Lawmaker takes aim at airlines, OTAs over ‘deceptive’ travel insurance sales
Democrat Sen. Ed Markey has laid into the airline industry over ‘deceptive’ practices peddling travel insurance to customers that often ‘fail to provide promised coverage.’
Markey’s office published the ‘Flyer Beware: Is Travel Insurance Worth It?’ report which found ‘questionable travel insurance marketing practices for policies that offer minimal coverage and often erect hurdles to the payment of claims.’
It also criticized similar practices of OTAs.
"The only thing skimpier than airplane legroom is the coverage these insurance policies," Markey said.
"Consumers are being tipped upside down, money is shaken out of their pockets, and it’s split between the airlines and the insurance companies. It’s just plain wrong."
The senator reviewed policies sold by nine major airlines including Delta, JetBlue, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as well as several online travel agencies.
The research found that just two insurance providers underwrite all the policies and Markey said not one airline was willing to disclose its financial relationship with insurers AIG Travel Guard or Allianz.
The US Travel Insurance Association responded by claiming ‘travel insurance is a valuable product that protects consumers’ financial investment.’
The association said it was not contacted by Markey’s office before the report was published.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025