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The US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) Quick Fact Sheet

The UStiA is a national non-profit organization 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.

• Americans spent over $1 billion on travel insurance in 2004.


• Over 17 million travelers purchased travel insurance policies from UStiA member companies last year; and more than 80% of these were per trip travel insurance plans that included coverage for trip cancellation. ¹


• UStiA members account for an estimated 90% of the US travel insurance market.


• 30% of leisure travelers taking cruises, air/tour vacations and international trips bought travel insurance in 2004 -- a significant increase from the estimated 8 to 10% of travelers buying travel insurance before 9/11.


• Travel agencies sell more than 35% of all travel insurance provided by UStiA members (together, cruise lines and tour operators sell 40%). ¹


• Consumers’ top misconceptions about travel insurance are that credit cards cover trip cancellation and that travel suppliers provide reimbursements to travelers who have to cancel trips. ¹


• Americans are most likely to purchase travel insurance plans that include trip cancellation insurance when they are traveling internationally or on cruises. ¹

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¹ The 2004 Travel Insurance Market Survey was conducted by Avalon Actuarial Consulting; an independent Canadian Actuarial and Benefit Consulting Firm with offices in Montreal and Toronto.