26 January 2010 / by Rachael Stiles
More than a million Brits are putting their holidays at risk by not protecting themselves with travel insurance as soon as they book them, Sainsbury’s travel insurance has claimed.
Of those travellers who are booking their holidays early, booking now for later on in the year, a care-free 13 per cent have no intention of buying travel insurance, putting an average £833 each at risk.
There is usually a spike in the number of people booking holidays at the beginning of the year, as they try to chase away the winter blues with a holiday to look forward to, but compared to last year’s figures, there has been a 19 per cent drop in bookings.
Sainsbury’s is urging those travellers without plans to buy travel insurance to reconsider, and to protect their holiday now, as they could have to make a claim even before the holiday comes around.
For example, if they were to fall ill and become unable to travel, then they would lose the cost of their trip if they do not have travel insurance in place.
Joanne Mallon, manager of Sainsbury’s Finance travel insurance, commented: “Anyone travelling abroad on holiday should ensure they have good quality insurance.
“It’s easy to forget to buy travel insurance during the excitement of booking your holiday, but cover that will provide assistance when abroad and for cancellations should you fall ill before your trip for example, really is as essential as your passport.”
Ms Mallon urges travelers to shop around and compare travel insurance deals to find the best cover at the best price; she also suggests that an annual travel insurance policy could save money for those who take more than one trip a year.
The majority of those booking their holidays early are not heading too far afield, with 46 per cent going to Europe, while 23 per cent are staying even closer to home by planning a trip in the UK. Other top destinations include Asia and the Caribbean.
© Fair Investment Company Ltd