Allianz Global Assistance Launches SmartBenefits(SM) That Pay Customers in Real Time for Flight Delays

PR Newswire

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For millions of American travelers affected by travel disruptions every year*, navigating delays in travel and baggage is finally getting easier. Allianz Global Assistance today announced the launch of its new SmartBenefits that will reshape how travel insurance works, along with many customer-centric product enhancements that add value and convenience.** The new benefits and enhanced plans are currently available for any trips booked through the company's travel agency partners.

Thanks to proprietary technology and new automated claims capabilities, Allianz Travel Insurance customers can now receive proactive claim payments within minutes of a qualifying flight delay. Additionally, on certain plans the company's new fixed-amount payment option allows travelers to file other travel delay and baggage delay claims with no receipts.

To stay ahead of consumers' evolving needs, Allianz Global Assistance has re-engineered its travel protection benefits and added coverages to give customers even better financial protection and emergency medical coverage in the event of travel disruptions, while making it faster and easier to get their claims paid.

Proactive Payments for Flight DelayAllianz Global Assistance is one of the first travel insurance providers to offer proactive claim payments for domestic and international flight delays. By actively monitoring customers' flights for qualifying delays of three to five hours (depending on the policy benefit), the company automatically files a claim for the customer and offers three convenient payment options. Customers can receive typical fixed payments of $100 per person per travel delay on their debit card within minutes of entering payment details, while direct deposit payments can be available in as little as 24-48 hours. If no action is taken, customers are mailed a check automatically.

"No Receipts" Fixed-Amount Payments
We're making claims for travel and bag delays easier by giving customers the option to receive a faster, fixed-amount payment for their inconvenience, without the effort of uploading receipts. A complete claim is filed online or through the TravelSmart™ app by entering basic data points to verify coverage eligibility (e.g., proof of loss or delay). The customer is then notified of their claim approval status typically within seven days and may receive $100 per person per day impacted by the delay.

New Customer-Centric Benefits
These are the most extensive enhancements to the company's entire product portfolio in more than five years. Allianz Global Assistance analyzed customer feedback and identified industry gaps to create new benefits and improved coverages that customers would find most useful and valuable. These include three main areas of product enhancements:

Expanded Travel Coverage – To better protect travelers from modern-day travel risks, Allianz Global Assistance enhanced existing covered reasons and redesigned Travel Delay and Baggage Delay benefits for better coverage. New covered reasons, such as Hurricane Warning (available on select plans) and Mandatory Evacuation, help keep customers out of harm's way and allow them to cancel their trip if a natural disaster makes their destination unsafe.
When severe weather or storms cause an extended delay by the travel carrier, our redesigned Travel Delay benefit can help travelers cover the cost of reaching their destination earlier by alternative means.
Improved Emergency Medical Coverage – All travel plans now include primary emergency medical coverage, which helps customers get quicker access to medical payments (up to their coverage limits) on qualifying claims. We also improved coverage limits on trip cancellation claims involving pre-existing medical conditions for travelers taking more expensive trips.
Simplified Benefit Descriptions and Usability – Descriptions of benefits and coverages were simplified on Allianz Travel Insurance policies, making it easier for customers to understand what situations can be covered. The company also now reminds customers what their insurance benefits are and ways to access emergency travel assistance through emails sent days before their trip.

"By offering proactive claim payments on qualifying flight delays, our innovative SmartBenefits make it easier for customers to get paid quickly for their inconvenience," stated Mike Nelson, Global CEO of Travel Insurance and Regional CEO for Americas. "These enhancements to our travel protection products make traveling easier, more worry-free and enjoyable for our customers."

All the product enhancements for Allianz Travel Insurance plans became available in most U.S. states on July 24, 2018 for trips booked through the company's travel agency partners. For more information about the new SmartBenefits, visit the training section of the resource center at AgentMaxOnline.com.

Allianz Global Assistance USA
Allianz Global Assistance USA is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance provider with operation centers in 35 countries. In the United States, Allianz Global Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) provides insurance to 35 million customers and is best known for its Allianz Travel Insurance plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies.

To learn more about Allianz Travel Insurance, please visit allianztravelinsurance.com or Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllianzTravelInsuranceUS.

*Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/HomeDrillChart.asp, 2018

**Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies (One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215-2200), under Form Nos. SRTC 2000 and NSHTC 2500, each rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., depending on state of residence. Allianz Global Assistance, Allianz Travel Insurance, TravelSmart, and SmartBenefits are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Non-insurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by AGA Service Company. Benefits and limits vary by plan. Proactive payments and "no receipts" payments available only on certain plans. See plan documents for a complete description of the coverage and specific benefit limits offered under your plan. For plans that include proactive payments: when you opt in and provide flight information, we'll monitor flights and send flight status and benefit alerts, including alerts about flight delays that qualify for automated travel delay payment. Standard message/data rates apply to SMS alerts. Automated claims and payment system availability is not guaranteed and is subject to our sole discretion. All claims subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions.