Expat newsletter banner - Clements International

|||| Vol. V Issue 3

FEATURE ARTICLE
Expat Youth Scholarship Winners
International Moving Checklist

COMPANY NEWS
Clements Announces New President

DID YOU KNOW
Foreign Service Youth Foundation Awards
Employee Profile: Meet David Brumbach
Get Online

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
International Health Insurance

EXPATRIATE RESOURCES
Web Sites Focused on the Expatriate Lifestyle

ON A GOOD NOTE
A word from our clients



Expat Youth Scholarship Winners

Expat Youth Scholarship

To view the winning entries and honorable mentions, along with other information about the scholarship, visit expatyouthscholarship.com

The 2009 Expat Youth Scholarship awarded $10,000 to students age 12-18 of any nationality who have spent at least two years living outside their home country.

The scholarship contest asked expat students to share their experiences of living in a foreign country through an essay and creative media . Three winners in each of two age categories (12-15 and 16-18) were selected by a panel of judges from the expatriate community.



|||| Feature Article

International Moving Checklist for expatriatesInternational Moving Checklist

Investigate Your New Country’s Rules
Regulations and laws vary widely among different countries, so it is important to research these before moving abroad. Contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for information relevant to expatriates relocating to the country, including:

  • Visas and permits
  • Vaccines for family members
  • Restrictions or taxes on shipped household items
  • Taxes involved in shipping your car
  • Vaccines and quarantines for pets
  • Insurance

File Applications for Passports, Visas and Permits
Do this early, as this process takes time to complete. It is also wise to renew early if any of these documents is set to expire in the near future.

Gather Important Documents
Be sure to request official copies of important personal documents and allow at least several weeks to receive them. Suggested items include:

  • Birth and Marriage Certificates
  • Naturalization, Green Card, Proof of Citizenship, etc.
  • Social Security Cards
  • Vaccination, Medical and Dental Records
  • Insurance Policies
  • Academic Records and Diplomas
  • Employment Records
  • Proof of Residency (utility bill, statement, etc.)
  • Living Will and Testament

International Moving and Shipping Companies
Contact international moving and shipping companies to obtain quotes for transporting your belongings overseas. Since it could take over a month for your items to arrive, plan ahead when scheduling your shipment.

Insurance
It is critical to determine the exact insurance requirements and availability at your new destination as limits vary widely throughout the world.

  • International Auto Insurance
    Anyone planning to operate an automobile internationally will need to purchase an International Auto Insurance policy. Requirements vary among countries, so select an insurance provider with the expertise and resources to ensure the policy meets your needs.
  • International Property Insurance
    International personal property insurance, which can include transit and destination coverage, protects items damaged during the relocation process, while in your foreign residence or during shipping and transit. Contact an insurance provider specializing in expatriates for more information.
  • International Health Insurance
    Even if your destination country has a socialized healthcare system, you may not be eligible for coverage. If you are not covered under a group medical insurance program, individual policies can be purchased to protect you in a foreign country. These policies include worldwide medical protection and also can include evacuation services. Costs are reasonable and, in many cases, less expensive than stateside coverage.

Bank and Credit Card Accounts
Review your accounts and notify your banks that you will be overseas. Also consider online international banking, which makes it easier to transfer and manage funds between countries.

Prescription Drugs
If you or a family member takes prescription drugs, purchase additional quantities and obtain a copy of the medical file related to the condition. Keep them in your carry-on luggage in the event any bags are lost in transit. 

International Driving Permit
Renew your driver’s license if it is set to expire soon. Acquire an international driving permit (IDP) and take extra forms to renew it annually by mail. You can obtain an IDP at a local office of the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club). Remember to carry both your IDP and your U.S. state driver's license with you at all times.

Tax Obligations
Each country has distinct tax rules for foreign earned income. Determine your obligations and gather the necessary paperwork.

Pets
If your pet is moving with you, ensure it receives proper vaccinations and identify a pet carrier. If you have decided not to bring a pet, allow enough time to find it a new home.

Cancel Subscriptions and Forward Mail
Cancel all publication subscriptions and complete the appropriate forms at the post office to ensure your mail is forwarded to your new address.

Do Your Research

Learn about the country’s history and culture before you move, so you are prepared with the necessary knowledge to adapt quickly to your new home.


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|||| Company News

Clements Announces New President

Chris Beck, former senior vice president of Clements International, was promoted to president of the company on July 22.

Other Promotions:

Dan Tuman, former vice president of commercial insurance, is now vice president of insurance sales.

Smita Malik, former commercial insurance account executive, is now director of commercial sales.

Chris Beck
Chris Beck, President

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|||| Clements Applauds Foreign Service Youth Foundation Award Winners

As part of Clements International’s ongoing community involvement, the company sponsored the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Community Service Awards once again this year. The awards honor outstanding U.S. Foreign Service youth who have served their community either at home or abroad while tackling the challenges of growing up all over the world.

The contest was open to all U.S. Foreign Service youth and teens, and the winners were honored on Friday, July 17 at an awards ceremony at the U.S. Department of State, hosted by the Foreign Liaison Office. Two first place winners each received a $1,500 savings bond. Vice President Tom Lentz attended the ceremony to honor this year’s recipients.

Foreign Service Youth Foundation Awards at The State Department

For more information about the FSYF Community Service Awards, visit www.fsyf.org.



|||| Employee Profile : Meet David Brumbach

Brumbach!

David is the supervisor of the Personal Insurance sales team and has worked at Clements for almost four years. He works closely with the vice president of sales to identify market trends, develop new sales ideas and product offerings, and manages a group of account executives. He is also responsible for ensuring that clients are attended to in a timely manner and receive accurate information. 

David previously worked for a domestic insurance broker in Pennsylvania, where he acquired a strong foundation in the business and learned what it takes to be successful. Although it was a valuable experience, he was ready for a new opportunity.


“One rainy day, I decided that I needed a change, so I posted my resume on the internet,” said David. “A few weeks later I found myself at Clements talking with clients halfway around the world.” 

Born and raised in Central, Pennsylvania, David has never lived abroad, but has traveled to the UK, Egypt and Honduras.  In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, walking, biking and trying new foods.

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||||
Get Online

Become a fan of Clements on Facebook Become a Clements fan on Facebook

Follow Clements on Twitter
Follow Clements on Twitter for important updates and information

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||
|| Product Spotlight

International Health Insurance

Health insurance is protection that nobody can afford to go without, especially since the risk of illness, accident or injury may increase when living in a foreign country. Healthcare also varies widely throughout the world, in terms of cost, quality, availability and eligibility. It is crucial to investigate the healthcare system in the country where you are relocating to determine whether you can participate in a public plan or need to purchase private insurance. Some employers offer health insurance in country, but the coverage may be inadequate depending on the individual’s needs.




International Health Insurance for expats

Clements International developed GlobalCare, a unique international health insurance program that offers unparalleled medical benefits. GlobalCare is specifically designed for expatriates on temporary or permanent assignment.

Other options are GlobalCare Plus, which expands your coverage to any country worldwide (including the United States) for treatment, and family coverage that extends to local nationals and dependents who reside in their home country.

Learn more about international health insurance from Clements.

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|||| Expatriate Resources

BoomersAbroad
An online community for American and Canadian Baby Boomers who want to move, live, travel, invest or retire abroad.

Expat Women
A Web resource for women living overseas.

GLIFAA
A non-profit organization for Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies

Match.com International
The global version of the popular dating site, which supports local languages and currencies.

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|||| On a good note...

Here is what our clients have to say...

 

Thank you very much. Your company has been easy to work with and I will recommend you to others.

Peace Corps Volunteer

 

It has been a pleasure for me to deal with your company. I have to say I was uneasy about purchasing this policy from a distance, but I will reassure my other colleagues at the United Nations that you are more than reliable.

United Nations, Haiti

 

Thanks for all your help. You can be sure that I will use Clements again!

U.S. Department of State

 

Just wanted to share that this is the kind of claims service we very much appreciate…empathetic and caring and warmly informative! It really makes all the difference in the world and I thank you!

Account Producer
Risk Management


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