Travel insurance demand rises as geopolitical uncertainty reshapes traveller attitudes

Geopolitical instability is reinforcing the value consumers place on travel protection, with new research from ABTA showing that 58% of UK adults planning an overseas trip in the next year now consider travel insurance more important because of the conflict in the Middle East.

The UK travel trade association’s findings suggest growing awareness of travel risk, particularly among younger families. Parents with children under five were the most likely to say travel insurance had become more important (76%), yet only 53% had already purchased cover for an upcoming trip. By comparison, 81% of travellers aged over 45 without children at home had insurance in place.

Overall, 69% of respondents said they had already arranged travel insurance, while a further 25% intended to buy a policy but had yet to do so, leaving a significant proportion potentially exposed if unexpected events force them to cancel or change their plans. Meanwhile, 5% said they had no intention of purchasing cover, rising to 9% among 18–24-year-olds.

ABTA continues to advise travellers to purchase insurance at or before booking to ensure cancellation benefits are available where eligible. The association also stresses the importance of choosing policies that cover planned activities and fully disclose pre-existing medical conditions.