As a travel advisor, you work hard to create memorable travel experiences that run smoothly for your clients. But even the most perfectly planned trip can go awry, whether due to flight delays, illnesses, or lost luggage.

That’s why third-party travel insurance is an essential part of the travel planning process.

Many travelers assume credit card protections, domestic health insurance, and supplier coverage are all good enough, but in reality, these options can have limited benefits and gaps that leave clients vulnerable. By offering independent, third-party travel insurance, you can deliver real value that protects your clients and strengthens your role as their trusted advisor.

Here are the top reasons third-party travel insurance should be part of every trip itinerary.

Stronger Benefits

Third-party travel insurance plans are designed to support travelers throughout every phase of their journey, not just one component. This means your clients receive broader, more flexible coverage that often has higher benefit limits than supplier-provided options.

With third-party plans, travelers typically receive coverage that applies across all their bookings, higher trip cancellation and interruption limits, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades, and much more.

Primary vs. Secondary Medical Expense Coverage

One of the most important differences between third-party travel insurance and supplier coverage options is whether medical expense coverage is primary or secondary.

With primary medical coverage, travelers can file a claim directly with their travel insurance provider. There’s no need to involve their domestic health insurance first, which can speed up the reimbursement process.

With secondary medical coverage, the traveler must file through their primary health insurance before the travel insurer will consider the claim, which can significantly slow down the reimbursement process.

Coverage provided by a third-party insurance company is often primary, and highlighting this is key for helping clients make an informed decision about their travel protection.

Rising Global Medical Costs

Medical emergencies abroad can be incredibly expensive, and between inflation and increased global demand for medical services, healthcare costs around the world are climbing.

Air ambulance evacuations, in particular, can be tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the location and level of care.

Because of these rising costs, travelers should have at least $100,000 in medical coverage for their trips, ideally more if they’re traveling to remote regions or areas with limited medical infrastructure, and they should ensure their plan includes emergency medical evacuation benefits.

Third-party travel protection plans, such as IMG’s iTravelInsured Choice plan, can offer higher medical and evacuation limits than many supplier options, giving your clients essential protection if an emergency happens while away from home.

Dedicated Support from Experts

One of the advantages of third-party travel insurance is having 24/7 access to experienced travel assistance professionals.

These experts are trained to handle medical emergencies, evacuations, lost passports, translation needs, and more anywhere in the world. This gives your clients peace of mind, knowing around-the-clock help is available for anything from simple coverage questions to extreme emergencies.

Offering third-party travel insurance is a key factor in client-focused advising. When travelers understand the differences in coverage, support, and financial protection, they’re likely to be much more confident in your guidance.

By making third-party travel insurance a standard part of your travel planning process, you can help ensure your clients’ travels are as smooth and safe as possible, no matter the unexpected.

About IMG

IMG has supported millions of travelers and travel advisors for more than 35 years with travel and health safety solutions and 24/7 assistance services. Their global resources, competitive compensation, and dedicated support team make it easier for advisors to offer clients the coverage they need.

To learn more about partnering with IMG and their travel protection plans, email TravelPartner@imglobal.com.