Protecting luxury journeys

LUXURY is not only the five-star hotel, private transfer, cruise or bucket-list destination; it is also the comfort of knowing that every detail and eventuality has been catered for, including unexpected trip disruptions. Anrieth Symon, Head of Travel at Bryte, explains that the more personalised and premium the itinerary, the more important it becomes to protect the financial commitment behind it. This is where travel insurance becomes more than a final add-on before documents are issued. “For a premium traveller, it is about protecting the full trip: flights, accommodation, deposits, excursions, cruise bookings and special arrangements,” says Symon. Bryte has continued to refine its insurance offering with these travellers in mind. “Our plans include benefits that speak to higher-value holidays, including emergency medical and related expenses, cancellation cover, baggage, cruise cover, winter sports, golf cover, public transport carrier delays and more. We cover a range of benefits that may not always be the ones that clients ask about first, but which can matter most when a trip becomes complicated,” says Symon. Travel risks are changing quickly and weather disruptions, airline schedule changes and geopolitical uncertainty are now part of the conversation. “A luxury holiday can involve connecting flights, prepaid tours, specialist activities, cruises and non-refundable deposits, so it helps to talk through the cover properly upfront,” advises Symon. Service plays a big role too. “Travellers want to know that someone can help when they are stuck and unsure what to do next. Bryte Travel Assist gives travellers access to 24-hour worldwide assistance, whether they need medical support, help replacing lost travel documents, emergency travel or accommodation arrangements or guidance when plans are disrupted.” Bryte also continues to refine its processes to make the administration side easier for both the agent and the traveller. “Policies can be issued electronically, documents are delivered digitally and customers can register and submit claims online. It may not be the exciting part of travel, but when something goes wrong, a straightforward and simple process makes a difference to stress levels.” Symon believes the best advice is to bring insurance into the conversation early. “Discuss the full itinerary, cruise elements, deposits, connecting flights, planned activities, pre-existing medical conditions and non-refundable costs. Also explain the limits and exclusions clearly so the client understands the cover before they travel, rather than only when they need to claim. “Luxury travellers invest time, money and energy into creating memorable experiences. While insurance cannot replace the effort that goes into planning a special holiday, the right travel insurance helps protect the financial investment behind it and gives them comfort that if plans change, they are not left trying to manage matters on their own,” Symon says.