As a Travel Professional, Who you Partner with Matters and Here is Proof
Contributed By: Allianz Partner
Current partners have experienced the many advantages of offering Allianz Travel Insurance. As part of Allianz Partners’ mission –which centers on providing innovative insurance solutions – the Allianz Advantage helps partners enhance customer relationships by offering best-in-class experiences, worldwide expertise, reliable service delivery, sophisticated marketing, and accelerated growth for developing businesses. Combined, this array of advantages creates a uniquely beneficial partnership for travel advisors and a distinctly customer-focused experience for their clients.
To ensure the Allianz Advantage keeps evolving and stays ahead of the competition, the company continually collects feedback from their travel advisor partners by providing regular contact with their field sales team, monitoring calls to customer care, and sending out surveys. Most recently, responses to a 2022 survey have granted insights into how much advisors enjoy their partnership, as well as some of the key differentiators that make Allianz Travel Insurance products more valuable.
Out of the 1,633 total responses, the survey found that most advisors have more positive experiences with Allianz Partners compared to other travel insurance companies. 81% of respondents said their products and services are ‘the best’ or ‘better than most’ in the industry. The overwhelmingly positive responses also revealed that –across the board – most advisors were satisfied with the many other aspects of working with Allianz Partners. On a 5-point scale, with 5 representing the highest satisfaction:
- 92% rated breadth of products/benefits a 4 or 5
- 79% rated overall value a 4 or 5
- 78% rated customer experience a 4 or 5
- 76% rated agent compensation a 4 or 5
- 73% rated product pricing a 4 or 5
In addition to their level of satisfaction with several of the company’s competitive advantages, travel advisors shared their top three reasons for offering Allianz Travel Insurance. These reasons included positive client experience, affordable pricing, and epidemic-related covered reasons– with epidemic-related covered reasons being the number one motivator.
Based on the survey responses, it is clear that a major part of Allianz Partners’ value comes from their devotion to reimaging and elevating what it means to be a customer-focused service provider.
Based on the survey responses, it is clear that a major part of Allianz Partners’ value comes from their devotion to reimaging and elevating what it means to be a customer-focused service provider.
“Survey results show travel advisors who offer Allianz Travel Insurance are confident their customers will have a positive experience if they need help while traveling, or if a covered situation throws a wrench in their travel plans—so choosing to work with Allianz Partners can bring travel advisors, as well as travelers, more peace of mind,” says Richard Aquino, Vice President and Head of Sales for Allianz Partners U.S.
Results from the survey confirm that many travel advisors directly benefit from their partnership. For example, Allianz Partners has increased efficiency for advisors by offering easy sales automation tools and software integration flexibility with platforms like AgentMax Online – which 88% of advisors surveyed said they prefer over any other travel insurer’s selling tool.
Along with convenience, working with Allianz Partners allows advisors to increase their revenue opportunities and build on customer loyalty by helping protect more customers. As a result, the company has seen greater frequency in advisors offering travel insurance. 68% of advisors surveyed stated they “always” offer Allianz Travel Insurance, and the payoff of doing so is clear. Further results indicated that 76% of customers choose to protect their trip “most of the time” or “always.”
“Given the increased demand for more secure travel, advisors have a tremendous opportunity to earn more commissions, while providing customers with the protections they’re looking for—which, in turn, strengthens customer relationships and builds loyalty,” says Aquino.
Specific travel insurance plans are also available to fit the needs of partnering travel advisors—providing opportunities to experience the same value as their customers. The Professional Travel Program, for example, is designed exclusively for travel advisors and offers affordable annual travel protection.
“Webinars through consortia Ensemble brought Allianz to my attention, and I love what [the] company offers. Always have my own coverage through Allianz,” says Dayna J., a partnering travel advisor with InteleTravel.
Overall, survey results revealed that Allianz Partners’ dedication to enhancing customer and advisor value has yielded positive outcomes. Advisors were asked to rate their likelihood of recommending Allianz Travel Insurance products to a friend or colleague on a 10-point scale, and the average rating was 8.86/10 – highly likely. Many other travel professionals recently echoed similar feedback, naming Allianz Partners “Travel Insurance Company Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support” and “Travel Insurance Company Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction” in the 2022 Travel Age West WAVE Awards.
While honors like these are certainly welcomed, it’s the steady flow of positive feedback from customers and travel professionals that brings Allianz Partners the greatest pride. Both measures of success come from a “never rest on your laurels” ethos and constant discovery of new ways to evolve. Collecting and monitoring feedback year-round is one of the most vital steps in this journey—so strong partnerships with travel advisors are invaluable and mission-critical.
Learn about becoming a partner and continue exploring the Allianz Advantage by visiting JoinAllianzPartners.com.