An Optimistic Outlook for the Travel Insurance Industry

Kevin Leys, President of Meridian Management Group, a subsidiary of One80 Intermediaries

We can all agree we are living in unprecedented times.  In 1994 when Sue Whalen and I established Equinox Management Group Inc., providing travel and specialty health reinsurance solutions, we did so with a long term vision.  Since then major travel insurance industry disruptions like 9/11, the economic downturn of 2008 and now the global pandemic have drastically impacted our sector. We have made great strides in preparing for this volatility by diversifying our products and services to protect the business from significant market disruptions. With that we provide reinsurance and insurance MGU support, as well as TPA services across all facets of the travel sector.

Further I am optimistic that consumer confidence in the travel industry will begin to return to normal in 2021.  In fact, three-quarters of Americans have tentative travel plans for 2021 according to US Leisure Travel. 

Therefore, innovative ways of protecting consumer and business travel will be in high demand from both consumers and regulators.  Our experienced team of professionals has served in senior level roles within the industry for decades.  We structure our services in a fashion that best meets the evolving needs of our clients, whether that be developing new generations of products for existing markets, or developing innovative, new, “never-been-done” products. We have the experience and staff to deliver successful results.

One80 upholds a similar entrepreneurial culture and strategic long-term vision.  With that we are confident that together, we will further support our clients and brokers through these challenging times. In joining One80 we look forward to developing additional capacity, and introducing new products and innovations into the travel/accident & health sector.  One80 Intermediaries, A New Direction in Specialty Insurance.