For Immediate Release
October 29, 2013
More than 148 Million Covered by Travel Insurance
Sales Grow by Nearly 15%
More than 148 million U.S. travelers were covered by various types of travel insurance and related services in 2012, according to a recently-released survey conducted for the US Travel Insurance Association. Included in this number are emergency transport programs, assistance plans, and other services provided by UStiA member companies through credit cards, annual membership programs, affinity groups and individual or group travel insurance.
The 2010-2012 Travel Insurance Market Survey revealed that Americans spent nearly $1.9 billion on all types of travel insurance in 2012, representing a sales growth of 14%.
29 million people covered by travel insurance policies
Approximately 21 million travel insurance policies were sold by UStiA member companies, providing coverage for some 29 million people in 2012. The number of people covered increased nearly 11%, but the number of policies sold grew by 2% from 2010, and dipped slightly by .7% in 2011. Meanwhile, the number of people per policy increased by nearly 9% over 2010 (1.26 per policy in 2010 vs. 1.37 in 2012).
Trip cancellation/interruption the most popular
Policies that included trip cancellation/interruption benefits increased 15% from 2010 and continued to be the most popular overall, accounting for over 94% of total travel insurance premiums. Of those policies, 80% were purchased as a package. Meanwhile, sales of travel medical and medical evacuation plans continued steady, comprising over 6% of total travel insurance premiums.
Americans buying travel insurance from wider array of sources
Travel suppliers—travel agencies, cruise lines, and tour operators — continued to account for more than half (55%) of all travel insurance premium volume. However, other outlets are steadily gaining ground, as Americans are buying their travel insurance from a wider array of sources. Online travel agencies and airlines, for instance, accounted for another 25% of travel insurance sold. Internet aggregators (companies that sell travel insurance products from various providers), direct to consumer, sales from brokers and others accounted for 12%.
While reflecting a small share of the overall market, internet aggregators, along with brokers and other channels experienced a combined sales growth of nearly 38% between 2010 and 2012. Direct to consumer sources were close behind, with a sales growth of 36%; while online travel agencies and airline sales grew by nearly 19%. Cruise lines, tour operators and travel agencies as a group saw an 11% increase in sales.
Background
The 2010-2012 Travel Insurance Market Survey was conducted for UStiA by Avalon Actuarial Consulting, an independent Actuarial and Benefit Consulting Firm. The survey was designed to gather and disseminate market information to UStiA association members and the general public. It follows the Travel Insurance Benchmark Survey of 2004, and bi-annual follow-up surveys conducted in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
About UStiA
UStiA membership is estimated to represent more than 90% of the travel insurance market in the U.S. The association promotes fairness, integrity and a commitment to excellence in the travel insurance industry. Its mission is to educate the public on the value of travel insurance while maintaining high industry standards. The UStiA is a non-profit association of insurance carriers and allied businesses involved in the development, administration and marketing of travel insurance and assistance. For more information on UStiA and travel insurance, visit www.UStiA.org
UStiA also sponsors TRIP (Travel Responsibly, Informed, and Protected), a consumer advocacy web site with helpful information including timely tips on travel, health, safety, and security.
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Contact:
Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
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