As a travel service provider, offering travel insurance plans can significantly enhance your value to clients while boosting your revenue. But how do you effectively market travel protection plans to ensure high customer participation? The key is implementing the right marketing strategies that resonate with your audience and encourage them to take action. Here’s a practical checklist to help you sell travel insurance and optimize your business opportunities.
1. Promote Travel Insurance Early
Make travel insurance a part of your initial trip promotion. Customers are more likely to purchase insurance if they know about it before booking their trip. Highlight the value of protection upfront, whether in brochures, email promotions, or on your website.
2. Send Post-Booking Flyers
Once customers have booked their trip, send them a flyer or email about the travel protection plan. This could be sent separately or as part of a booking confirmation package. Emphasize the benefits of purchasing early, noting any special advantages available if they buy within a certain period after booking.
3. Mention Insurance in Your Confirmation Communications
In the booking confirmation email or letter, remind customers that travel insurance is available. Be clear about why it’s important and why you recommend it. As a trusted travel provider, your advice will carry weight, encouraging customers to consider the added peace of mind insurance offers.
4. Use Social Media to Spread the Word
Share posts on your social media accounts about the travel protection plans you offer. Educate your audience on what travel insurance covers, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, baggage loss, and more. Helping potential customers understand the value will increase the likelihood of them purchasing coverage.
5. Educate Your Customers
Many customers may not fully understand what travel protection plans cover or how they work. Take time to explain key benefits, such as trip cancellation, baggage coverage, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and 24/7 travel assistance. A clear breakdown of these benefits can make all the difference in their decision to buy.
6. Make Enrollment Simple and Convenient
The easier you make it for customers to enroll in a travel protection plan, the more likely they will act. Provide simple, clear instructions on how to purchase the plan and ensure the process is seamless. If possible, offer online enrollment options to further streamline the experience.
7. Highlight the Importance of Early Enrollment
Many travel protection plans offer Early Purchase Advantages, such as extra benefits or better coverage, for those who enroll within a set period after booking—typically 14, 21, or 30 days. Emphasize these advantages to encourage customers to buy right away, when they’re most likely to act on the decision.
8. Follow Up with a Travel Insurance Response Form
After booking, send out a Travel Insurance Response Form to check whether the traveler has purchased insurance. If they haven’t, ask them to sign a waiver stating they declined coverage. This ensures clarity and accountability, especially if issues arise during their trip.
9. Send Pre-Departure Reminders
A few days before departure, send a reminder to those who haven’t yet purchased travel insurance. You can request a report from your travel insurance provider to see who’s purchased and who hasn’t. Use this information to send timely reminders and encourage late sign-ups.
10. Include Emergency Contact Information in Pre-Departure Materials
Regardless of whether the customer purchased insurance through you, include emergency assistance contact information in your pre-departure materials. This serves as both a reminder of the value of having insurance and ensures customers have the necessary information on hand in case of an emergency.
11. Seek Support from Your Insurance Provider
If you need help with marketing materials, promotional ideas, or general questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your travel protection plan provider. They are there to assist you with any promotional efforts, ensuring you can successfully market and sell their plans.
By following these steps, you can increase travel insurance sales while providing valuable protection to your customers. Remember, the earlier you introduce the idea and the more you educate your clients, the higher your chances of success.
