Broker-focused TravelCard says work is underway to resume its business in Australia, after operations were placed in “hibernation” in October 2020 in response to the pandemic ban on international travel.

The travel insurer’s decision comes after Canberra removed 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,” TravelCard Corporate Ventures CEO Leor 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.

An annual KPMG insurance industry review suggests the travel line is on the mend, after a near-collapse in sales during the travel ban. Gross written premium (GWP) in the December quarter last year rose 133% in comparison to the preceding September period. The review did not provide a GWP value but says travel GWP last year was $234 million compared to nearly $1.2 billion in 2019 before covid.

TravelCard’s decision to restart its Australia operations is “certainly a sign of confidence that the sector is reopening for business,” KPMG Insurance Partner Scott Guse told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says the travel sector will probably take 12-18 months to "start getting backing to more normality”.