Generali Global Assistance Extends Suite of Travel Insurance Plans to Growing Mountain Resort Segment

Ski & Mountain Travel Insurance plan offers variety of coverages to protect mountain resort travelers

Generali Global Assistance’s Travel Insurance division, formerly  CSA Travel Protection, today announced its new Ski & Mountain Travel Insurance offering for the growing mountain resort segment of the vacation rental market. The new plan is available during all seasons for mountain resort areas and is available immediately to property managers to offer their clients for the 2017-2018 ski season.

With the vacation rental market expected to be worth $36.6 billion by the end of 2018, the Company sees tremendous opportunities in enhancing its vacation rental coverages and features. The Ski & Mountain Travel Insurance product was curated to provide added coverages for the growing number of activity oriented travelers that target the mountain regions in both winter and summer.

Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance North America, commented on today’s news, “We are excited to roll out this new offering and provide enhanced coverages to the mountain resort industry – which is a burgeoning segment of the vacation rental industry. As the shared economy and home rentals continue to grow, we see significant opportunities in this area and look forward to raising our market presence with tailored products and services.”

The new Ski & Mountain Travel Insurance product retains Generali Global Assistance’s market competitive vacation rental coverages and features that help protect against events that can interrupt or completely halt vacations, such as unforeseen snow storms that delay flights, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.

The Ski & Mountain Travel Insurance product includes some additional innovative benefits:

  • Coverage for lack of snow at eligible resorts (certain restrictions apply)
  • Specific coverage for sporting equipment loss, theft, damage or delay
  • Extended coverage for adverse weather and natural disasters
  • Expanded coverage for destination accommodations being inaccessible or uninhabitable
  • A wide range of emergency medical and concierge travel assistance services

Carnicelli concluded “Travelers, property managers and vacation rental owners will all be pleased with the additional coverages and unique attributes of these offerings, which make them among the strongest protections available in the mountain resort segment today.”

About Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance, formerly Europ Assistance USA, has been a leading provider of travel insurance and other assistance services for more than 25 years.  The Company offers a full suite of innovative, vertically integrated travel insurance and emergency services, identity protection solutions, and beneficiary companion services.  Generali Global Assistance is part of the multinational Generali Group, which for over 185 years has created a presence in 60 countries with over 76,000 employees.  Our success has been built on the foundation of trust that clients have placed in our ability to provide assistance in the most difficult of circumstances.

Storm Updates

It’s the height of hurricane season and recent storms have affected many of our customers’ travel plans. If you are a CSA Travel Protection policyholder and your travel has been affected by Irma, Jose, Katia or another storm, please go here to file a claim. During storms, our Customer Service Center experiences high call volumes, so we encourage you to reach out to us at csa@csatravelprotection.com or file a claim online.

Storm Coverage Cut-off Dates

Customers are strongly encouraged to read their Description of Coverage or Insurance Policy for details regarding their available coverage. For plans that do offer coverage for adverse weather and natural disasters, please note that there is no coverage for:

  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irma under any plans purchased on or after August 30, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Jose under any plans purchased on or after September 5, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Katia under any plans purchased on or after September 6, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Max under any plans purchased on or after September 13, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Maria under any plans purchased on or after September 16, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Otis under any plans purchased on or after September 16, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm/Hurricane Lee under any plans purchased on or after September 16, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm Ramon under any plans purchased on or after October 4, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm Nate under any plans purchased on or after October 5, 2017.
  • Tropical Storm Ophelia under any plans purchased on or after October 9, 2017.

Remember, travel insurance is designed to help protect you against unforeseen events, which means it is meant to be bought before a covered event, such as a tropical storm, occurs. Losses resulting from storms are not covered once a storm is named. However, our plans continue to provide excellent coverage and assistance services for those able to continue on their scheduled travel plans.

Free Look Period

If you purchased one of our plans for coverage for a tropical storm after the storm’s cutoff date and you are not happy with your insurance purchase, you may want to take advantage of our free look period, in which you may cancel your plan for a full refund if it doesn’t suit your needs. For most states of residence, you may cancel your plan within 10 days from the time of purchase. If you live in Indiana, the free look period gives you 30 days to decide if your plan is right for you. Keep in mind, you can only cancel your plan within the free look period of 10 days as long as you have not filed a claim, or left on your trip. Please email csa@csatravelprotection.com in order to cancel your plan.

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.

Travel Insurance Alert: Tropical Storm Irma

Tropical Storm Irma formed August 30, 2017 over the far Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Currently, maximum sustained winds are near 50mph with some strengthening forecasted over the next 48 hours. It has been stated that Irma could become a hurricane by Friday, but at the moment there is no immediate threat to land. Customers are strongly encouraged to read their Description of Coverage or Insurance Policy for details regarding their available coverage.  For plans that do offer coverage for adverse weather and natural disasters, please note that there is no coverage for this specific storm under any plans purchased on or after August 30, 2017.

Please contact CSA Travel Protection with questions or visit csaclaims.com to submit a claim.

6 Fall Shoulder Season Destinations that Can Benefit from Travel Insurance

Traveling before and after travel’s high seasons, months known as “shoulder seasons,” can mean great savings for your clients, fewer crowds and friendlier locals. Different destinations experience their high seasons at varying times of year so before setting their hearts on a particular destination for this fall’s shoulder season— typically taking place between September and October—your clients are wise to do a little homework.

Here’s a list of some great fall shoulder season destinations and why travel insurance may come in handy when traveling there:

Hawaii and Getting There

After Labor Day, Hawaii is free from tourist-packed crowds and peak-season flight and lodging prices. While resorts and beaches are quieter in September and October, the weather remains in the 80’s and sunny—making it a perfect time to enjoy the islands’ beaches, wildlife and cultural traditions.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: Traveling to Hawaii is no small endeavor, especially if your clients are flying from the East Coast where they’re looking at a minimum of one connection and anywhere from 13 hours to a full day’s trek to get to the islands. Even flights from the West Coast will take no less than approximately six hours. A lot can go wrong during that time traveling cross-country or over the Pacific, including covered events like flight delays and cancellations due to bad weather that might force your clients to delay, interrupt or even cancel their plans. Travel insurance can help with those unexpected losses.

The Caribbean and Hurricane Season

The Caribbean offers a variety of attractive destinations throughout the fall shoulder season and beyond. The region known for its dream resorts, luxury cruises, stunning waters and rich heritage reaches its peak season in winter, typically January through March, so travelers tend to find the best prices in the preceding months. The downside of deserted beaches (and one way to explain them): hurricane season extends through the end of November in the Caribbean. Fortunately some of the southern islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, Grenada and Tobago rarely experience a hurricane making them both affordable and less risky destinations.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: Though storms can be rare and hurricanes tend to avoid certain parts of the Caribbean, your clients are nonetheless accepting a certain degree of risk when booking fall travel there—especially if heading to an island located in the hurricane belt. Travel insurance can help travelers 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. See a Description of Coverage/Policy for event restrictions and complete details.

Mexico and Health Insurance

Fall shoulder season in Mexico coincides with the end of the country’s rainy season, peak hurricane season, some of the country’s quietest months and one of the most affordable times of year to visit. Travelers will find ample hotel occupancy at low costs and the rainy season’s showers are generally periodic and short—appearing in the late afternoon and leaving several hours of sun in the day to enjoy the Pacific or Caribbean coastline. For a cultural experience beyond the beaches, book your clients a trip in November when the country hosts a number of festivals including iconic Dia de Los Muertos celebrations.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: While Mexico provides health care to Mexican citizens and legal immigrants through its national system, Insituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, it does not have medical care arrangements with foreign nations. U.S. citizens visiting on vacation are responsible for any medical treatment they might need and often times must pay upfront before they are able to receive care, including emergency care. A number of U.S. citizens have even filed complaints with the US State Department regarding inflated charges from health care facilities near beach resorts. A well-rounded travel protection plan with Medical and Dental coverage, Emergency Assistance and Transportation and 24/7/365 emergency assistance services can help if your clients become sick or injured in Mexico and need help.

Canada and the Great Outdoors

Fall is a lively time for Canadian provinces with several, such as Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City, hosting concerts and festivals throughout the season and fall colors coming into view throughout the country. The favorable exchange rate will further enhance your clients’ shoulder season savings and the peace and quiet of smaller crowds make Canada a great destination if your clients are looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Room rates in Vancouver are rumored to drop by nearly half during this time of year.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: If your clients are looking to get outside and back to nature in Canada this shoulder season, it may be wise to travel with 24/7/365 emergency assistance should they find themselves sick or injured and needing medical assistance in a remote region. One phone call to Generali Global Assistance can get policy holders the help they need at any time.

The Mediterranean and Traveling Abroad

Your clients will find inexpensive airfare and room rates when booking fall travel to the Mediterranean along with a number of enticing destinations. The islands of Crete, Ibiza and Sicily all offer warm, sunny weather despite lower prices. Malta is another affordable and appealing option with free attractions like Calypso Cave and turquoise waters. And don’t forget about Greece this fall—students and summer tourists have gone home by the shoulder season months and the sea is still warm enough to swim in.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: Relative to a trip to Mexico or Canada, your clients that are booking trips abroad are likely amounting higher trip costs and could stand to lose more if a traveling companion or non-traveling family member becomes unexpectedly sick and they have to cancel their plans. This financial risk of cancellation in addition to the U.S. Department of State including getting insured on its pre-departure checklist for international travel for health insurance reasons means those heading to the Mediterranean may benefit greatly from a well-rounded travel insurance plan.

South Africa and Potential Dangers

September sits between Africa’s dry and wet seasons providing travelers with clear and sunny weather, a sparser mosquito population, quieter parks and thinner vegetation—improving your clients’ ability to catch a photo of the continent’s Big Five on wildlife spotting safaris. Safari lodges in South Africa feature lower rates during the fall shoulder season, making it the perfect time of year to plan a trip.

Why Your Clients Might Need Travel Insurance: Although known as a potentially dangerous destination, most of South Africa’s crime takes place in poorer, rural areas where tourists rarely travel and are rarely targeted. None the less, some travelers may find peace of mind with a travel insurance plan that can provide emergency assistance, identity theft resolution services and coverage for cancellations and interruptions due to a theft of passports or visas or even terrorist acts. Emergency assistance and transportation coverage may also provide peace of mind should travelers require medical treatment and transportation from a more remote part of the country to one of South Africa’s urban centers offering first-world medical care.

Knowing these common reasons for buying travel insurance, your clients are wise to consider their options before heading to one of these popular fall shoulder season destinations. Don’t forget to offer them CSA Travel Protection—your dedicated partner and a trusted provider of travel insurance and assistance services for over 25 years.

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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