Travel insurance protects travellers against medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage and other problems. For travel agencies and online portals, offering insurance at the right moment adds value for customers and earns additional revenue. But insurance is a regulated product, so it must be offered correctly. This article explains how to add travel insurance to your booking portal.
Why offer travel insurance?
- Customer protection: travellers are better covered for medical costs and disruptions.
- Revenue: commission or fees from each policy sold.
- Trust: customers appreciate an agency that helps them travel safely.
- Visa requirements: some destinations require proof of travel insurance.
Working with insurance partners
Travel agencies usually sell insurance through a licensed insurer or intermediary. Depending on local regulations, the agency may need to register or partner under specific arrangements. Choose partners with clear products, simple claims processes and technical options for integration. Always check the regulatory requirements in your country before selling insurance.
Where to show insurance in the booking flow
- As an optional add-on during flight, hotel or package checkout.
- In confirmation emails, for travellers who decide later.
- In customer accounts, before departure.
- As a standalone product for travellers who booked elsewhere.
Make insurance clearly optional, never pre-selected, and explain the cover in simple language.
What to show customers
- Plan name and price per traveller.
- Key benefits and limits, such as medical cover and trip cancellation.
- Main exclusions.
- Links to full policy wording.
- How to claim and who to contact in an emergency.
Integration options
- API integration: quotes and policies issued automatically within your checkout.
- Partner portal: staff issue policies on the insurer's website.
- Referral link: customers buy directly from the insurer through your link.
API integration gives the smoothest experience and records policies against each booking.
Supporting customers
When travellers need to claim, they will call you first. Keep policy documents in the customer's booking, share emergency numbers before departure and know the insurer's claims process so your team can guide customers.
Measuring performance
- Share of bookings that add insurance.
- Revenue from insurance by product and destination.
- Customer feedback on claims experiences.
Choosing the right plans to offer
Too many options confuse customers. Most agencies offer two or three plans: a basic plan for domestic or short trips, a standard international plan and a comprehensive plan with higher medical and cancellation cover. Match plans to your typical trips and customers, such as seniors, students or families, and review claims feedback each year to keep the offer relevant.
In practice: insurance at the right moment
An agency offered insurance only by phone, and few customers bought it. It added a clear, optional insurance step to its online checkout for international trips, with a short summary of cover and a link to policy details. Take-up increased, customers had cover when they needed it, and the agency earned steady add-on revenue.
Frequently asked questions
Can insurance be mandatory with a package?
Some operators require insurance for certain trips. If you do, explain it clearly and follow local rules on bundling.
Who handles claims?
The insurer handles claims; your role is to help customers access the right information quickly.
Key takeaways
- Insurance protects travellers and adds revenue.
- Work with licensed partners and follow local regulations.
- Offer it as a clear, optional add-on and support customers when they claim.
Add insurance and other add-ons to your portal through our travel API integration services.
