|
TRAVEL GUARD UPDATEApril 2008 - Family Travel Issue NEW!
Subscribe to RSS Feeds and receive up-to-the-minute Travel Guard news. Welcome to the April edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review of key issues for the travel media. These brief items — including news updates, tips and guidance — are designed to keep today’s travelers up-to-date on the changing travel landscape and help them make more informed decisions on their travel investment. Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you'd like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at emckeon@mmgmardiks.com. *Editor’s note: Summer will soon be here, which naturally leads to thoughts of family travel. In this issue we look at any recent changes or trends and how mom and dad can cover the whole clan when they see the world together. For more information on any of the below topics, please contact Erin McKeon (emckeon@mmgmardiks.com or 212-219-7560, ext. 6767). For more information on travel insurance programs, visit Travel Guard's Web site: www.TravelGuard.com.
In this month's issue:
PULSE-POLL: FAMILY TRAVEL FOCUS
TRAVEL TIP: TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ALL
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: FAMILY CRUISE INTERRUPTED
PULSE-POLL: FAMILY TRAVEL FOCUS
Increase or holding steady in family vacation bookings: Travel Guard’s recent Pulse-Poll survey shows 41.1 percent of travel agents noticing an increase in clients booking family vacations this year. Additionally, another 46.4 percent, are noting no change in the amount of family bookings this year, proving that the unstable economy isn’t affecting the annual family vacation. Status-quo on popularity of non-traditional family vacations: More than 34 percent of travel agents polled are seeing an increase in clients booking non-traditional vacations this year, such as adult children still traveling with their parents. Adults traveling with mom and dad: The most popular type for those agents booking the non-traditional family vacations include adult children traveling with their parents (26.8 percent), families traveling with grandparents (15.8 percent) and families traveling with aunts, uncles, cousins (5.6 percent). No change in amount of money families are investing on vacation: So says 47.8 percent of polled travel agents, while another 42.5 percent say they have seen a decrease in the amount of cash being spent by families, due to the current state of the economy. Families heading for sun and sand: The Caribbean ranks as the most popular among clients booking family vacations this year, say 42.3 percent of agents. Clients are also staying close to home, with 9.6 percent heading to Florida and another 17.3 opting for other U.S. destinations. The beach is the most popular type of trip for families, according to 41.1 of agents, followed by a cruise (30.4 percent) Buying travel insurance: There has been an increase in clients purchasing travel insurance for their vacations this year, according to 52.4 percent of polled agents. TRAVEL TIP: TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ALL
The concern about unforeseen situations possibly impacting a major trip investment demonstrates to family vacationers the strong need to purchase travel insurance. Travel Guard enhanced its product offerings late 2007 to include coverage of children age 17 and under at no additional cost under their ProtectAssist travel insurance plan. ProtectAssist offers a range of coverage, including coverage for pre-paid non-refundable deposits if a family must cancel or interrupt their trip due to one of the many unforeseen circumstances covered by the plan. The plan also includes Travel Guard Assist’s 24/7 emergency travel services hotline for emergency medical assistance, travel arrangements, live e-mail and phone messages to friends and family, cash transfers and tracking lost baggage. With this plan Travel Guard Assist also provides complimentary concierge services, including event ticketing, golf reservations, floral services and more. For more information on Travel Guard's complete line of travel insurance and assistance services plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com. EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: FAMILY CRUISE INTERRUPTED
Kevin and Andrea’s 10-day Caribbean cruise with their two young children almost turned into a nightmare when they ended up in a hospital in Bermuda rather than relaxing on the beach. While riding mopeds with their children during a day off the ship, Andrea fell off of her scooter and fractured her leg, ending up in a hospital, needing immediate surgery that could only be performed in the United States. Fortunately, the family had purchased the Essential Expanded travel insurance plan through Travel Guard. Kevin immediately called Travel Assist’s 24-hour travel emergency assistance line to help with Andrea’s medical emergency. The assistance coordinator stayed in contact with Kevin and his wife at the hospital while their two children continued on the cruise with their grandparents While the couple awaited approval to travel, Travel Guard Assist’s coordinators worked with the air ambulance and United States hospital to arrange her transportation and knee surgery. In the end, Andrea received the proper care she needed, and the family was reimbursed over $17,000 for the medical evacuation, medical expenses, and trip interruption expenses. Although their perfect family vacation was interrupted, the family could spend their time worrying about Andrea’s health rather than arranging a medical evacuation and the cost of the medical expenses.**
The travel Insurance plans offered through Travel Guard are underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa, a Pennsylvania Insurance Company (NAIC #19445) with its principal place of business at 70 Pine Street, New York, NY 10270, currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. All coverages may not be available in all states.
Travel insurance through Travel Guard may include coverage for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation expenses, and lost or delayed baggage. Travel Guard's plans also includes 24-hour travel emergency service* for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice, and more. *Assistance services provided by Travel Guard Assist.
|