INTRODUCING TRIP MATE
Your partner in travel
Trip Mate is the leading provider of innovative, market-leading travel protection products. We offer a range of unique coverage solutions and assistance services. We work closely with our client partners to customize the right travel insurance program to fit their needs.
As a pioneer in travel protection, Trip Mate has introduced many new products, coverage enhancements, and expanded services for travelers. We were the first company to make available provisions to waive the policy exclusion for pre-existing conditions throughout our entire product line and provide terrorism coverage without geographic or political restrictions on many of our policies.
ABOUT US
Key Highlights
OUR HISTORY
Your partner in travel
Generali Global Assistance, founded in 1831, acquired Trip Mate in 2019, allowing us to better serve our partners and travelers.
Emergency Assistance is provided by our sister company Generali Global Assistance, part of the EA Group. Our 24-hour multi-lingual assistance center utilizes a global network of medical providers to get travelers the help they need quickly and affordably—from on-the-spot provider referrals to global air ambulance evacuations.
Meet Us
USTOA Attendees
Kelly P. Sahner
Chief Commercial Officer
Kelly has spent nearly 20 years in the travel insurance industry. Kelly was named the Chief Commercial Officer after Generali’s acquisition of Trip Mate in 2019. Kelly joined Trip Mate in September of 2013 and served as a Sr. Vice President of Sales having achieved the honor of being a top sales person for Trip Mate and Arthur J Gallagher, Trip Mate’s parent company at the time. During her career she also worked for Starr and Aon.
Kelly serves as the Chair of PowerPlay NYC, a non-profit that empowers girls and young women from underserved communities in NYC. She is also active in USTOA, UStiA, SYTA, Tourism Cares, SKAL, 41-74 and other travel industry organizations.
Prior to having a career in travel insurance, Kelly worked in sports and spent a number of years at the University of Tennessee, including working as the Director of Basketball Operations for the late Pat Summitt. Kelly lives in Brooklyn with her wife and their two children.
Debbie Jones
Senior Vice President Client Relations
Debbie Jones is the Senior Vice President in Client Relations and has been with Trip Mate for over 28 years. She is a lifelong resident of Kansas and has been working in the insurance industry for 40 years, Debbie began her insurance career on the carrier side with Little Aetna, which later became CIGNA, and was there for 7 years. She then moved to an insurance agency working with property & casualty clients for 9 years. In 1993 she joined Trip Mate and fell in love with not only the Trip Mate team, who became like family, but also the travel industry. While at Trip Mate, Debbie held different positions over the 28 years, including Human Resources Manager, Customer Service & Mail/Records Manager, and Vice President of Client Relations.
Debbie enjoys spending time with family and friends, and her kids are her pride and joy. Debbie and her husband, Bobby, love traveling with one of their favorite destinations being warm and welcoming Jamaica. They are both dog lovers and have two Wheaton Terriers, Dexter and Rio. Debbie is a true hometown fan and loves the KC Royals, Sporting KC and the KC Chiefs!
Debbie enjoys working with all of the Trip Mate clients and over the years has developed many close working relationships and even friendships. Debbie truly believes in the Trip Mate motto “Your Partner In Travel” and along with the entire Trip Mate team, strives to provide exceptional service in a professional, caring and helpful manner.
Jonna Jackson
Vice President Sales
Jonna Jackson recently joined Trip Mate as the Vice President of Sales. Jonna grew up with a love and passion for travel. Her parents opened a “mom and pop” travel agency when she was young and they took family trips to Egypt, France, the Caribbean, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil and Fiji (doesn’t everyone?). Jonna followed in her parents’ footsteps attending UCLA, where she majored in Geography. Ironically, she married into a strong USC family, so best to avoid their house during rivalry games.
Prior to joining Trip Mate, Jonna worked for Classic Vacations for 20+ years where she was Head of Strategic Partnerships. Jonna also held leadership positions in Reservations, Marketing, Operations and Product Development, earning her the nickname “Jackson of All Trades”. Jonna managed the travel insurance program for Classic, building strong relationships with Trip Mate and gaining a detailed understanding of the product.
Today, when she’s not at work (home based in San Jose), you will usually find Jonna and her husband at the ballpark or soccer field, watching their son compete in his favorite sports. Jonna also enjoys spending time with friends, wine tasting, cheering on the SF Giants and of course, traveling. Jonna’s favorite places to visit are Italy, Kenya and Tahiti.
YOUR PARTNER IN TRAVEL
Client Partners
Trip Mate’s mission can best be summed up by our corporate motto, Your Partner in Travel. Partnership, by its definition, expresses long-term commitment and relationship for the betterment of all.
