Allianz Global Assistance and PassportCard to launch an innovative program designed to revolutionize travel insurance experience

TORONTO, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Allianz Global Assistance Canada announced today its plans to test a new and innovative way for travellers to pay for medical claims while travelling.

A first in Canada, the unique solution will allow for payment of eligible outpatient medical expenses in real-time, eliminating any out of pocket expenses for the traveller and removing the typical claims process and paperwork which travellers are accustomed to.

Customers who purchase a travel insurance plan included in this limited program will receive a payment card for no additional fee to take with them on their trip. If they require emergency medical help while travelling, they call Allianz Global Assistance, which will transfer funds to the card and provide a referral to the nearest medical facility.

The traveller can then proceed to the medical facility for treatment where they present the card to pay the bill. The claim is settled immediately, in real-time, with no out-of-pocket expenses, paperwork or claim process for the traveller.

The program is being offered through a partnership with PassportCard.

"This solution is unlike any other offering available in Canada or North America today. Using PassportCard's technology, we can assist travellers more effectively and efficiently, making their life easier in the process. This directly aligns with our mission of helping people anytime, anywhere," says Gino Riola, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Allianz Global Assistance Canada. "With this solution, we're not only setting ourselves apart in our industry as innovators and leaders in customer experience, but also increasing the value travellers place on and receive from travel insurance."

"When setting out to extend the offering in North America, we were searching for the leading and most innovative market players. Allianz Global Assistance Canada's solid reputation for delivering top-notch travel insurance and assistance services made them an ideal choice as a partner." says Sharon Haran, CEO of PassportCard "We were already familiar with Allianz Global Assistance's capabilities having partnered with their German Business Unit to offer PassportCard to travellers."

PassportCard is a real-time claim settling solution available with the purchase of travel insurance policies associated with this program. Associated travel insurance policies are underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators group of companies.

During the limited program launch phase, PassportCard will be offered with select products on a limited basis. Once the limited program has proven successful, Allianz Global Assistance intends to make it available to its distribution partners on a broader scale.

Allianz Global Assistance (Canada)

For more than 50 years, Allianz Global Assistance has supported travelling Canadians when they need it most with value-added travel insurance and assistance services. More than 700 employees support long-term partnerships with some of the best known brands in the travel and financial services markets. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call centre services and claims administration for health insurers, property and casualty insurers and credit card companies. Allianz Global Assistance is a specialist brand of Allianz Worldwide Partners for assistance and travel insurance, and is the registered business name for AZGA Service Canada Inc. and AZGA Insurance Agency Canada Ltd. For more information, visit www.allianz-assistance.ca.

Allianz Worldwide Partners

Dedicated to bringing worldwide protection and care, Allianz Worldwide Partners is the B2B2C leader in assistance and insurance solutions in the following areas of expertise: global assistance, international health & life, global automotive and travel insurance. These solutions, which are a unique combination of insurance, service and technology, are available to business partners or via direct and digital channels under three internationally renowned brands: Allianz Global Assistance, Allianz Worldwide Care and Allianz Global Automotive. This global family of over 16,000 employees is present in 75 countries, speaks 70 languages and handles 40 million cases per year*, protecting customers and employees on all continents. For more information, please visit https://www.allianz.com/en/products_solutions/services-and-assistance/allianz-worldwide-partners/

PassportCard

PassportCard, a UK based company, is a JV between White Mountains Insurance group and DavidShield. The company franchises its unique solutions to major travel insurance and medical assistance companies worldwide.

SOURCE Allianz Global Assistance

Image with caption: "The Real-Time Card allows for payment of travel insurance claims in real-time, eliminating any out of pocket expenses for the traveller and removing the typical claims process and paperwork which travellers are accustomed to. (CNW Group/Allianz Global Assistance)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160530_C8677_PHOTO_EN_701545.jpg