Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) is a North American-based travel insurance company, headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
IndustryTravel Insurance
FounderJohn M. Noel
Headquarters
Stevens Point, WI
,
USA
Key people
president:
ProductsLeisure travel and E&O insurance
Servicestravel insurance plans:
vacation cancellations
flight delays
missed connections
medical emergencies while traveling
and lost or delayed baggage

Business lines include traditional travel insurance offerings for leisure travelers, a travel-agent errors-and-omissions insurance group, travel insurance underwriting for Managing General Agents (MGAs) and claims administration services.

BHTP’s former president and founder, John M. Noel, was also the founder of Travel Guard|Travel Guard International and the former Chairman and CEO of the Noel Group. Current president is Dean Sivley.

History

On Jan. 27, 2014, it was announced that Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance had signed an agreement[1] with Noel Group to purchase the assets of MyAssist and Insure America. The purchase allowed BHSI to offer its customers 24-hour global personal assistance, virtual-concierge and connected-vehicle service as well as travel-industry liability insurance.

BHTP was founded[2][3] in May 2014. It concentrates on travel insurance services and relies heavily on technology to pay claims through real-time trip-tracking and electronic deposits.[4][5][6][7][8]

Products

BHTP’s product suite includes varying levels of their ExactCare plans, as well as niche travel insurance products for leisure travelers. BHTP's travel insurance plans are similar to other traditional travel insurance plans available in the U.S., but most of their plans also include additional fixed pay-out benefits designed to keep travelers continuing on their journey when common travel hassles occur.

In June 2020, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has confirmed the introduction of ExactCare Lite, a premium robust travel policy tailored for travelers on the route. ExactCare Lite can cover non-refundable hotel bookings and attraction passes, travel damage caused by road collisions and can support families with rates available for children.[9]

Product reception

USA Today called BHTP “an innovative new company … aiming to cover snafus not covered elsewhere, with minimal effort on the part of the insured .”[10] Travel + Leisure said AirCare is “simple, inexpensive travel insurance that covers what’s never been covered before ,”[11] while Condé Nast Traveler said AirCare means that “put-upon fliers can get relief without having to depend on an airline to deliver it. ”[12]

Criticism on FlyerTalk has focused on reports of poor claims service and claims denied due to flight cancellations.[13]

Other travel insurance products include WaveCare for leisure cruise travelers and AdrenalineCare, a niche travel insurance plan designed for travelers who engage in more extreme activities while on vacation.

References
  1. "Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance to Acquire MyAssist and Insure America". insurancejournal.com. Insurance Journal. 27 January 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  2. Vine, Nathan. "On the Job: Noel helps lead Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance into travel insurance business". Marshfield News Herald. Stevens Point Journal Media. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved Jun 1, 2014.
  3. "Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Enters Travel Insurance Business". marketwatch.com. MarketWatch. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  4. McCartney, Scott. "Betting That Your Flight Will Suffer Mishaps". online.wsj.com. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  5. "Plane luggage lost? Here's $1,000". money.msn.com. MSN Money. Archived from the original on 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  6. "CNBC - Power Lunch". CNBC.
  7. Varney, Stuart. "Fox Business News". Fox Business. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  8. Perkins, Ed. "New 'flight glitch' insurance". ChicagoTribune.com. The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  9. "Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection launches new product for road trips". Travel Daily News. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  10. Hobica, George. "New service covers flight mishaps for $25 a trip". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  11. Porter Katz, Brooke. "Berkshire Hathaway Launches Affordable, Fixed-Rate Travel Insurance". travelandleisure.com. Travel + Leisure. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  12. Peterson, Barbara. "Spend $25 To Stop Worrying About Flight Delays or Cancellations". cntraveler.com. Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  13. "New form of travel insurance might ease the pain". flyertalk.com. FlyerTalk. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
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