Insurer in partnership to provide cover online

By Fredrick Obura

An insurance firm has partnered with major travel agencies to provide customers travel cover online.

Heritage Insurance Company’s managing director John Milne said through the system the agencies will complete applications electronically.

"This will make it easier and faster for them to apply for insurance cover on behalf of their customers," he said.

The partnership comes at a time when travel insurance policy is mandatory for visa applicants, a factor prompted by guidelines being implemented by most foreign missions.

The online service is designed to offer travellers assistance when they fall sick or lose property.

He said the product has been improved to serve locals using the Internet as a tool for business.

Currently, millions of tourists rely on available search engines like google, MSN among other navigation tools daily to find information about their destination of choice.

There are about 100 travel agencies registered by Kenya Association of Travel Agencies who are actively selling packages to travellers everyday. This is a huge opportunity for travel insurance business to grow.

Package and quotations

Whilst travel agencies are able to complete applications online, a consumer will be able to access and develop a package and quotation that suits their needs online.

Details would be automatically picked up.

Sources indicate majority of the consumers of the product are corporate, students and business people. On the inbound, the tourism industry has the largest share of travel insurance consumers.

The firm has partnered with Specialty Assistance, a UK based organisation involved in emergency assistance daily in the world.

It has four contact locations serving different geographic regions effectively such as UK, USA, Thailand and South Africa.

"This ensures that our clients have the assistance needed anywhere in the world," said Milne.

 

 

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