By law, companies have a duty of care to their employees, which also applies to business trips. Say, they must ensure that their employees are protected from possible hazards related to the performance of their jobs.
In the context of current danger situations, it is easy to forget that business trips also harbor other risks – for example, serious illness or accidents. Without quick medical help, not only the planned business meeting is far away, but also the health of the affected person suffers. In addition, treatment as a result of an illness or accident abroad can quickly run into five figures – for example, if surgery or repatriation is needed. Especially smaller companies can get into trouble with such high costs. Therefore, it is all the more important to take enough time to find the right protection for each type of business trip.
Supplementary insurance to the employers' liability insurance association
When it comes to employee coverage, many companies rely on workers' compensation benefits. However, a supplementary foreign travel and emergency insurance (assistance) is advisable. The reason: The insurance protection of the professional associations is only valid in direct connection with the exercise of the profession. So if you take a short walk during your lunch break and suffer a heart attack, you're not covered. Thus, the employer cannot fulfill his duty of care through this form of insurance.
Important: An emergency hotline
In addition to having the right health insurance coverage to pay for it, it's also important to have an illness treated quickly and professionally. However, very few people know their way around locally. Companies should therefore be able to offer those affected an emergency hotline that provides rapid support and quickly locates a hospital or a good doctor. It also offers the possibility to inform in advance about the medical situation at the destination or supports in case of loss of travel documents.
In general, the employer should also keep an eye on other possible claims during a business trip. If travelers lose their luggage, they may be missing their clothes for the business meeting and have to be replaced in a hurry. And what about the cost of rebooking or paying penalties abroad? The fact is: comprehensive coverage is the be-all and end-all if companies want to be on the safe side.
Which insurances should be included?
There are some providers that offer special all-round packages for companies and their business travelers. These are usually based on the frequency of the business trips and the length of the stays. Health insurance, assistance and repatriation should be included in the package. Accident or luggage insurance can be added if needed.
Safety concepts on top
All situations that are not related to illness or accidents, but to safety, fall under the category of travel risk management. This is not covered by the insurance packages. Companies must develop special safety concepts in order to fulfill their duty of care in crisis regions or in the event of natural disasters. So it's worth looking closely at insurance options for business trips. After all, employees play a key role in the company's success and are expected to return safely from their trip.
This is where SAP Concur solutions come in handy to help you meet your duty of care: