Budget airline WestJet recently announced its new "no-charge COVID-19 travel insurance coverage for eligible guests booking travel to Mexico, the Caribbean and European destinations including the United Kingdom." Announced in September 2020, the coverage is eligible for "reservations made on or after September 18, 2020" and will be valid until August 31, 2021.
This pandemic insurance plan was made possible through the airline's partnership with insurance provider TuGo® and aims to give Canadian travelers peace of mind during an uncertain time. In addition to adhering to increased safety measures during COVID-19, WestJet aims to provide coverage for unforseen medical costs and other emergencies for those abroad while also offering flexible booking one year in advance for those holding off on non-essential trips.
Image Credit: Travel Pulse Canada
What's Driving This Trend
- COVID-19 Travel Insurance
- The availability of COVID-19 travel insurance plans for travelers will continue to rise, providing a disruptive opportunity for insurance providers to offer innovative and comprehensive coverage options.
- Flexible Booking
- The trend towards flexible booking options for non-essential trips will continue to grow, creating an opportunity for travel providers to offer more customizable and convenient booking experiences that cater to the changing needs of travelers.
- Increased Safety Measures
- The adoption of increased safety measures by airlines and other travel providers will become a standard in the industry, presenting a disruptive opportunity for companies to develop and implement advanced tech-based solutions that can enhance the safety and security of travelers.
Who This Affects Most
- Insurance
- The insurance industry can take advantage of the rise of COVID-19 travel insurance plans to offer innovative and comprehensive coverage options for travelers, ultimately increasing their market share and customer base.
- Travel
- The travel industry can capitalize on the trend towards flexible booking options by offering more customizable and convenient booking experiences that cater to the changing needs of travelers, ultimately increasing their competitive advantage and appeal to consumers.
- Technology
- The technology industry can develop and implement advanced tech-based solutions that can enhance the safety and security of travelers, ultimately revolutionizing the way the travel industry approaches and operates safety measures.
