“One Country, One Insurance Platform:” Advisors Sound Off On Inter-Provincial Barriers

A petition created by Travel Market Report Canada has been signed by close to 600 Canadian travel advisors, united in the goal of removing interprovincial barriers to selling travel insurance. 

The creation of national standards for the sale of travel insurance by travel advisors is currently hindered by varying provincial licensing requirements, posing significant barriers to trade and limiting consumer access to essential insurance products. 

As more travel advisors shift to becoming home-based and independent contractors with client sales spanning all provinces, the petition states that it is imperative that the federal government address these trade barriers in the ongoing provincial trade barrier reviews. 

The call to action reads: “Sign this petition to urge the federal government to take decisive action in removing these provincial trade barriers and support the unified growth of our national travel industry for the sale of Travel Insurance.”

“With close to 600 signatures, this is a rare issue where travel advisors across the country are united with one opinion – the system needs to change to serve Canadian travellers better and ensure that they are protected while travelling in and outside the country,” said John Kirk, Editor-in-Chief for Travel Market Report Canada.

“We encourage more members of the industry to add their signatures to the petition. When we reach a critical mass we will present the results to ACTA – which is already advocating on this issue – and make it available to travel advisors should they wish to present it to their local MPs,” Kirk added.Signees have added weight to their signatures with comments on the issue. Here are a few:

Terrence Hawkins: “Inconsistency in regulations hurt and confuse our clients. We need one regulation for our great country!”

Zora L. Zubko, CTC: Being licensed in every province to sell travel insurance is a money grab and unnecessary if we are required to keep up a standard of knowledge the insurance company mandates.

Laura Hilderman: I have clients from all over Canada and currently I can only sell travel insurance to BC residents. I am sure some clients go without due to the inconvenience of getting their own coverage instead of me issuing as part of their trip.

Tina Stasyshyn: Most agencies book clients from multiple provinces, especially with multi-generational and/or wedding groups, and these outdated rules leave our out of province clients to fend for themselves because we can’t direct them — leaving most of them vulnerable, with little to no insurance. This needs to change.

Becky Kershaw: With technology, we as travel agents will book clients from any Province or Territory in Canada. BUT I cannot issue insurance for those not in my province. Let’s get it open so we can all sell to our clients in Canada no matter where they are from.

Julie Evans: Absolutely we should be able to sell insurance to clients all across Canada. This is my number one frustration in the travel industry!

Rebeka Kennedy: Having an industry standard across the country will only strengthen travel agents and agencies and their level of knowledge on the importance of travel insurance and the product itself while allowing agents to provide a higher level of service to their out of province clients.

Avery Campbell, ACTA’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations, added the travel advisor organization’s weight to the issue.

“Canada’s fragmented travel insurance licensing system is an outdated barrier that hurts both consumers and businesses. Currently, travel agencies and travel advisors must obtain separate licenses in each province where their customers live. A travel advisor who is qualified to sell insurance in one province should be trusted to serve clients in any province,” Campbell said.

There’s strength in numbers: make your voice heard by signing the petition and commenting on the issue.