Travel Insurance Director: New Insurance Policy to Protect Egyptians Abroad

Cairo — Nadeh Imam: Mohamed Zohran, the Executive Director of the Egyptian Group for Outbound Travel Insurance, stated that the development of the insurance document for Egyptians abroad is part of a national objective to protect Egyptian citizens working overseas and to strengthen their ties to the homeland. He noted that the document has undergone continuous development since its initial issuance in January 2022 to meet the needs of Egyptians living abroad.

He added that the document was initially launched to address crises faced by families of Egyptians abroad, particularly in cases of accidents and deaths, where difficulties were encountered in certain procedures, such as the repatriation of remains. Therefore, the document was introduced to provide necessary protection for citizens outside the country.

He pointed out that the document is continuously developed year after year by monitoring the demands of Egyptians abroad during the annual conference of Egyptians in the diaspora, held every August. Efforts are made to implement these demands and introduce necessary amendments. He clarified that the inclusion of the arbitrary dismissal clause was among the demands of Egyptians abroad and was incorporated into the sixth edition of the document.

He explained that cases eligible for compensation under the current document include total and permanent disability resulting from an accident, entitling the citizen to a compensation of 250,000 Egyptian pounds. This also covers death cases, whether due to an accident or natural causes, along with covering the cost of repatriating the remains, within the framework of the personal accident insurance policy with the specified compensation amount.

He mentioned that the value of 100,000 Egyptian pounds to be announced as part of the new document development will take effect starting August 1 of next year. Full details will be revealed during the sixth edition of the conference of Egyptians abroad, scheduled for next month.

Regarding a citizen’s eligibility to claim compensation if they are arbitrarily dismissed shortly after subscribing to the document, Zohran affirmed that a citizen is entitled to apply for compensation at any time in the event of arbitrary dismissal, provided that the Egyptian Group for Outbound Travel Insurance is notified immediately upon occurrence.

He noted that the document includes communication channels with the Group, whether via telephone, email, or the website, where citizens are guided on the required documents and procedures to obtain compensation.

Zohran emphasized that subscription procedures and premium payments are conducted electronically. He clarified that citizens receive the document simultaneously with obtaining a work permit from the General Administration of Work Permits at the Ministry of Interior before traveling. The document is issued immediately, and citizens can store it on their mobile phones or print it, with their data registered with the Group.

Zohran concluded his remarks by stating that the annual premium for the document is 400 Egyptian pounds, reaffirming that its objective is to provide an insurance safety net for Egyptians working abroad and protect them from potential risks they may face while overseas.