Journeys Travel Insurance - Press Release

Journeys' Unrivalled Online Services

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Tue, 17 Feb 2004 09:30:00 +0000

JOURNEYS ENHANCE AGENT EXTRANET TO OFFER
UNRIVALLED ONLINE SERVICES

Journeys Travel Insurance, one of the UK's leading insurance providers, has launched a range of new online services on its dedicated agent extranet, allowing agents to undertake a range of functions, from issuing a certificate in a few clicks to managing commission rates.

The extranet now provides a comprehensive service that will enable agents to manage their travel insurance online, eliminating the need to liaise with Journeys operations department. In addition, agents will have the potential to earn up to an extra 5% by using the online service.

New features include:

Quick Quote - quote and print certificate in a few clicks with no need to enter customer address details
Agent Reference - give customer certificates personal reference numbers for easier retrieval
Amend Certificates - make instant changes to clients insurance online without the need to cancel and re-issue
Save Quotes - save and retrieve a quote for 30 days to help quickly turn a lead into a sale
Renewal Alerts - easily keep track of annual policies due for renewal and renew online instantly
Customer Emails - click a button to email documents to client. An invaluable service for internet based companies
Invoice Tracking - automatic invoicing and invoice history can be viewed online anytime
Rates Management - manage rates online so agents can be more competitive

Agents who sign-up for the extranet service will also automatically qualify for Journeys Plaza - a fully developed, and customisable, direct selling website that links from an agency's own website - providing agents with an unrivalled level of opportunity to maximise revenue from travel insurance.

Patrick Chong, managing director, Journeys Travel Insurance comments: "Our extranet facility has proved very popular with agents since its launch in April 2003. Following recent feedback we have developed these new features to provide a faster and more efficient service, and have introduced the new Journeys Plaza facility to further help agents sell travel insurance to their clients."

To ensure agents get the most from the extranet, Journeys has developed a step-by-step online 'user guide' to help navigate the site. Currently over 100 agents are signed-up to the service, with Journeys anticipating the extranet becoming the most popular way for travel agents to issue its insurance in the future.

Journeys is also developing the extranet and Plaza services to help travel agents solve the issues surrounding the new FSA (Financial Services Authority) regulations, which come into affect in January 2005. Agents will be able to earn commission from selling travel insurance to customers who are not using them for any other service.

Worldchoice Appoints Journeys

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Mon, 08 Dec 2003 09:28:00 +0000

WORLDCHOICE APPOINTS JOURNEYS TRAVEL INSURANCE AS PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Leading independent consortium Worldchoice has selected Journeys Travel Insurance as one of their two preferred insurance providers. The contract, which will run for three years, begins with immediate effect.

For Journeys the addition of the Worldchoice business alongside that of other consortium including Advantage Travel Centres and Midconsort makes them the leading dedicated specialist provider in the insurance sector.

Keith Wilson, Sales & Marketing Director, Worldchoice comments:"The decision to appoint Journeys as a preferred supplier is a reflection of the levels of service and quality of product provided by Journeys, which will benefit our agents when selling travel insurance to customers."

Commenting on their success and appointment, Managing Director Patrick Chong believes: "The development of the business has to do particularly with the proven extranet facility exclusively available for agents. Coupled with our in-house claims and medical screening ability we can offer agency clients an all round quality service, and look forward to extending our relationship with the independent trade sector through this partnership with Worldchoice."

This is the culmination of a year of growth and success for Journeys, which has also seen them win the Travel Stars 2003 Top Travel Insurance Company accolade, as voted for by readers of Travel Bulletin magazine, and nominated in the annual ITIJ (International Travel Insurance Journal) awards for best intermediary broker.

Journeys Reaces for the Sky

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Thu, 25 Sep 2003 09:21:00 +0000

JOURNEYS REACHES FOR THE SKY

After receiving the accolade of 'Top Travel Insurance Company' at Travel Bulletin's recent Travel Stars 2003 Awards, Journeys Travel Insurance is looking forward to building upon this achievement to further refine both the quality of its product and its service to travel agents.

Patrick Chong, managing director of Journeys Travel Insurance, commented: "This award is a testament of the quality of the product we offer and the service to match. The entire Journeys' team is committed to supporting travel agents and the award is an acknowledgement of their appreciation which we are confident we can build upon.

Over the years Journeys has pioneered many new trends and standards, including the unique 'Daily Rate' product and we have several new initiatives in the pipeline. One such innovation is the launch of a new concept aimed at employers, encouraging them to buy annual travel insurance for their employees through business travel agents.

We have also established strong relationships with travel agents and have introduced training opportunities to help them increase revenue. One of our most significant developments has been the introduction of an Extranet for travel agents, making it possible for agents to sell travel insurance online. This is complemented by an online help desk for agents and online claims and self-declaration forms."

Viewpoint

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Tue, 24 Jun 2003 09:16:00 +0000

VIEWPOINT

Insurance continues to hit the news again following the insurance bodies and the consumers’ association recent complaint to the government, on its decision not to regulate the sale of policies through travel agents via the FSA.

From a consumers’ point of view, however, insurance is often low on the agenda when booking a holiday, and is more likely to be booked as a last minute thought or not at all. Recent holiday surveys demonstrate this, having identified that nearly half of all holidaymakers do not take out insurance before heading off on a trip, not realising how important cover is while abroad.

Now that ABTA has announced it is pressing ahead with the launch of its own compulsory insurance exam for members, which will also be available to non-ABTA agents, I am sure this will assist in rebuilding consumer confidence, by demonstrating to customers that it is an industry-wide recognised qualification. Backed by the recent decision allowing ABTA to continue to regulate its members over the sale of insurance, I am convinced that agents will be able to seize this opportunity to boost their earnings potential via insurance sales.

Although a step in the right direction by ABTA, I am hoping that these developments will also lead to an increase in insurance focussed training initiatives, as the travel industry cannot afford to take a relaxed approach when it comes to educating agents on the issues affecting this sector. At present, there is a real need for ABTA, and for insurance providers, to sit down to discuss, and where required, develop further industry-wide practices, and even go so far as to establishing an industry forum, to keep abreast of all the latest developments.

Providers of insurance need to be advising agents on the importance of why to sell insurance, and also how to sell it in a manner which fully protects the travel agent, as well as the consumer. Insurance providers continue to remain regulated by industry bodies, and have to conform to FSA regulations, however, at present, agents are not regulated, so it is important to highlight to them any developments in the industry, which may have an impact on their business.

Introducing on-going agent training initiatives, and using key seminars and conferences as additional platforms from which to keep the industry up to date on the latest developments are vital, if we are to ensure that the travel industry realises how increasingly important the insurance sector is, especially at such a critical time when we are expecting the market to become more complex, and competitive than ever before.

Patrick Chong, Managing Director, Journeys Travel Insurance

Advantage Journeys Online

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Mon, 28 Apr 2003 09:09:00 +0000

ADVANTAGE JOURNEYS ONLINE LAUNCHED

Journeys Travel Insurance has launched a dedicated extranet for Advantage agents who work with the company. The facility gives agents the opportunity to calculate insurance costs against destination, activity and duration, and provide their client with the insurance certificate in just four easy steps.

This quick and easy online quotation ensures that agents can provide insurance which meets any customer criteria instantly, and at the same time do not have to wait for the policy to be forwarded to their clients.

The site has been on test with a number of Advantage agents over the last few weeks and welcomed as a no-problem-easy-to-use impressive system. Since its launch at Easter, 75 Advantage members have signed up to utilise the facility.

Bill Taylor, head of web development at Advantage describes the site as: “Easy to use and one of great benefit to Advantage members.”

Patrick Chong, managing director of Journeys Travel Insurance, believes this is another opportunity for agents to really maximise on the profits they can make from the sales of travel insurance: “With an easy to use system, passworded to the individual agent, it will ensure fast, easy sales.”

As an added incentive, agents can earn additional commission ranging from 2% to 5% by booking online and completing other services. Agents are able to ensure they input mark-ups to their own requirement and, additionally, the client is insured and instantly covered for the full specification of the insurance they have purchased, be it sport, cruise or annual multi-trip cover. Eventually Advantage Journeys Online will also provide online claims, medical screening and sales support and training.

The site is now available to all Advantage agents and will be extended to Journeys’ existing clients in other agencies.

Short Breaks

nospam@example.com (Joe Lee) — Mon, 14 Oct 2002 12:00:00 +0000

EARN MORE AND PROTECT YOUR SHORT BREAK CUSTOMERS!

Recent research by the Foreign Office showed that 43 per cent of British travellers often fail to take out proper cover for short breaks overseas. Leading travel insurer Journeys, is strongly advising agents to make sure they have adequate travel insurance.

According to Journeys, the sale of travel insurance for those embarking on short breaks, both abroad and in the UK is relatively low (approximately 30%, in comparison to 85% for longer durations of seven and 14 days).

Patrick Chong, managing director of Journeys Travel Insurance comments: “Agents need to seize this as an opportunity to increase travel insurance sales which ultimately results in a greater income from the commission gained. It also improves agent/client relations, by demonstrating the agency’s commitment to protecting their customers.

“It’s frightening that so many holidaymakers travel abroad and even in the UK, on short breaks without any sort of protection. This is because many of them are unaware of the potential costs involved, should anything go wrong. To be repatriated back from Spain could cost up to £10,000 for something like a broken leg and as much as £20,000 should you need an air ambulance. Many people also think the E111 covers them, but it only gives a certain level of protection, mainly for medical expenses e.g. in France only 75% of these costs are covered. It also doesn’t cover the other elements which travel insurance does i.e. cancellation, legal expenses, personal possessions etc. and it isn’t valid outside of the EU.”

Journeys provides ‘pay as you go’ travel insurance, making it easier for agents to sell to customers because this policy provides clients with better value for money, as they only pay for the ACTUAL number of days travelled.