By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
Executive Director
October 2014
Your FMCA membership has become even more valuable. FMCA’s Governing Board approved the reinstatement of FMCAssist as an association-paid benefit during its meeting this past August in Redmond, Oregon. The coverage will begin October 1, 2014. This medical evacuation/repatriation and emergency medical reunion benefit is included as a portion of your annual dues for all full family members (F), life members (L), and family associate members (A). FMCA is the only RV club to offer such a valuable benefit to its membership.
Details of the plan are listed below, as well as on FMCA.com and at FMCA.SevenCorners.com. Highlights of this benefit include emergency evacuation/repatriation, emergency medical reunion, return of mortal remains, return of dependents, RV/vehicle return (limited to North America), and pet return.
FMCAssist
FMCAssist coverage is available to members worldwide as long as you are more than 100 miles from home. You can be traveling in a motorhome, car, plane, ship, or motorcycle to be eligible for this benefit. If you are a full-time RVer, you are always considered 100 miles from home. Some exclusions and limitation amounts pertain to this benefit.
This coverage is provided by Seven Corners and is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.
What do you need to do to enroll in this program? Absolutely nothing! As long as you continue to keep your FMCA dues current, and as long as FMCA continues to provide this program as a benefit, you will be covered.
Schedule Of Benefits
1. Emergency medical evacuation/repatriation
The plan will pay covered expenses incurred if any covered injury or illness that commences during the period of coverage results in the medically necessary emergency medical evacuation or repatriation (i.e., the member’s medical condition warrants immediate transportation from the medical facility where he or she is located to the nearest medical facility that is capable of furnishing the required level and type of care for the applicable illness or injury as determined by the attending physician in consultation with the Seven Corners medical director).
The maximum amount of this benefit is $500,000.
2. Emergency medical reunion
When emergency medical evacuation or repatriation is ordered and the attending physician recommends that a family member travel with the member, Seven Corners will provide transportation for one individual of the member’s choice to be at their side while they are hospitalized and then accompany them during their return to their permanent primary residence. Costs incurred for transportation and lodging are covered by the insurance policy. Approval and coordination of this benefit must be provided by the Seven Corners medical director in consultation with the attending physician to be considered a covered expense.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $50,000.
3. Return of mortal remains
A sensitive and valuable service that relieves the stress and confusion for families when transporting mortal remains across a country. Laws and regulations can differ, and Seven Corners will manage all logistics involved. The insurer will pay expenses incurred for preparation and return of a covered person’s body to his or her permanent primary residence if he or she dies. Approval and coordination of this benefit must be provided by Seven Corners to be considered a covered expense.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $50,000.
4. Return of dependents
Should the member be traveling alone with dependent(s) and become hospitalized and unable to take care of the dependent(s) and he or she is left unattended, the plan will arrange and pay for a one-way economy fare to the one location stipulated by the dependent’s legal guardian (including the cost of an attendant/escort, if necessary to insure the safety and welfare of dependents under the age of 19). Approval and coordination of this benefit must be provided by Seven Corners to be considered a covered expense.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $50,000.
5. Vehicle return (limited to trips in North America only)
Should the member, due to a medical condition, be unable to drive his/her vehicle back to his/her permanent primary residence within the United States, Mexico, or Canada, Seven Corners will arrange and pay to have a designated service return the vehicle to the member’s home, provided:
a) The member has been transported under either the “emergency medical evacuation/repatriation” or “return of mortal remains” benefits; and
b) no one in the member’s traveling party is capable of driving, or proficient and competent to drive, the member’s vehicle. The vehicle must be in good condition and capable of being safely driven on the highway in compliance with local laws.
The insurance plan will also cover the return of any additional vehicle that is legally hitched to their vehicle at the time of the “emergency medical evacuation/repatriation” or “return of mortal remains” to the destination of the pulling vehicle.
The member will be responsible for any costs incurred during the return of the vehicle to maintain the safe operation of the vehicle.
Alternatively, the member may choose to have his or her vehicle returned by a friend or family member. In such instance, and provided the return has been approved by Seven Corners and the vehicle is returned directly and expediently to the member’s permanent primary residence within the United States, Mexico, or Canada, Seven Corners will arrange and pay for transportation of that person to the location of the vehicle, and will also reimburse the member for gas and tolls during the return. In addition, the plan will provide a $100-per-day benefit, up to a maximum of five days for incidental expenses while driving. In no event shall the total expenses of a vehicle return exceed $5,000 for all expenses associated with the vehicle return.
Seven Corners must arrange and approve the vehicle return. If the member chooses to have a friend or family member perform the vehicle return, Seven Corners will not pay more than what it would have cost to have the company arrange the vehicle return.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $5,000.
6. Pet return
Should the member be traveling with his or her pet and become unable to care for it due to a medical emergency, Seven Corners will arrange for the return of the insured’s pet to his/her domicile.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $1,000.
7. Prescription medication and glasses replacement
If the member misplaces a medical prescription or damages eyeglasses or contact lenses while away from home, Seven Corners will arrange and pay to deliver the replacement prescription or glasses (lenses included) to the member’s current location. Only the cost of shipping is covered. The cost of obtaining the prescription and/or glasses is the insured’s responsibility.
The maximum amount of this benefit is $500.
8. Medical, dental, and pharmacy referral and case monitoring
If a member is hospitalized while on a covered trip, he or she receives access to Seven Corners’ network of medical providers. Seven Corners’ medical management team monitors the case from initial admission until discharge while maintaining close contact with the member’s attending physician.
9. Trip delay and missed connection coordination
Seven Corners is available to assist FMCA members to rebook flights in the event of cancellations, missed connections, or changes of schedules. All expenses incurred are the direct responsibility of the member.
10. Hotel and flight rebookings
Seven Corners is able to assist FMCA members with any change or cancellation of existing hotel reservations in the event of unexpected change of travel plans.
11. Luggage delay, lost baggage, and stolen or damaged baggage delay coordination
Seven Corners can assist with the coordination to return any delayed luggage and also with claim efforts against the commercial carrier for any lost or stolen luggage.
12. Emergency return travel arrangements
In the event a member needs to return home due to an emergency, Seven Corners is available to assist in making hotel, flight, and transportation arrangements to assist the member in returning home.
13. Lost travel documents retrieval or duplication
Seven Corners can assist in obtaining emergency travel documents and replacements of lost or stolen documents, credit cards, passports, or visas.
14. Currency conversion assistance
Seven Corners can provide exact exchange rates for all currencies and assist in case of need to purchase foreign currency.
15. Interpretation and translation services
Seven Corners can provide emergency translation and interpretation services in all major languages and referrals to interpreter services locally.
16. Urgent message relay
Seven Corners will assist with contacting family in the event of an emergency situation while the member is traveling and relay any messages at the member’s request.
17. Emergency cash advance
Seven Corners can assist members in obtaining cash advances in local U.S. currency for medical emergencies or other travel needs.
18. Legal referrals/bond assistance
Seven Corners provides the member with information about general legal services in the area where the member is traveling and bond assistance if needed (expenses covered by the member).
19. Travel intelligence services
In our ever-changing global medical, security, and business climate, Seven Corners’ travel intelligence services seek to prepare all travelers with the advanced tools for successful travel. All travelers can benefit from the pretrip preparation, which includes medical, political, and cultural informational services. The value-added differentiator of trip intelligence services includes many benefits and educational resources for travelers even if medical care or trip management is not needed, including:
Text messaging alerts — Includes weather emergencies, security issues, customs alerts, as well as health care or pandemic warnings.
Country profiles — Access to Seven Corners’ Wellabroad travel portal with updated information about any country in the world, and political, economic, and medical information affecting the members’ travels.
Security alerts — Via text message or e-mail, Seven Corners is able to keep the member informed of any security situation affecting the area where the member is traveling and provide valuable information that will ensure the member’s safety.
Crisis management — In case of a security situation or natural disaster affecting the area where the member is currently traveling, Seven Corners will inform the member of the best and safest way to return home.
20. Concierge services
All expenses incurred are the direct responsibility of the member.
Hotel referrals and reservations — Worldwide hotel search and referrals and assistance in making reservations on behalf of the member, subject to availability.
Gifts arrangements and deliveries — Coordination of finding unique gifts for friends, families, or business associates, including wrapping and delivery.
Special activities recommendations — Worldwide local activities recommendation and reservations made on behalf of the member, subject to availability.
Tee time reservation (golf course recommendation) — Assistance with scheduling tee times and making course recommendations, subject to availability.
Sports events tickets and reservations — Assistance with obtaining tickets to sporting events and theater, concert, and other events, subject to availability.
Rental car or limousine reservations — Coordination of car or limo arrangements, including transportation to and from the airport, hotel, meetings, and more.
21. Access to WellAbroad.com (Pre-travel destination information; legal, embassy or consulate referrals; information about local medical and travel advisories)
WellAbroad is Seven Corners’ travel portal, which contains the most current information related to medical advisories, immunization needs, preventive measure tips, medical facility capabilities, and up-to-date information on emergency assistance services worldwide. WellAbroad also contains travel-related embassy information, country-related important facts, updated travel-related information, links, country profiles and much more.
As noted previously, FMCA family members are automatically enrolled in this program. FMCA members who paid for FMCAssist prior to October 1 will not receive a refund; however, their coverage will continue after their paid plan expires, so long as FMCA has the plan in force. To arrange for any FMCAssist services, call (877) 202-4176 or (317) 582-2619 (collect from Mexico).
FMCA Mail Forwarding Powered By Dakotapost
Effective October 1, 2014, the FMCA mail forwarding service in Cincinnati will be transferred to a new service located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The new service, FMCA Mail Forwarding powered by DakotaPost, will offer FMCA members an exclusive discount off of the company’s regular mail forwarding rates, and will offer many enhanced services.
DakotaPost has been in the mail forwarding business since 1989 and provides a safe and secure mail forwarding service. Many options are available for you to receive your mail, including monthly, twice a month, weekly, or on demand. The company’s new secure Client Portal gives you direct access to request your mail, change your mailing address, or update your account information.
Whether you are hitting the road for a brief getaway or an extended stay, simply call, e-mail, or use DakotaPost’s secure Client Portal to request your mail, update your shipping address, or provide specific mailing instructions (1-Time Only, Until Further Notice, Hold My Mail) for whichever destination you find yourself.
One of DakotaPost’s newest features is Virtual Mailbox (coming soon). An e-mail notification will be sent when your mail arrives, notifying you to log in and view an image of the exterior of your mail pieces. Then, with a simple click of the button, you choose whether you want each piece of mail saved, sent, or shredded.
For more information regarding FMCA Mail Forwarding powered by DakotaPost, you may contact the company via e-mail: office@dakotapost.net; by phone: (800) 477-2664; or online at www.dakotapost.net/fmca.
Michelin Expands Tire Program
A member attending the Member Benefits seminar presented by Jon Walker, FMCA national senior vice president, during the recent 90th Family Reunion in Redmond, Oregon, mentioned that he purchased BF Goodrich tires using the Michelin Advantage program. I rushed outside the seminar room to call the FMCA office in Cincinnati to verify the information. We are pleased to confirm that Michelin has now added Uniroyal and BF Goodrich to the tires available under the Michelin Advantage tire program. In order to take advantage of this great benefit, which now includes not only motorhome tires but also light truck tires and passenger car tires, visit www.michelinrvtires.com and search the Michelin Commercial Services Network for the dealer nearest you. This benefit is valid at Michelin dealers who sell all three types of tires. Please call ahead to find out when the dealer you want to use is able to provide the requested tires. Instructions regarding use of the program appear at www.FMCA.com.
Membership benefit disclosure: FMCA member benefits are subject to change, including the discontinuation of any particular benefit, at any time and without prior notice. FMCA assumes no liability for damages, either direct or consequential, to any person or organization as a result of the use of services offered to members. Benefits may not be available in all states and foreign countries.