TravelCard says its Australian business, placed in “hibernation” since October 2020 due to the pandemic, will offer “superior products” and “better user experience” when it resumes operations.

The broker-focused travel insurer is working to “restart” the local business, Corporate Ventures CEO Leor Catalan says.

TravelCard’s decision comes after Australia lifted its “Do Not Travel” global advisory in November last year, paving the way for insurers to again offer large-scale travel insurance sales. During the ban, residents required government permission to travel outside the country.

“We are super excited that international travel from Australia has finally resumed,” Mr Catalan told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“TravelCard is indeed working to restart operations in Australia with superior products and a better user experience than ever before.”

The “hibernation” applied only to quoting and issuance of new policies, with the business continuing to provide claims support for in-force policies during this period.

“While we hibernated new sales in Australia due to the restrictions on international travel, we maintained high service standards for previously sold policies continuously,” Mr Catalan said.

“We believe that, now more than ever, travellers appreciate travel insurance providers that offer more than just a financial arrangement, and are there to support them in real-time.”

Part of UK-based PassportCard Group, TravelCard launched its Australian business in June 2018 focusing on the broking channel.

Its policies, until the hibernation, were underwritten by Hollard and it was Steadfast’s travel insurance provider.

Hollard says it has no comment at this time on TravelCard’s plans to resume its operations here and Steadfast has been approached for a comment on the status of its working arrangement with the insurer.

In a separate announcement, TravelCard says it has been granted a US patent for an application it developed to enable real-time claims payout through a debit card. With the debit card, customers get access to a global and 100% cashless insurance service.

“With our technology being recognised to be unique, and other pending patents for additional innovation in customer experience, we are in a stronger position than ever to expand into additional territories,” TravelCard Group President Alon Ketzef said.

“We look forward to this next exciting step in our mission to bring seamless and fuss-free insurance to the masses.”