Allianz’s Australian travel insurance purchases double since January
Allianz Partners has reported that travel insurance purchases by Australians have almost doubled each month since January, as international departures rise by 34 per cent since the start of the year
The company also reported that this year’s call volumes were more than double those of 2019 levels, boosted by inquiries about missed flights, expired passports and items left on aircraft.
Visiting friends and relatives is a key motive behind the uptick in travel – a trend which is also increasing the length of trips – with Asian destinations remaining the top destination for Australians, followed by Europe and the US.
In addition, the company said that requirements currently in place in 40 countries for mandatory Covid cover has increased engagement in the purchase of travel insurance, with cover shifting from being a ‘grudge purchase’ to being a ‘new must-have travel companion’.
Speaking to InsuranceNews.co.au, Allianz Partners Chief Market Manager Damien Arthur said: “Customers are taking extra time to consider different scenarios - what may be covered and what is not - and are showing a strong appetite to understand the coverage provided if they become sick with Covid. If Covid has proven anything, it is the value of travel insurance when travelling overseas.”
“After two-years of grounded travel plans, even the most seasoned globetrotters need to brush up their travel skills and some are forgetting the basics of international travel,” he added.
Allianz released its ‘Covid-19: How it accelerated the future of healthcare’ report in June, identifying a range of trends which have been progressing faster than expected due to the impact of the pandemic.