Minnesota Legislature Passes Insurance Licensing Legislation

April 3, 2012 by N/A

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 2– The American Society of Travel Agentsissued the following news release:

ASTA praised its Minnesota members for their grassroots efforts and also commended the Minnesota Legislature for its unanimous passage of a Travel Insurance Bill that will shift the licensing burden for the sale of travel insurance from travel agents to limited lines travel insurance producers, simultaneously eliminating an excessive burden on Minnesota’s travel agencies while offering greater transparency and protection for consumers.

“Passage of this bill is a win-win-win for travel agents, travel insurance providers and consumers alike,” said ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar. “It provides a workable solution to unnecessary licensing problems and inconsistencies that make it difficult for travel agencies, especially those that are small businesses, to conduct business. Now, thanks to efforts of ASTA’sMinnesota members, consumers will be given the protection they deserve and travel agents will be able to go back to doing what they do best–selling travel.

“The U.S. Travel Insurance Association was instrumental in seeing this bill through. Its passage is due in no small part to their efforts, and we thank them for their support and assistance,” added Gonchar.

ASTA worked closely with Upper Midwest Chapter President Gloria Stock Mickelson and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, which spearheaded this initiative, to rally support from Minnesota travel agencies, supplying them with a variety of tools to assist them in making their voices heard by state representatives.

With its passage, Minnesota’s insurance commissioner now has the ability to follow the new standards approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that will eliminate the travel insurance licensing burden on travel agents in Minnesota, saving travel agents money and leading the way for more states to adopt the new standard.

For additional information, please contact John Pittman, vice president of Industry Affairs, at jpittman@asta.org.

TNS CT21CT-120403-3828084 61ChengTacorda

Originally Posted at InsuranceNewsNet on April 3, 2012 by N/A.