Survey Results Show that the Travel Industry Needs to Educate Consumers
This comes less than two years after Hurricane Maria struck the island,
disrupting travel plans for many.
HUNT VALLEY, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Less than two years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, many
travelers planning to visit the hurricane-susceptible island are opting
not to purchase travel insurance.
A new study by Arch RoamRight travel insurance shows 78% of surveyed travelers headed for Puerto Rico indicated they did not purchase travel
insurance.
The results were collected in a survey of visitors to RoamRight.com.
Arch RoamRight, a leading provider of travel insurance in the United
States, asked visitors questions about their travel habits.
“We know everyone’s travel style is different, but 78% of travelers
indicating they had not yet purchased travel insurance for a trip to
Puerto Rico is concerning,” said Cory Sobczyk, Vice President of
Business Development for Arch RoamRight.
“Travel insurance for those traveling to Puerto Rico is essential,” said
Mr. Sobczyk. “Puerto Rico is a destination that is at risk during
hurricane season and in recent years suffered the effects of Hurricane
Maria, the second deadliest hurricane in American history.”
June 1 marks the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic.
Travel insurance can provide coverage such as trip cancellation for
those with trips booked to destinations that may be affected by
hurricanes. Travelers should buy travel insurance early; for many
packages, including those offered by Arch RoamRight, coverage must be
purchased before a storm is named.
Travel insurance can also provide additional important benefits to
travelers, including emergency medical benefits and coverage for lost,
stolen, or damaged luggage.
Puerto Rico is Back to a Hot Travel Destination
While the results of the survey indicated a high percentage of travelers
to Puerto Rico are opting not to buy travel insurance, Arch RoamRight is
seeing an increase in the total number of customers visiting Puerto Rico
when compared to 2018. The number of travelers insured by Arch RoamRight
going to Puerto Rico is up 17% through May 2019 compared to the same
period in 2018.
“We are happy to see that Puerto Rico is once again a hot travel
destination,” said Mr. Sobczyk. “However, the results of our survey show
us that the travel insurance industry should do more to educate
consumers on the merits of travel insurance.”
Travel agents who want to learn more about how travel insurance can help
protect their clients during hurricane season can attend a webinar on
Tuesday, June 18, 2019. More information can be found at www.roamright.com/hurricanes-2019.
About RoamRight
RoamRight (www.roamright.com),
an Arch Insurance brand based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, provides travel
insurance to help U.S. residents traveling around the world. RoamRight
offers travel insurance plans for leisure, business, student and group
travelers taking both domestic and international trips. From trip
cancellation to travel medical insurance plans and an award-winning
mobile app and website, RoamRight is an industry leader in innovation
and technological solutions.
About the Survey
These results were collected in an interactive questionnaire posted on a
RoamRight.com blog post entitled “19 Things to Pack for Puerto Rico.”
The survey was live from March 4 to May 29, 2019 and received 1,071
responses. The purpose of the survey was to gather information on travel
habits. The survey and its results are informal and not large enough to
arrive at conclusions that concretely summarize travel trends.