Last-Minute Ski Trips: Why they’re Great and How Travel Insurance Can Help

April may seem a little late in the year for a ski trip, yet while still considered low season for many destinations, the month has a lot to offer mountain-goers—domestically and internationally. Ample deals and lodging opportunities can even make for an ideal, alternative spring break trip to the standard beach vacation. From low season prices to near perfect weather, April’s a great time to encourage your clients to hit the slopes one last time before trading in their winter gear for snorkels and swimsuits.

Here are four advantages of booking last-minute ski trips along with four important ways travel insurance can help your clients enjoy their vacation with fewer worries and more fun.

Empty Accommodations

Your clients can expect widely available and affordable lodging options at mountain resorts in April. While vacancies equate to great savings and opportunities for your clients, they can also mean resorts are less inclined to make exceptions if your clients need to cancel their plans within the penalty window. You can help your clients protect their non-refundable plans by offering travel insurance when they book. If they need to cancel or interrupt their trip because of a covered reason, like a sickness or injury of themselves or a family member, the plan can provide reimbursement.

Big Snowfalls

Late season still brings big snowfalls for some destinations, particularly those that are further north or at higher altitudes. On top of a base that’s accumulated all winter, these late season snows can make for favorable conditions on the mountain. But if your clients are unlucky enough to hit bad weather while traveling to or from their destination, they may take on some unplanned costs because of a delayed or cancelled flight. If this happens, travel insurance can provide coverage for additional expenses to help get your clients to their destination as planned or back home, in addition to reimbursing for missed nights at their reservation. Coverage is also included for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as meals, local transportation or even additional lodging or parking charges.

Long Days, Short Lines

Low season vacancies also mean shorter lift lines, discounted passes and all-around quieter slopes. These advantages combined with a few more hours of sunlight than you get during peak season adds up to more time on the mountain for less money, making low season an attractive travel time for ski enthusiasts and beginners alike. While beginners will likely want to rent their equipment for their last-minute ski trip, seasoned enthusiasts checking their gear might travel a little lighter knowing travel insurance provides coverage for their baggage and personal belongings if it’s damaged, lost, stolen or delayed. Travel insurance also provides coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuations if your clients are injured or get sick during their trip—a potentially important safeguard for skiers.

Warm, Sunny Weather

Not everyone trekking to the mountains this spring will be looking to shred the slopes. Fortunately, April’s warm weather, even in northern regions, is ideal for après-ski enjoyment. Whether your clients are seeking some spa time or to dine on idyllic mountain terraces, pre-trip assistance and other concierge services included with all CSA-Generali Global Assistance travel insurance plans can make the perfect arrangements to help your clients enjoy the warmer temperatures and sunny skies to the fullest.

Remind last-minute mountain-goers to pack travel insurance from CSA Travel Protection-Generali Global Assistance this spring and help ensure your clients book their vacation with the peace of mind they deserve while traveling. To learn more about how to improve travel insurance take rates at your agency or to set up a customized sales training, contact your dedicated account manager.

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 Travel Insurance Can Help Honeymooners

Valentine’s Day has come and gone but if you’re booking any honeymoons this wave season, you know how important it is to keep your clients happy and feeling the love. While travel insurance may not be your soon-to-be-coupled travelers’ first priority, ensuring that they’re aware of a protection plan’s benefits and how it could help them avoid potentially costly mishaps could help them relax and keep the heart of their honeymoon at the top of their mind.

Here are a few key reasons why honeymooners may want to buy travel insurance:

Non-refundable travel plans

A honeymoon is often a trip of a lifetime and even couples who don’t travel often may venture out to celebrate. Since your clients are likely spending a little more on their honeymoon than they might otherwise spend, insuring their travel plans could be a wise decision if they’ve booked non-refundable reservations or activities. Should they get sick and have to cancel last minute or if their flight is delayed because of bad weather and they can’t leave on time, travel insurance can help them recover their prepaid trip costs. Coverage is included for cancellations and interruptions for a variety of covered reasons.

Essential clothing and gear

No one wants to find themselves stranded in the Caribbean without their bathing suit or at a Colorado ski resort without their ski gear. Travel insurance includes coverages for lost, stolen, damaged and delayed baggage. If your clients’ bags are delayed more than 12 or 24 hours (depending on the plan they purchased), they can buy necessary clothing and other items needed and their travel insurance plan can provide reimbursement.

Far-off destinations

The perfect opportunity to spend a few weeks at sea or trek to the ends of the earth, your clients’ honeymoon may be taking them somewhere where travel insurance is highly recommended or even mandatory. Due to its remote location, all Antarctic travel operators require proof of insurance for emergency air lift evacuations—this coverage comes highly recommended for ocean cruise travel as well. Honeymooners sailing through international waters may also benefit from medical coverage for non-emergencies in case they get sick or injured during their trip as some health insurance providers don’t cover their policyholders internationally.

Trying new things

Your clients may be trying new and bizarre foods on their honeymoon, exploring new activities like surfing or hiking, or traveling to a part of the world they’ve never been to before. Packing a travel insurance plan can help ease some of their worries about stepping out of their comfort zone. If they get sick and need antibiotics or get injured and need to see a doctor, plans include medical coverage. Plans can also reimburse prepaid costs if their arrangements are interrupted due to a covered reason, like a sickness or injury.

Help your clients book their dream honeymoon with confidence by reminding them of the ways travel insurance from CSA Travel Protection-Generali Global Assistance can help protect their vacation investment, ease stress and provide a sense of safety and security while traveling. Did you know our dedicated account management team can work with your agency to help increase plan sales and increase take rates? To learn more or to set up a customized training, contact your account manager.

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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Caribbean Travel Guide: Common Mishaps that Call for Trip Insurance, Plus the Region’s Top Resort Destinations

For your clients who are wanting to relieve the winter cold with a dose of sunshine—whether they’re simply relaxation-seekers wanting to enjoy a laid-back beach retreat or adventure-seekers who enjoy water-based sports like scuba diving—there seems to be something for everyone in the Caribbean. A favored vacation region, the Caribbean includes 25 countries and hundreds of resorts that are a short flight from the East Coast United States.

Caribbean travelers are frequently choosing to stay at resorts for overall comfort and convenience, as many are all-inclusive without compromising luxury—and smaller, private resort beaches tend to be less crowded than other island beaches. As you book trips to the Caribbean this season, don’t forget to remind your clients why travel insurance can be a valuable add-on to their vacation package. Plus, check out our list of four Caribbean countries with some of the best beach resorts.

Why Travel Insurance for a Caribbean Beach Vacation?

Here are a few common mishaps that your clients might experience during a Caribbean vacation and the ways a CSA-Generali Global Assistance travel insurance plan can help:

  • Hurricanes and natural disasters.

    Travel insurance is especially important when traveling during hurricane season, as your clients may encounter travel disruptions. Although many Caribbean destinations go years unscathed by hurricanes, there are always risks involved with natural disasters—particularly if they’re heading to an island located in the hurricane belt. Travel insurance can help your clients recoup their trip investment if they have to cancel or interrupt their plans due to a mandatory hurricane evacuation or a flight delay or cancellation due to bad weather. They can also be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, such as meals and overnight lodging while delayed.

  • Petty crime.

    Research shows that popular destinations such as Jamaica and the Bahamas experience more criminal activity—mostly petty crime— than other islands in the region. CSA-Generali Global Assistance plans include Baggage Coverage to help protect your belongings from theft, loss or damage. Coverage for cancellations and interruptions due to a theft of passports or visas is also included.

  • Health hazards.

    Most medical plans don’t cover international medical expenses—so if your clients’ Caribbean vacation is taking them outside the US, they may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance plan with Medical and Dental Coverage. Such coverage may be of particular interest to those planning active vacations but could also come in handy for any traveler worried about getting sick or injured while traveling (IE: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking tap water in the Caribbean could be hazardous).

Best Caribbean Beach Resorts: Jamaica, Bahamas and Beyond

Turks and Caicos Resorts

With miles of white sandy beaches and pink coral reef, Providenciales, called Provo by locals, is the most developed island in Turks and Caicos—and most resorts here are family friendly. There’s also country-wide policy to keep mass development at a minimum, so your clients won’t have to worry about over development. And here’s a fun fact: although Turks and Caicos is under British-rule, it uses the American dollar.

When to Go: (December – May) Like other Caribbean beach resort destinations, Turks and Caicos’ busy season is from December to March as most activities are available then. Your clients will avoid larger crowds in April and May, right before rainy hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

Jamaica Resorts

If you’re working with active travelers, they may find that Jamaica has a lot to offer. From water-based activities like scuba diving to land-based mountain hiking—there’s plenty to do. And if your clients need to squeeze in some R&R, there’s a wide variety of spa services and beach lounging opportunities.

When to Go: (November – March) Early season, from November to mid-December, is recommended as weather is best—but January through March is considered peak booking season. Hurricane season lasts all summer into early autumn.

Bahamas Resorts

The Bahamas has a wide reach. With 700 islands, 23 inhabited, there’s everything from pink sandy beaches, historic landmarks, busy cities to exclusive golf courses.

When to Go: (December – April) Like most Caribbean destinations, rainy season starts in May and peak hurricane season is from June to late November.

Dominican Republic Resorts

The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean; it’s also one of the region’s most geographically diverse countries with beaches, colonial architecture, mountainous terrain and even desert scrublands.

When to Go: (December – May) Peak season is December through March, but April and May are best for those wanting to avoid major crowds. Keep in mind, the Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane season lasts from June to November.

Introduce these popular destination and reasons for purchasing CSA-Generali Global Assistance travel insurance to your next Caribbean-bound clients and give them a sunny trip to look forward to complete with the peace of mind they deserve. We appreciate the continued opportunity to serve your customers while boosting your business with competitive commissions on each plan sold. To learn more about how to increase CSA-Generali Global Assistance plan sales at your agency, contact your dedicated account manager.

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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Help Your Clients Relax this Holiday Season with Travel Insurance

Busy booking your clients’ winter holiday plans? It’s that time of year! As you finalize arrangements and secure itineraries, don’t forget to remind your clients of how travel insurance can be an important part of their planning process. Travel protection can address a number of concerns that travelers may have about leaving home for the holidays, so consider the below ways in which a plan can help alleviate stress and help your clients enjoy the season—all while earning a commission on each plan sold.

Domestic Risks

Out-of-network medical coverage:

Your clients who are traveling domestically may benefit from knowing that while many primary health insurers include coverage for emergency treatment, even if your clients are receiving care outside of their network, some providers might not include such coverage and not all insurers include coverage for hospitalization. If your clients are traveling outside of their network, have a limited network or aren’t sure, they may benefit from travel insurance while away from home. CSA-Generali plans include Medical and Dental coverage and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage.

Identity Theft Resolution Service:

Traveling during the holiday season means travelers are venturing out during the busiest time of year. When considering the risks of traveling with IDs, credit cards and important documents in crowded and unfamiliar cities—or using public and unsecure Wi-Fi connections—your clients may travel easier knowing they have a protection plan in place that includes Identity Theft Resolution Service. This service takes effect on your client’s departure date and is in place for a full 180 days.

Weather Worries

Delays and cancellations:

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 19% of flights were delayed and 2% were canceled during the 2016 Winter Holiday travel season. That’s about 80% more cancellations and 12% more delays than usual so clients who are traveling during this time might like to know how travel insurance can help protect their trip costs if their plans are impacted by a covered event. Insured travelers are not only reimbursed for unused prepaid trip costs if they have to cancel or interrupt their plans due to a flight delay or cancellation resulting from adverse weather or another covered event, they can also receive reimbursement for additional transportation costs to return home or catch up to their trip.

Out-of-pocket costs:

Your clients can also receive coverage for out-of-pocket expenses if they’re delayed due to a covered event like adverse weather. Reimbursable expenses include lodging accommodations, local transportation, meal costs and additional parking charges and pet kennel fees that are incurred during the delay—the delay must last for six hours or more.

Offering travel insurance to all of your clients this holiday season encourages them to weigh the risks and consider their options so they can make the best decision for themselves and their travel party. If your clients have any questions about how a travel protection plan can benefit them, they can always contact our Customer Service Department, available seven days a week, at 1-800-348-9505.

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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