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FAQs
 
Here are the answers to many frequently asked questions relating to the Atlas Insurance Policies
- THESE RELATE ONLY TO UNITED STATES POLICIES -

Current Insureds

If you have lost an ID Card
Not a problem.  Please email info@specialtyrisk.com and provide your full name (the one that appears on your application), the type of program you purchased (ie. Liaison International, RoundTrip, etc.) and your address of correspondence.  Naturally, if you know your ID number, please send that information to us.  Our administration department will then print another ID card and mail it to your address.
If you need to file a claim.
Please email claims@specialtyrisk.com and request a claim form to be faxed or mailed to your address.  Be sure to reference your ID number when requesting a claim form.
If you would like to either renew or rewrite your insurance coverage.
If you have a renewable insurance program through SRI, such as Liaison International or Reside Prime, SRI will send a coverage extension notice to your address of correspondence, advising you that your program is ready to be renewed.    If you have any other program, coverage can not be renewed, but can easily be rewritten.  This means that you must complete another application and submit it to SRI along with premium.  With any new application, the insurance coverage will begin with a new policy period.  Find all brochures and applications under our forms section.
Whom Should I Call?
If you have benefit questions, please call 800-335-0611 and ask for "Marketing"
For claim questions, please call the claim line at 800-335-0477.
For processing questions, please contact "Administration" at 800-335-0611.
For an Emergency
If you have an emergency situation while traveling outside your home country, please refer to the number on the back of your ID card. This is the number for the assistance company that is staffed 24 hours a day to properly serve you, the insured.

Potential Insureds

Which program is for me?
There are two questions you should ask yourself first:  Where am I going and how long will I be gone?
   If you are traveling outside of your home country for one year or less and are interested in medical protection, Liaison International is the plan designed for your situation (regardless of whether you are traveling to or outside of the U.S.).
   If you are traveling abroad for one year or more, consider either Liaison International or Reside Prime Worldwide Medical Plan.  Liaison International is a travel plan designed for temporary international travelers (up to 3 years maximum), therefore it's easy in which to enroll.  Reside Prime is far more comprehensive and is intended for those who are intending a longer international stay.
   If you are a non-United States resident, but would like U.S.-style benefits, Reside Prime is the program for your situation.   Given the comprehensive nature of the plan, and the ability to travel anywhere for treatment, this program can be carried by the insured for life.
   If you are an international traveler who already has medical coverage overseas, but would like to purchase the secondary benefits such as Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation, consider Liaison Traveler.
   If you are a United States resident and you are interested in protecting the investment you made in your trip against unforeseen cancellation, RoundTrip is the program for you.
What is the Purchase Procedure?
On this site, you will find complete descriptions of all our programs as well as the premiums and applications for each plan twice.  Once you have decided on a program, submit the application to SRI for processing.
How soon is my application processed?
   Having been in this business so long, we understand that our clients are under a tight schedule and require a rapid response.  Considering the Liaison travel programs, if the application and premium are received at SRI by 1PM (Indianapolis time), your application will be processed that day.  This means that an ID Card and a Program Summary will be placed into the mail by 5PM.  If you are under a tighter schedule and require a fax confirmation, write on the top of your application "Please fax copy of ID Card to: " and then write your fax number.  This statement should be in large letters!   A copy of the ID card will then be faxed to you that day (as well as the official one placed in the mail).   Regarding the Reside Prime Worldwide Medical Plan, SRI underwrites the application within 48 hours of receipt.  We will then respond by either placing the ID Card and Certificate of Insurance in the mail to your address or by requesting additional information.

Commom Questions

Pre-existing Conditions
   By far, this represents our clients' greatest concern.  If you are considering Liaison International, pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.  This means that if you currently have a specific condition for which you have seen a doctor, been consulted, or under medication, that condition is considered as an existing condition.  This includes conditions which develop which are related to that condition (ie. high blood pressure thereby causes a heart attack).
Is there a way for me to see the official wording?
   Of course.  SRI has placed the certificate wording for all programs on our website.  This is the same information that you will receive along with your ID Card once you are accepted to the program.  The information explains what to do if there is a claim, lists covered benefits, and details the exclusions.  The wording can be found in SRI Product Forms section.
Can the wording be changed?
   Unfortunately not.  Other than the various benefit and rider options you see in each product's brochure, the plan's wording must remain as is.  The reason for this is that they are official documents of the insurance company as well as the fact that the wording is filed with the Department of Insurance.
Will Terrorism Be Covered?
   Terrorism has always been a justifiable concern for U.S. citizens traveling overseas. Since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, this issue has become even more important. All of SRI's programs have some mention of terrorism and / or war in the exclusions section. Unfortunately, with the constant change of conditions overseas, it is virtually impossible to specifically name the regions and areas to which terrorism applies.

General Questions regarding International Insurance

What is a Deductible and Coinsurance
   Deductible?  This represents the amount of eligible medical expenses that must be paid by the insured before the insurance company begins to reimburse for covered expenses (medical expenses, etc.).  As an example, if you purchase a program with a $250 deductible and incur $500 of expenses, the insurance company will begin to reimburse for expenses after you have paid the initial $250 of medical bills. 
   There are essentially two different kinds of deductibles, per-cause and per-policy period.  A per cause deductible means that the insured must pay a new deductible for each separate incident (example: pay the deductible once for a car accident and then a second time for an appendix attack).  A per-policy period deductible means that the insured must pay the deductible only once during the policy period (see policy period later).
   Coinsurance?  After you have paid the deductible, coinsurance is the percentage amount you must pay along with the insurance company.  Typically, coinsurance is limited to a certain dollar figure and there is a maximum you will pay out of your pocket.  Example: for programs with 80/20% coinsurance for the first $5,000, you will have to pay 20% of eligible expenses for the first $5,000 of expenses you incur after the deductible.
   Sample Situation:  You have purchased a program with a $250 deductible, 80/20 coinsurance for $5,000 and have an accident in which $10,000 of medical expenses are incurred.  You will be responsible for the first $250 of medical expenses plus 20% of the next $5,000 in expenses (in this case $1000) for a total of $1,250 of medical expenses.  The insurance company will be responsible for $8,750.

What is a Policy Period?
   Essentially, a policy period represents the amount of time you have purchased insurance.  In international insurance, policy periods can be as short as 15 days and as long as 12 months.  For example, if you complete an application and pay for 4 months of insurance, the policy period for that program will be 4 months.   If it turns out that you require more than 4 months of insurance, you would have to complete another application and thus, a new policy period would begin.  Important Note:  Some Companies offer renewable international medical programs in which you can renew coverage under certain conditions.  With this option, you can turn that 4 month policy period into an 8 month policy period.  Be sure to look for this option if it is important to you.  Rarely do policy periods extend beyond 12 months at a time.
What are Pre-existing Conditions?
   Each international medical program treats pre-existing conditions differently with one aspect in common: they are almost always a part of any program.
   Generally, pre-existing conditions are defined as medical conditions, medication, consultation, or treatment which existed or which were performed prior to the effective date of coverage (please read the actual exclusion in each program).
   The reason why pre-existing conditions are excluded is for convenience.  Often, international programs are written for only a few months, so there isn't enough time to underwrite each applicant.  Therefore, the coverage must exclude pre-existing conditions or otherwise medical coverage wouldn't be available.
   Please note that there are certain international medical programs in which coverage for pre-existing conditions is possible.  These plans are called worldwide medical programs and they are typically written only on an annual basis and are intended to cover the insured for years instead of only a few months.  In addition, these plans provide coverage in the insured's home country.

RoundTrip Specific

What's the difference between a "Travel Caution" and a "Travel Warning"?
   A Travel Caution occurs when the State Department advises the public to be careful and alert when traveling to a particular country or region. A Travel Warning is a specific declaration by the State Department that advises United States citizens to not travel to a country or region. There may appear to be little difference between the two terms, but each one means something entirely different.
Can I cancel the program before I take my trip?
   Not only does RoundTrip protect you during your actual trip with certain benefits such as emergency evacuation and medical expenses, it also protects your financial investment in case you are unable to even go on your trip for specified reasons (see the RoundTrip Evidence of Benefits for a detailed description). But if your trip is cancelled or if you decide not to go on your trip, the amount you paid for RoundTrip may not be refundable.
   For example, on March 1st you purchased a travel package for trip dates of June 1st through June 10th. On that day you purchase RoundTrip as well, using rates based on the cost of the trip. On May 1st you decide not to travel or your trip is cancelled. Fortunately, your travel supplier was able to return to you the entire cost of the trip.
   Unfortunately in such a situation, refund of the amount paid for the RoundTrip program is not refundable. Although you were fortunate to receive your money back for the trip, there was a chance that, during those two months, something would occur and you would not have received a full refund. That chance is what RoundTrip was intended to protect against. Thus, the amount you paid for the program has been utilized during those two months and is non-refundable.
Are there any excluded travel suppliers?
   Yes, At the moment, we are unable to accept applications for Renaissance and customers of American Class Voyages (partner company to American Hawaii Cruises, Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Delta Queen Coastal Voyages, and United States Lines).
 
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