BUPAis targeting agents with a marketing drive following a revamp of its business travel insurance.
Called Complete TravelCover, the product is based on the results of extensive research which found business travellers rely on leisure travel insurance but have much more sophisticated needs.
BUPA Travel Services managing director Joanna Caparn said in the past the company has not sold much of its product through the trade but it is keen to do so in the future.
“It hasn’t been deliberate, but I don’t think agents have recognised the potential,”she said.
Caparnsaid BUPA would pay a commission to agents or would offer them a net rate onto which they could add a margin.
“In some instances, if agents have a particular client base, we would consider tailoring a scheme and co-branding it with them,” she added.
BUPA is doing a mailshot to agents and is offering training, where BUPAstaff will visit agents’ offices to teach them how to sell the new policy.
For the first time, cover for business equipment is included as standard with a single article limit of ú2,000.
The package has mugging, hijack and catastrophe cover designed to help business travellers who travel to more risky destinations and are often easily identifiable targets.
Maximum trip duration has been extended from 45 days to 180 and the policy also includes missed departure cover up to ú1,000 if a traveller is delayed due to bad weather, mechanical breakdown or industrial action.
Medical expenses and repatriation costs have been increased from ú1m to ú5m and baggage-delay compensation has been increased fivefold to ú500.
Companies can cover all their employees without having to fill out medical questionnaires.
Premiums start at ú47 per traveller for comprehensive annual cover, with excess payments cut from ú50 to ú25.
For the first time, the insurance can also be purchased globally to provide a one-stop-shop for multi-nationals.