Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, today unveiled AirCareTM, the first product in its new travel-insurance line designed for travelers, travel agencies, tour operators and travel suppliers.AirCareTM is the first low-cost fixed-benefit flight protection coverage available up to one hour before flight departure.
AirCareTM coverage is priced at an affordable $25 per trip and pays $1,000 to travelers for tarmac delays of more than two hours; $1,000 if a traveler experiences lost or stolen luggage; $500 if a flight delay causes a traveler to miss a connecting flight; $500 for luggage delayed more than 12 hours; and $50 if a traveler experiences more than a two-hour flight delay. AirCareTM also includes proactive travel-assistance solutions through MyAssistTM, a global-assistance and concierge service.
AirCareTM was developed in response to what is shaping up to be one of the most disruptive and expensive years for travelers. Publically available data from FlightAware shows this has been the worst year on record for flight cancellations in the U.S., with nearly 90,000 flights cancelled since December 2013.
According to masFlight, a data company specializing in airline operations, weather disruptions in January alone resulted in 300,000 flight delays. Thirty million U.S. passengers were impacted by delayed or cancelled flights, costing $2.5 billion in lost productivity and additional incurred expenses for items such as hotel rooms and meals.
AirCareTM is the first of several innovative travel-protection products slated to be released under the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection name over the next several months.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection will operate under the leadership of John Noel, one of the true pioneers of the travel insurance industry and leverages the capabilities of MyAssistTM and Insure AmericaTM, both part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance.
"We are very excited to enter the travel insurance business and to have John and an experienced team leading Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection," said Peter Eastwood, president of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. "We believe there is long-term profitability in the market and the introduction of Aircare will put us in a position to satisfy the needs of travelers from day one."
"I'm excited about this opportunity," said Noel, president of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. "We've created simple, inexpensive travel insurance that covers what's never been covered before. It's a real game-changer in the marketplace, and the timing couldn't be better, with the record number of flight delays and cancellations this past winter combined with the rising cost of air travel. Consumers are desperately seeking assistance when things go wrong."
AirCareTM is available for purchase from the bhtp.com website. It will also be made available to travel agents and other travel suppliers.
About Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance ( www.bhspecialty.com ) is a division of the Berkshire Hathaway Group of Insurance Companies and provides commercial property, casualty, healthcare liability, executive and professional lines insurance and programs for customers across the U.S. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance underwrites on the paper of Berkshire Hathaway's National Indemnity group of insurance companies, which hold financial strength ratings of A++ from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor's. Based in Boston, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has regional underwriting offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. For more information, contact info@bhspecialty.com .
About Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is the marketing name for travel protection and services of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Concierge, LLC, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, part of the National Indemnity group of insurance companies. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Concierge, LLC provides personal and emergency assistance services, and liability-protection products to customers. Our hallmarks are a dedication to the highest levels of customer service, family-centric work environment, and commitment to individual growth and abilities. We truly believe our direction is guided by our values. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection created AirCareTM flight protection and other innovative products, and backs them with high-tech enhancements and industry-leading customer service. AirCareTM will be written on the paper of National Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Visit bhtp.com for more information.