Skyscanner is partnering with insurtech leader Cover Genius to introduce a first of its kind travel insurance package.
The unique package will initially be available to travellers as part of a phased roll-out in Europe, before becoming available in up to 50 countries worldwide. It includes a combination of medical, trip cancellation and airline insolvency cover, including protection against travel disruption and sickness caused by COVID-19. It has been specifically designed to protect travellers, provide clarity and give them peace of mind when taking a trip.
In a recent Skyscanner survey, travel insurance was named as one of the top three factors that would give travellers (40%) more confidence to fly or book their next trip*. This statistic correlates closely to data gathered by Cover Genius’ BrightWrite data analytics team showing that since the pandemic outbreak in March, insurance attach rates in certain hotspots have increased by 400-600% at their peak versus December 2019. The data proves that hyper-relevant insurance products within the point of sale or booking are adding safety and certainty.
This new proposition will be offered to travellers at the point of purchase and will initially be available to those who book directly via Skyscanner in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK. The travel insurance launch is the latest of Skyscanner’s continuing efforts to provide travellers with confidence and clarity when booking and travelling. Other recent updates include airline confidence ratings, hotel cleanliness scores and flexible policy filters.
It is made possible by the integration of XCover – Cover Genius’ award-winning global insurance distribution platform. For travellers and their travel partners it includes 24/7 emergency medical assistance, repatriation and expenses cover, trip cancellation cover for prepaid travel costs foregone due to Covid-19 and other causes, including failed temperature checks at a destination, as well as airline insolvency cover.
XCover enables customers to access personalised and optimised protection to fit individual travellers’ itinerary, trip and destination based on real-time data. It also includes full digital claims management and instant payment of claims in 90+ currencies, helping to drive an outstanding NPS score of +65.
Tiago Godinho, Commercial Director at Skyscanner comments, “We’re bringing a new type of insurance product to market with our COVID-19 travel protection. In today’s uncertain and changing travel landscape, the most important thing we can do is to give travellers the confidence they need to plan and book a flight, knowing that they are covered whatever happens. This first of its kind package offers a high level of cover, going as far as reimbursing travellers if they fail a temperature check at their destination, ensuring complete peace of mind for anyone wishing to travel right now. We’re pleased to be partnering with market leader Cover Genius whose technology and end-to-end insurance capability mean that we can reassure travellers globally and help them get back to travelling again.”
Peter Smith, Head of Travel Partnerships, EMEA at Cover Genius comments, “We’re proud to be partnering with Skyscanner to bring this market leading set of insurance products to travellers worldwide, via XCover, our global insurance distribution platform. Our team has moved swiftly to build new insurance products that offer increased protection for customers dealing with unique circumstances as a result of COVID-19. These new products will not only offer customers personalised coverage and speedy payment of claims, but also provide a sense of safety and security so they can book a vacation and travel again with confidence.”
Source. Skyscanner
