Bill > H4352

This bill comprehensively updates Massachusetts law regarding travel insurance by establishing new regulatory frameworks and definitions for travel insurance products. The legislation creates clear guidelines for how travel insurance can be sold, defining travel insurance as coverage for personal risks related to planned travel, such as trip cancellation, lost baggage, travel accidents, emergency evacuation, and other travel-related contingencies. The bill introduces detailed provisions for limited lines travel insurance producers and travel retailers, specifying their responsibilities, licensing requirements, and permissible activities. Key provisions include mandating specific training for employees selling travel insurance, requiring disclosure of insurance details to consumers, prohibiting misleading sales practices like marketing insurance as "free" or using negative opt-out methods, and establishing premium tax rules for travel insurance. The bill also clarifies that travel insurance cannot include major medical plans for extended trips, sets standards for group and blanket travel insurance policies, and allows travel protection plans to be sold as combined packages with clear disclosures about their components. The legislation aims to create a comprehensive legal framework that protects consumers while providing clarity for insurance producers and travel retailers about how travel insurance can be legally offered in Massachusetts.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4352