Comments on: Investigations of Prime Travel Protection, travel agents coming “to a head” http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Arthur http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-19285 Arthur Thu, 07 May 2009 00:23:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-19285 Recent posts contact: king2j@aol.com a volunteer activist group. Recent posts contact: king2j@aol.com a volunteer activist group.

]]> By: Marilyn Dunikoski http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-19105 Marilyn Dunikoski Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:14:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-19105 I had wrote to you before, but you maybe didn't get it. We were scheduled to cruise 10/28/08. I had to have en eye operation so had to cancel. We paid for insurance with Universal Assuarance Insurance and filed the necessary papers to them through the travel agency. Had only received a letter from Prime Time. The travel agency had not called me at all. I have been going to the office, but there is no solving this even though they have the trip money and we paid the insurance fee to them. I had wrote to you before, but you maybe didn’t get it. We were scheduled to cruise 10/28/08. I had to have en eye operation so had to cancel. We paid for insurance with Universal Assuarance Insurance and filed the necessary papers to them through the travel agency. Had only received a letter from Prime Time. The travel agency had not called me at all. I have been going to the office, but there is no solving this even though they have the trip money and we paid the insurance fee to them.

]]> By: Buckster http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-18646 Buckster Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:21:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-18646 Where is the liability of the travel agents in all of this? If someone walks into my company and wants me to sell their product you're darn sure I'm going to check them out. Did nobody even look into this?? This is exactly why I never use a travel agent anymore. Too many times they are eager to take your money but when there's a problem they say "oh we're just a sales agent". Where is the liability of the travel agents in all of this? If someone walks into my company and wants me to sell their product you’re darn sure I’m going to check them out. Did nobody even look into this??

This is exactly why I never use a travel agent anymore. Too many times they are eager to take your money but when there’s a problem they say “oh we’re just a sales agent”.

]]> By: Gilbert Alberding http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-18440 Gilbert Alberding Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:53:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-18440 Mr. Elliott, With all these scams and questionable selling of travel insurance policies by out of state outfits going on, the traveler has little comfort in the loss of his/her monies in being told caveat emptor. Does a travel insurance company which is not licensed in a state be o.k. to sign up with on the fact that it is underwritten by an"A" rated insurance company that is also out of state? Thanks for your fine job in dealing with these problems on the web. Gilbert Mr. Elliott, With all these scams and questionable selling of travel insurance policies by out of state outfits going on, the traveler has little comfort in the loss
of his/her monies in being told caveat emptor. Does a travel insurance company
which is not licensed in a state be o.k. to sign up with on the fact that it is underwritten by an”A” rated insurance company that is also out of state?
Thanks for your fine job in dealing with these problems on the web. Gilbert

]]> By: james http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17925 james Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:39:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17925 To: Scott Weinbrand Your statement that Florida "is again acting swiftly..." might be a little overly optimistic. It took Florida insurance regulators a few years to crack down on Trip Assured and it appears despite a more visible group of victimized consumers, the confirmation that it's the same group of travel agents selling the illegal products, the state seems to be in a holding pattern. You are to be commended for warning your clients about PTP and its predecessor companies. Too bad the travel agents who sold these bogus policies before abd saw their clients scammed, didn't offer any warnings. Instead they continued to sell these worthless policies in order to claim their fat commissions, large overrides and bonuses. To: Scott Weinbrand

Your statement that Florida “is again acting swiftly…” might be a little overly optimistic. It took Florida insurance regulators a few years to crack down on Trip Assured and it appears despite a more visible group of victimized consumers, the confirmation that it’s the same group of travel agents selling the illegal products, the state seems to be in a holding pattern.

You are to be commended for warning your clients about PTP and its predecessor companies. Too bad the travel agents who sold these bogus policies before abd saw their clients scammed, didn’t offer any warnings. Instead they continued to sell these worthless policies in order to claim their fat commissions, large overrides and bonuses.

]]> By: scott weinbrand http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17921 scott weinbrand Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:29:26 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17921 It's a shame that after VTP and others, that the same thing with the same people can be run in the same state. I work in the travel insurance arena, and advised agents that asked, that like with VTP before, that these products do not appear to be insurance, along with the old adage that anything that looks to good to be true... I am glad that Florida is again acting swiftly to resolve, and I hope other states react in a manner equally swift. It’s a shame that after VTP and others, that the same thing with the same people can be run in the same state.

I work in the travel insurance arena, and advised agents that asked, that like with VTP before, that these products do not appear to be insurance, along with the old adage that anything that looks to good to be true…

I am glad that Florida is again acting swiftly to resolve, and I hope other states react in a manner equally swift.

]]> By: Pat Burk http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17878 Pat Burk Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:35:44 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17878 Charles; I'm not really up to date on how bankruptcy works, but I've always thought that any incorporated business, whether it be a Subchapter S or otherwise, was only bound by the assets of the corporation, and that all creditors had to get in line to divide up the assets. You seem to be implying something different. Would you enlighten me? Of course, if Watson DIDN'T declare bankruptcy, an additional can of worms has been opened. I find it stunning that, as of today, www.primetravelprotection.com is still operational, and you can probably still communicate with Jerry using the email provided. One can only hope that he took, or is taking, some action that would be regarded as a felony. Charles; I’m not really up to date on how bankruptcy works, but I’ve always thought that any incorporated business, whether it be a Subchapter S or otherwise, was only bound by the assets of the corporation, and that all creditors had to get in line to divide up the assets. You seem to be implying something different. Would you enlighten me?
Of course, if Watson DIDN’T declare bankruptcy, an additional can of worms has been opened. I find it stunning that, as of today, http://www.primetravelprotection.com is still operational, and you can probably still communicate with Jerry using the email provided. One can only hope that he took, or is taking, some action that would be regarded as a felony.

]]> By: charles plumer http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17873 charles plumer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:43:37 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17873 If there was a Bankruptcy filing Watson and his wife would have to give back all money they have taken out in the last year. In addition all claims paid in the last 90 days would have to be given back to the Court to divide among all claim holders. If there was a Bankruptcy filing Watson and his wife would have to give back all money they have taken out in the last year. In addition all claims paid in the last 90 days would have to be given back to the Court to divide among all claim holders.

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17869 Joe Farrell Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:36:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17869 Guess those arrests will take Elliott.org off the target list of the PTS owners and operators . . . can't destroy someone's reputation when there are criminal charges pending against you . . . Guess those arrests will take Elliott.org off the target list of the PTS owners and operators . . . can’t destroy someone’s reputation when there are criminal charges pending against you . . .

]]> By: Al http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17864 Al Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:05:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17864 Welcome to the Division of Insurance Fraud Serving and safeguarding the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida against acts of insurance fraud About the Division Established by the legislature in 1976, The Division of Insurance Fraud is the law enforcement arm of the Department of Financial Services and is responsible for investigating insurance fraud; crimes associated with claim fraud, insurance premium fraud, workers’ compensation claim fraud, workers’ compensation premium avoidance and diversions, insurer insolvency fraud, unauthorized insurance entity fraud and insurance agent crimes. The law enforcement detectives of the Division of Insurance Fraud also investigate viatical application fraud, defalcations of escrow funds held in trust by title insurance firms, and non-Medicaid related health care fraud. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud leads the nation in the recovery of insurance fraud related losses through court ordered restitution. In Fiscal Year 2007/2008, cases presented for prosecution by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in $94 million in court ordered restitution which is 5.5 times greater than the operating budget allocated for the Division. Additionally, according to the Coalition, Florida ranks in the top four (4) among all states’ fraud divisions and bureaus in key measurements of success: * 2nd in the number of arrests * 3rd in the number of cases presented for prosecution * 4th in the number of referrals Under the leadership of Colonel Vicki Cutcliffe, Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud continues to be a perennial leader in the fight against insurance fraud. During Fiscal Year 2007/2008, investigative efforts by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in 873 cases presented for prosecution, 816 arrests, and 663 convictions. Also during Fiscal Year 2007/2008, The Division of Insurance Fraud received and reviewed 9,916 insurance fraud referrals and opened 1,742 cases for investigation. Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime! It is estimated that insurance fraud costs the US $80 billion dollars or more a year. Those costs get passed down to you, the consumer. The CAIF estimates that cost to be approximately $950 per family. Reporting insurance fraud is easy and just a click away. Welcome to the Division of Insurance Fraud

Serving and safeguarding the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida against acts of insurance fraud
About the Division

Established by the legislature in 1976, The Division of Insurance Fraud is the law enforcement arm of the Department of Financial Services and is responsible for investigating insurance fraud; crimes associated with claim fraud, insurance premium fraud, workers’ compensation claim fraud, workers’ compensation premium avoidance and diversions, insurer insolvency fraud, unauthorized insurance entity fraud and insurance agent crimes. The law enforcement detectives of the Division of Insurance Fraud also investigate viatical application fraud, defalcations of escrow funds held in trust by title insurance firms, and non-Medicaid related health care fraud.

According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud leads the nation in the recovery of insurance fraud related losses through court ordered restitution. In Fiscal Year 2007/2008, cases presented for prosecution by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in $94 million in court ordered restitution which is 5.5 times greater than the operating budget allocated for the Division. Additionally, according to the Coalition, Florida ranks in the top four (4) among all states’ fraud divisions and bureaus in key measurements of success:

* 2nd in the number of arrests
* 3rd in the number of cases presented for prosecution
* 4th in the number of referrals

Under the leadership of Colonel Vicki Cutcliffe, Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud continues to be a perennial leader in the fight against insurance fraud. During Fiscal Year 2007/2008, investigative efforts by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in 873 cases presented for prosecution, 816 arrests, and 663 convictions. Also during Fiscal Year 2007/2008, The Division of Insurance Fraud received and reviewed 9,916 insurance fraud referrals and opened 1,742 cases for investigation.

Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime! It is estimated that insurance fraud costs the US $80 billion dollars or more a year. Those costs get passed down to you, the consumer. The CAIF estimates that cost to be approximately $950 per family. Reporting insurance fraud is easy and just a click away.

]]> By: James http://www.elliott.org/blog/investigations-of-prime-travel-protection-travel-agents-coming-to-a-head/comment-page-1/#comment-17862 James Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:36:45 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5919#comment-17862 Isn't it funny how these agencies are quick to post on this blog to counter every allegation made by posters except the fact that they may have engaged in selling illegal trip protection plans previously? My guess is there is a criminal investigation as Chris has posted, this will be the focus. Isn’t it funny how these agencies are quick to post on this blog to counter every allegation made by posters except the fact that they may have engaged in selling illegal trip protection plans previously? My guess is there is a criminal investigation as Chris has posted, this will be the focus.

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