Many fail to take out travel insurance cover

It has been reported that many people who are setting off on their travels do not bother to take out any form of travel insurance cover, putting themselves at risk of crippling financial costs in the event of accidents, illness, theft, loss or theft of belongings. Figures were released by the travel association ABTA, showing just how many people do not bother about taking out travel insurance.

The company claims that nearly 20 percent of travellers do not take out travel insurance cover, with nearly one in five British travellers said to have not bothered with this important cover. The company also said that many travellers have real misconceptions when it comes to travel insurance cover.

The travel firm carried out a survey and found that around 16 percent of those polled thought that in the event of a medical emergency the government would pick up the tab if there was no travel insurance cover in place. The results showed that 26 percent of younger travellers thought that any medical and related expenses would be funded by the Foreign Office if there was no medical cover in place.

The number of people failing to take out any insurance cover whilst holidaying in the UK was particularly high, coming in at 55 percent. The survey also found that 17 percent of consumers did not consider travel insurance to be important. However, officials have said that this sort of cover is vital for travellers, as it covers things such as medical expenses, treatment, replacement of lost cash, cancellations, delays, damage to belongings, theft, and a myriad of other things.

One industry official said: “It’s amazing how many people go off on their travels without taking any insurance out. However, it’s only when something bad happens that they realise just how expensive a mistake this can be, and how avoiding paying a few pounds for cover can end up potentially costing them hundreds or even thousands of pounds.”

Tags: abta, Insurance, travel insurance, uk, finance, foreign, sort, office

Increase in insurance claims from gap year students

According to a recent report there has been a marked increase in the number of insurance claims being made by gap year students. One insurance firm has reported that the number of claims that are being made by gap year students on their travel insurance policies has leapt by more than half compared to a year earlier.

EssentialTravel.co.uk. which provides travel insurance, said that from December of last year and May of this year the number of claims on its backpacker insurance policy had increased by over 61 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Just over 52 percent of claims were down to medical expenses, and over 18 percent were for personal effects according to the insurance firm’s figures.

More than half of the claims that were made originated in Asia and Australia, and officials said that this was due to the fact that regulations in these destinations regarding dangerous sports was more relaxed than in many other destinations. The higher claims for personal effects were put down to backpackers often travelling with costly items such as cameras, laptops, and similar high value gadgets.

The group also pointed out that the value of the claims being made by gap year travellers had increased over the past year, rocketing from £77 per claim to £584 per claim, which reflected an increase of 658 percent.

Stuart Bensusan, of EssentialTravel.co.uk, said: “It is unnerving, particularly for parents, to hear that claims from backpackers encountering mishaps abroad are on the rise, but it goes to show how important it is for them to take out adequate insurance before they leave. Preparing for a gap year abroad is arguably the most exciting time in a young person’s life and nobody wants to think about the potential pitfalls.”

Tags: Insurance, insurance claims, travel insurance, fact, dangerous sports, finance

Finding a low cost winter break

At this time of year, when the nights start to draw in, the weather gets even colder and rainier than usual, and the prospect of the winter months brings on doom and gloom, many people start thinking about planning a winter break either before Christmas or afterwards, where they can soak up some sun, kick back and relax, and simply forget about their worries.

However, with Christmas coming up most people are on a budget when it comes to booking some time away, and most will be on the lookout for a bargain winter break. Getting away to the sun isn’t always cheap, but a number of steps can really slash the cost of a holiday, giving you something to look forward to without having to break the bank.

It is important to remember that the time of year that you book will affect the price you pay for your hotel as well as your flight. Holidays tend to be cheaper in the winter months, but can be more costly on certain weeks such as over the Christmas or New Year periods. Therefore you may find that going before Christmas such as late November or early December may be the best choice, or failing that waiting until after New Year, and jetting somewhere warm as others are heading back to work after the Christmas break.

In order to find the best price on a winter break you need to ensure that you compare prices on flights, hotels, or package holidays depending on your preferences. Many people these days prefer to book a package because of the number of small airlines and holiday firms that have gone bust, leaving many of those that booked separately unable to claim. However, if you do prefer to book your flight and hotel separately check and see whether you travel insurance policy will cover you, as some have now started to do, and ensure that you book with a credit card for extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act.

You should make sure that you also compare things such as travel insurance, airport parking, and if necessary car hire in order to get the best prices on these. Also, remember that whilst the headline prices on budget airline tickets may look cheap there are often additional extras that can really bump up the price, so you may end up paying far more.

Finally, do remember that you can often make a saving by booking your flight and hotel together, so it is worth comparing the cost of doing this against booking separately or a ready made package deal.

Tags: worries, christmas, car hire, winter, holiday, extra protection, travel insurance, travel

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 firms, travel insurance, travel firms, Insurance

Many Welsh travellers fail to take out travel insurance

Research has recently been released by the Foreign Office, with the data suggesting that Welsh people are more likely to be hospitalised when they go abroad than others people in the UK. However, despite this many fail to take out travel insurance cover, potentially causing themselves a great deal of financial harm.

The figures showed that nearly one third of Welsh people had found themselves in some sort of trouble whilst abroad, and this included being arrested, being involved in road accidents, or ending up in hospital. However, around 16 percent of Welsh travellers do not take out any travel insurance cover when they head abroad.

With the summer holiday season just around the corner the Foreign Office is now appealing to consumers to use their common sense and arrange adequate travel insurance cover if they are heading abroad so that they are protected against mishaps such as those outlined above.

The research also found that Welsh travellers spent an average of nearly £12 on magazines, snacks, and drinks whilst at the airport, which is twice the cost of basic single trip travel insurance cover. Welsh travellers were also found to spend the least time arranging travel insurance cover, with the average time being spent doing this standing at twenty one minutes.

Jeremy Brown, the Foreign Office Minister, said: “This report shines a light on the number of Britons who get into difficulty abroad each year. The worrying fact is that so many of these situations are preventable. Helping out Britons in trouble abroad is part of our job, but we can’t get you out of jail or pay your hospital bills. A bit of preparation before you go, such as arranging travel insurance and checking our website, will ensure you get the most out of your trip without bad memories and big bills.”

Tags: Welsh, travel insurance cover, Insurance, travel insurance, Wales

England fans need to sort out travel cover

A huge number of lucky England football fans will be looking forward to jetting off to South Africa over the coming weeks to enjoy the excitement of the World Cup, which kicks off in June. Many will already have sorted out their hotels, travel money, flights, and even itineraries.

However, many excited England fans may have forgotten about one very important element of their travel arrangements in the form of their travel insurance cover. With the possibility of things going wrong even before the trip has started, as well as the risk of something happening whilst they are away, World Cup ticket holders are being advised to ensure that they get their travel insurance sorted out sooner rather than later.

High Street retail giant Marks & Spencer, which also deals with financial products including insurance, has said that travellers heading off to South Africa for the football should ensure that they prioritise on getting travel insurance cover if they do not have any in place already.

Officials from M&S said that some travellers may find that they have to make a claim on their cover before they have even travelled, and with people having paid out huge sums of money for their trip to see the football those that do not have cover in place could end up losing out big time.

One insurance industry official said: “People get really excited about trips like this, and they spend aged getting their flights and hotels sorted out. However, many overlook the fact that they need travel insurance cover or tend to leave it till the last minute, and this can cause a real problem if a claim has to be made prior to travel.”

Tags: the World Cup, time one, place, form, Insurance, travel insurance cover

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: airline going bust, airline, Aviation in the United Kingdom, Package holiday, Air Travel Organisers' Licensing

Consumer protection laws could fail to protect travellers

Over the past couple of years many people that have booked flights and holidays have been shocked to hear that the holiday firm or airline that they booked through has gone bust, leaving them wondering whether they are entitled to a refund in addition to ruining their holiday plans. Read more

Tags: bust, travel, travel insurance, Package holiday, Brits, consumer protection

Skiers need to remember their travel insurance

Industry experts are warning skiing enthusiasts not to skimp on their travel insurance of they are planning to head to the slopes over the coming months. Figures were compiled by the Ski Club of Great Britain recently, and officials from the group claim that more than one million people from Britain will be heading to the slopes in the months to come. However, the group also claims that worryingly nearly 50 percent of these people will fail to take out ski travel insurance. Read more

Tags: Ski Club of Great Britain, Types of insurance, winter sports, Insurance, snowboarding, travel insurance, Skiing

Many travel companies adding unnecessary travel insurance cover

According to some industry experts many consumers who are heading off on their travels are being ripped off by travel companies that are adding insurance cover that is not actually required. Read more

Tags: cancellation, travel companies, Types of insurance, travel insurance, low cost provider, insurance cover, internet, effective suitable cover

Ban on age discrimination could cost drivers and travellers

According to a recent report both drivers and holidaymakers could find that the cost of getting insurance will soar as a result of a government initiative to try and ban age discrimination in these industries. Read more

Tags: cost, travel insurance, Association of British Insurers, government, whilst, car insurance, respect, holidaymakers

Abbey launches packaged current accounts

Abbey has recently joined the long list of banks now offering customers the opportunity to sign up to a packaged current account, and officials from the bank are hoping that on top of the other achievements that Abbey has enjoyed this year, such as the acquisition of Bradford and Bingley and a larger share in the mortgage market, it will also be able to lure customers away from other banks by offering the packaged current account. Read more

Tags: current accounts, bradford and bingley, lloyds, bradford & bingley, breakdown cover, abbey, Mortgages

Adventure-lovers should check the small print

Holidaymakers heading off on an adventurous trip abroad this year should make sure their travel insurance policy adequately covers them by checking the small print, esure has advised.

The insurer has revealed that more than a third of Brits do not bother to have a look over their insurance plans before they jet off for an action-packed holiday.

Mike Pickard, Head of Travel Insurance at esure, said: “With a surge in the popularity of…more adventurous sports…it’s crucial for holidaymakers to take out travel insurance and check they’re covered before they try out the likes of white water rafting in Australia or shark-feeding in the Bahamas.”

Travellers who neglect to take out the proper insurance can quickly see their holiday turn into “a nightmare” if they are injured and end up facing costly medical bills.

In related news, Lonely Planet has advised backpackers not to take expensive technological devices with them if they “can’t bear to lose” them.

Tags: Travellers, white water rafting, holiday turn, costly medical bills.In, policy, action-packed holiday.mike pickard, travel insurance

Norwich Union: Sporting fans can use ordinary travel insurance

With major sporting events such as Euro 2008 and the Beijing Olympics taking place this summer, Norwich Union has advised sports fans that they can travel abroad to watch these events with normal travel insurance.

Sally Leeman, a spokesperson for the insurance company, said that people need not look for specialist insurance policies when going abroad as sports spectators because standard travel insurance cover should be adequate.

However, she also warned travellers to take “reasonable care” of themselves and their possessions.

“If death, injury, illness or disability occur as a direct result of you being under the influence of alcohol or exposing yourself to unnecessary danger your insurance claim won’t be paid,” Ms Leeman said.

According to Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance, as many as ten per cent of holidaymakers travel without cover and the company estimates that over 4.2 million people did not have travel insurance the last time they went on holiday to another country.

Tags: spokesperson, Sally Leeman, sports spectators, olympics, travel insurance, unnecessary danger

Travel insurance a must for holidaymakers

Travel insurance is an absolute must when taking holiday time overseas, specialists have claimed.

InsureandGo, an online broker, claim that trips abroad without the necessary cover are incredibly risky and should be avoided.

Strongly urging all travellers to invest in some sort of cover, Perry Wilson, a spokesperson for InsureandGo, said: “Travel insurance should not be considered a luxury – it is essential for anyone going on holiday.

“We know people lead busy lives and sometimes things are left to the last minute and that’s why we have tried to make travel insurance as easy to buy as possible.”

He added: “Travelling without insurance simply isn’t worth the risk and we hope there is no excuse for not getting round to it.”

Meanwhile Sainsbury’s Bank, also concerned by holidaymakers shunning overseas cover, claimed that the situation was worsened by the strong surge in last minute deals.

Tags: Types of insurance, sainsburys, overseas cover, Insurance, Perry Wilson, finance

Last minute getaways go uncovered

Holidaymakers may think they have bagged a bargain when they jet off on a last-minute break, but forgetting to organise travel insurance can leave them out of pocket.

Research carried out by Sainsbury’s Bank revealed that 18 per cent of British adults will take a last-minute holiday this summer – but 19 per cent won’t bother with travel cover.

Steve Johnson from Sainsbury’s Bank said that cheap late deals are good news for holidaymakers, but warned that “without appropriate insurance in place a holiday can soon turn into a nightmare if disaster strikes”.

He added: “The stress and cost involved in sorting out any potential problems could run into hundreds or thousands of pounds, surely cancelling out any money saved on a late deal.”

The report estimated that some three million people travel overseas each year without having arranged travel insurance.

The Post Office’s head of travel, John Howells, said that insurance can be sidelined when planning a break. “Our figures prove that travel insurance is all too often forgotten in the excitement of getting ready to go on holiday, or even worse, it is considered by some to be non-essential.”

Tags: PRWEB, travel insurance, cost, year, travel insurance.the post

Is Travel Insurance Needed?

In the last five years, more and more people are travelling to further distant regions and not buying travel insurance. Is travel insurance needed? The lust for adventure and need for a challenging life may be strong, but insurance is still necessary. Every year in the UK and overseas, natural disasters have occurred where lives ended in tragedy. Read more

Tags: Financial services, travel insurance, challenging life, Expatriate insurance, trip, early 20, life, types of personalities

The Cost of Travel Insurance

The big decision concerning travel insurance is the question of what happens if the traveller only goes away for a few days at a time for business or pleasure, but has to pay for the policy for an entire year. Since the price per day ends up being more expensive, the yearly option is usually more affordable. Most policies require a certain amount of days, like a one day plan or a fourteen day plan, nothing in between. If a traveller is away for four days, they have to buy the nine day plan and the extra money spent is a waste for days they weren’t travelling. Read more

Tags: Financial services, trend, nothing, answer, traveller

General Tips for Travel Advice

To the average customer looking for a travel insurance deal they may be bombarded with terminology and information of which they find it hard to take in. They know that travel insurance is worthwhile – peace of mind it affords is worth the premium alone, but they have no further knowledge. Read more

Tags: wheelchair access, Personal Accident cover, claim damages, current time, peace of mind, travel insurance, travel tips, Personal belongings