“Imperative” for travellers to get the right insurance

It is “imperative” for travellers to ensure they have the correct insurance cover for their trip say experts.

STA travel said that every level of travel insurance is different offering various degrees of inclusion and levels of cover.

A spokesperson for the company said there is also a ‘no-one-size-fits all’ approach to purchasing travel insurance.

With adventure holidays and long-haul trips there are increased levels of risk which must be taken into account when selecting insurance cover.

“It may not be the most exciting, but travel insurance is probably the most important purchase you’ll make for your trip,” she said.

It will help you enjoy your trip, offering you protection “against the unexpected” she added.

According to figures from the Mintel Gap Year report, predictions are that the global gap year market will be worth £11 billion by 2010.

The research showed that the market demographic is split into those travelling before, during and after university, as well as those taking a ‘career gap’ and the post-retirement travellers.

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Number of uninsured drivers on the roads gone down

The number of uninsured drivers on the road has gone down over the past two years, claim industry experts.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) said that “things have changed a lot” with rates going down in excess of ten per cent.

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive for BIBA, said: “In 2007, approximately 150,000 were seized by the police and in 2006 this number was 78,000.

“So it’s practically doubled in the last year and we’re expecting it to be much higher again this year,” he continued.

The police have now got access to the motor insurance database and the power to seize uninsured vehicles as well as “automatic number plate reading cameras” which are helping catch uninsured drivers.

According to the Motor Insurer Bureau, uninsured driving cost law-abiding motorists in excess of £500 million each year or around £30 on their insurance premium.

The body also said that up to 160 deaths on the roads each year in the UK are caused by uninsured drivers.

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