58% of Americans are More Likely to Buy Travel Insurance
19 November 2020Generali Global Assistance releases findings of Holiday/2021 Travel Sentiment Survey
Generali Global Assistance (GGA) today released the findings of its Holiday/2021 Travel Sentiment Survey which surveyed 1,138 U.S. travelers between October 26 and November 5, 2020 on their upcoming travel plans and preferences. According to the findings, 74% of U.S. travelers who indicated they would be traveling in 2020 are planning to travel during the upcoming holiday season and 47.6% of U.S. travelers are likely to purchase travel insurance for their trips in 2020.
“The average person’s willingness to travel is increasing and while there’s still plenty of pandemic related uncertainty, according to our Holiday/2021 Travel Sentiment Survey, most Americans are planning to travel domestically during the upcoming holiday season,” said Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance.
“The pandemic has also impacted the average consumers’ willingness to purchase travel insurance with almost 60% of U.S. travelers indicating they are more likely to buy travel insurance now compared to their willingness to buy before the Covid-19 pandemic. Consumers’ demands around travel will continue to change in the wake of the pandemic and our team is consistently looking for ways to enhance our offerings in response.”
Travel Intentions
2020
- All of the consumers surveyed indicated that they were planning to travel in the next 18 months.
- 73.6% of travelers who said they would be traveling this year indicated they were planning to take a trip during the upcoming holiday season.
- 85.1% of the survey participants who said they would be traveling in 2020 indicated they’d be traveling for leisure in the remainder of the year, while 24.6 % indicated they’d be traveling for business.
2021
- 78.5% of travelers indicated they were planning to travel in either the spring or summer 2021.
- 90% of the survey participants indicated they’d be traveling for leisure in 2021, while 17.5% indicated they’d be traveling for business.
Destinations
2020
- Due to the pandemic, consumers’ confidence towards international travel remains low in both 2020 and 2021.
- 64.5% of the survey participants traveling in 2020 plan to travel domestically while 22.1% of them planning to travel internationally.
2021
- 63.1% of the survey participants traveling in 2021 plan to travel domestically while 23.1% of them planning to travel internationally.
- However, 53.9% of the U.S. travelers surveyed indicated that will comfortable traveling internationally again 6 months after a vaccine is available for Covid-19.
The survey also identified the countries and states that most U.S. travelers plan on traveling to in 2021:
| Top 5 International Destinations in 2021 | Top 5 Domestic Destinations in 2021 |
| France | Florida |
| Mexico | California |
| Italy | New York |
| Germany | North Carolina |
| Canada | Texas |
Accommodations & Transportation
- During the upcoming holiday season, 53.3% of the survey participants who indicated they would travel in 2020 are planning to stay in a hotel for their trips.
- 49.5% of those who were traveling in 2020 indicated they would be staying at a vacation rental for the holidays booked either through AirBnB, Vrbo, or an independent rental company.
- 38.1% of those respondents indicated that are staying with friends and family.
- While 13.5% of those respondents indicated they’ll be taking a cruise for the holidays while 7.4% said they would be staying in an RV.
When asked about the transportation they plan to take to their destination:
- 65% of the survey participants indicated they’ll be taking their car on their 2020 trip.
- Planes were the second most popular from of transport among those traveling this year with 56.7% of respondents indicating they’ll fly to their destination.
- The remaining respondents indicated they plan on taking a train (11.5%) or ferry (6.6%) to their next destination in 2020.
Travel Insurance Sentiment
The pandemic has significantly impacted the average consumers’ decision to purchase trip protection or travel insurance.
- 58.1% of the survey participants said they were more likely to purchase travel insurance for all trips going forward and 32.8% of them are planning to purchase travel insurance for their trips in 2021.
When deciding which company to purchase travel insurance from price, online ratings and reviews and plan coverage are three key factors for the average consumer.
- 33.3% of the survey participants think of price as the most important factor
- 19.4% of them consider plan coverage as the most important factor
- 13.4% of them value online ratings and reviews the most.
Methodology
The Holiday/2021 Travel Sentiment Survey was conducted by Upwave on behalf of Generali Global Assistance between October 26 and October 27, 2020. The survey consisted of 16 questions and was conducted online with 1,011 consumers in the U.S.
About Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance has been a leading provider of travel insurance and other assistance services for more than 25 years. The Company offers a full suite of innovative, vertically integrated travel insurance and emergency services, identity protection solutions, and beneficiary companion services. Generali Global Assistance is part of the multinational Generali Group, which for over 185 years has created a presence in 60 countries with over 76,000 employees. Our success has been built on the foundation of trust that clients have placed in our ability to provide assistance in the most difficult of circumstances.
Generali Global Assistance offers travel insurance through vacation rental and property management companies, leading travel agencies, online travel agencies, other travel suppliers and directly to consumers. For more information on Generali Global Assistance and the policies offered for travelers, please visit: www.generalitravelinsurance.com.
Media Contact
Kevin McGrath
M Group Strategic Communications (for Generali Global Assistance North America)
+1 646 859 5955
kmcgrath@mgroupsc.com
www.generalitravelinsurance.com/press
Facebook: www.facebook.com/generalitravelinsurance/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/generalitravel/
Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.
Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.