Why Travel Insurance is Important for the Holiday Season

If your travelers haven’t already booked their holiday trips, they will be soon. The bustle around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year make it one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Inclement winter weather and the increase in flight delays and cancellations around the holidays can create real travel headaches for your customers.

According to AAA, 2015 was the busiest Thanksgiving travel season since 2007 and the number of year-end holiday travelers topped 100 million for the first time. There’s no sign that that momentum will let up this year. Your clients might rest easier during this busy travel time if they have travel insurance backing them up.

Here are some reasons to offer a CSA plan to your clients when they’re booking their holiday travel:

More Flight Delays and Cancellations

Over the 2015 Winter Holiday travel period 26% of flights were delayed and 2% were canceled, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That’s about 50% more delays and cancellations than usual! A travel insurance plan with coverage for Travel Delay and Trip Interruption can really help travelers during the holidays.

Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter, with serious infection starting to spread in October—just in time for holiday travel. CSA’s travel protection plans include a number of coverages and services that could help in case of flu or other sickness.

If an insured or one of their family members or travel companions becomes sick and is unable to travel they could be reimbursed for unused, non-refundable pre-paid trip costs under Trip Cancellation coverage. If an insured traveler picks up a bug from a crowded airport while on vacation they could use the Teladoc service included with CSA Travel Protection plans to connect instantly with a network of physicians for information, advice, and treatment, including prescription medication when appropriate. Or, if they need to see a doctor, Medical and Dental coverage is included with our travel protection plans.

Winter Weather

56% of travelers have reported experiencing a trip delay or cancellation due to inclement winter weather, according to TripAdvisor. Storms wreak havoc on travel plans, from flight delays to road closures.

When offering travel insurance to clients we suggest using anecdotes to express what could happen to disrupt a trip and how a CSA Travel Protection plan can help in those situations. With a majority of winter travelers having experienced a delay or cancellation of their trip first-hand, they’re probably already well aware of the potential impact of unexpected winter weather on their vacation. You just need to remind them and let them know how travel insurance can help.

Identity Theft

“The hustle and bustle of the holidays creates the perfect environment for thieves bent on stealing your credit cards or other financial information,” said Loretta Worters, vice president, Insurance Information Institute.

Identity theft is something that travelers should be especially wary of, as they’re usually carrying documents, IDs and credit cards in unfamiliar places. Throughout the year, 20% of travelers report that an item with sensitive information has been lost or stolen while on a trip, and chances that a traveler will be pick-pocketed go up when dealing with extra-crowded airports and tourist spots. Also, it’s more likely that busy travelers will connect to unsecured airport WiFi—well-known hotspots for identity theft scammers.

Travelers who buy a CSA travel insurance plan have access to our Identity Theft Resolution Service* while on vacation and also after their trip, since often times travelers don’t notice the theft until they arrive home. Identity Theft Resolution Service is automatically included for a full 180 days starting on the traveler’s scheduled departure date.

Rental Car Damage

If your client is renting a car, keep in mind that some of CSA’s travel insurance plans include Rental Car Damage coverage, in case the rental car is damaged due to collision, fire, flood, theft, vandalism, windstorm or hail.

If your clients don’t have coverage for an upcoming holiday trip, it’s not too late! Remember to offer your customers CSA Travel Protection.


*ID Theft Resolution does not include assistance for thefts involving non-U.S. bank accounts.

†Teladoc services may not be available in all states, and international services may be limited.

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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Cast Your Vote! CSA Travel Protection Nominated for 2017 Travvy Award

CSA Travel Protection has been nominated for a Travvy Award in the Best Travel Insurance Provider – Overall category.

Known as the Academy Awards of the travel industry, the Travvy Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry and honor travel companies, travel products, travel agencies and destinations for their outstanding achievement.

CSA is a trusted business partner, insurance administrator and advisor. Our partnership philosophy focuses on growing revenue and offering the highest levels of service. Travel agents and suppliers who work with us know that we support them every step of the way and aim to give them the best tools and products they require to succeed.

CSA Travel Protection is best known for:

  • Award-winning, compassionate, knowledgeable customer service
  • Expert claims handling with dedicated representatives for each claim
  • Customized training programs for agents
  • Devoted sales support and useful marketing tools
  • Seamless software integration capabilities
  • Ability to provide customized travel protection solutions for a variety of travel suppliers, such as cruise and tour operators, airlines and online aggregators
  • Being the first in the industry to offer Identity Theft Resolution services with most travel insurance plans
  • Global backing from shareholder Generali Group, one of Europe’s top insurers and 48th on the Fortune Global 500 list of companies

Travel agents and suppliers can vote for CSA at www.vote.travvyawards.com.

Making the Most of Low Season Bookings with Travel Insurance Sales

ustia stats infographicIt’s that time of year when it’s likely that more of your clients are traveling than booking trips. Making the most of the sales that come in during shoulder season is key, and maximizing revenues generated from travel insurance sales is part of the overall equation.

How to do this? Offer travel insurance in a way that makes the benefits obvious. Here are some tried-and-true ways:

Timing

The best time to bring up travel insurance with a client is when you outline cancellation penalties for their trip. When your customers discover that there’s a way to avoid losing their vacation investment if they are forced to cancel their trip due to a covered event, they might be more inclined to purchase travel protection.

You might also take this opportunity to remind them that they could be responsible for costs associated with any medical expenses incurred during their trip or lost or stolen baggage and personal items, and that travel insurance can help limit those risks.

Anecdotes are Key

Use personal stories or examples of clients who lost money because they didn’t purchase travel insurance: “Recently, a client who came down with food poisoning the night before his cruise was unable to go on his trip and lost his full trip cost because he didn’t purchase travel protection.”

Focus on Certain Coverages

If possible refer to the client’s specific situation or personal details: “Because your flight arrival is close to the departure of your tour, you might especially consider the Travel Delay and Trip Interruption benefits of the travel protection.”

Coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If a client mentions a health condition you might focus on the fact that they could qualify for coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with certain CSA plans:  “Another reason to buy travel protection now is if you have concerns about coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. In order to qualify for coverage for pre-existing medical conditions the travel protection would have to be purchased prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment. Other conditions must also be met in order to qualify.”

Keep in mind that many continuing conditions aren’t actually pre-existing medical conditions as defined by the policy/DOC. Particularly if there is no change in condition, medication or treatment during the 180-day look-back period. If the customer asks for more details about what qualifies as a pre-existing condition, please request they call CSA Travel Protection.

Try, Try Again

Don’t lay out all the travel protection coverages up front. Save some until you get a yes or no from the customer so that you’ll have more sales ammo if they are unsure at first. Go over the travel protection when discussing their trip plans and if they decline it, then consider re-pitching when you go over final details and prices.

Overcoming Objections

Sometimes your clients won’t immediately see the benefits of travel insurance. That’s OK, insurance can be a confusing subject. Here are some simple replies to common objections you might encounter that can help your client see the benefits of insuring their trip:

I don’t think I need travel protection.

Sometimes people don’t want travel protection because they aren’t familiar with it and how it can benefit them. Travel insurance is a good way to protect your trip costs from covered events that are out of your control. Life is unpredictable—a survey by the US Travel Insurance Association1 showed that more than one in four American travelers experienced an event that impacted their travel during just one year. Consider the investment you’re making on your vacation. For a lot of people a big trip can be the third biggest investment after their house and car. You wouldn’t leave those investments unprotected and it’s important to do the same thing for your vacation as well.

My credit card will cover it.

Actually, they might not. Credit cards may provide coverage for fewer instances and can offer lower limits. They also may not provide protection for lost baggage, medical expenses or emergency medical transportation—which can be costly if you don’t have the right coverage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical evacuations by air ambulance can cost $50,000-$100,000. In addition, the card could likely only cover the cardholder, while this plan can cover up to 10 people.

I don’t need travel insurance because my medical insurance will cover me on my trip.

You’ll find that primary medical insurance doesn’t always offer coverage outside of a patient’s network. Note that Medicare, in particular, may not provide coverage internationally. This plan provides coverage for Medical and Dental and Emergency Assistance and Transportation, which can be valuable to you should you have a medical emergency during your covered trip. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical evacuations by air ambulance can cost $50,000-$100,000. Also, a national survey of travelers, including cruise passengers, found that 63% reported that they or a travel companion had become sick while on vacation.2

What happens if I can’t make a cruise or tour on time?

A trip interruption can throw a serious wrench in travel plans, especially if you’re on a tour or cruise. For example, if adverse weather causes your flight to be canceled, which makes you late for your cruise departure, travel insurance can provide reimbursement for your unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs. You can also be reimbursed for additional transportation costs to return home or rejoin your group.

Can I call back and add the travel protection in the future?

Yes, but it is recommended that you add the travel protection to your reservation now because the plan includes a 10-day Free Look. You can receive a refund of your plan cost as long as you cancel your insurance within 10 days of purchase and have not filed a claim or departed on your trip. This will allow you to research the plan terms and conditions and discuss them with your traveling partners. If we do not hear from you within 10 days then the insurance will remain in force and will be in effect for your trip.

  1. www.tiny.cc/ustiastats
  2. The survey results are based on an Omnitel poll 

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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How Identity Theft Resolution and Other Services Add Extra Value to CSA Travel Protection Plans

Sign up to sell CSA's travel insurance plans

What if one of your clients has an emergency on vacation and needs a translator, medical referral or cash transfer? You know the value of travel insurance for protecting your customers’ trips from certain unforeseen mishaps such as baggage loss or flight delays, or a covered situation that could require them to cancel their trip. But did you know that CSA’s travel insurance plans include services that allow travelers to get help with emergency situations that could come up during their trip, such as Identity Theft Resolution?

Highlighting the services available with a CSA plan during the booking process may help your customers decide that a travel insurance plan is right for them – and each plan sold can mean additional revenue and even increased customer satisfaction for you. Here’s a rundown of the assistance services included with most of our travel insurance plans and how they can work for your clients (services are provided by CSA’s designated provider):

Identity Theft Resolution

20% of travelers reported that an item with sensitive information was lost or stolen while on a trip, according to the 2015 Experian Summer Travel and Budgeting Report.

id-theft-imageEveryone should be on guard about identity theft, but it’s something that travelers should be especially wary of, as they’re usually carrying documents, IDs and credit cards in unfamiliar places. You can help your clients understand this service designed to help them if their identity is compromised during their vacation.

CSA’s ID Theft Resolution Service* includes:

  • Contacting creditors to notify them about fraudulent activity and request to cancel affected cards and issue new ones.
  • Assist with reporting the fraudulent activity to local authorities and forwarding a report to creditors.
  • Providing the traveler with a helpful ID Theft Resolution Kit.
  • Assistance in notifying banks or other agencies if identification such as an ATM card, passport or driver’s license is stolen.
  • Education about how ID theft happens and tips on protective measures for the future.

Travelers who buy a CSA travel insurance plan will not only have access to this service while on vacation, but also after their trip, since often times travelers don’t notice the theft until they arrive home. ID Theft Resolution Service is automatically included for a full 180 days starting on the traveler’s scheduled departure date.

On Demand Medical Caredoctor visit on vacation

Getting sick on vacation is never fun, but it doesn’t have to be difficult for your customers to find what they need if that happens. With just one call, we can provide them with immediate access to on-call physicians, medical advice and even referral to a physician near them using CSA’s designated provider network of 30,000 physicians and 850,000 service providers worldwide.

Teladoc connects travelers instantly with a network of physicians for information, advice, and treatment, including prescription medication, when appropriate.

With No Out-of-Pocket Medical, if a CSA policyholder get sick or injured while traveling in an area where this service is available, we can get them to a trusted provider and even handle the payment up front for acute treatments up to $1,000.

24-Hour Emergency Assistance Services

These services offer on-the-spot and immediate assistance for unexpected problems that can arise during a trip. The hotline operates 24/7 for help anytime, anyplace while traveling.

Medical Referral

If an emergency occurs during a trip that requires your client to visit a doctor, they should call the Emergency Hotline to obtain the names of local qualified doctors who speak their language. If additional medical services are required, the assistance provider is prepared to consult with the attending physician and provide assistance services that they believe is in your client’s best interest.

Traveling Companion Assistance

If a traveling companion loses previously-made travel arrangements due to your client’s medical emergency, a qualified assistance provider will arrange for the traveling companion’s return home.

Emergency Cash Transfer

If your client’s cash or traveler’s checks are lost or stolen, or unanticipated emergency expenses are incurred, our assistance provider will help arrange for an emergency cash transfer in currency, traveler’s checks or other forms as deemed acceptable by the assistance provider. They will advance up to $500 to the traveler, contingent upon a guarantee acceptable to the assistance provider, which will need to be reimbursed as soon as possible.

Legal Referral

The assistance provider will locate attorneys available during regular working hours. Assistance will also be provided to advance bail bond, where permitted by law. Planholders are responsible for contracted legal fees.

Locating Lost or Stolen Items

This service offers help locating and replacing lost or stolen luggage, documents and personal possessions.

Replacement of Medication and Eyeglasses

Arrangements can be made to fill a prescription that has been lost, stolen or requires a refill whenever possible (subject to local law). They will also arrange for shipment to replace your client’s eyeglasses.

Embassy and Consular Services

Referrals can be arranged for travelers needing the assistance of U.S. embassies and consulates.

Worldwide Medical Information

Information can be provided, such as necessary inoculation and vaccination information, and detailed general health and medical descriptions of destinations around the world.

Interpretation/Translation

Your client can call the assistance provider for help with interpretation in all major languages or will be referred to a translation service for written documents.

Emergency Message Relay

Emergency messages can be relayed to and from your client’s friends, relatives, personal physicians and employers .

Pet Return

If your client is traveling with a pet and experiences a medical emergency, this service can provide arrangements to return the pet to their home.

Vehicle Return

If your client experiences a medical emergency or mechanical problem with their vehicle that prevents them from driving, this service can make arrangements to return the vehicle to their home or the closest rental agency.

Concierge Servicesconcierge-bell

Would your customers like access to a service that offers pre-trip assistance, help scheduling golf tee times, making restaurant, airline and rental car reservations, and ticketing for entertainment and other special events? Most CSA plans will give them access to Concierge Services§ that can help them with those situations and more.

Here’s an overview of what’s included with Concierge Services:

  • City profiles: provides travelers access to information on over 10,000 destinations worldwide, including a complete report on local entertainment, social customs, and health advisories
  • Epicurean needs: arranges the delivery of specialized foods and beverages to home or office, including gourmet food and fine wine
  • Event ticketing: provides tickets to virtually any sporting, theater or concert event worldwide
  • Flowers and gift baskets: includes the purchase and shipment of flowers and gift baskets to friends, family members and business associates
  • Golf outings and tee times: provides referrals and tee times at golf courses around the world
  • Hotel accommodations: offers research and recommendations on hotels worldwide and can book reservations if requested
  • Meet-and-greet services: arranges for pick-ups of friends, family members or business associates at airports or other common carrier destinations by limousine personnel
  • Personalized retail shopping assistance: includes purchasing selected retail items at your request
  • Procurement of hard-to-find items: our service provider will use every means possible to obtain an obscure or exotic item at your request
  • Pre-trip assistance: provides information on travel destinations, city profiles, weather, special events, ATM locations, currency exchange rates, immunization and passport requirements as well as related services
  • Restaurant reviews and reservations: provides information on restaurants worldwide and the ability to book reservations from anywhere, anytime
  • Rental car reservations: provide worldwide reservations through most major rental car agencies
  • Airline reservations: provide full-service air travel accommodations to destinations worldwide
  • Pet services locator: helps travelers find pet-related services such as veterinarians and pet sitters

*ID Theft Resolution does not include assistance for thefts involving non-U.S. bank accounts.

†Teladoc services may not be available in all states, and international services may be limited.

‡ Costs for shipping of medication or eyeglasses, or a prescription refill, etc. the responsibility of the insured.

§This is a service to research, refer, arrange and/or place a reservation. The actual costs of goods will need to be paid by the traveler.

 

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 0821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Insurance Services.  Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions.  Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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