Talking Points: Travel Insurance (March 9, 2016)
Talking Points – Travel Insurance
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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and customers when discussing travel insurance. (March 9, 2016)
1. Travel insurance provides an extra “safety net” for travelers, and there are a wide variety of policy options including “cancel for any reason.”
2. Travel insurance is extremely beneficial, particularly if an emergency medical evacuation is necessary.
3. As professional travel agents, we can sort through the fine print and assist clients in selecting the policy that meets their needs to protect their travel investment.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further illustrate each talking point.
1. Travel insurance provides an extra “safety net” for travelers, and there are a wide variety of policy options including “cancel for any reason.”
A travel insurance plan covers individuals for unforeseen problems and unexpected costs incurred before or during a trip.
Travel insurance can cover a variety of items such as:
o Canceled or interrupted trip
o Medical emergencies
o Emergency evacuations
o Lost, stolen, delayed or damaged bags
o Delayed or canceled flights
o Lost passport
Most insurance companies provide special policies that allow travelers to “cancel for any reason.” This coverage is just as it sounds – if, for any reason, you cancel your trip, you will receive a refund for any insured trip arrangement(s), such as deposits or prepayments, up to the maximum limit.
Travel insurance companies also provide 24/7 travel assistance for such needs as to:
o Locate the nearest adequate hospital if needed
o Organize medical transportation
o Arrange for treatment and overcome any language barriers
o Organize transportation home
o Replace prescriptions in an emergency
We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance.
As with any insurance policy, travelers should carefully read and understand the description of coverage and exclusions for the travel insurance policy they are selecting.
2. Travel insurance can be extremely beneficial, particularly if an emergency medical evacuation is necessary.
Travel insurance that includes Emergency Medical and/or Medical Evacuation coverage offers an additional layer of protection and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.
A traveler’s health insurance plan may not provide coverage while traveling, particularly when traveling internationally.
Health insurance and medical evacuation coverage are not the same.
o “Health insurance covers your medical bills. But if you break a leg while biking in France, have a heart attack in the Caribbean or encounter a debilitating virus in Mexico, don’t count on your health insurance to send a plane to pick you up and bring you home,” states a USA Today article from July 6, 2015, titled “Five myths about medical evacuations.”
o “Medical evacuation and transport costs typically start at $25,000 and can exceed $250,000.”
o In addition, Dan Richards, CEO and founder of Global Rescue was quoted saying, “Being prepared is less expensive if there’s an emergency. A medical evacuation can result in catastrophic expenses incurred by the family of the patient.”
3. As professional travel agents, we can sort through the fine print and assist clients in selecting the policy that meets their needs to protect their travel investment.
Travel insurance can be invaluable and is an important way to protect one’s travel investment.
o Travel insurance policies are typically a fraction of the overall trip cost and can be vital to recouping one’s investment should a trip be cancelled, delayed or interrupted.
o It also protects travelers’ overall financial stability should a major medical emergency occur.
Because there are a myriad of companies and policies, we assist our clients in providing information and facts, and sorting through all the fine print, so they may make an informed decision.
We also work with our clients and the travel insurance company, should our clients need to file a claim.
Safety is our top priority for our clients. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.
We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.
o Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.