Posted by Maureen Petron - I've worked for the NASE for seven years now, yet I'm still learning new things about the benefits package we offer our small-business members.
Last week I met with representatives from Assist America, an NASE benefit. Assist America describes themselves as "global emergency services," but you may not be entirely sure what that entails (I wasn't). And that's too bad, because it's an invaluable service you get for free as an NASE Member.
Here's the deal. You travel -- for business, for family vacation, it doesn't matter. You're more than 100 miles from home, something goes wrong, and you end up in the hospital for a medical emergency. If you miss your flight back -- Assist America will arrange your transportation. If you're alone, and your hospital stay is expected to be more than seven days long -- Assist America will get a friend or family member out to stay with you. What about your children? If you can't care for them because of your emergency -- Assist America will get them to another family member.
And the best part is, all services Assist America arranges for you are completely free.
Oh, wait! There's another best part! Your family is covered. So if you husband or wife or child gets sick, they can use Assist America's services through your NASE Membership, too!
I travel a good deal for the NASE. (Have you read my bio? I get to travel around with our grant and scholarship program, and I go to our Dallas office a good bit.) But I have to admit that I don't think about packing the Assist America phone number with me for emergencies. That's why we've redesigned the NASE Member cards that we send to new members to include the Assist America phone number (it's 800-909-5868. Or, if you're outside the US, you can call collect at 609-683-5868).
Learn more about the long list of service Assist America can provide.
How can we better communicate the valuable benefits you have as an NASE Member? Do you prefer e-mail, postal mail, or some other way to hear from us?