News

ABTA has launched its travel insurance training programme with the hope the entire industry will take it on board, including non-members and airlines.

ABTA said it had been in contact with organisations including the Travel Trust Association and British Airways to offer them the training.

Head of financial affairs Mike Monk said the industry-wide take-up would demonstrate to the Financial Services Authority a serious attempt to maintain standards. Treasury officials agreed in June that ABTA could regulate members when the FSA replaces the General Standards Insurance Council next year.

Two self-study training modules have been developed. By the end of next year, all staff who sell or advise on travel insurance must be qualified to level one, with at least one member of staff for each office qualified to level two (Travel Weekly February 10).

The move is believed to save members from costly and complex regulation under the FSA.

“There is a need for regulation but we should not go berserk and crack a walnut with a sledgehammer,” he said.

From January 1 2005, all agents and operators who sell insurance must hold the qualification. All call centre staff must comply. ABTA said it plans to monitor take-up via a database of relevant agency and operator staff.

The programme means agents can no longer sell insurance in isolation - it must relate to booked travel arrangements. The packs cost £25 for level one and £30 for level two, with discounts on block applications. TTC Training will run the exams at locations around the country. For more information, call 01483 713391.