Selling travel insurance now a must for Malaysian travel agents
KUALA LUMPUR – It is now mandatory for all travel agents in Malaysia to sell travel insurance for outbound package tours, which will provide the basic insurance coverage plan (BICP).
for travellers.
President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), Ngiam Foon, said all the association’s members had to abide by this new regulation under the Tourism Industry Act.
A BICP must provide coverage for accidents, deaths, medical treatment, hospitalisation, and cancellation of tours due to abscondment or insolvency, bankruptcy of the travel agencies or tour operators.
Travellers, however, are not required to take up the offer if they so choose. “They can decline to purchase the insurance but they have to sign a waiver not to hold the tour agent liable if the unfortunate were to happen,” said Ngiam.
There are different types of policies to suit the traveller’s needs and preference and can be purchased from any insurance companies.
Ngiam clarifies that MATTA members can tie up with any insurance company as long as the scheme offered meets the BICP’s requirements.
MATTA recently launched the MATTA Medi Evac insurance scheme with insurers Kurnia Insurans (M) Bhd and RHB Insurance Bhd. This is a cashless insurance scheme that provides medical and hospitalisation coverage, as well as coverage for insolvency and absconding.
The premium is RM7.50 (US$2.20) for a minimum of three days’ coverage and RM2.50 a day for each additional day. The insured gets coverage of up to RM320,000.
Pempena, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Tourism Malaysia, also teamed up with Timeless Vacation to offer travellers the Basic Travel Protection Plan (BTP), which is underwritten by Tahan Insurance Insurance with the support of six insurance companies.
BTP provides tour fare protection, which covers travellers up to RM10,000 in event of the trips being cancelled due to sudden medical emergencies, death of a family member, natural disaster or closure of the travel agency. It also provides essential benefits including protection against accidental death and permanent disablement, medical expenses, outpatient treatment, repatriation and personal liability up to RM100,000.
The premium is RM15 per person for both domestic and outbound travel. It also covers inbound travellers at US$15 per person.
Corinne Wan
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