Tag Archives: insurance

Winter Sports & Sports Insurance

Is it risky to do winter sports without the sports insurance?

Photo: Snow Snow (Flickr)

                                                     Photo: Snow Snow (Flickr)

Yes. If you have to pay your own hospital bills for a broken bone, you might be shocked at how much that would cost. I checked this website for some cost estimates. Here are a couple examples:

  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (that does not require surgery) it could cost up to $2,500.
  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (requiring surgery) it could cost $16,000 or more.

Please ensure you understand how your medical coverage works for sports related injuries. There is a list of “high-risk sports/activities” that are not covered with the basic or upgrade medical insurance plans. Those activities are only covered with the Sports Insurance Package (also known as Option A.)

The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for 12 months. The cost will be the same ($85) whether you have a month left or your whole year ahead of you. I recommend you pay for it early on, if you didn’t already purchase it. You never know when an opportunity might present itself and you don’t want to miss out on an adventure. You also don’t want to take a risk on getting injured and being responsible for the bill on your own.

Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Ski-doo,  Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating,  Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing.  View the full list on page 3 of the insurance brochure HERE(2015 arrival au pairs) & HERE for (2016 arrival au pairs)
Note: Injuries sustained while partaking in these sports are covered with purchase of the Sports Insurance ONLY.

How to register for the Sports Insurance
Contact your counselor to get a copy of the Sports Insurance Enrollment Form. It takes a few days for your coverage to begin. If you think you will be doing any of these sports, you should get it now.

By Christine Connally

Vaccine Against Influenza (Flu Shots)

Photo Credit: Army Medicine (Flickr)

Photo Credit: Army Medicine (Flickr)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine to avoid contracting certain strains of influenza (also know as the flu).  Flu shots usually become available in the fall, from September to November.  Some of your host families, including the children and adults, may get the flu shot every year.  Au pairs may have questions in this regard, particularly if they are from countries where this is not standard practice.  The most common questions I receive about the flu shot are:

Do I have to be vaccinated? No, it is up to you if you have the vaccine or not, but it is highly encouraged, especially for caregivers of children and the elderly.

Does my insurance pay for it? No, your medical insurance does not cover this expense.

Then who pays for this expense, the au pair or the host family?  If I you to get vaccinated for yourself, you pay for it.  If you host family wants you to get it because you are caring for their children, then they pay for it.

Additional ways to lower your risk of the flu

The CDC also states that: “With or without a flu shot, you can take steps to help protect yourself from the flu and other viruses. Good hygiene remains your primary defense against contagious illnesses.

  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Use an alcohol-based sanitizer on your hands if soap and water aren’t available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth whenever possible.
  • Avoid crowds when the flu is most prevalent in your area.
  • Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, drink plenty of fluids, eat a nutritious diet, and manage your stress.”

There are many resources on this topic, here are just a few:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Mayo Clinic

American Academy of Pediatrics

What To Do In A Car Accident

By Christine Connally

Whether you are you new to driving in the US or a seasoned driver, never drive without your drivers license and remember to keep other essential documents in the car glove box. These items will be necessary if you are stopped by a police officer or have an auto accident. Not having these items can result in your receiving a ticket (citation) from a police officer. If you are involved in an accident, call the police and your Host Family immediately.

Car accident

Photo: Morgan (Flickr)

Essential Documents

If you have an accident: (from Edmunds.com)

  1. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone’s safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
  2. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don’t tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
  3. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.

Sticking around? The in’s and out’s of extension

By Ann Robertson

You’ve been here for a while now, – you know your way around town, you’ve gone to school, made friends, and are having a great American experience. And then . . . the question:

Would you like to extend?

If you have time for it in your life, and you meet the requirements, the extension program might be the right option for you.

The basics: You can choose to extend for 6, 9, or 12 months, and you may choose to extend with your current host family (if they are interested, of course), or with a new family – some au pairs dream of seeing another part of the country, finding different education options, or just experiencing another American family.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Your medical policy expires for the first year, and you start your new policy during the year you extend.

For example:

-If your first year began February 2013, your insurance policy is the 2013 policy until Feb 2014.

-If you start your extension in February 2014, you start the 2014 policy in February. (be aware of the changes in the policy look on the blog for the brochure).

Your insurance card expires after one year, so you should receive a printable card when you start your extension year. If you do not receive it call the agency for a new card.

If you purchased the upgrade insurance in your first year, you must purchase it again in the second year.

If you purchased the sports insurance in your first year, it lasts only 12 months from the time you bought it. Depending on when you bought it, you will probably need to purchase it again.

EDUCATION

If you extend for 9 or 12 months you must earn  6 credits again or 72 hours of education to complete the program requirements.

If you extend for 6 months you only need 3 credits or 36 hours of education.

 

DRIVERS LICENSE

Check on the expiration of your driver’s license, you must renew it before it expires (DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE EXPIRE). Most likely you will need to renew it before you start your extension year. Check with your new host family for laws in your new destination state.

VACATION

Vacation for a 6 month extension is 6 days.

Vacation for a 9 and 12 month is 2 weeks.

TRAVEL

Check on the expiration date of your visa. If it expires before your second year starts then you should not travel outside of the USA – there is a risk of not being able to return (Canada, and Mexico and contiguous islands are okay to travel to). With the exception that if you return home during your first year after your approval for extension, you can get your visa renewed for another year. You must ask the agency (contact Evelyn Blum) for the paperwork required for this renewal.

Photo: Dafne Cholet (Flickr)

Photo: Dafne Cholet (Flickr)