2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 33. Insurance › Article 62. Travel Insurance Model Act › §33-62-3. Definitions

As used in this article:
(1) "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;
(2) "Blanket travel insurance" means travel insurance issued to any eligible group providing coverage for specified circumstances and 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;
(3) "Cancellation fee waiver" means a contractual agreement between a supplier of travel arrangements or travel services and its customer to waive some or all of the non-refundable cancellation fee or penalty provisions of the underlying travel contract between the supplier and customer with or without regard to the reason for the cancellation or form of reimbursement. A cancellation fee waiver is not insurance;
(4) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of insurance of this state;
(5) "Eligible group" means any of the following:
(A) Any entity engaged in the business of providing travel or travel services, including, but not limited to, tour operators, lodging providers, vacation property owners, hotels and resorts, travel clubs, travel agencies, property managers, cultural exchange programs, and common carriers, or the operator, owner, or lessor of a means of transportation of passengers, including, but not limited to, airlines, cruise lines, railroads, steamship companies, and public bus carriers;
(B) Any college, school, or other institution of learning covering students, teachers, or employees defined by reference to specified hazards incident to activities or operations of the institution of learning;
(C) Any employer covering any group of employees, volunteers, contractors, board of directors, dependents, or guests, defined by reference to specified hazards incident to activities or operations of the employer;
(D) Any sports team, camp, or sponsor thereof covering participants, members, campers, employees, officials, supervisors, or volunteers;
(E) Any religious, charitable, recreational, educational, or civic organization or branch thereof covering any group of members, participants, or volunteers defined by reference to specified hazards incident to any activity or activities or operations sponsored or supervised by or on the premises of such organization or branch;
(F) Any financial institution or financial institution vendor, or parent holding company, trustee, or agent of or designated by one or more financial institution or financial institution vendor, under which accountholders, credit card holders, debtors, guarantors, or purchasers are insured;
(G) Any incorporated or unincorporated association, including labor unions, having a common interest, constitution, and bylaws, and organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance for members or participants of such association;
(H) Any trust or the trustees of a fund established, created, or maintained for the benefit of members or customers of one or more associations meeting the above requirements;
(I) Any entertainment production company covering any group of participants, volunteers, audience members, contestants, or workers;
(J) Any newspaper or other publisher covering its journalists and carriers;
(K) Any volunteer fire department, ambulance, rescue, police, court, or any first aid, civil defense, or other such volunteer group, or agency having jurisdiction thereof, covering all or any group of the members, participants, or volunteers of such group;
(L) Preschools, daycare institutions for children or adults, and senior citizen clubs;
(M) Any automobile or truck rental or leasing company covering a group of individuals who may become renters, lessees, or passengers defined by their travel status on the rented or leased vehicles. The common carrier, the operator, owner, or lessor of a means of transportation, or the automobile or truck rental or leasing company, is the policyholder under a policy to which this section applies; or
(N) Any other group where the commissioner has determined that the members are engaged in a common enterprise, or have an economic, educational, or social affinity or relationship, and that issuance of the policy would not be contrary to the best interests of the public;
(5) "Fulfillment materials" means documentation sent to the purchaser of a travel protection plan confirming the purchase and providing the travel protection plans coverage and assistance details;
(6) "Group travel insurance" means travel insurance issued to any eligible group;
(7) "Limited lines travel insurance producer" means a:
(A) Licensed managing general agent or third party administrator;
(B) Licensed insurance producer, including a limited lines producer; or
(C) Travel administrator;
(8) "Offer and disseminate" means providing general information, including a description of the coverage and price, as well as processing the application, collecting premiums, and performing other non-licensable activities permitted by the state;
(9) "Primary certificate holder" means an individual person who elects and purchases travel insurance under a group policy;
(10) "Primary policyholder" means an individual person who elects and purchases individual travel insurance;
(11) "Travel administrator" means a person who directly or indirectly underwrites, collects charges, collateral, or premiums from, or adjusts or settles claims on residents of this state, in connection with travel insurance, except that a person shall not be considered a travel administrator if that persons only actions that would otherwise cause it to be considered a travel administrator are among the following:
(A) A person working for a travel administrator to the extent that the persons activities are subject to the supervision and control of the travel administrator;
(B) An insurance producer selling insurance or engaged in administrative and claims related activities within the scope of the producers license;
(C) A travel retailer offering and disseminating travel insurance and registered under the license of a limited lines travel insurance producer in accordance with this article;
(D) An individual adjusting or settling claims in the normal course of that individuals practice or employment as an attorney-at-law and who does not collect charges or premiums in connection with insurance coverage; or
(E) A business entity that is affiliated with a licensed insurer while acting as a travel administrator for the direct and assumed insurance business of an affiliated insurer;
(12) "Travel assistance services" means non-insurance services that may be distributed by limited lines travel insurance producers or other entities, and for which there is no indemnification for the travel protection plan customer based on a fortuitous event, nor any transfer or shifting of risk that would constitute the business of insurance. Travel assistance services include, but are not limited to, security advisories; destination information; vaccination and immunization information services; travel reservation services; entertainment; activity and event planning; translation assistance; emergency messaging; international legal and medical referrals; medical case monitoring; coordination of transportation arrangements; emergency cash transfer assistance; medical prescription replacement assistance; passport and travel document replacement assistance; lost luggage assistance; concierge services; and any other service that is furnished in connection with planned travel. Travel assistance services are not insurance and not related to insurance;
(13) "Travel insurance" means insurance coverage for personal risks incident to planned travel, including, but not limited to:
(A) Interruption or cancellation of trip or event;
(B) Loss of baggage or personal effects;
(C) Damages to accommodations or rental vehicles;
(D) Sickness, accident, disability, or death occurring during travel;
(E) Emergency evacuation;
(F) Repatriation of remains; or
(G) Any other contractual obligations to indemnify or pay a specified amount to the traveler upon determinable contingencies related to travel as approved by the commissioner.
Travel insurance does not include major medical plans, which provide comprehensive medical protection for travelers with trips lasting six months or longer, including, for example, those working overseas as an expatriate or military personnel being deployed, or any other product that requires a specific insurance producer license;
(14) "Travel protection plans" means plans that provide one or more of the following: travel insurance, travel assistance services, and cancellation fee waivers; and
(15) "Travel retailer" means a business entity that makes, arranges, or offers travel services and may offer and disseminate travel insurance as a service to its customers on behalf of and under the direction of a limited lines travel insurance producer.