Travel Insurance Leaders Form Association To Promote Education, Ethical Standards and Government Relations

WASHINGTON, DC - April 27, 2004 – The leaders of seven of the nation’s largest travel insurance organizations have come together to create the US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) with a mission to foster ethical and professional standards of industry conduct, cultivate effective state and federal government relations, inform and assist members, and educate consumers.

Approaching $1 billion in annual revenues, the U.S. travel insurance industry protects tens of millions of Americans who travel at home and abroad every year. Travel insurance is unique within the insurance industry in that it offers an unusually broad range of benefits and services. Bundled together to meet travelers’ distinctive needs, travel insurance often includes assistance services such as worldwide emergency hotline services and medical evacuation, along with insurance benefits for cancelled or interrupted trips, medical and dental emergencies, lost or damaged baggage, damaged or stolen rental cars, and travel supplier bankruptcies, among others. Travel insurance products are distributed by travel agents, travel suppliers such as cruise lines and tour operators, credit card companies, insurance brokers, and over the internet.

“Today more than ever Americans are concerned about travel safety and security. The travel insurance industry provides travelers with real solutions to everyday travel problems. The UStiA brings together companies in this industry to help it grow wisely, advocate for smart regulation and enlighten consumers on the increasing importance of travel insurance,” said founding UStiA President Jon Ansell, who is also the President and CEO of World Access/Access America. “The UStiA will promote high ethical standards, combat insurance fraud, represent the industry with insurance regulators and government entities, and educate consumers about the value of travel insurance.”

The founding UStiA Officers are:

UStiA President: Jon Ansell, President & CEO of World Access/Access America
UStiA Vice President: Bradley Finkle, President of Trip Mate
UStiA Secretary/Treasurer: Paul Latchford, Vice President of AEGON Direct

The UStiA Founding Companies and initial Board of Directors are:

Ed Walker, AEGON Direct
Michael Ambrose, Travelex Insurance Services
Howard Gulick, BCS Insurance Co.
Bradley Finkle, Trip Mate
Les Maine, CSA Travel Protection
Jon Ansell, World Access/Access America
Tom Zavadsky, Travel Guard International

The new association is now accepting membership applications from companies in the insurance, assistance and travel industries. Three categories of membership are available: Regular Memberships, Associate Memberships and Subscribers. The UStiA Membership Committee is chaired by Mike Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Travelex Insurance Services.

For more information about the association, or for membership information contact Jonathan Ansell at 804-673-1534 or jansell@worldaccess.com.

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