Europ Assistance USA Press Releases

EA USA To Join Discussion On Managing Travel Risk At GBTA Convention

17-Aug-2011

Europ Assistance USA To Join Discussion on Managing Travel Risk at GBTA Convention

BETHESDA, MD – August 17, 2011 – Dr. Eugene Delaune, chief medical officer at Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, will participate in the “Travel Risk Management: Preparedness Defeats the Unexpected” panel at the 2011 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention being held in Denver next week.

The presentation is designed to help travel managers understand tactical implications of travel risks, educate them on those implications and help them develop a plan that is strategic, systematic and collaborative. Dr. Delaune will join a panel of industry experts to provide a medical perspective on how to prepare employees for traveling abroad, how to handle a medical emergency while traveling and how to plan for mass casualty and global crises.

Who: Dr. Eugene Delaune, EA USA chief medical officer

What: “Travel Risk Management: Preparedness Defeats the Unexpected”

Where: GBTA Convention 2011 – Colorado Convention Center

When: Monday, August 22, 2011 – 9-10 AM

Convention attendees can also meet Dr. Delaune in person, hear him talk about the pros and cons of air ambulance vs. commercial evacuations and get concrete strategies for managing mass casualty and pandemic situations by visiting the EA USA booth (#1515) on August 22nd and 23rd from 3pm – 5pm.

The GBTA is the world’s premier business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA’s 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance in times of emergency and distress. As the inventor of the assistance industry in 1963, EA has handled more than 150 million cases in its 48 year history, and today manages one assistance every two seconds around the world via 40 24/7 multilingual assistance centers. Offering protective services for the corporate traveler, EA USA serves more than half of the Fortune 100, providing medical, security and personal assistance services that help companies meet “duty of care” requirements and ensure the safety of their traveling employees. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

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Media Contact:
Jennifer Wilbur
Rockstar Communications
jen@rockstarcommunications.com
619.865.9045

Europ Assistance USA Welcomes Elizabeth Curry

01-Aug-2011

Europ Assistance USA Welcomes Elizabeth Curry
as National Account Executive

BETHESDA, MD and ATLANTA – August 1, 2011 – Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, today announced that Elizabeth Curry joins the company as national account executive, based in Atlanta.

A member of EA USA’s corporate sales vertical division, Curry is responsible for growing existing corporate accounts and selling the company’s suite of protective services, including travel and security assistance for traveling employees, identity theft protection and data breach response services.

Curry holds over a decade of progressive experience and achievement in both the accident & health and property & casualty sectors of the insurance industry. She has a proven track record in cultivating broker and client relationships, with particularly strong connections in the Southeast.

“Elizabeth’s experience in the insurance market will be a major asset to our corporate business development team,” said Gary Tice, EA USA corporate sales manager. “She has an excellent track record of managing complex sales to corporate clients in her previous position.”

Prior to joining EA USA, Curry held leading sales positions with AXIS Capital and AIG. She holds a Life, Accident & Sickness license from the state of Georgia and holds a B.S. from Northeastern University.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 40 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 420,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA services more than half of the Fortune 100, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations, providing personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

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Media Contact:
Jennifer Wilbur
Rockstar Communications
jen@rockstarcommunications.com
619.865.9045

Europ Assistance USA To Present Webinar on Medical Identity Theft

16-Jun-2011

Europ Assistance USA To Present Webinar on Medical Identity Theft

Speakers Poletaev and Clay-Rowsey Will Lead Session Sponsored by Minnesota Life

Bethesda, MD – June 10, 2011 – Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), one of the largest private-label providers of identity theft protection and resolution services, today announced that its Director of Strategic Account Management Vladimir Poletaev and Director of Account Management Carolina Clay-Rowsey will lead a webinar, hosted by Minnesota Life, to review the growing threat of medical identity theft.

The free webinar, “Medical Identity Theft: A Runaway Train?” will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm eastern time.

As part of its health care reform priorities, the Obama Administration has championed the creation of electronic medical records. But as health technology grows, so does the risk of medical identity theft, which at 11 percent of all identity theft cases is the fastest growing type of identity fraud. Employers, who are looking for their benefit advisors and brokers for help, need to understand the magnitude of the problem and learn ways to assist employees in preventing and resolving it.

Attendees will be able to:
•    Understand the impact of identity fraud on employee productivity
•    Learn about the fastest-growing type of identity fraud, medical identity theft, and why it is more difficult to detect and resolve
•    Discover techniques for preventing and resolving identity theft
•    Explore available tools and solutions

For more information or to register, please visit the webinar's registration page.

About Vladimir Poletaev
Vladimir Poletaev is director of strategic account management for EA USA, where he created and implemented the company’s line of identity theft resolution and data breach products. Poletaev is certified in 23 states as a continuing education instructor in the area of general insurance, and in particular, identity theft insurance. He was also a contributing member of the Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Management Standards Panel that was jointly sponsored by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to establish industry wide guidance on identity theft prevention and resolution. He is currently serving on the advisory committee of the Protected Health Information (PHI) project, which is being led by ANSI to help inform the healthcare industry in making investment decisions to protect PHI, as well as improve responsiveness if and when this information is breached.

Carolina Clay-Rowsey
Carolina Clay–Rowsey is director of account management for EA USA. A graduate of Bowie University, she has more than 25 years’ experience in managing customer service and claims. Since joining EA USA in 2004, Clay-Rowsey has led the team of identity theft experts who provide EA USA’s services to theft victims. Her innovative approach to data breach situations has allowed EA USA to create customized solutions to fit clients’ needs.

About Europ Assistance USA
As the most experienced company in the assistance industry, Europ Assistance has been helping customers in times of crisis for more than 47 years. The company's expertise in managing the complex issues involved in identity theft, and its 24/7 team of resolution specialists, have handled thousands of cases and protected millions of customers. EA was one of the first companies to provide identity theft resolution services and today provides white label identity theft protection solutions to millions of customers on behalf of financial institutions, corporations and insurance companies. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

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Media Contact:
Jennifer Wilbur
Rockstar Communications
jen@rockstarcommunications.com
619.865.9045

Travel Assistance Veteran Joins Europ Assistance USA

17-May-2011

Travel Assistance Veteran Joins Europ Assistance USA

- Gary Tice Named Corporate Sales Manager -

BETHESDA, MD – May 17, 2011 –

Creator of innovative and market-leading products and services that have become the standard of today’s travel assistance industry, Tice now drives EA USA’s corporate sales and client retention strategy, helping to promote and drive increased sales of EA USA’s corporate security products including emergency travel assistance, data breach response and identity theft resolution services

In his 20-year career, Tice developed the first comprehensive travel and security assistance program for the corporate market. He led a team that launched the first online medical and security information and alert subscription service, and was instrumental in creating an executive assistance card with services and benefits that included rental car insurance, lost laptop coverage and telecom messaging services. He also helped launch an innovative travel assistance service for corporations.

"Gary is established in the multinational corporate space and well positioned to help EA USA achieve our objectives of aggressive top line growth by providing innovative solutions to the corporate market." said Glenn Maykish, vice president sales and marketing at EA USA. "With EA USA’s new products and services, he will lead a team that will differentiate us in this competitive environment by providing alternatives that are not yet available in the U.S. markets."

Prior to joining EA USA, Tice held high-level sales positions with On Call International, Medaire, Inc., HTH Worldwide, AIG International and International SOS. He is also a member of the American College Health Association and the National Association of Foreign Study Abroad Students.

About Europ Assistance USA

Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 39 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA services more than half of the Fortune 100, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations, providing personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group. Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, today announced that Gary Tice, a 20-year travel assistance industry veteran, joins the company as corporate sales manager.

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Wilbur

Rockstar Communications

jen@rockstarcommunications.com

619.865.9045

Thoughts On Why Travel Matters

06-May-2011

National Travel & Tourism Week: Thoughts On Why Travel Matters

CSA Travel Protection and Europ Assistance USA Online Communities

Share Why Travel Matters to Them

SAN DIEGO AND BETHESDA, MD – May 6, 2011 –CSA Travel Protection (CSA),dedicated for the past 20 years to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services, and Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting travelers when the unexpected happens, support the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel & Tourism Week (May 7-14) by asking its online community why travel matters to them.

Travel is a necessity and a privilege. People around the world travel daily for business, entertainment, family, education, relaxation and an overall better quality of life. One of America’s largest industries, travel generated $1.8 trillion in economic output, with $759 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1 trillion in other industries.*

CSA and EA USA celebrate this important activity with the U.S. Travel Association and its members this week by asking travelers on Facebook and Twitter, "Why does travel matter to you?" Here is a sampling of responses from around the country:

o "Travel is fun to me because it opens my mind up to new perspectives. I start questioning my way of life and what I can improve." (Julie Wagoner – Boulder, CO)

o "Travel matters to educate your children (and sometimes yourself) on how others live outside your own small circle. Travel matters to bring to life our country's history and culture. Travel matters to showcase this world’s glorious creations." (Sharon Kenagy-Finley – Emporia, KS)

o "Travel matters to me b/c I like to think I'm a cultured individual lol. I can always brag about which places I've been to!" (Christina Gregor – San Diego, CA)

o "For the mind opening experiences it provides!" (Kirsten Khire – East Lansing, MI)

o "The people and the habitats are important to me, the more I travel, the more I get to experience the diversity of both." (Brenda Boitson – Lancaster, PA)

o "Travel matters because (for our trips) it is just about fun and being with the family. We get time to not get caught up in work, chores, or other tasks. We just get to get up, explore, and enjoy the new place we are in." (Kim Jester – Menifee, CA)

o "Here's a Mark Twain quote I've always loved and expresses why travel matters: ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.’ -Mark Twain" (Michelle Schamberger – Leadville, CO)

o "Travel matters: I get quality time with people I love. I see new places and expand who I am. I learn. I get a break from reality." (Natalie Wardel – San Diego, CA)

o "You really have no real concept of places - and the distance between them - until you have been there. As others have said, travel helps us understand regional differences and experience life outside of ourselves." (Kellye Crane – Atlanta, GA)

o "Travel matters because it allows your mind to 'travel' or wander away from your life. It gives the partially insane sanity even just for a few days. It gives the home sick a touch of memories, it can provide the cluster-minded business people, a vacation. Because whether you’re a mom, a dad, a bum, a business executive, a garbage man, or a retired grandparent, travel gives you that few seconds of freedom from every little thing you want to escape from." (Breanna Humphrey – Oceanside, CA)

o "Because it helps us remember that the world is bigger than just us and that there is always an adventure just around the corner ... and the obvious, it gives us a chance to get away from the ‘norm’ and refresh our souls." (Jean Chadwick – Los Angeles, CA)

o "Travel brings reality to non-fiction." (Angela Bailey – Independence, MO)

Travelers can find CSA Travel Protection on Twitter (@CSATP) and Europ Assistance USA on Twitter (@EA_USA) and Facebook.

About CSA Travel Protection

CSA Travel Protection, a Europ Assistance company, is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers’ valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Now celebrating its 20-year anniversary, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and by offering products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way, whenever and wherever they are needed.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and their employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 39 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to half of the companies listed in the Fortune 100, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

# # #

*U.S. Travel Association

Media Contact:
Jennifer Wilbur

Rockstar Communications
619.865.9045
jen@rockstarcommunications.com

Filing Taxes Online at the Last Minute? Don't Compromise Your Personal Information

06-Apr-2011

Filing Taxes Online at the Last Minute?

Don't Compromise Your Personal Information

Tips on Keeping Your Identity Secure While Filing Online From Home or on the Road

BETHESDA, MD. – April 6, 2011 – According to the Internal Revenue Service, 99 million tax returns were e-filed – and 35 percent of taxpayers prepared and e-filed their federal tax returns themselves. As with any online activity, it’s important for Americans to be vigilant in keeping their personal information secure. Europ Assistance USA, a provider of identity theft resolution and online data protection services, reminds Americans to pay close attention as they prepare and file their last-minute returns online this year:

Be sure to use a reputable online tax preparation service with strong security measures in place. Be wary of emails offering unfamiliar, often phony, services. Also take heed when typing in the URL of any online service in case you misspell the name and end up on a fraudulent site created to look like the real one.
Make sure your computer is free of malware like computer viruses and spyware that can steal a copy of your social security number or account passwords, like those of your bank and other financial institutions.
Sharing music, photos and other files is popular with many consumers, as well as sharing information on social networks. Especially when using the same personal computer for filing your return, it’s imperative to not share personal information like a social security number and birth date. Better yet, prepare taxes on a different computer.
Never confirm your social security number or bank account details by email or over the phone.
The IRS never sends unsolicited e-mails asking for detailed personal information. Additionally, the IRS never asks people for PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. Taxpayers should forward suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov.
When keeping a copy of your tax return on the PC, make sure the file is password protected and encrypted so prying eyes can’t access it.
If you do use an accountant, don't email tax information or returns to him or her. Email is not a secure way to send any document.
Once tax season is over, shred unnecessary documents and copies. Offline thieves will be on the prowl to get your banking account details and social security numbers once you’re done.
If you’re on the road and struggling to get your tax return in on time and not sure about the site you’re visiting or just don’t feel that your information can be submitted securely, file an extension and finish when you’re in a safer environment.
Last, but not least, check your credit report soon after tax time and again a few months later to ensure your personal information wasn’t stolen and used fraudulently.

About Europ Assistance USA
As the most experienced company in the assistance industry, Europ Assistance has been helping customers in times of crisis for more than 47 years. The company's expertise in managing the complex issues involved in identity theft, and its 24/7 team of resolution specialists, have handled thousands of cases and protected millions of customers. EA was one of the first companies to provide identity theft resolution services and today provides white label identity theft protection solutions to millions of customers on behalf of financial institutions, corporations and insurance companies. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Wilbur

Rockstar Communications

jen@rockstarcommunications.com

619.865.9045

EA USA Named One of 2010's Fastest Growing Companies in Washington, D.C. Region

24-Jan-2011

Europ Assistance USA Named One of 2010's Fastest Growing Companies in Washington, D.C. Region
Washington SmartCEO Magazine to Honor Company at Future 50 Event Later in Month

BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - January 24, 2011) - Washington SmartCEO magazine, together with Clifton Gunderson LLP, recently announced that Europ Assistance USA is a recipient of the publication's sixth-annual Future 50 awards. Europ Assistance USA and other dynamic companies are profiled in the January 2011 issue of Washington SmartCEO and will be honored at a black-tie event later this week.

Future 50 is SmartCEO's largest and most highly anticipated program of the year, recognizing 50 local companies based on their revenue and employee growth over a three-year period. These companies, each of which earn in excess of $10 million in annual revenue, represent the future of the region's economy and are exemplary leaders in business.

"Each Future 50 winner has effectively translated their passion and innovation into tremendous growth and success," says Jaime Nespor-Park, publisher of SmartCEO magazine. "We are honored to recognize the 50 fastest-growing companies in Greater Washington."

Europ Assistance USA and other winners will be recognized at the Washington SmartCEO Future 50 event this Thursday, January 27, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Reston Hotel.

"As we near our 30-year anniversary, we are proud to be a member of the Washington business community," said Guillaume Deybach, CEO of Europ Assistance USA. "Our strong growth could not be achieved without the hard work of our employees, support of our partners and confidence of our clients."

For a complete list of winners, visit www.smartceo.com.

About SmartCEO
Washington SmartCEO magazine is a regional "growing company" publication aimed at providing resources each month to help educate, motivate and inspire Washington's decision-makers. The publication's readers range from younger, dynamic companies, to established, multi-generational, family-owned firms.

About Clifton Gunderson LLP
Clifton Gunderson is ranked as one of the nation's largest certified public accounting and consulting firms. The firm provides a wide range of assurance, tax and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries. Founded in 1960, Clifton Gunderson has a staff of more than 1,900 professionals serving clients from 46 offices across the country. Clifton Gunderson serves clients globally as the largest U.S. member firm of HLB International -- a world-wide network of separate and independent professional accounting and business advisory firms. Clifton Gunderson, and the independent member firms of HLB International, provides personal and high quality service to clients in over 100 countries through the HLB International "Global Care" approach.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 39 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate Generali Group.

The Europ Assistance Group Debuts New Branding Tagline

08-Dec-2010

New “You Live We Care” Signature Precursor to 2011-2015 Road Map for Positioning Company as Most Innovative in Sector

Paris, France – December 8, 2010 – The Europ Assistance Group today launched its new branding signature, “you live we care,” which will be rolled out via the Group’s 36 companies throughout the world. The launch precedes the deployment of the Group’s new 2011-2015 strategic plan as it seeks to become the most innovative company in its sector.

The “you live we care” signature debuts today as an integral part of the Europ Assistance logo block and reflects the support of its customers in all of life’s circumstances, from the most routine to the most exceptional, by offering them prevention, protection and assistance services in the areas of mobility – travel and automobile – health and home and family.

This positioning aims to meet consumers’ rapidly and considerably changing needs, demonstrating a real Care Revolution in services for individuals: the combined effect of globalization, increased life expectancy, growing urbanization, mobility, health needs and increased free time generates an explosion in demand for increasingly personalized information, prevention, protection and support services, in everyday life as well as extraordinary circumstances.

It is for this reason that Europ Assistance, in referring to the concept of Care that reflects the ideas of individual attention, cover, continuous protection and trust with regard to its customers and consumers, is asserting its goal to be the leading company in Care Services.

The new signature also asserts the Group’s and the Europ Assistance brand’s global dimension by being entirely in English, which is used in all the Group’s subsidiaries on the five continents where it operates. The Group has made that choice in order to capitalize on its brand in a unique way for its 300 million customers and network of 410,000 listed service providers.

The use of blue and red in the signature increases the logo block’s power by strengthening the uniformity of the colors of both the logo and signature. It also underlines the continuity in the development of Europ Assistance between the past and its ambitions over the next few years. The handwriting script font expresses closeness and above all the human relationship Europ Assistance has with its customers.

This signature also demonstrates the role that the Europ Assistance Group intends to play as a responsible company by contributing to a new type of solidarity and progress for its economic and social environment. Its partnership with ASHOKA, the international association for social entrepreneurship, is an example of this.

Beginning December 8, 2010, the new signature will roll out simultaneously in the Group’s 36 companies throughout the world within the framework of its 2011-2015 road map to make Europ Assistance the most innovative company in its sector.

With revenue that has more than doubled, and an operating profit that tripled between 2004 and 2009, the Europ Assistance Group is entering into a new cycle of profitable, sustainable growth. Following this buoyant growth phase, the Group has set itself a new road map for the next five years aimed at strengthening the current strategy, primarily around four areas:

1. To speed up the rebalancing of the business portfolio by expanding new growth relays in health and home and family services, representing more than one-third of the Group’s business by 2015. At the same time, Europ Assistance will strengthen the competitiveness of its traditional businesses, in the travel and automobile sectors, with new supplementary travel insurance and car repair guarantees.

2. To pursue geographic stability by speeding up development in North America, South America and Asia to obtain a return on investment in these continents over the last few years. At the same time, European business activities will see their commercial and financial competitiveness strengthened, with strong development in the new businesses of health and home and family services. Between now and 2015, the contribution of subsidiaries outside Western Europe should account for more than 27 percent of the Group’s revenue.

3. To develop distribution models by increasing sales of optional services – as opposed to inclusive sales – with the Group’s major partners and direct sales to consumers, particularly on the Web. With this in mind, Europ Assistance will work to forge new local and international partnerships.

4. To strengthen its profitability by more selective growth of its insurance-related business activities, the Group will seek to improve its operational efficiency, particularly by speeding up the use of new technologies in its production processes.

Placing innovation at the core of its strategy by routinely enhancing services using the latest technological innovations in the field of mobility, health and everyday life, Europ Assistance will routinely enhance its value-add assistance services. This includes 24-hour availability and direct or remote human intervention of its 7,000 employees and 410,000 service providers for its customers, as well as the inclusion of new technologies, such as using position determination technology in combination with mobile and Internet terminals to better serve and protect its customers when travelling or driving, or the deployment of telemedicine, tele-monitoring and robotics to make everyday life easier and safer for fragile people or those who are chronically ill or dependent.

With this new road map, Europ Assistance is poised to become the most innovative company in the Care Services sector.

Europ Assistance USA Debuts Online Data Protection Suite

12-Oct-2010

Optional Premium Identity Theft Protection and Resolution Service Upgrade Offers Extra Security While Online and Traveling

Dallas, TX – October 12, 2010 – Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), taking care of consumers, corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, today debuted here at the ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits, its new Online Data Protection Suite. The optional upgrade to its premium identity theft service protects consumers from key logging and phishing attacks, providing a proactive, real-time layer of protection that goes beyond standard anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software.

EA USA’s online data protection tools work alongside desktop anti-virus and security suites – combating new malware that conventional solutions fail to detect. Included in the suite is DataScrambler™, an anti-keylogging tool, and PhishBlock™, an anti-phishing technology.

“Over 90 percent of threats to confidential information come from key logging spyware or phishing attacks,” said Glenn Maykish, vice president, sales and marketing at EA USA. “Our solution uses the most advanced plug-and-play technology to combat these threats and is a perfect complement to our identity theft protection and resolution services.”

The anti-keylogging technology used in EA USA’s DataScrambler operates at multiple levels of an operating system, using specialized techniques that thwart attackers aiming to steal data entered by a user. Attackers receive no data, or false data is fed back to them. The DataScrambler tool is inserted into a user’s browser and shows the actual keystrokes being replaced by fake keystrokes, providing a visual display of how user information is being continuously protected.

EA USA’s PhishBlock is proactive and customized, detecting phishing sites the very first time they are loaded by a user. Initially “trained” via proprietary methods to identify phishing sites of all major brands, PhishBlock can automatically identify a scam site and overlay a warning page to inform the user.

The Online Data Protection Suite from EA USA also:

Protects every keystroke users type (passwords, credit cards, identity info)
Prevents malware from taking pictures of users' data and stealing it
Prevents users from being lured to a fake (phishing) site that steals their data
Shows every keystroke users type being protected and displays a monthly report showing what data has been protected

Recent studies show that hotel networks are one of the largest targets of hackers and are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. The additional Mobile Data Protection Suite lets frequent travelers and road warriors take with them to any computer the same protection that the Online Data Protection Suite offers, wherever they are in the world.

The EA USA Online Data Protection Suite is provided through a partnership with SentryBay, a recognized leader in real-time data security software that directly protects a software/web application and its users.

About SentryBay
SentryBay is a leader in real-time data security software -- its proactive solutions offer unparalleled security in real-time preventing identity theft and theft of corporate data. This protects a user's online identity while protecting corporate brands and reputation. SentryBay is a privately held company headquartered in London, with offices in California, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Australasia. For more information please visit www.sentrybay.com

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and part of the Europ Assistance Group.

Micro Key Solutions and EA USA Now Offer ID Theft Protection Service via Micro Key Millennium Series

05-Oct-2010

Service Offers Customers Extra Protection and Dealers Recurring Revenue Opportunity

Kissimmee, Florida USA— Micro Key Solutions, a leading provider of world-class software solutions for the security alarm industry, and Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), provider of immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress, announced the companies will provide EA USA’s comprehensive identity theft protection product to Micro Key’s Millennium Series™ users.

According to a study conducted this year by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft costs $54 billion per year – a 12.5 percent increase over 2008. By offering EA USA’s identity theft resolution services to Millennium Series customers, Micro Key and its network of alarm dealers and central stations, who today help protect nearly one million homes and businesses, are providing their customers with a best-in-class service that protects the most precious of assets, one’s identity. In addition, offering identify theft protection and resolution services helps alarm dealers and central stations further protect their customers while generating an additional recurring revenue stream.

“Unfortunately, identify theft continues to flourish. We are pleased to be able to offer identity theft protection to consumers through our network of over 4,000 alarm dealers and central stations. We were fortunate to find Europ Assistance USA’s all-inclusive product that puts equal emphasis on prevention, detection and resolution and provides peace of mind and a trusted advocate for the victims of identity theft,” commented Wayne Torrens, president of Micro Key Solutions.

Starting in October, Micro Key’s Identikey identity theft protection and resolution service will be offered to all Millennium Series™ Module users, giving them another recurring revenue opportunity and service to offer their customers while helping customers protect themselves from the damages of identify theft. This new identity theft program, powered by EA USA, has critically important features for consumers, such as identity tracking, credit monitoring, fraud alert, wallet protection, and medical identity theft resolution, plus a suite of personal services for customers who find themselves victimized while traveling including emergency cash advance, emergency travel arrangements and journey continuation assistance.

“Identity theft protection is more important today than ever, and offering this product to those who already enjoy the benefit of securing and protecting their assets is ideal,” said Glenn Maykish, vice president, sales and marketing at Europ Assistance USA. “Micro Key is a capable and broad-reaching partner that knows this market well.”

About Micro Key Solutions

For over 25 years, Micro Key’s software solutions have helped large central stations manage their back office operations and control their businesses, enabling them to succeed in maximizing their potential. Its team of experts and friendly support professionals is unmatched and has helped make its fully integrated Millennium Series Modules the best choice for central stations and alarm dealers. Take a tour of www.microkey.com <http://www.microkey.com> to see how they provide faster response times and greater efficiency, helping security businesses generate more profits than ever before!

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of consumers, corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and is part of the Europ Assistance Group.

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Students and Young Adults Need Not Fall Prey to Identity Thieves

13-Aug-2010

Europ Assistance USA Warns Millennials of Increased Risk and Offers Prevention Tips

Bethesda, MD – August 13, 2010 – High schools and universities will open their doors again in the coming weeks. Today’s students are savvier than ever, but still one of the most targeted groups for identity theft. Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), taking care of consumers, corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, warns students of this increased risk and offers tips for prevention.

According to Javelin Strategy & Research, 18-24 year olds are at greater risk for identity theft because they take longer to detect fraud – an average of 132 days versus 49 days for those in older age groups. Young adults also tend to have little-to-no credit history, making it easier to create bogus accounts.

Most generally published identity theft prevention tips apply to young adults as well, but EA USA urges Generation Y to pay close attention to the following advice:

1. Carefully review all financial records, including bank accounts and credit reports. Many young adults don’t regularly scrutinize their records, which is one of the main reasons they take longer to detect that they are a victim of identity theft, giving the criminal a longer window of time to commit the crimes.

2. Much identity theft still happens the old-fashioned way – with a criminal gaining access to personal mail and documents. Pack a shredder for the dorm to destroy personally sensitive information. Also consider a personal safe to store private documents. Small, portable lockboxes are now generally available at national retailers and are a good way to store financial papers and other documents that include personal information.

3. Consider using a Post Office box or having mail sent to a family member’s address. Many students use dorm mailboxes for personal mail, including financial applications and bank statements, but these mailboxes are not secure and raise the risk of someone gaining unauthorized information.

4. According to one study, more than a quarter of identity theft victims who knew the source of the crime knew the perpetrator. This is a cautionary tale to be vigilant about personal information and careful about who is allowed access to one’s life – both in the real and virtual world.

5. Avoid using peer-to-peer file sharing programs, which are popular targets for identity thieves.

6. Do not over share on social media. While common, it is also dangerous. In addition to the well-known tips of adjusting the privacy settings on social networking sites and not sharing personal information (address, date of birth, social security number, etc.), young adults should also:

· Refrain from accepting friend requests from someone not known personally, such as a “friend of a friend.” Criminals pose in this manner to gain access to a personal network. Once in the network, they can learn much about that person and use the information maliciously (sending harmful links, posting pictures with malware, etc.).

· Ensure friend requests are coming from people known in real life and that the requests are actually coming from those people. When receiving a request from a “real” friend, verify it. Call or email that person to confirm. Check the profile information to make sure it matches that person and be suspicious of profiles that are “bare-bones” with basic information.

· Show extreme caution with “getting to know you” quizzes on social media sites. Thieves use this popular pastime to obtain key information to hack into a financial account. What might appear to be benign questions often give the criminal the information needed to answer security questions and access one’s account.

7. Lock dorm room at all times and don’t let unknown individuals into the dorm building.

8. Keep personal computers secure, making sure the computer is inaccessible without a password, operating on a secure wireless network and behind a firewall. Be just as vigilant with portable media devices that may contain sensitive information such as USB keys and DVDs. Don’t leave them lying around with sensitive information, and completely destroy any data on them when disposing.

9. If using a public computer in a library, the dorm, etc. be sure to clear the cookies upon leaving the computer and don’t check the “keep me signed in” box on any site. In general, it’s best not to visit financial or other sites, where personal information is stored, from public computers.

10. Finally, given the number of data breaches at universities over the past few years, students should also inquire about school data storage policies. So far this year, 42 data breaches have occurred involving educational institutions affecting a little more than half a million student records. Sometimes schools post student grades by social security number or use students’ social security number as their ID number. If the university, or anyone else for that matter, asks for a social security number, ask why and how they plan to use it.

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Top 10 Tips For Avoiding Identity Theft During Business Travel

06-Aug-2010

Europ Assistance USA Shares ID Theft Prevention Tips for NBTA Attendees

Houston, TX and Bethesda, MD – August 6, 2010 – Heading to the 2010 National Business Travel Association (NBTA) International Convention & Exposition? Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and employees, reminds the more than 5,500 travel managers, colleagues and peers heading to Houston for this year’s NBTA convention to heed the following top 10 tips to prevent identify theft while traveling.

According to recent reports, hotels are a favored target of hackers, leaving hotel guests at greater risk for identify theft. Check your credit card statement online immediately following checkout and upon returning from your trip and review for any unauthorized charges.
Do not publicize business travel plans and dates on social networking sites. Privacy settings on networks like Facebook and Twitter do not guarantee your information will not be accessed by unauthorized viewers.
Carry only vital items, and nothing that includes your social security number, in your wallet or purse. Pickpockets can obtain your business and personal financial information, increasing your risk of identity theft.
Do not carry personal documents in checked luggage where you have no control over the security of your belongings.
Make copies of all important documents (passport, itinerary, reservation confirmations, credit cards) and give them to trusted family and friends before you leave so that they can help you contact the appropriate third parties in case your wallet and/or bags are stolen.
Do not use or carry debit cards. A stolen debit card can be used to immediately empty an account, preventing you from being able to obtain cash if needed.
Carry no more than two credit cards. The second card is only to serve as a back-up should the primary become damaged or shut down by the issuer. (Fraudulent events can occur that cause issuers to opt for shutting down a person’s account, which would leave you without access to funds.)
Check your bank and credit card activity from a secure online connection and/or at an ATM at least once during your trip. This will help you quickly detect whether you have become a victim of "skimming,” which often occurs in restaurants and bars where copies of the magnetic strip are made in order to make a counterfeit card.
Use hotel room safes or hotel safes to store all valuables, including anything that contains personal identity information that could be used by identity thieves.
Beware of wifi hotspots, as they are usually unsecure and unencrypted. Make sure you are using a firewall to protect your data and, when possible, limit your access and avoid doing any financial transactions or using passwords with your accounts.
Travel managers and others attending NBTA 2010 can find out more about identify theft prevention and resolution assistance, as well as other protective services for the corporate traveler, by visiting the Europ Assistance USA booth (#1765) at any time during the convention.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries and territories, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and part of the Europ Assistance Group.

Travel Insurer Reliable Life Offers Traveler Assistance Protection from Europ Assistance USA

16-Jul-2010

Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, today announced that Canadian insurer Reliable Life Insurance Company (Reliable) now offers EA USA’s Travel Assistance Program under selected travel insurance plans administered by Reliable Life.

Bethesda, MD - July 14,2010- EA USA’s Travel Assistance Program helps travelers deal with the unexpected endemic to traveling, with services including emergency medical assistance; financial, legal and communication assistance; and access to other critical services and resources available via the Internet.

Program participants have access to travel assistance including aid replacing documents such as driver licenses or passports, emergency cash advances, recovery reimbursement, emotional assistance, and legal aid. The program also provides specialized medical assistance, including medical evacuation and/or repatriation, repatriation of remains, medical case management and review, return of traveling companions and dependent children, and assistance with prescription replacements and refills, among other services.

“We are proud to be a part of the benefits offered to Reliable Life clients,” said Guillaume Deybach, president and CEO, Europ Assistance USA. “In today’s global economy, it is essential that travelers be able to rely on comprehensive assistance while away from home. We are honored to provide them the peace of mind they – and their colleagues – require.”

EA USA’s personalized traveler assistance represents another way Reliable Life and its affiliates can support the health and welfare of their customers while traveling away from the comforts of home.

When a Traveler Assistance Program participant encounters the unexpected while traveling, a single call to a toll-free number begins the support process. A specially trained coordinator quickly assesses the nature of the problem and works with colleagues at 38 alarm centers worldwide or agents located in over 200 countries and territories to provide assistance.

EA USA and the Europ Assistance Group have handled more than 150 million assistance cases during the past four decades of service. EA USA provides assistance services through financial institutions and insurance companies, as well as directly to employers.

About Reliable Life Reliable Life and Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada.

Old Republic Insurance Group is the Canadian operation for Old Republic International Corporation ("ORI" on the New York Stock Exchange), one of the 50 largest publicly held insurance organizations in North America, with over USD $14 billion in assets and common shareholders’ equity of nearly USD $4 billion. Old Republic is an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverage, principally in the property and liability, mortgage guaranty and title insurance fields. More information is available at www.reliablelifeinsurance.com.

About Europ Assistance

USA Europ Assistance USA takes care of corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and part of the Europ Assistance Group

Traveling The World? There's An App for That

01-Jul-2010

Traveling The World? Now There’s An App for That

Europ Assistance USA and CSA Travel Protection Debut NetGlobers Trip OrganizerTM iPhone App For Those Traveling Abroad

BETHESDA, MD AND SAN DIEGO, CA – June 28, 2010 – Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, and CSA Travel Protection (a Europ Assistance company), dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services, today debuted the NetGlobers Trip OrganizerTM application for the iPhone. Created specifically for the needs of the global traveler, the Trip OrganizerTM app is available now through the Apple iTunes Store.

With the new free Trip OrganizerTM app, travelers enter country of residence, nationality and destination countries to create a personalized checklist and one-stop repository for helpful and necessary items for the trip, including:
•       Weather and time for each destination
•       Pre-travel “to-do” list
•       Storage for all personal, medical and official document information, such as itinerary, passport and visa numbers
•       List of recommended medications to pack
•       Updated local events
•       Useful numbers like local police and fire, medical emergency and embassies

“While there are many travel apps on the market, until now there hasn’t been one that provides everything an individual needs to prepare for traveling across the globe,” said Guillaume Deybach, EA USA CEO. “Our new iPhone app is like the Swiss Army Knife of travel apps, providing valuable services and tools before leaving home, as well as once travelers have reached their destination.”

The premium Trip OrganizerTM app ($4.99) also offers additional features, such as:
•       A list of required and recommended vaccinations for destination
•       Phrase books for 10 languages
•       Currency converter for 34 currencies that is updated daily
•       “Don't Forget” list of important travel items that can be customized

Based on the traveler’s destination, travel insurance and identity theft protection services are also offered and recommended in both versions of the app. Users can sign up for either directly from their phone.

The Trip OrganizerTM app for iPhone is a companion to the Netglobers.com website, Europ Assistance’s real-world travel advice destination providing travelers with country-specific travel, medical and safety information and tips. Consumers who create a NetGlobers account at www.netglobers.com receive the premium app free of charge.

About CSA Travel Protection
CSA Travel Protection is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers’ valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Since its inception in 1991, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and evolving products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way, whenever and wherever they are needed. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, CSA is part of the Europe Assistance Group.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and part of the Europ Assistance Group.

Former CIGNA Executive Joins EA USA

11-Jun-2010

Glenn Maykish Named Vice President of Sales and Marketing

BETHESDA, MD - June 11, 2010 - Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), assisting corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, today announced that Glenn Maykish, long-time CIGNA executive, joins the company as vice president of sales and marketing.

Maykish now manages the sales, marketing and client management departments of EA USA and CSA Travel Protection (acquired by the EA Group in 2008), ensuring that the product development and distribution strategy is tailored to Europ Assistance’s U.S. markets.

With a 25-year background in domestic and international employee benefits distribution, Maykish brings valuable experience that will drive strategic and profitable revenue growth.

“Glenn is the perfect choice for helping us achieve our expansion goals,” said Guillaume Deybach, EA USA CEO. “He is positioning EA to expand its reach in the U.S. through continued support of our business-to-business model, investigating alternate distribution initiatives and leveraging the strength of Europ Assistance’s global footprint throughout the world.”

Prior to joining EA USA, Maykish was vice president of sales, marketing and client management at CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits, a division of CIGNA Corporation. There, Maykish was responsible for U.S. and Canadian market expansion over a seven-year period, resulting in significant growth for his business unit.

About CSA Travel Protection
CSA Travel Protection is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers’ valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Since its inception in 1991, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and evolving products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way, whenever and wherever they are needed.

About Europ Assistance USA
Europ Assistance USA takes care of corporate customers and employees when the unexpected happens, anywhere in the world, providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in times of emergency and distress. Leveraging its worldwide network of 38 always-open multilingual assistance centers and 410,000 partners in 208 countries, EA USA offers personalized medical travel assistance, identity theft resolution, data breach response and beneficiary assistance services to insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and government organizations. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is owned by Generali and part of the Europ Assistance Group.