New and expanded insurance offered through AMA Travel includes coverage for real-world travel disruptions that cause travellers to miss 30% or more of their trip. | PHOTO: IMAGESOURCECURATED/ENVATO
INSURANCE
The Evolution of Travel Insurance
Enhanced coverage and new benefits give Albertans more confidence when they travel.
By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
Travel doesn’t always go according to plan. Fuel shortages, operational delays and unpredictable weather can disrupt flights and add unexpected costs. As travel itself has become less predictable, travel insurance has evolved to help protect travellers in the event of the unexpected, from cancelled flights to long delays.
With so much unpredictability in the mix, travel insurance can not only save travellers a lot of money, but it can also allow them to look forward to their trip without worry. Travel insurance is often seen as an “in case of emergency” backup, but modern travel insurance encompasses much more. Travellers can now choose insurance that helps manage the uncertainty of increasingly frequent travel disruptions. The trick is understanding exactly what your insurance covers and how to access the benefits. “Consumers don’t know what they’re covered for,” says AMA Travel spokesperson Nikola Berube. “We want people to know they have coverage for real-life situations.” Enhanced travel insurance includes more coverage than ever.
AMA Travel Insurance is a tool that can help Albertans feel secure when booking a trip, whether it is a dream vacation or a journey to visit family.
This year, AMA Travel expanded its insurance offerings with an approach that, Berube says, aims to “find ways to pay claims.” AMA Travel has expanded its insurance offerings to better reflect the realities travellers may encounter today, including certain flight cancellations and strikes.
In some situations, when a pre-departure disruption results in a traveller missing 30 percent or more of their trip, coverage may help with insured non-refundable prepaid travel costs or the costs of making alternate arrangements. These benefits are in addition to compensation airlines are legally required to provide, helping to bridge the gap when it comes to real-world costs travellers may face.
The new flight delay benefit¹ provides perks when a registered flight is delayed, without the need to submit a claim. After a two-hour delay, travellers can choose a lounge pass, where available, or $50 via e-transfer. A six-hour delay triggers a $150 benefit. This provides more immediate support during a disruption, helping travellers enjoy a meal or find a comfortable place to wait for their flight.
For added flexibility, eligible travellers who purchase Cancel For Any Reason coverage can receive up to 75 percent of their insured non-refundable prepaid travel costs if they need to cancel for any reason on trips booked through AMA Travel.
Travellers’ expectations have changed, and insurance has evolved along with them. AMA Travel Insurance is a tool that can help Albertans feel secure when booking a trip, whether it is a dream vacation or a journey to visit family.
“We know people may be nervous about booking a trip when there’s so much uncertainty around travel,” Berube says. “We want people to feel confident, knowing there’s coverage that can support them if the unexpected happens. We’ve got your back.” AMA
An AMA Travel counsellor can help you find the travel insurance that meets your needs. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF AMA
All policies are subject to various terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions that may serve to limit coverage. In the event of a discrepancy between the above and the terms of your policy, the terms of your policy will prevail. AMA Travel is a trade name of AMA Agencies Ltd. o/a AMA Travel. AMA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. 1. Available with the purchase of travel insurance policy that includes Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. Terms and conditions apply.
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