Consumers advised to think carefully about their holiday insurance

Whilst the summer holidays are pretty much over there may still be many people that are looking to book a winter holiday or even book their break for spring of next year. However, for many holidaymakers the various horror stories about airlines and holiday firms going bust has made them nervous about who they book with.

Over the course of 2009 over fifty airlines and travel companies went bust, and this has continued into 2010. For travellers that were not ATOL protected this meant losing money hand over first, losing their holiday, and even being stranded abroad unable to get back for lengthy periods.

Whilst many travellers and holidaymakers would never have dreamt about going abroad without any form of travel insurance anyway there are now many that may be reconsidering which policy they take out. This is because many travel insurance policies in the past have not covered policyholders in the event that their airline or travel firm goes bust, and this is something that is now making people more nervous than ever.

Given the number of travel firms and airlines that have gone bust over the past couple of years a number of insurance firms are now offering more comprehensive policies that will cover travellers in the event of the airline or travel firm going bust. Whilst these policies may be more expensive that standard policies it is likely to be well worth the peace of mind for many travellers.

A number of travel insurance firms are now adding this clause to their policies, and consumers that are planning to travel are advised to check the policies carefully to ensure that they are actually covered if there are problems such as the airline or holiday firm going under.

Tags: airline, travel insurance, Insurance, travel insurance firms, travel firms

Are you protected if your airline goes bust?

Over the past couple of years the news has been filled with stories about airlines and holiday firms going bust, and whereas in the past many people would simply book the cheapest airline or holiday it has now become necessary to consider whether the airline or holiday company will survive as long as your holiday. Read more

Tags: Aviation in the United Kingdom, Package holiday, Air Travel Organisers' Licensing, travel, consumer protection, travel industry, travel insurance, airline failure, airline, airline going bust

Are no frills airlines really as cheap as they seem?

In the current economic and financial climate more and more of us are having to think twice about taking a holiday abroad, but for many an annual vacation is a necessity to help cope with the stresses of everyday life and take some time out with loved ones. Read more

Tags: airlines, government taxes, vacation, budget airlines, government, airline, trip journey, cheap airlines

Pick up a bargain when you jet off abroad

Over recent years jetting off on a holiday abroad has been out of reach financially for many people.

Whilst hotel costs and the cost of living abroad is often cheaper than in the UK, often making it cheaper to spend a week or two overseas on your holidays than in a destination in the UK, the cost of the flight to your chosen destination can really bump up the price, and it is this that has put overseas vacations out of the reach of many people. Read more

Tags: fuel surcharge, difficult economic times, airline, holiday bargains, price, flight operators

High number of claims over lost luggage

Insurance companies in the UK have reported that the level of claims coming in over lost luggage has soared over the first half of this year, increasing by a huge amount compared to the same period last year.

One leading travel insurer reported that between January and June there were nearly three thousand claims made over lost luggage to the company, which reflected an increase of 85% on the same period in 2006. The average claim was for over £200 according to the insurance company.

The travel insurance company also reported that there was a 22% rise in the number of bags lost across Europe in the same period, despite the level of passengers travelling only rising by 1.4%. The figures have been compiled by the Association of European Airlines. However, some budget airlines such as EasyJet were not included when these figures were put together, and therefore the actually number and level of lost luggage could be even higher.

A spokesman for the insurance company stated: “We have seen an enormous rise in claims for lost luggage. With the summer holiday season now in full swing, we can unfortunately expect more families’ holidays to be ruined by lost baggage.”

Another leading insurance company, Norwich Union, reported a rise of 40% in claims over lost luggage in the first half of this year. The figures from the Association of European Airlines also showed that in 2006 British Airways lost more luggage than any other European airline following a variety of problems that resulted in luggage problems. The reports also highlight the importance of having adequate travel insurance in place when going on holiday or even travelling on business, as loss of all of your luggage can prove very costly.

Tom Smith
28th September 2007

Tags: luggage, increase, Insurance, policy, lost, airline