It's no secret that those who work on cruise ships can be away for long periods of time. Contracts can last anywhere from a few months to almost a year. Being on a ship for that amount of time can be difficult to pack for. How are you to know what items you will need a month from now?  Here are some tips you should use to make packing for your next contract simpler and more efficient, after getting proper insurance of course!

   

  MHG cruise employees Infographic

Ready, SET, go! Did you know that your health insurance may not cover you while you’re traveling abroad? Although we hate to think about becoming sick or injured, sometimes it is unavoidable, no matter how much you precaution you take. Whether it’s a car accident, food poisoning, or a stroke, the lack of international health insurance coverage could expose you to serious financial liability. 

The Basics

Take the worry out of international travel with the SET plan! SET is an annual travel insurance plan available exclusively to U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) members which offers affordable international health insurance coverage to employer groups. This plan is perfect for any companies whose employees take frequent trips outside their home country and are looking for an easy way to provide health insurance protection while traveling. One of the great benefits of the plan is that it saves you time whenever you are required to travel by not having to purchase travel insurance before each trip. All you have to do is estimate the number of days that you will be abroad for the year, and make one purchase! Another great benefits is that it gives you a peace of mind knowing that your employees will be fully covered when they are traveling internationally. This is important because many do not realize that their domestic health insurance plan does not follow them when they leave the country, which means many people are traveling uncovered!

How it Works

One of the great things about this plan is how simple it is to get signed up. Here’s how the plan works. First, fill out the Request for Proposal with some basic information. Then, select your coverage level. There are two coverage options to choose from, Essential and Elite.

Essential benefits:

• Service and support provided by MHG Insurance Brokers
• Purchase trips days in advance and subtract as you go
• $500,000 plan limit
• Global medical protection
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Hospital stays
• $0 deductible
• No coinsurance outside of the US
• Acute onset of a preexisting condition for US citizens
• Simple enrollment and administration

Elite benefits: ALL of the benefits of the Essential plan plus:

• Upgrade to $1,000,000 plan limit
• $100,000 Accidental death and dismemberment
• Adventure sports coverage

Next, enter some basic details and then you purchase a block of days. Unused days will be rolled over to the following year. Coverage can be as little as $1.50 a day! Last, pack your bags, bring your passport, and go on your trip worry free! I know you must be thinking that there is more paperwork, or that you must wait a certain amount of time, but once you are finished you are good to go!

This is All Made Possible by…

A lot of people have worked really hard to bring this great travel insurance solution to you. The U.S. Superyacht Association partnered with Point Comfort Underwriters and MHG Insurance Brokers to develop this customized product that is only available exclusively for USSA members. USSA values its members, and wanted to make sure that people and organizations are offered the benefits that they deserve. Don’t fly naked, make sure you are covered by the SET plan! Go to http://www.ussuperyacht.com/ for a quote now! Safe travels!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (September 22, 2015) – MHG Insurance Brokers announced today that Sandra Rollins has joined the company’s Business Insurance Division as Broker. The division specializes in insurance solutions for businesses that struggle to obtain insurance. Rollins’ primary focus will be quoting Workers’ Comp, Marine General Liability, General Liability and Commercial Auto, in addition to providing support to clients.

“Sandra is a great addition to the team.” said Mady Acosta, Business Division Manager at MHG Insurance Brokers. “Not only does she have a strong sales and operational background as both a producer and as an agency manager but she also understands the business insurance needs and requirements of the community. Her experience and skills will strengthen our division.” 

Rollins joins MHG Insurance Brokers with over 10 years of business insurance experience. Throughout her insurance career she has held various jobs including operations manager, underwriter and producer. Most recently, Rollins managed the Personal Lines Department at a large, independent agency in Lighthouse Point where she was responsible for managing a $1.5 million personal lines and marine book of business in addition to servicing all VIP and high profile accounts. "I'm excited to work with MHG as they have a reputation for being an innovative company and are always looking for ways to serve their clients.” said Sandra Rollins. “I’m looking forward to a long future with them.” MHG continues to be at the forefront of developing insurance solutions and products to meet the changing needs of businesses around the world. Most recently, the Insurance Specialists at MHG identified a potential liability risk for cruise line operators and designed a new liability plan to fill the gap in coverage.

About MHG Insurance Brokers 

Since 1991, MHG Insurance Brokers has been committed to providing expert insurance advice and innovative solutions for the marine, aviation, energy and related industries. Today, with over two decades of experience and relationships with some of the world’s top insurance markets, MHG has established an enviable reputation for providing quality advice, products and service for groups, businesses and individuals around the world. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida MHG has Insurance Specialists worldwide, with offices in Houston, Isle of Man, the Cote d’Azur and Hamburg. For more information, please visit https://mhginsurance.com/

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (September 15, 2015) – The US Superyacht Association (USSA), a non-profit trade association promoting the superyacht industry of the United States, is proud to have partnered with MHG Insurance Brokers and Point Comfort Underwriters to provide its members with an exciting new membership benefit designed to protect themselves, and their employees, while traveling outside of their home country.    

“We found that many of our member’s conventional health insurance plans simply did not cover their foreign travel and/or evacuation in the event of an emergency,” said John Mann, U.S. Superyacht Association Chairman. “This program allows our members to simply “SET it” and forget it and we are thrilled to partner with MHG and Point Comfort Underwriters to provide this customized travel insurance plan.” 

The SET (Superyacht Executive Travel) Plan is different from other standard travel insurance plans in that it is sold in blocks of days where the company decides when to use them. Any unused days are simply rolled over to the following year at the existing premium – so there is no risk. To make it even more valuable - this coverage is available for USSA members for as little as only $1.50 per day of travel! 

The plan has two coverage levels designed to fit everyone’s need and budget: Essential and Elite.  The Essential plan benefits include up to $500,000 in medical expenses, global medical protection outside home country, emergency medical evacuation, $0 deductible and no coinsurance.  The Elite plan includes all of the benefits of the Essential plan with an upgraded limit to $1MIL in coverage, plus accidental death and dismemberment as well as adventure sports coverage.

“Many USSA members travel outside their home country frequently and it’s important to have the right insurance coverage in place in case something happens, whether at work or on holiday,” said Clayton Swart, MHG Business Development Manager. “We have seen many cases where people have gotten stuck with huge medical bills—because they thought they had the right plan in place.  The SET plan is so affordable and easy to administrate—that it is the perfect addition for peace of mind for your family or employees’ security.” Don’t fly naked, make sure you are covered by the SET plan! Go to www.mhginsurance.com/ussa for a quote TODAY!

About the U.S. Superyacht Association 

The U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) is a non-profit trade association incorporated in 2006, whose mission is to promote and support the U.S. superyacht industry and its members worldwide through advocacy, marketing and education. The USSA is comprised of more than 300 member companies representing 24 U.S. states and 17 foreign countries.  For more information, visit our website at ussuperyacht.com or call 800-208-5801.

About MHG Insurance Brokers

Since 1991, MHG Insurance Brokers has been committed to providing expert insurance advice and innovative solutions for the marine, aviation, energy and related industries. Today, with more than two decades of experience and relationships with some of the world’s top insurance markets, MHG has established an enviable reputation for providing quality advice, products and service for groups, businesses and individuals around the world. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, MHG has insurance specialists worldwide, with offices in Houston, Isle of Man, the Cote d’Azur and Hamburg. For more information, please visit mhginsurance.com 

About Point Comfort Underwriters 

Point Comfort Underwriters provides expert underwriting, claims administration, and assistance services for large international groups traveling and living abroad. They deliver world-class customer service from its headquarters located in the international insurance center of Indianapolis, Indiana. Staffed with a dedicated team of medical, technical and insurance professionals, Point Comfort Underwriters provides care to its customers around the world 24/7/365. They also understand that you may prefer the convenience of self-service. That’s why they empower all SET customers with their own personal travel insurance portal, my.pointcomfort.com, where most routine service needs can be handled. And, it’s where you can purchase coverage for new trips, and add Top-Up days to your current trip with just a click. For more information visit pointcomfort.com .

When looking for a job, many people put just as much importance on the benefits the job offers as they do on salary. This is because sometimes those benefits help increase the amount of our salary we can take home, by saving money on health insurance or not having to purchase as much life insurance. People like to feel taken care of, and working at a company that offers great benefits can create a loyal workforce. However, there are still things people need to consider when it comes to their insurance benefits. 

Health Insurance

In most cases, if you could have a choice between individual health insurance and group health insurance, you should choose group health insurance. One reason is being part of a group plan offered through your employer may be less expensive for you than purchasing your own individual plan. That is because your employer is required contribute at least 50% towards your premium. Also, you should note that networks for group plans are much larger than networks for individual plans. One thing to be aware of when using a company sponsored health insurance plan is that you may lose insurance coverage if you lose your job. There are options that can allow you to keep your coverage, but it will be more expensive. 

Life Insurance

There are some companies who will offer their employees life insurance coverage as a benefit. Typically the policy has a low face value. $10,000 and $15,000 are common. Some may think that they don’t need to purchase their own life insurance policy because it is offered through their work, however, you still should have your own policy for several different reasons. One reason is if you were to ever leave your current job, you would lose that life insurance policy. If you have people that depend on you, having your own life insurance could be just what your family needs. Even if you happen to stay at your job, the policy may be too low, and may not cover all of your needs and debts if something were to happen to you prematurely.

Disability Insurance

Disability insurance is a great way for your employer to give you and your family the coverage you need in the event you develop an illness or sustain and injury and are unable to work. It’s important to know whether your employer offers a short-term or long-term disability insurance plan. If your company offers short-term disability insurance, you may want to think about purchasing a long-term disability insurance plan in case you are unable to work for two or more years. If your company offers long-term disability insurance, you may want to think about purchasing a short-term disability insurance plan to give yourself coverage until the long term coverage kicks in.

Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to assist and guide you, your family, or group to the best coverage for your budget. If you are interested in purchasing a disability plan, health insurance, or life insurance, contact us at mhginsurance.com or call us at +1 954 828 1819.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas!”? For those that haven’t been to Texas, I can assure you that statement is very true. Texas is home to three of the top ten largest cities in the United States, and six of the top twenty! The largest city in Texas, and fourth largest in the country, is none other than the great city of Houston. With the entire metropolitan area being home to over six million people, there is something for everyone, no matter what their interests are. It’s no wonder this city is growing fast, and expats should consider it a top destination. 

More than just Oil

While Houston is notorious for being run by oil billionaires, its business goes much deeper than just oil. The oil industry is a great industry to be involved in, and brings a great amount of money to the area, but Houston can also offer opportunities for those who don’t see themselves in the oil industry. According to Business Insider, Houston is the number one job creator in the United States and is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies, which is sure to draw a large amount of expats to the area. One of the large industries in Houston that you may want to be a part of include the IT industry, which is always growing and looking for top talent. Other industries include the aerospace industry (NASA has a headquarters there), as well as the healthcare industry (Houston’s medical center is as large as downtown Dallas!).

More than just Cowboys and Cattle

When some people think of Houston and Texas they think of cowboys, horses, farms, etc. However, Houston is not like some place straight out of a John Wayne movie. It is a metropolitan city with plenty of trendy offerings. According to the New York Times, it is “one of the country’s most exciting places to eat.” The city offers all kinds of great food from barbecue, to seafood, to Mexican, and even Cajun. Houston is close in proximity to New Orleans so there is a strong Cajun presence. And what better way to spend a weekend than in New Orleans? Houston is also home to a plethora of parks and one of a kind museums if you’re looking for things to do. Many people visiting the city for the first time are quite surprised at the abundance of greenery and landscape it has to offer. It is also a home to teams from some of America’s top sporting leagues, including the NFL and NBA.

Things to be Aware of

After everything I have covered, it’s easy to picture yourself living in this great city. However, there are some things to be aware that you should plan accordingly. One is that Houston’s climate is very warm. If you are from a country that is predominantly cold, you may want to get a new wardrobe featuring some short sleeves and shorts. It is practically on the Gulf of Mexico, so it can be humid and muggy at times. While it may be hot in the summer, you’ll be quite happy in the winter when you aren’t experiencing frigid temperatures.

Before relocating to another country, trying to find expatriate health insurance coverage on your own can be a daunting task. Not to mention the checklist you must complete before leaving. Many of us at MHG are expats ourselves and we understand the global insurance needs of international businesses, and individuals and families living and working around the world. Our Insurance Specialists have the experience, knowledge, and access to multiple international insurance carriers to find you the most suitable plan based on your budget and future plans. Our commitment to your well-being does not end once you have purchased a plan; through our “Concierge Broker Service”, we will continue to assist you with questions about your policy and provide assistance throughout the claims process. Call us at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help finding expatriate insurance coverage for you and your family or business!

The Isle of Man Maritime Group is hosting an evening reception during London International Shipping Week 2015 at historic Trinity House. LISW is one of the highlights of the maritime calendar with more than 100 industry events taking place in London from September 7-11. It is aimed at the movers and shakers from the international shipping and superyacht community. 

As official sponsors of LISW 2015, the Isle of Man Maritime Group’s “Nautical by Nature” event on September 8 will lead guests on a journey through the Island’s rich seafaring heritage to its current position of maritime centre of excellence.  Manx actors and musicians will bring to life the legacy of the Vikings; introduce the ringleaders of the Mutiny on the Bounty; remember the courage of Captain John Quilliam who was First Lieutenant on HMS Victory and set the scene for the inspiration of Sir William Hilary, who founded the RNLI. 

The music and drama will be showcased in the historic surroundings of Trinity House, the remarkable 18^th Century headquarters of the Corporation of Trinity House, which has maintained British lighthouses since the 16^th Century. Guests will be met by Isle of Man’s own sea cadets and guided up the grand, sweeping staircase to a reception on the first floor. All the rooms will be open to guests including the Pepys Room, the library and the reading room. 

Isle of Man Maritime Group Chairman, Bruce McGregor said: “LISW is the ideal opportunity for us to promote the wealth of maritime services and experience delivered on the Isle of Man. This event will celebrate our rich seafaring tradition and how we have evolved into a modern, technically astute global centre of excellence.” 

Guests at the reception will be able to meet representatives from the Isle of Man Maritime Group including the IOM Ship Registry; IOM Shipping Association; IOM Superyacht Forum KPMG; Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Isle of Man); Döhle (IOM) Group of Companies; PDMS Maritime; Simcocks Advocates; MHG Insurance Brokers; Affinity Management Services and InterManager. To register for the event please visit the group’s website at www.iom-maritime.com or contact the group at enquiries@iom-maritime.com If you would like speak to someone from the group in more detail please contact Bruce McGregor on +44 (0) 1624 664000.

LISW 

LISW will be the ‘must attend’ event of 2015, offering over 100 industry functions and unique networking opportunities for leaders across all sectors of the international shipping industry – regulators, charterers, ship owners, ship managers, bunker suppliers, lawyers, ship brokers, bankers, insurers, insurance brokers, commodity traders and brokers, ship suppliers, port operators, shipping service providers and many more. The UK is the leading centre worldwide for the supply of a broad range of professional and business services to the international maritime community, accounting for 21per cent of premiums in international marine insurance, over $64bn in committed ship finance (or 15per cent of the world loan book) and it has the largest concentration of legal service firms specialising in the sector.  London is also the predominant supplier of shipbroking services worldwide and is the major player when it comes to maritime dispute resolution. London is also home to the second biggest port in the UK. For more information, please visit www.londoninternationalshippingweek.com

Long flights tend to get a bad rep. Use these 10 tips to help you survive your next international flight, but don't leave without getting travel insurance ! Contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0)1624 678668 or visit us at mhginsurance.com to find the best plan for you, your family, or group.

MHG Travel Infographic

Are you tired of having to turn down vacation invitations from friends and family because you don’t have a passport? It’s time to get a valid passport so that you can live your life to the fullest. The world is a big place, and not being able to leave your home country because you don’t have proper documentation should no longer be keeping you from seeing and visiting every location you have dreamed of. Having a passport is becoming a necessity more and more. For one, you used to be able to go on a cruise without a passport as long as you had valid identification, but that is no longer enough in today’s world. So follow these steps to help get you on your way to getting a valid United States passport, and get you one step closer to seeing the world!

1. Gather the proper documentation 

In order to apply for a U.S. passport, you will need to have the proper documentation: proof of citizenship and proof of identity. There are many forms you can use to prove both of these. To prove citizenship, you can use expired passports, a birth certificate for those born in the United States, or a Certificate of Citizenship for those born outside the U.S. To prove your identity, you can use expired passports, driver’s license, military ID, or other identification items that include your photo and signature.

2. Take a passport photo

A passport photo is different than a normal photograph. To make things easy, many drug stores or places that process photos can take them for you for a small fee. And I know what you are thinking, no “selfies” allowed.

3. Fill out appropriate forms

There are forms that you will have to fill out, and for most people that form is a DS-11 form. You can find this form online, print it out, and fill it in. Or you can fill it out in person when you go to the local passport authority.

4. Submit documentation and forms in person

For those that are applying for their first passport, you will have to apply in-person. You can apply at your local passport authority including most city halls, public libraries, and post offices. For those that are renewing their passport, in most cases it can be done through mail.

5. Pay the fee

A first time passport for a U.S. adult is $135. It is less money if you are renewing a passport, $110. A first time passport for a minor (under age 16) is $115.

Tips

It is important to note that you should apply for a passport well in advance of your travel arrangements. The process can take a couple of months, so plan accordingly. Also, it is a good idea to keep track of your application status online by visiting the official website. The reason being is that you only have 90 days from the application date in order to report that your passport has not arrived. Otherwise you will need to go through the entire application process again.

We wish you safe travels along your journey. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, or have any questions or concerns, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0)1624 678668 or visit us at mhginsurance.com. Our insurance brokers have the experience to assist you in selecting the right plan for you and/or your family for the best value. 

Have you ever heard the saying, “You can learn the easy way, or the hard way!” Many say the best way to learn is through experiencing something that will have an impact on you, whether you personally experienced it, or someone close to you did. The important part is that whatever the impact was, it will motivate you to make the right decision. It could have been something bad that made you never want to go through that again, or something good that made you want to have the same result. The following is a case study of two different scenarios of clients who are experiencing the same issue. Both scenarios are handled in different ways, resulting in different outcomes.  

Scenario A

A client who takes a proactive approach to their health went in for their regularly scheduled ENG. During the screening portion of the physical, the doctor discovered a potentially harmful bacteria. Due to this client’s proactive nature of maintaining their health, the bacteria was caught before it had done any damage and they were able to have successful treatment with antibiotics.

Scenario B

A client who doesn’t like to go to the doctor decided to skip their regularly scheduled ENG because the yacht they were on did not have it as a requirement. Several weeks later, they began experiencing stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting. They didn’t think much of the symptoms they were experiencing, attributing it to a stomach bug. A couple weeks went by and the symptoms continued to get worse. At this point, the client decided it was time to go to the hospital, where doctors discovered a developing stomach ulcer, caused by Helicobacter pylori.

The Diagnosis 

Both clients had the same issue, an infection of Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers as well as stomach cancer. Much like Herpes, it is present in many people, 85% of people to be exact, and can go an entire lifetime without causing any issues. Our client from Scenario A was able to notice the infection early enough and have it treated before any symptoms presented themselves. Our client form Scenario B had a different fate that may have been avoided if they had their regular physical exam.

The Cure 

Going to the doctor can be a hassle, especially for a yacht crew member who may rarely be onshore to do so. However, getting your check-up is important to decide your overall health, as well as to detect any issues early enough so that something can be done proactively. Get a routine physical each year, even if your yacht doesn’t require you to do so. Otherwise it may be too late by the time you find out you are having an issue, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Having good medical insurance is crucial too because if any issues do arise, you may need costly medical treatment.

MHG is your specialized broker when it comes to crew insurance. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to find the policy that works best for you. If you are interested in purchasing, or have any questions about yacht crew insurance or travel insurance, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com.