2023 Maryland Statutes › Insurance › Title 19 - Property and Casualty Insurance › Subtitle 10 - Travel Insurance › Section 19-1001 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Affiliated insurer” means:
(1)    an insurer in the same corporate system as the insurer’s parent; or
(2)    a member organization having common ownership, control, operation, or management with the insurer.
(c)    “Aggregator site” means a website that provides access to information regarding insurance products from more than one insurer, including product and insurer information, for use in comparison shopping.
(d)    “Blanket travel insurance” means a policy of travel insurance issued to any eligible group providing coverage for specific classes of persons defined in the policy with coverage provided to all members of the eligible group without a separate charge to individual members of the eligible group.
(e)    “Cancellation fee waiver” means a noninsurance contractual agreement between a person engaged in the business of arranging or supplying travel and the person’s customer to waive some or all of a nonrefundable cancellation fee provision of the supplier’s underlying travel contract, with or without regard to the reason for cancellation or form of reimbursement.
(f)    “Eligible group” means two or more persons who are engaged in a common enterprise or who have an economic, educational, or social affinity or relationship, including:
(1)    an entity engaged in the business of providing travel or travel services in which, with regard to any particular travel or type of travel or travelers, all members or customers of the group have common exposure to risk attendant to that travel, including:
(i)    a tour operator;
(ii)    a lodging provider;
(iii)    a vacation property owner;
(iv)    a hotel or resort;
(v)    a travel club;
(vi)    a travel agency;
(vii)    a property manager;
(viii)    a cultural exchange program;
(ix)    a common carrier; and
(x)    the operator, owner, or lessor of a means of transportation of passengers, including:
1.    an airline;
2.    a cruise line;
3.    a railroad;
4.    a steamship company; and
5.    a public bus carrier;
(2)    a college, school, or any other institution of learning providing travel insurance coverage for students, teachers, employees, or volunteers;
(3)    an employer providing travel insurance coverage for employees, volunteers, contractors, boards of directors, or dependents, or guests of those persons;
(4)    a sports team, camp, or sponsor of a sports team or camp providing travel insurance coverage for participants, members, campers, employees, officials, supervisors, or volunteers;
(5)    a religious, charitable, recreational, educational, or civic organization or branch of the religious, charitable, recreational, educational, or civic organization providing travel insurance coverage for members, participants, or volunteers;
(6)    a financial institution or financial institution vendor, or parent holding company, trustee, or agent of, or designated by, a financial institution or financial institution vendor, providing travel insurance coverage for account holders, credit card holders, debtors, guarantors, or purchasers;
(7)    an incorporated or unincorporated association, including a labor union, that:
(i)    has a common interest, constitution, and bylaws;
(ii)    is organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance for members or participants of the association; and
(iii)    provides travel insurance coverage for members of the association;
(8)    a trust or the trustees of a fund, subject to the Commissioner’s authorizing the use of a trust and the State’s premium tax provisions under § 6–102 of this article:
(i)    established, created, or maintained for the benefit of members, employees, or customers of an association described under item (7) of this subsection; and
(ii)    providing travel insurance coverage for members, employees, or customers of the association;
(9)    an entertainment production company providing travel insurance coverage for participants, volunteers, audience members, contestants, or workers;
(10)    a volunteer fire department, an ambulance, a rescue, a police, a court, or any other volunteer agency having jurisdiction as a first aid or civil defense group and providing travel insurance coverage for members, participants, or volunteers;
(11)    a preschool, a day care institution for children or adults, or a senior citizen club providing travel insurance coverage for attendees or participants;
(12)    an automobile or truck rental or leasing company:
(i)    providing travel insurance coverage for individuals who may become renters, lessees, or passengers defined by the travel status of the individuals on the rented or leased vehicles; and
(ii)    if the common carrier, operator, owner, or lessor of a means of transportation, or the automobile or truck rental or leasing company, is the policyholder or certificate holder of the travel insurance policy; and
(13)    any other group for which the Commissioner determines that:
(i)    the members of the group are engaged in a common enterprise or have an economic, educational, or social affinity or relationship; and
(ii)    the issuance of the policy would not be contrary to the best interests of the public.
(g)    “Fulfillment material” means documentation sent to the purchaser of a travel protection plan confirming the purchase and providing the travel protection plan’s  assistance and coverage details, including access to the policy or certificate of coverage, as applicable.
(h)    “Group travel insurance” means travel insurance that provides coverage for certificate holders of an eligible group under a travel insurance policy issued to a policyholder.
(i)    “Limited lines travel insurance producer” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of this article.
(j)    “Offer and disseminate” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of this article.
(k)    (1)    “Travel assistance  services” means  noninsurance  services that do not result in any transfer or shifting of risk that would constitute the business of insurance.
(2)    “Travel assistance  services” includes:
(i)    a security advisory service;
(ii)    a destination information service;
(iii)    a vaccination and immunization information service;
(iv)    a travel reservation service;
(v)    an entertainment service;
(vi)    an activity and event planning service;
(vii)    a translation assistance service;
(viii)    an emergency messaging service;
(ix)    an international legal and medical referral service;
(x)    a medical case monitoring service;
(xi)    coordination of transportation arrangements;
(xii)    emergency cash transfer assistance;
(xiii)    medical prescription replacement assistance;
(xiv)    passport and travel document replacement assistance;
(xv)    lost luggage assistance;
(xvi)    a concierge service; and
(xvii)    any other  services that  are furnished in connection with planned travel.
(l)    “Travel insurance” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of this article.
(m)    “Travel protection plan” means a plan that provides, in addition to travel insurance:
(1)    travel assistance  services; or
(2)    a cancellation fee waiver.
(n)    “Travel retailer” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of this article.