New travel insurer TravelCard has opened a front office in Moscow to serve as an immediate contact point for customers during the Word Cup.

As previously reported by insuranceNEWS.com.au, the broker-focused insurer, which is underwritten by Hollard, gives customers an insurance payment card that enables it to make “real-time” payments to travellers on their trips.

TravelCard says the soccer tournament carries “a unique set of risks” including terrorism, a high crime rate, car accidents, pickpocketing, unlicensed taxis and cyber exposure.

CEO Michael Tauber says the Russian World Cup’s risks go “beyond the threats usually associated with such events. Travellers must make sure they have sufficient travel insurance in place, particularly to cover health and medical costs.”