US Travel Insurance Association

Founded in 2004, the US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) is a United States, registered 501(c) non-profit association of companies involved in the development, sales, marketing or implementation of travel insurance and related products and services; plus U.S. travel insurance carriers, third-party administrators and allied businesses that develop, administer and/or market travel insurance and assistance products and services.

US Travel Insurance Association
TypeTrade association
IndustryTravel insurance
Founded2004
Headquarters1300 Piccard Drive Suite LL-14, Rockville, MD, United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Founding President: Jonathan Michael Ansell Current President: Susan Silfen
Websitewww.ustia.org

UStiA is a primary information source about travel insurance, assistance, and related services for the US media.[1][2]

Mission

Among UStiA's missions are to educate consumers about travel insurance and related issues;[3] foster ethical and professional standards of industry conduct;[4][5] and cultivate government relations on behalf of the travel insurance industry.[6]

Goals

The Association's goals are to: create uniform and fair regulations for the industry;[7] develop consistent licensing standards for agents who market travel insurance and assistance services;[8] and serve as an advocate for the travel insurance industry.[9][10]

Consumer Advocacy
TRIP Logo

In accordance with the organization's mission and goals, UStiA created a consumer advocacy website, TRIP, in 2010. The acronym TRIP stands for Travel Responsibly, Informed and Protected. TRIP provides timely travel information and articles, tips and links on issues concerning travel health, safety, and security.[11][12]

Membership Standards and Categories

Member companies must adhere to UStiA's standards of ethical conduct and truth in advertising.[13]

Membership Categories

UStiA has three categories of membership, Regular Member, Associate Member, and Subscriber.

Regular Members are Insurance Carriers, Third Party Administrators, Managing General Agents, Managing General Underwriters, and Administrators who are in the insurance business and derive at least 50% of their annual revenue from travel insurance.

Associate Members are Travel Assistance Companies, Air Ambulance Companies, Travel Suppliers, Companies and Professionals who provide services to the travel industry, PPOs, and Insurance Brokers and Agents who distribute travel insurance programs.

Subscriber Members include Retail Travel Agencies, Retail Travel Agents, Travel Media, Software Companies, Travel Vendors, and those individuals who have expressed an interest in the travel insurance industry.

References
  1. Ogintz, Eileen. "Travel insurance can give you peace of mind on a family trip". Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original on 2011-04-08.
  2. Hunter, Marnie. "Travel Insurance 101". CNN.
  3. "Health Insurance: Are you protected abroad?". USTIA.
  4. Baldwin Paloti, Melissa. "What Does Florida's Insurance Crack-Down Mean for Cruisers?". Cruise Critic.
  5. Elliott, Chris. "Travel insurance: Ask questions before buying". Tribune Media Services.
  6. "SoCalASTA – American Society of Travel Agents Southern California Chapter » ASTA October Achievements". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  7. Aitchison, Mandy. "Licensing milestone reached in US". International Travel Insurance Journal.
  8. "Travel Agents Benefit From New Insurance Agreement". Travel Agent Central.
  9. "US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA)".
  10. Poling, Bill. "States to pursue licensing standard for travel insurance sales". Travel Weekly.
  11. Frommer, Pauline (13 August 2010). "A New Website Demystifies Travel Safety and Health Issues".
  12. Dunnan, Nancy (December 2010). "The All Knowing TRIP Site". TravelSmart: 1.
  13. Brown Hunt, Katrina. "Top Tips for Buying Travel Insurance". NBC News.
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