting them with the support they need.  

Questions? Connect With Us Today

Our wraparound travel risk management solution offers protection and support at every stage. From securing appropriate insurance coverage to connecting travelers with on-the-ground assistance, we’re here to help organizations protect their employees wherever they are working. Contact us to learn more.