Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - "We Bring You Home" is the tagline for the Travel Assist Network. With this in mind, the International Friendship Club (IFC) set out to find a reasonably priced evacuation insurance for their over 500 members, most of whom live just part time in Puerto Vallarta.

The club's late member, Mel Bornstein, was retired from the insurance industry and researched the various options. Mel came up with Travel Assist Network and convinced them to give the club a graduated discount based on how many members subscribed. The IFC quickly reached the highest threshold and all of the members enjoy a 40% discount on their policies.

Mike Altman will speak about the Travel Assist Network at the December 10th IFC meeting.

"You can't afford to Travel without an Air Rescue Card. What if you were injured or became seriously ill while traveling?" This is the headline on the website for the Travel Assist Network Medical Evacuation Insurance. "Accidents and illness often occur on vacation trips. You slip and fall, develop a serious allergic reaction, or contract a common airborne or waterborne illness. You have a heart attack, stroke or other serious illness or you are involved in a car accident. You have no guarantee that reliable local emergency care will be available. Your private health, travel or credit card insurance policies probably provide little or no medical evacuation coverage. However, our Air Rescue Card would do so and return you to a hospital of your choice in your home country." Travel Assist is well known in their industry. And can be found online at: travelassistnetwork.com.

A couple of years ago the IFC had a speaker from Travel Assist speak at a meeting and I wrote an article telling how in 2010 my husband contracted a serious illness while traveling in France. Our return was delayed and he had to return in a reclining position. Because we had evacuation insurance they paid almost $14,000 to return us to the US. I jokingly said most people never think it will happens to them, however you would have to know my husband, he ALWAYS thinks it will happen to him.

Last winter, a good friend and IFC member fell and, after being evaluated, it was determined she had to return to the US by Medivac air, costing $20,000 USD. Unfortunately she had not purchased the insurance. Thankfully she made a good recovery and is back in Puerto Vallarta. She now has the this coverage!

The IFC holds a general meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. At the December 10, 2013 meeting, Mike Altman will make a presentation regarding Travel Assist Evacuation Insurance. Mike and his wife, Kim, retired in 2004. They came to Puerto Vallarta for a six-month stay three years ago and have been in here ever since. Mike says before they felt comfortable enough to make Vallarta their home, they met with Pam Thompson to learn about the local health services and what they could expect from our American health insurance carriers if we they were injured or became ill here. Because they are on Medicare (which is useless here), Pam recommended they consider travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation services.

Mike says, "sorting through the options, conditions and exclusions of the many carriers turned my hair gray! Okay, my hair was already gray, but choosing an affordable travel medical insurance policy and a medivac service to get me back to California and Medicare if something bad happens was a chore!"

After developing some expertise in the area, Pam recommended that he take on helping other expats and international travelers by representing the companies and products he bought to protect himself and his wife. He launched PV-Health.com as an information portal helping folks like himself find the peace of mind they want while traveling internationally and living the expat lifestyle.

This month, the meeting will be held at the IFC Clubhouse on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6. The public is welcome. There will be refreshments and a cash bar. For those of you who have not yet joined the IFC, the annual dues are $350 pesos per individual or $600 pesos per couple. Dues paid in the last quarter of the year are good for the full upcoming year. In addition to the travel Insurance, club members receive discounts at many of the best restaurants and businesses in Puerto Vallarta. For more details you can go to their website at ifcvallarta.com.