MetLife Unveils New Employee Insurance Program: Business Travel Accident Insurance

MetLife has announced the availability of Business Travel Accident Insurance, an addition to complement the company’s suite of Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance products.

MetLife’s Business Travel Accident Insurance provides additional financial protection for employees traveling on company business. According to a 2004 Business Travelers Survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America, domestic business travel continues to rise – increasing nearly 4% during the first half of 2004 over the previous year.

For employees traveling on company business, MetLife’s Business Travel Accident Insurance provides them and their beneficiaries added financial security should they be confronted with the unanticipated consequences of an accidental death or certain serious accidental injuries. This protection, in which benefits are paid directly to the employee or beneficiary, is in addition to any life insurance benefits that they may be eligible to receive.

The new policy provides 24-hour-a-day, 100% employer-paid coverage for U.S. employees traveling domestically or internationally on employment-related business. The coverage can be customized with flexible plan designs and benefit amounts tailored to meet employers’ unique business travel needs. MetLife also offers the capability to cover all employees or designate specific employee classes.

Some of the additional features of MetLife’s Business Travel Accident Insurance include:

* Coverage for relocation travel;
* Coverage commuting to, from and between business or client locations;
* Coverage for non-employees such as consultants and members of the Board of Directors;
* Payments for a hospital confinement or physical therapy needed as a result of an accident;
* Additional benefits should accidental death occur while using a seat belt or air bag.

When adding a MetLife Business Travel Accident Insurance policy, an employer may also consider a Travel Assistance feature. With Travel Assistance, employees have access to an array of additional travel services, such as:

* Service providers available 24-hours-a-day, year-round to assist in the event of an emergency when traveling more than 100 miles from home domestically or internationally;
* Emergency services such as medical and legal assistance;
* Non-emergency services including financial assistance, locating lost luggage and general travel inquiries such as visa and passport requirements.

The Travel Assistance services are not part of the MetLife Business Travel Accident Insurance policy, but are provided through an agreement with a third-party provider.