Brits abroad uncovered
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has presented new research, which shows that around one in five holidaymakers is taking a risk by going abroad without any travel insurance. ABTA polled over 2,000 people, and found that 17 per cent of respondents do not think it is important to take out travel cover before they travel. Other worrying statistics were also revealed by the travel organisation, including the fact that 16 per cent of respondents believe the UK government would cover the cost of medical expenses incurred abroad. Mike Monk, head of finance at ABTA, said: “It is very worrying that almost 20 per cent of holidaymakers are going abroad without insurance and running the risk of substantial medical bills. In the current economic climate, saving the cost of travel insurance could prove a very false economy.” Lynda St Cooke, part of the UK Foreign Office’s Know Before You Go campaign, which is aimed at educating travellers, added: “Like ABTA, we are worried that so many British travellers are going abroad without travel insurance. We see many cases where holidaymakers are faced with bills of tens of thousands of pounds for medical treatment and repatriation.” ABTA’s survey also found that in the past five years, 12 per cent of respondents had made a claim on their travel insurance policy, with three per cent claiming over £500. Meanwhile, research from insurer Sheila’s Wheels has found that one fifth of the 3,000 people it polled do not take out any travel insurance, while those that do manage to buy a policy vastly underestimate the value of what is in their suitcase and hand luggage. Jacky Brown at Shelia’s Wheels said: “The majority of folk don’t give a second thought to the value of goods they are packing into their suitcase and hand luggage, but in reality the contents are worth thousands.” According to the poll, the contents held within an average Brit’s holiday bag are worth around £3,175. The sum takes into account sunglasses to the value of £94, jewellery worth £237, and electrical equipment such as cameras, camcorder, shavers, mp3 players, laptops and phones. The electrical equipment category includes some of the most expensive goods in an average suitcase, and reaches an average sum of £1,208. Further expenses were clothes, shoes, personal grooming and hygiene products, and the value of the suitcase itself.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has presented new research, which shows that around one in five holidaymakers is taking a risk by going abroad without any travel insurance. ABTA polled over 2,000 people, and found that 17 per cent of respondents do not think it is important to take out travel cover before they travel. Other worrying statistics were also revealed by the travel organisation, including the fact that 16 per cent of respondents believe the UK government would cover the cost of medical expenses incurred abroad.
Mike Monk, head of finance at ABTA, said: “It is very worrying that almost 20 per cent of holidaymakers are going abroad without insurance and running the risk of substantial medical bills. In the current economic climate, saving the cost of travel insurance could prove a very false economy.”
Lynda St Cooke, part of the UK Foreign Office’s Know Before You Go campaign, which is aimed at educating travellers, added: “Like ABTA, we are worried that so many British travellers are going abroad without travel insurance. We see many cases where holidaymakers are faced with bills of tens of thousands of pounds for medical treatment and repatriation.” ABTA’s survey also found that in the past five years, 12 per cent of respondents had made a claim on their travel insurance policy, with three per cent claiming over £500.
Meanwhile, research from insurer Sheila’s Wheels has found that one fifth of the 3,000 people it polled do not take out any travel insurance, while those that do manage to buy a policy vastly underestimate the value of what is in their suitcase and hand luggage.
Jacky Brown at Shelia’s Wheels said: “The majority of folk don’t give a second thought to the value of goods they are packing into their suitcase and hand luggage, but in reality the contents are worth thousands.”
According to the poll, the contents held within an average Brit’s holiday bag are worth around £3,175. The sum takes into account sunglasses to the value of £94, jewellery worth £237, and electrical equipment such as cameras, camcorder, shavers, mp3 players, laptops and phones. The electrical equipment category includes some of the most expensive goods in an average suitcase, and reaches an average sum of £1,208. Further expenses were clothes, shoes, personal grooming and hygiene products, and the value of the suitcase itself.