Travel-insurance industry backs uniform regulatory bill to clarify sales and consumer protections

Karen Alvarado, vice president of regulatory affairs for Crum & Forster and co-chair of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association's law and regulation committee, testified in support of H.4352, which would bring Massachusetts's travel-insurance rules in line with NAIC model-act language.

Alvarado told the committee the bill standardizes definitions, prohibits certain unfair sales practices, provides an important "free look" refund period, and clarifies regulatory oversight for travel-insurance products sold across state lines. She said 41 states have enacted similar legislation and that a consistent national approach benefits consumers and industry participants by creating clear expectations and a level playing field for carriers, agencies, and third-party administrators.

Why it matters: Testimony framed H.4352 as a consumer-protection and regulatory modernization measure that reduces uncertainty for regulators and consumers while accommodating rapid growth in the travel-insurance market.

Process: Ms. Alvarado said she was not aware of opposition and would submit written testimony; the transcript records her support and no committee vote on the bill.

Ending: Proponents said adopting model-act language will align Massachusetts with national regulatory trends and strengthen consumer protections for travel insurance.