Founded in 2004, the US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) is a
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, registered
501(c)
A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the Law of the United States#Federal law, federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. ยง 501(c)) and is one of over 29 types of nonprofit organizations exe ...
non-profit association of companies involved in the development, sales, marketing or implementation of
travel insurance
Travel insurance is an insurance product for covering unforeseen losses incurred while travelling, either internationally or domestically. Basic policies generally only cover emergency medical expenses while overseas, while comprehensive policies ...
and related products and services; plus U.S. travel insurance carriers, third-party administrators and allied businesses that develop, administer and/or market travel insurance and assistance products and services.
UStiA is a primary information source about travel insurance, assistance, and related services for the US media.
Mission
Among UStiA's missions are to educate consumers about travel insurance and related issues; foster ethical and professional standards of industry conduct; and cultivate government relations on behalf of the travel insurance industry.
Goals
The Association's goals are to: create uniform and fair regulations for the industry; develop consistent licensing standards for agents who market travel insurance and assistance services; and serve as an advocate for the travel insurance industry.
Consumer Advocacy
In accordance with the organization's mission and goals, UStiA created a consumer advocacy website
TRIP in 2010. The acronym TRIP stands for Travel Responsibly, Informed and Protected. TRIP provides timely travel information and articles, tips and links on issues concerning travel health, safety, and security.
Membership Standards and Categories
Member companies must adhere to UStiA's standards of ethical conduct and truth in advertising.
Membership Categories
UStiA has three categories of membership, Regular Member, Associate Member, and Subscriber.
Regular Members are Insurance Carriers, Third Party Administrators, Managing General Agents, Managing General Underwriters, and Administrators who are in the insurance business and derive at least 50% of their annual revenue from travel insurance.
Associate Members are Travel Assistance Companies, Air Ambulance Companies, Travel Suppliers, Companies and Professionals who provide services to the travel industry, PPOs, and Insurance Brokers and Agents who distribute travel insurance programs.
Subscriber Members include Retail Travel Agencies, Retail Travel Agents, Travel Media, Software Companies, Travel Vendors, and those individuals who have expressed an interest in the travel insurance industry.
References
{{reflist
External links
Official Website
Financial services companies established in 2004
Insurance in the United States
Travel insurance
Insurance industry organizations