Navigating the evolving travel insurance landscape: Travel Weekly


Jennifer Grawey is head of business development at Faye Travel Insurance.

In an era where technology has revolutionized the way we plan and book travel, the role of the travel advisor remains as crucial as ever.

And while travel insurance has always been a staple in travel advisors’ portfolios, the dynamics of this aspect of the travel industry has evolved quickly. As the business development lead for a travel insurance company, I have some tips for advisors to help evaluate different offerings.

Know the benefits you are selling — and then personalize: No one would suggest that you put down your latest novel and pick up a riveting insurance policy, but it’s important to stay informed about coverage options and their relevance to your customers. And just as you curate travel experiences, you can do more than offer a run-of-the-mill legacy insurance product; you can personalize them. Just like delivering a curated travel experience for your client, you can customize their protection, as well.

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For instance, if your client dotes on Betty, his bichon frise, you might want to make sure that the policy you offer provides coverage for Betty’s kennel stay should the client be hospitalized and not be home on the scheduled return date.

Or, let’s say you have a group set to embark on an around-the-world cruise, but they can’t make it to their embarkation because a snowstorm keeps them stuck in their connecting airport for days. Do they have appropriate coverage for such a lengthy delay?

Get to know the coverage options, bundles and upgrades so you can personalize your insurance offering just as you would any other part of your travel recommendations.

ASAP inconvenience payments: Travel inconvenience benefits can pay a reimbursement automatically for certain covered snafus or disruptions, such as a closed attraction, a flight delay or a cruise diversion.

Speedy reimbursements can take the sting out of in-trip frustrations. Imagine it rains on the first few days of your client’s vacation and she wasn’t able to enjoy her favorite beach. You can’t stop the rain, but you can let her know she’ll receive an “inconvenience fee” to ease her disappointment.

Or, a client wants to go to County Clare in Ireland to visit relatives. She has a connection through New York JFK, but before landing she receives a notification on her insurance app (thanks, in-flight WiFi!) that her next flight is delayed and she won’t be able to leave New York until the following day. At the same time she’s notified of the delay, she’s proactively invited to file a claim, through the app, for the inconvenience,

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The result: before she’s even boarded her connecting flight, she has the funds deposited in her mobile wallet for her unexpected hotel stay. Perhaps even enough for dinner.

Just make sure your travel insurance provider(s) of choice make this clear — and simple — to do. You want the trip to be memorable for all the right reasons. By coupling cutting-edge technology and comprehensive coverage, travelers are both supported and protected.

These aren’t the only tech-forward solutions being offered by app-enabled providers in the travel insurance space. Depending on the company, your clients can rely on their app for telemedicine support when abroad, pretrip updates on health mandates per destination and even visa requirements they must know about before they hit the road.

Advisors + the latest tech = long-lasting relationships: While technology continues to transform the travel industry, the irreplaceable value of travel advisors remains evident. Their expertise, personalized service and ability to navigate the evolving complexities of travel insurance ensure that travelers are well protected and well informed. By staying updated on the latest coverage options and partnering with innovative providers, travel advisors can offer unparalleled support and peace of mind. As the travel landscape continues to evolve, the role of the travel advisor will only become more vital in ensuring seamless and secure journeys for all.

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