Corporate Travel

For those of us who never do it, the thought of catching flights for business travel conjures images of flying business class, staying in swish hotels and ordering room service every night. The reality of course is a little less glamorous. Business travel often involves a hectic schedule, high pressure engagements and the added stress that if something goes wrong, our support networks aren’t always on hand to help out.

By definition, business travel is bound to have its drawbacks. But there are lots of positives too, not least the chance to visit new places and meet different people. Plus, with good organisation, getting away for work can be a relatively stress-free experience, both for employees and their employers.

From a company perspective, no matter how well planned the budget is, sending staff to domestic or international destinations always involves the risk of incurring unexpected costs. The best way to mitigate this is to get an insurance policy specifically designed for corporate travel.

Corporate insurance policies cater not only to the general insurance needs of a traveller, but to the specific issues that can arise on a business trip. For example, a bout of food poisoning may not be a major concern in itself, but it can have serious cost implications for a company if it prevents a staff member from carrying out their engagements. A corporate travel insurance policy would allow the company to nominate another employee to take the unwell person’s place. They can also cover for replacing items such as stolen business equipment and documentation.

These types of insurance policies are even more vital when a staff member is heading overseas. Corporate travel insurance policies can provide security on many of the complex financial issues that may arise. They can cover for payments a company may be liable for under any workers compensation laws in the destination country, as well as any court awards arising from an occupational disease or injury.

Corporate travel insurance provides peace of mind for employers, but there are also many ways that the employee heading off on the business trip can avoid unnecessary stress. There is also one simple way of reducing cost, through purchasing corporate travel insurance direct. This transaction can save your company up to 60% on travel agent commission.

The necessity of having a clear idea of appointments and schedule is a given. Secondly, try to have completed all pre-work before take off. The trip will be hectic enough without having to finalise presentations on the plane. Important equipment and documentation should always be carried in your hand luggage. If you can’t afford to lose it then don’t let it out of your sight. It’s also a good idea to have a large wallet where you can store all your personal documents and receipts. Having these in one location will make it much easier to stay organised.

When flying, avoid alcohol, stay hydrated and try to rest. When you arrive, start living by any new time zones immediately. It’s also a good idea to keep one device such as your mobile on local time and your watch on the time back home (this will save having to work it out multiple times per day).

And lastly, try to find time to relax. Whether this means taking some annual leave so you can spend extra time at your destination or organising to meet clients at scenic locations or local attractions. You’ll always be better at getting your job done if you’ve got the time to stop and appreciate being somewhere new.