I’d wish to introduce you to Terra Baykal, Pam Langevin, and Stan Sandberg, our subsequent visitors within the Solo Traveler Insiders Speaker Sequence. On Wednesday, October twelfth they are going to be answering your entire questions on journey insurance coverage. Whether or not you’re an adventurer, a senior, have some particular wants or situations, or simply need to stand up to hurry on the newest data within the business we’ve assembled a workforce of consultants who can present the solutions to all of your journey insurance coverage questions.
I interviewed our audio system not too long ago, in order that you could possibly get a short introduction to them earlier than the occasion. I hope you take pleasure in attending to know them as a lot as I did, Examine them of their mini-profiles beneath.
Terra Baykal, Senior Advertising Supervisor
How did you get into the journey insurance coverage enterprise and what do you concentrate on?
In 2018 I used to be desperate to get again into the journey business after working in promoting for a couple of years. I discovered a place at World Nomads that was a great match given my expertise, and although I had no expertise with journey insurance coverage or this business, I dove into the chance. All my insurance coverage data has come from my time at World Nomads. A mixture of skilled coaching, insurance coverage licensing and conversations with product managers, underwriters, and actuaries. I concentrate on advertising and marketing, so it’s crucial for me to have a deep understanding of our insurance coverage merchandise to teach prospects and showcase the worth that journey insurance coverage gives vacationers.
What’s a typical mistake individuals make with journey insurance coverage?
Buying their journey insurance coverage too late. I’ve talked to many members of the family and associates who buy a coverage after an occasion occurs, solely to search out out that sure advantages resembling journey cancellation don’t apply to their state of affairs. Journey cancellation advantages apply to unexpected occasions, so as soon as a hurricane is called or you’re declared too sick to journey by a physician, it’s too late to take out a coverage and have journey cancellation advantages apply to these recognized occasions. I all the time urge individuals to purchase journey insurance coverage as soon as they’ve made an funding of their journey. Bake it into your buy movement – flights, lodging, journey insurance coverage.
Inform us a bit about your personal travels and/or the following vacation spot in your record.
I used to be a late bloomer when it got here to journey, however as soon as I began, I used to be hooked. I’ve traveled to 16 international locations throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Most not too long ago I spent three weeks backpacking throughout Europe alone, assembly different vacationers and connecting with associates and colleagues that I haven’t seen for years. I are inclined to lean in the direction of journey journey and am all the time trying to actions that get my blood pumping. Whereas I used to be in Europe, I had the chance to bike by means of London, hike round Eire, stand-up paddleboard in Spain and surf in Portugal.
Stan Sandberg, Co-Founder
How did you get into the journey insurance coverage enterprise and what do you concentrate on?
My co-founder, Drew Sharma, and I began TravelInsurance.com with the target to simplify the way in which individuals analysis, store for, and buy journey insurance coverage. We partnered with the highest journey insurance coverage carriers, resembling Journey Guard, Generali, and AXA Help, to supply a straightforward and totally clear procuring expertise.
What’s one thing that everybody can be shocked to find out about journey insurance coverage?
One of many extra widespread misconceptions about journey insurance coverage is you could solely purchase it when it’s first supplied on the time you buy your airfare or inns. And in the event you do not buy it then, you possibly can’t purchase it later. You should purchase journey insurance coverage at any time proper up till the day previous to your departure date. Timing is necessary if you wish to buy a plan with a pre-existing situation exclusion waiver, or a plan that gives a cancel for any purpose elective improve. These time delicate advantages require that you simply buy your insurance coverage inside a strict time-frame from while you make your first deposit or fee in the direction of a visit. That time-frame can vary from 7 to 21 days relying on the supplier and plan.
Inform us a bit about your personal travels and/or the following vacation spot in your record.
I went to Corsica final July and located the island to be extremely stunning. It gives spectacular seashores, a mess of mountaineering trails, and never surprisingly, wonderful meals. For avid hikers, I’d suggest going to Corsica both within the fall or spring when the temperatures aren’t as sizzling. It is simple to get to by means of any main European airport.
Pam Langevin, Dealer
Medi-Quote Insurance coverage Brokers
How did you get into the journey insurance coverage enterprise and what do you concentrate on?
Fairly by chance. I discovered about an administrative opening at Medi-Quote Insurance coverage Brokers and after working within the administration space for a yr, I used to be approached to grow to be a dealer. I really take pleasure in being able that gives customer support and helps individuals. Along with offering journey medical protection to people touring for pleasure, we offer protection for college students touring overseas, guests coming into Canada, journey cancellation & interruption protection in addition to well being & dental advantages packages for people that don’t have protection by means of their employer or who’ve retired.
What’s a typical mistake individuals make with journey insurance coverage?
Not correctly understanding a query on an software kind and never disclosing a medical situation. For instance, some insurance coverage corporations embody a easy hiatus hernia of their definition of a gastrointestinal situation.
Inform us a bit about your personal travels and/or the following vacation spot in your record.
I’ve been very lucky in having the ability to journey to some great locations! I used to be in a position to take pleasure in Prince Edward Island, as a teen in a faculty alternate program, the place I fell in love with the emerald inexperienced grass towards the crimson soil. In 2001, I used to be in a position to take my two boys to Churchill to see the polar bears. If that’s not in your to-do record you need to add it. We have been fortunate that yr and have been in a position to see not solely the massive males, but additionally the females with cubs. Usually you solely get one or the opposite, however the ice was late and so there was a mixture. In 2008, a pal who labored as a journey agent was in a position to make a journey to Jamaica and selected me to go together with her. What a tremendous place. And at last, the final place I used to be in a position to go to was in 2019 when my husband traveled for work to Grand Cayman Island. After all, as a dutiful spouse, I wanted to tag alongside to verify he was consuming correctly!
Be part of us for our October twelfth version of the Solo Traveler Insiders Speaker Sequence that includes Terra Baykal, Pam Langevin, and Stan Sandberg. The world of journey has modified a lot in the course of the pandemic and journey insurance coverage has by no means been extra sophisticated. Let our consultants assist to take the ache out of that space of journey planning as a way to simply concentrate on being excited on your journey. Get your questions prepared! To take part in our digital chat and ask your personal questions, be part of the Solo Traveler Insiders.
Final up to date: twenty ninth September, 2022