How to Sell Travel Insurance

Written by: Nik Ventouris

Last updated:

Understanding how to sell travel insurance involves more than just a deep knowledge of the policies at hand. It requires a strategic approach and effective marketing tactics to reach potential clients and convince them of the value this product can provide.

This comprehensive guide aims to equip aspiring insurance agents with the essential strategies and actionable tips necessary for selling travel insurance successfully.

How to Sell Travel Insurance Successfully

The secret to excelling in selling insurance is in the approach. Here, we delve deeper into some of the most effective digital marketing strategies.

Social Media

In the digital age, social media has transformed into a powerful vehicle for reaching a diverse audience and establishing a firm online presence.

To capitalize on this tool, here’s a detailed strategy:

  • Craft an informative profile: In the online world, your social media profile is the first point of contact for many potential customers, so ensure it accurately reflects your services and expertise in travel insurance
  • Engage, don’t just broadcast: As a two-way communication platform, social media thrives on interactions, not just broadcasts. Make sure to regularly post valuable content about travel insurance
  • Capitalize on advertising opportunities: Most social media platforms offer targeted advertising features. These can be invaluable for reaching out to individuals interested in travel or insurance, thereby increasing your visibility among potential customers

Given the time-consuming nature of updating posts and promptly responding to messages, many travel insurance agents opt to employ social media management services.

This not only ensures optimal utilization of social platforms but also provides agents with extra time to focus on other crucial aspects of their business.

Recommended Service

As a travel insurance agent, we recommend working with Arrow; Arrow uses AI in order to offer up to five personalized posts a week, online traffic boosts, and weekly reporting.

4.5 out of 5 starsArrow Now ($49 per month)

Content Marketing

Content marketing is all about providing valuable, relevant information that builds trust and establishes you as an authority, thus attracting potential customers.

Below, we’ve detailed three effective ways you can enhance your content marketing strategy today.

Start a Blog

A well-maintained blog can become a valuable asset as it allows you to position yourself as a trusted expert in your field by regularly sharing insightful posts about travel insurance.

Make sure to use it to demystify complex insurance terms, share real-life scenarios where travel protection came to the rescue, and offer practical tips for choosing the right policy.

Utilize Infographics

Infographics are fantastic tools for explaining the nitty-gritty of travel insurance as their visual cues can be used to simplify complex information.

A well-designed infographic can make a big difference in your audience’s understanding of the product you’re selling.

Publish Ebooks

Consider writing in-depth guides about travel insurance. These are a great medium for delving into the details that blog posts might be too short to cover.

A great way of using these guides to generate leads is to offer them for free on your website in exchange for contact information.

Recommended: If you are interested in boost-starting your content marketing campaign, have a look at Sitetrail’s premium press release services.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a very cost-effective way of reaching a larger audience quickly as you only pay when a user clicks on one of your ads.

Here’s a detailed guide on how best to make these ads work for you:

  • Select relevant keywords: The success of your PPC campaign relies heavily on keyword selection. Use specific, relevant keywords that your potential customers might use when searching for travel insurance online
  • Craft compelling ad copy: Your ads should be straightforward yet enticing. They should clearly convey the value you’re offering and include a compelling call to action
  • Monitor and adjust: Use analytics tools to keep track of your ads’ performance. Analyze this data to adjust your strategy for better results

Tip

Set up your PPC ads to display to people in specific locations to reach a more relevant audience, enhancing your chances of conversion and return on investment (e.g., your ads can be set to appear when a user searches for tour operators in your area).

Building a Professional Website

A professionally designed website can instill your business with a sense of trust and credibility.

Some essential guidelines to consider during the website creation process include:

  • Prioritizing user experience: A website that’s intuitive, mobile-friendly, and fast creates a positive user experience
  • Offering value through content: Besides your blog posts, offer resources like FAQs, insurance quote calculators, and guides on the specific coverage a customer may need for their travel plans
  • Making communication easy: Clearly display your contact information on your website and consider adding a live chat feature or a contact form

Website builders have become a popular choice among many small travel insurance companies as they make it easier and more affordable to create effective websites — even without a lot of technical knowledge.

Recommended Software

We recommend the GoDaddy Website Builder as a small insurance agent company. GoDaddy meets most small business needs while providing an extremely straightforward user experience.

Proven Tips for Selling Travel Insurance

Now, let’s delve into some general tips that can enhance your sales skills and refine your approach:

  • Product knowledge: Understand every detail of the travel insurance policies you’re selling. The more knowledgeable and confident you are, the better you can explain policy benefits, answer questions, and reassure customers
  • Identify your target audience: Identifying your ideal customers — be they frequent travelers, international students, or business travelers — can help you tailor your marketing efforts for better results
  • Prioritize customer service: Stellar customer service can set you apart in the highly competitive insurance market. Be approachable, responsive, and patient — and go the extra mile to assist your customers

For more information, have a look at our How to Sell Insurance article.

How to Become a Travel Insurance Agent

If you aren’t licensed in your state, you will need to do this before you start selling travel insurance products.

Even though the specific process for this can vary from state to state, you will generally need to complete the following steps in order to get a travel insurance license:

  • Complete a pre-licensing education course in your state: This is a legal requirement in most states. Even where it is not required, we recommend purchasing a course in order to ensure that you pass your exam on your first attempt; this can end up saving you both money and time
  • Take your state’s insurance licensing exam: State insurance exams are generally administered by Pearson VUE, PSI, or Prometric. Line-specific outlines are offered to help with your preparation
  • Get a fingerprinting and/or background check: The exact fee for this will be dependent on your state but is generally less than $100
  • File an official license application: You can usually do this with your state’s Department of Insurance. (This can also be known as the Division of Insurance, depending on your location)

Recommended: For more information, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Become an Insurance Agent article.

How to Sell Travel Insurance FAQ

How much can you make selling travel insurance?

The income potential for selling travel insurance can vary significantly though it is common for travel insurance agents to earn between $30,000 to $50,000 per year. However, since travel insurance agents also earn via commission, selling more policies will increase this salary. To read about how you can boost your own sales, see our How to Sell Travel Insurance article.

Do travel agents make money selling travel insurance?

Yes, travel agents can make money selling travel insurance. When travel agents sell a travel insurance policy, they typically earn a commission from the travel insurance company. This commission is usually a percentage of the insurance premium cost. If you are interested in becoming a travel agent, make sure to read our Property and Casualty License article.

How much commission do travel agents make on travel insurance?

The commission rate for travel insurance policies can vary depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy. On average, travel advisors can expect to earn a commission rate of about 15-20% of the policy premium. However, this rate can go as high as 30-40% for certain specialized policies (e.g., international insurance plans).

How do I sell myself as a travel insurance agent?

Selling yourself as a travel agent or tour operator requires a combination of product knowledge, excellent customer service, and effective marketing. Make sure to create a strong online presence through a professional website and active social media profiles — sharing insightful content about travel insurance plans, engaging with your audience, and showcasing testimonials of positive customer experience to establish your credibility.

How much does it cost to start being a travel agent?

The cost to start a travel insurance business can vary widely. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars for home-based agents to several thousand for those starting their own travel insurance provider. For a deeper look into the process of starting out as a travel insurance agent, we recommend checking out our How to Become an Insurance Agent article.