Mission Viejo, CA - For travelers to Lebanon, Israel and other destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, obtaining new life insurance can be practically impossible. The Federal Government publishes a list of countries that it recommends U.S. citizens avoid due to crime, health conditions, war, terrorism and political instability. This list can be found on the web at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html and it turns out insurance companies are avid readers of this information, using it to approve or deny new policies based on where the applicants travel plans are taking them.

Mr. Sy Alter, President of Spectrum Direct Insurance Services, Inc. and www.SpectrumDirect.com recently commented that "Insurance companies judge their risk for insuring everyone based on where they live and even where they travel." This has serious consequences for a world traveler or traveling business person who must visit a country that shows up on the Current Travel Warnings List. "If you are trying to get insurance coverage and disclose that you will be traveling to hot spots on the Travel Warnings list, you're likely to get turned down" notes Alter. "It's a risk the insurer doesn't want to take." Mr. Alter ought to know, his www.SpectrumDirect.com site features over 20 insurance companies' pricing and quotes. "Even with our vast resources we must advise travelers going to global hot spots to postpone their insurance applications until after their return."

When an insurance company questions an application due to travel destinations, the likelihood of approval diminishes. In order to protect the traveler and obtain the needed coverage, Mr. Alter has a few ideas," First, is this trip really necessary? If you must travel to Israel, Lebanon or the other countries listed by the State Department don't expect to get approved. Second, postpone applying until your trip is over - and even then the insurer will likely have questions regarding your trip and the possibility of returning to this destination."