New Home-Based Travel Agents E&O Program
by Reza Khan, CPCU (Specialty Global Insurance Services)

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Program Highlights:

Coverage will be available for Home Based Agents and Independent Contractors

The Policy Deductible will not apply to legal defense costs

Legal defense costs will not erode the Policy Limit of Liability

"Travel Agency Services" means the business of providing advice about travel and the arrangement of accommodations, cruises, excursions and transportation for others.

Travel Agency Services also means providing advice about and/or arrangement of tours organized and/or operated by third party tour operators. Travel Agency Services includes researching travel-related information via the Internet, placing reservations via. the Internet, and communicating by email when any of these are done in furtherance of Travel Agency Services.

Coverage is provided for claims arising from all types of conveyances as long as any Insured under the policy doesn't own, operate, maintain or loan/entrust the conveyance involved with the loss.

The Company will not settle claims without the consent of the First Named Insured.

Policy provides coverage for independent contractors while working on behalf of the Named Insured.

Third Party Travel Supplier Bankruptcy legal liability coverage can be added for a small additional premium.

Minimum annual premium for $1,000,000 Limit of Liability = $350

Coverage will be offered over the Internet on a dedicated website. The site is being developed and is expected to be launched sometime in the first quarter of 2006.

OSSN will make an announcement to all of its members as soon as the website is "live." In the interim, while the new website is being completed, SGI will be exploring possible ways to underwrite OSSN member coverage "manually."

The website will be supported by an experienced customer service team via a toll-free call center.

Policyholders will be able to pay their premium by using a credit card.

Program Restrictions:

Applicants need at least one full year of continuous work experience operating as a travel agent or tour operator employee.

Coverage will not be available to applicants who specialize in adventure or student travel.

Applicants with a prior claims history will need to be reviewed by the underwriter.

OSSN Announcement:

"As soon as the new program is available to launch, OSSN will let every member know via E-mail," states OSSN President Gary M. Fee.