6 Surprising New Developments In Travel Insurance That Will Change The Way You Plan Your Next Trip

If you want to understand how travel insurance is changing – and how it will change the way you travel this year – you need to meet Robin.

Robin (full name, Robin Assist) is a new technology service platform used by insurance companies to process travel insurance claims, and more.

“Technology can be very helpful when you file a claim,” said Sasha Gainullin, CEO of value, the company that made Robin. “It can get the policy you have.

Tectonic changes in travel insurance for 2023

Robin could change the way you file your travel insurance claim by 2023. Currently, travel insurance companies are sitting on hundreds of thousands of unused claims from the travel scam above. the air and even a few things from this summer. Technology like Robin can speed up the process, reducing claims processing from weeks to minutes.

The pace of payment is increasing rapidly, according to Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com.

“US Fire and Nationwide have started emailing claim checks,” he said. “As soon as payment is confirmed, the check is emailed as a PDF, reducing at least five days of postal service delays in receiving payments.”

Changes to travel insurance are disruptive, say insiders. It’s not just about speed, but also about the types of insurance and other technologies offered by travel insurance companies.

“Travel insurance has experienced a renaissance in the past 24 months,” said Ross Caldwell Thompson, CEO of Covac Global. “Just as it has grown to include more security-related concerns in the wake of 9/11, post-disaster travel insurance consumers are looking for more risk-free solutions for them when it comes to medical emergencies.”

It is more popular than ever. The number of travelers who plan to buy travel insurance in 2023 will be more than seven years ago, according to its latest. State Travel Insurance Report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. (For more information on buying the right policy, you can contact my free guide to travel insurance.)

So what are the big changes for 2023?

1. Travel insurance program

Some travel insurance companies have developed their programs to detect when a traveler makes a change in their activities or engages in a risky activity that is not covered, such as renting a moped or go on the road.

“The app notifies the traveler of the risk, and offers an option to purchase personal information for the activity,” said Frank Harrison, regional director for the protection of the United States in International Travel Security.

Joe Cronin, president of Insurance for International Citizens, another series of travel insurance programs aims to help find pharmacies and hospitals, as well as doctors who speak your language. “They will also provide travel advice, including emergency phone numbers,” he said.

2. New travel insurance options

Travel insurance companies plan to introduce new features and products this year. Allianz Travel Insurance has just introduced an Anytime Cancellation update for customers in multiple states to its popular OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier plans.

“Cancellation at any time can reimburse up to 80% of your non-refundable lost travel if you cancel your travel for almost any “for an unforeseen reason your plan is not covered,” said Allianz spokesman Daniel Durazo. “And you can cancel late on the day of departure.”

These types of “cancellation for any reason” options have been available for some time, but Allianz has announced some policies on its website.

3. Better cultural policies

“There’s a growing trend toward policy diversification, and some insurers are realizing that the traditional one-size-fits-all policy doesn’t work well for today’s travelers,” the said Adam St. John, CEO of the Begin. For example, his company offers travel insurance that covers all the basics, but allows travelers to customize their insurance and choose what is important to them.

“For example, if you’re the type of person who travels with a lot of gear, you might want to increase your baggage limit,” says St. John. “If it’s a last-minute trip, you might not want to cancel the trip, because it can be expensive.

Culture was a big trend last year, but experts say we should expect more in 2023.

“Travelers will have more flexible plans that allow them to customize benefits, access to personal service, and offer a personalized and transparent process,” said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO. zero VisitorsCoveragean insurance market.

4. Reduce payments

Travel insurance companies are investing heavily in technology to allow consumers to avoid paying out of pocket for medical services. INF Visitor Care recently launched a non-profit computer aid program. You know how your health insurance plan says it works with a large PPO network, but providers often don’t want to accept the plan? This is what improves it.

“I think the biggest problem with travel insurance is that you always have to work on reimbursement,” explains PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care. “We have introduced a medical assistance that will make appointments for members with their favorite services and ensure that the transaction is cashless, which means there is no need for reimbursement medicine.”

5. Better sharing of COVID

As the disease subsided, travelers needed more sensitive vaccines for their COVID. This includes being able to return home and be treated at home instead of staying outside. Travel insurance companies will improve their policies in 2023 to offer better COVID coverage, predicts Thompson of Covac Global.

“Removing the usual requirements for the evacuation of doctors, so that customers can return to their hospital without being forced to stay in a local hospital, is one of the things. The most effective new products to come into the industry in recent months,” he added.

6. A simpler claims process

“I expect that travel insurance companies will upgrade their portals online in 2023 to make it easier to manage and track the status of claims,” ​​said Stan Sandberg, the the travel insurance center was established. TravelInsurance.com. “The most common complaint we hear about the industry is a lack of satisfaction with the claims experience.”

Robin is just one of a number of travel insurers trying to simplify a claims process that is often complicated by paperwork. For example, Faye allows you to file in-app claims in minutes. The company also pays claims through a secure digital credit card called Faye Wallet, so you’re never left waiting for a check in the mail. “You can use the Faye Wallet card by adding it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, or you can transfer money directly to your bank account,” said Faye spokesperson Lauren Gumport.

Robin’s method is more than just quick payments. Its platform offers other travel insurance companies many benefits, including language customer support, medical emergencies and travel assistance. , medical case management and access to medical communications and pricing. In other words, he takes care of almost everything.

Read this before you buy travel insurance

As interesting as these travel insurance developments may seem, the truth is this: Travel insurance is a regulated product that, in general, is slow to change. Although you will see new options, smart features and quick claims processing, the truth is, it will be very similar – maybe the same – to the policy you bought last year.

Additionally, you may already have coverage through your auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance or credit card.

“Before you buy insurance, you owe it to yourself to check the type of insurance you already have,” said Pallavi Sadekar, head of operations at VisitorGuard.com“That might work.”

Leave a Comment