Friday February 17, 2012

Travel insurance a must for MATTA members from next month

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) will impose mandatory travel insurance on all its members starting March 1.

Six insurance service providers, namely Ace Jerneh Insurance Berhad, Chartis Malaysia Insurance Bhd, Hong Leong MSIG Takaful Bhd, Kurnia Insurance (M) Insurance Bhd, Lonpac Insurance (M) Bhd and RHB Insurance Bhd, have been appointed for this purpose.

“Travel insurance does not only benefit insurance companies but more importantly travellers.

“With insurance, you can put your worries aside if you fall ill, lose your luggage, the trip is delayed or if a member travel agency absconds or becomes insolvent,” said MATTA president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun.

He said this at the launch of the outbound insurance scheme and appointment of the six partner insurance companies.

MATTA insurance sub-committee chairman John Tan said the association had been working with the Tourism Ministry and the insurance companies to come up with an affordable travel insurance scheme.

“The insurance plans are among the most affordable and can be as low as RM10. The rates vary according to the duration of the trip and destination,” he said.

“Disciplinary action will be taken against MATTA members who do not comply,” he said, adding that travellers who did not want to buy an insurance package would have to sign a waiver.

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