Using a travel insurance waiver is an easy way for a travel agency owner or independent agent to protect themselves from legal troubles when their clients experience incident while on vacation. The document states that your client agrees or refuses coverage, and also explains the reason why fear of epidemic/pandemic related pressures may not be covered by standard policies.
As a travel agent, it is crucial that you have all your clients sign a travel insurance waiver before their trip. The travel insurance waiver not only helps to ensure you have a signed record by any client declining travel insurance presented to them, but it also documents your client’s understanding of your role in recommending insurance and their responsibility in understanding coverages provided by the insurer and policy.
Other reasons to have your clients sign a travel insurance waiver include:
-To limit your agency’s financial liability in the event that a client decides to cancel their trip.
-To avoid being held responsible if a client falls ill or is injured while on vacation.
-To limit your agency’s liability if a client’s trip is interrupted due to unforeseen reasons.
While some clients may be hesitant to sign a waiver, it is important to explain to them that this document is for their protection as well as yours. By signing the waiver, they are agreeing that they understand the risks involved in travel and that they will not hold you responsible if something goes wrong.
Be sure to go over the waiver with your clients carefully so that they understand everything that it entails. Once they have signed it, keep a copy on file in case you need to refer to it at any point in the future.
While having a travel insurance waiver is not required by law, it is highly recommended as a best practice in the travel industry and should be included as part of your travel agency disclaimers.
Travel Industry Solutions includes a travel insurance waiver along with a travel services agreement, terms and conditions, and planning fee agreement in its essential set of travel agency forms. See our membership options for more details.
