Now there’s help for travelers who remembered to buy travel insurance but forgot their benefits
RICHMOND, VA, May 16, 2019 — Planning a trip can be hectic. The checklists can be daunting: stop the mail, schedule the dog walker, and refill those prescriptions. While many Americans have selected to protect their trip with travel insurance, many may also forget what it covers, leaving them to ponder the details while they stare at a seatback at 30,000 feet. Or worse, when their flight is cancelled, potentially leaving them stranded at the airport.
Fortunately, Allianz Global Assistance, a leading travel insurance and assistance company, has launched pre-trip reminders for its customers to emphasize the valuable insurance benefits they purchased for instances like these. Sent just days prior to departure, each email provides customers with vital information about their policy benefits, how to call the 24/7 Allianz Global Assistance hotline in a travel or medical emergency, and how to file a claim online.
The company’s analysis of feedback it solicits from customers revealed that some travelers forgot they bought trip protection weeks or months before their trip, and many don’t recall their specific benefits or the situations covered by their insurance policy. The reminder email makes it easier for customers to locate their policy and call for assistance when travel disruptions or illnesses occur.
The new customer touchpoint follows the travel insurance company’s practice of constantly improving its customers’ experience. The email communication:
- Reminds customers of their benefits and limits with a link to their policy, in case of situations like a trip cancellation, flight delay, travel interruption, baggage loss or delay, or a medical emergency.
- Provides a hotline phone number for assistance in case of a travel disruption or medical emergency during a trip, such as cancelled flights, lost luggage or health issues like heart attacks, injuries from accidental falls, or other serious illnesses.
- Offers a download of Allianz’s award-winning TravelSmart™ app to help resolve travel disruptions and emergencies.
- Includes a link to conveniently file a claim online and tips to expedite the process.
“There’s a lot to do when planning a trip, but worrying about the details of your travel insurance policy shouldn’t be on the list,” said Daniel Durazo, director of marketing and communications for Allianz Global Assistance USA. “Our new pre-trip email reminds our customers that we’re here if they need us. If they need assistance while traveling or have to cancel their trip for a reason covered by their policy, we’re just a call or tap away.”
The TravelSmart™ mobile app, available for both iPhone and Android, provides these innovative features to travelers:
- Access real-time flight status updates up to three days in advance.
- Convenient online claims filing and status tracking, with rapid electronic reimbursements.
- One-touch calls for 24/7 global assistance, plus emergency numbers for local police, ambulance, fire rescue services and U.S. embassies around the world.
- NEW: Assistance Around Me map shows all nearby emergency and pre-screened medical facilities, with turn-by-turn directions using either Apple Maps or Google Maps integration.
- View and manage trips, including policy benefits and coverage limits.
Allianz Global Assistance USA
Allianz Global Assistance USA is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company with operation centers in 35 countries. In the United States, Allianz Global Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) serves 40 million customers annually and is best known for its Allianz Travel Insurance plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies.
To learn more about Allianz Travel Insurance plans, please visit allianztravelinsurance.com or Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllianzTravelInsuranceUS.
*Use of the TravelSmart application is subject to your acceptance of the Terms of Use. Some application features may require the use of phone service, text messaging, data access, carrier or data network connectivity, and/or location data (GPS) to function as intended. Standard charges, rates, fees, and taxes for phone, data and text messaging use apply. Features subject to availability and location. Flight tracking may not be available on all flights. Application content is not a substitute for the medical advice or treatment by a doctor and must not be used as such.