NIB becomes latest travel insurer to bail on sales

Brisbane, Australia - July 9, 2017: NIB is Australia's third largest private health insurance fund. This is a central Brisbane office.

NIB has joined Allianz in temporarily ceasing the sale of new travel insurance policies, blaming the decision on the COVID-19 pandemic and government-enforced travel restrictions.

This change comes into effect from the close of business today (Wednesday 1 April 2020) and only applies to all NIB Travel brands except World Nomads USA, Canada and Brazil.

NIB Travel CEO Anna Gladman said the insurer remains committed to working with and supporting its partners as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

“The decision to temporarily suspend sales was not taken lightly; however, we believe it was the right thing to do following the Australian government’s directive that no Australian should travel, particularly overseas, at present,” she said.

“We’re continually monitoring the situation as it evolves and it is our intention to re-commence travel insurance sales as soon as practicable taking into account official travel restrictions, government warnings and health advice.”

Gladman said the focus for NIB Travel was on helping partners and customers, as well as responding to the large volume of customer queries the business had received in relation to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our teams are here to help, including our account managers who have been mobilised to work from home so they can continue to assist agents and partners,” she said.

“Importantly, we are also looking to the future, as we know there will be significant pent-up demand for travel from Australians, many of whom believe in travel as a way of life.

Gladman said agents and partners requiring more information about the change should contact their account manager.

The move by NIB follows Allianz’s decision to cease offering new domestic and international travel insurance policies from Friday 27 March, while Cover-More suspended its ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ product last month.

Featured image credit: iStock/Nils Versemann

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]