FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where Should Skiers Buy Coverage?
What Coverages Are Available?
How Much Coverage Is Needed?
Is Supplier Default Coverage Important?
Do Limitations or Exclusions Apply?
Is This Primary or Supplemental Insurance?
How Much Does It Cost?  How Do I Market Coverage?
What Happens When a Loss Occurs?
 

Q: WHY SELL TRAVEL INSURANCE?
A:  Experienced travelers know that an unplanned occurrence can always arise, before or during a trip.  Cancellation penalties can be steep, even if due to an unforeseen emergency.  It's bad enough if your customers have to cancel their travel plans but sometimes people don't think about falling ill, airline strikes, inclement weather, losing money or baggage en route -- it could easily happen.  And these are problems that can turn into nightmares if one leaves without adequate travel protection.

Travelers from Canada are accustomed to government health insurance taking care of their hospital and medical expenses at home; they rarely see a bill.  But when traveling outside of Canada, it's a different story!  Therefore, government health ministries recommend that tourists obtain supplemental insurance because government health coverage in itself is just not enough.

Travelers from the USA may have medical coverage provided through a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).  Many HMOs and PPOs provide limited coverage outside their territory within the USA and provide little or no coverage abroad.  Also, many travelers do not realize that Medicare and most supplements do not provide any benefits outside the USA.

Q: WHERE SHOULD SKIERS BUY COVERAGE?
A:  This type of insurance can be purchased at a travel agency but that source is often more expensive than coverage offered by resorts and tour operators.   If your company works with Tourist Insurance Services (TIS), it can generally offer lower cost as well as the following additional advantages:

Q: WHAT COVERAGES ARE AVAILABLE?
  • ALL-INCLUSIVE SKI INSURANCE PLAN 
    • Cancellation
    • Missed Flight
    • Hotel Upgrade
    • Accidental Death/Dismemberment
    • Travel Delay
    • Return Flight
    • Unused Travel Arrangements
    • Interruption Insurance
    • Baggage Insurance/Delay
    • Ski Equipment Delay Insurance
    • Emergency Medical Insurance
    • Emergency Evacuation
 


Q: DO CONSUMERS NEED TO BUY SUPPLIER DEFAULT COVERAGE?
A: Not if they pay for the travel arrangements by credit card.  That is the best (and least expensive) protection against failure of an airline, tour operator or other supplier.  In event of bankruptcy, one will not have to pay the credit card bill.  In California and in a few provinces of Canada (BC, ON, PQ), compensation funds are maintained for the protection of consumers.  Some insurance vendors advertise that their cancellation insurance includes coverage for supplier default but restrictions in the scope of coverage make it of limited value and it is more expensive than what is available through Tourist Insurance Services.


Q:  DO LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS APPLY?
A: Yes, as with all insurance policies, the terms and conditions are limited.  To become familiar with these provisions before enrolling, the coverage terms may be examined online. Consumers should take time to review the details before buying.  If there are any questions, simply contact Tourist Insurance for answers.


Q: IS THIS PRIMARY OR SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE?
A: All benefits are secondary to whatever insurance may already be in force.  Most travelers do not have cancellation coverage present in any other policy so this benefit generally is the sole source of reimbursement.  Other benefits such as medical and baggage coverage often are present to some degree in existing policies (health insurance, homeowner's insurance) or in the liability agreements of airlines and other carriers.  In that case, benefits from all sources of recovery will be coordinated in event of a covered loss.  That means each party will contribute its share so that insured travelers receive full reimbursement.


Q:  HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?  HOW DO WE MARKET COVERAGE?
A: Go to the Products Page. 

Q:  WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CLAIM OCCURS?
A: In event of a cancellation claim before departure, consumers must notify your company immediately.   If a medical emergency arises during travel, insured travelers should call the toll-free number of Worldwide Assistance Services which appears in the Description of Coverage.  All other claims should be reported in writing to TOURIST upon returning home.  Consumers may request a claim form online, 24 x 7.


 
 

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