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: travel insurance, policy, Esure, Travellers, white water rafting

Insure yourself even for a short trip, says expert

Anyone planning on booking a last minute getaway this summer should make sure they are properly covered by their travel insurance policy, even if they are only going away for a few days, Norwich Union has said.

Sally Leeman, the media relations manager at the company, said that the cost of paying for medical emergencies when in another country, particularly if they are serious and warrant a hospital stay or being taken back to the UK, can run into thousands of pounds.

Despite these risks, Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance found that not everyone who booked a trip last summer made the effort to get the right travel insurance.

Nearly one in five people who bought their holiday at the last minute last year travelled without insurance.

“If you are likely to travel a few times a year consider taking out annual insurance – it can save you money and mean you are covered for the whole year which is ideal for those ’spur of the minute’ trips away,” Ms Leeman advised travellers.

Tags: minute getaway, few days, Travellers, short trip, country, Insurance, Anyone planning

Holiday dangers for credit card users

Holidaymakers are at a growing risk of credit card fraud when they are out of the UK, new research has warned.

Data published by Apacs this week shows that using credit cards in countries with less secure identity verification than the UK – particularly those which have not adopted Chip and PIN technology – puts consumers at greater risk of fraud.

“The Apacs figures show a staggering £90.5million rise in fraud abroad with UK cards being targeted in countries where Chip and PIN hasn’t yet been adopted”, said Neil Munroe, external affairs director at Equifax.

Cloning is a particular risk, Equifax claims, advising travellers to take as few cards away on holiday with them as possible, and never to let someone process a card payment out of their sight.

“ID and credit card fraud is a very real threat for consumers, making it essential that they take sensible precautions to protect themselves. Armed with the right knowledge, consumers can help minimise the risk of fraud and take fast action if they do become victims,” Mr Munroe added.

Tags: consumers, card, Travellers, staggering £90.5million rise, Credit card, credit card fraud, GBP

Holiday card fraud on the rise

Travellers are being warned to be extremely vigilant when using their debit or credit cards abroad as card fraud continues to soar. Read more

Tags: fraud, pin, Perry Wilson, answer, business, 12 months, Travellers, Payment systems

Holidaymakers ‘losing out’ on travel insurance

Halifax Travel Insurance has reminded holidaymakers to think ahead when purchasing cover for their trips, as many people are leaving themselves out of pocket.

According to recent research, over 50 per cent of all travel policy sales are for single-trip insurance, meaning that these customers are paying extra if they take more than one holiday in a year.

Some 13 per cent of travellers are thought to go away without any insurance, with those aged between 16 and 24 the most likely to ignore a holiday policy.

Halifax states that annual travel insurance is becoming a more important provision for the many people taking advantage of low-cost air travel and internet holiday booking.

“The proliferation of low-cost, no-frills airlines has had a significant impact on our holiday-taking habits,” said Paul Birkhead, underwriting manager for Halifax Travel Insurance.

“More and more of us are taking short breaks to destinations in the UK, Europe and further afield, making annual travel insurance a more attractive proposition.”

According to the cover provider, there is “little difference” in price between annual and single-trip insurance, with some 12-month options actually cheaper than their short-term counterparts.

Tags: low-cost air travel, Travellers, holiday-taking habits, no-frills airlines, Recent research, internet

£6.1bn cost of holiday cancellations

British holidaymakers lost a combined total of £6.1 billion last summer because they had to cancel their trips.

Figures released by More Than show that millions of people lost out financially because they did not have travel insurance.

People were forced to pay for travel and accommodation which they had booked despite never actually making it to their destination.

Travel insurance is a key element to any holiday and can at least help to prevent a bad situation from getting any worse.

More Than says that 26 per cent of travel claims it dealt with last year were for cancellation of holidays, something the firm believes is positive news.

“It’s encouraging that holidaymakers are catching on to the importance of travel insurance, but many still don’t realise that by purchasing their policies late, they miss out on valuable cancellation cover,” commented Keira Clarke, head of travel insurance at More Than.

“We encourage travellers to arrange their insurance at the same time as they book their break, to ensure they’ll be covered if anything goes wrong before the trip.”

According to More Than, the average travel insurance claim for cancellation of a holiday stood at around £856 last year.

Tags: total, cancellation, firm, something, accommodation, situation, travel insurance.People, Travellers