23/11/2021

Millions of British holidaymakers travel without insurance

Travel

What do you think of before setting off on your holiday? It could be which clothes to pack, the decision between taking a direct flight or the Eurostar, or which famous landmarks to see when you’re there. There is another important point to remember when making your holiday checklist, however: travel insurance.

According to Finder, up to 8.6 million British holidaymakers left the UK without travel insurance in 2019. It’s a staggering amount, especially considering that £399 million was paid out in travel insurance claims alone in 2018.

Of course, fewer people were able to travel in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Even with these restrictions in place, however, £465 million worth of claims were paid out by travel insurers throughout the year, showing just how useful the right policy can be.

Information by @Jersey Island Holidays

What happens if I don’t take out travel insurance?

The simple answer is that you won’t be covered in case of an illness or injury. Remember: different countries have different rules when it comes to healthcare, so the cost of hospital treatment will depend on where you are in the world.

According to Finder, an enormous 28% of British people said, ‘travelling without travel insurance was a risk they were willing to take.’ However, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), one in three British people need emergency medical care when travelling abroad. For some travellers, going on holiday can be a very costly event if they haven’t got travel insurance to protect them from the cost of any medical care they might need.

Millions of British holidaymakers don't take out travel insuranceInformation by @Jersey Island Holidays

What does travel insurance cover?

There are lots of things to consider before getting a travel insurance policy that will give you the right amount of cover. Have you or your family got any pre-existing medical conditions to think about? Will you take any valuable items along with you which need to be covered against theft? Lastly, what sort of activities will you be doing while away? Extreme sports such as bungee jumping or skiing often need a specialist insurance policy; after all, injuries are more likely to happen when racing down a snowy slope than relaxing on a beach somewhere.

A travel insurance policy can cover you against these types of accidents and incidents during your time away. Often, injuries and illnesses can happen very suddenly and without warning, so it’s useful having a policy to protect you against certain risks.

Depending on your policy, you can also get cover for a host of other things such as holiday cancellations, equipment such as golf clubs, backpacking trips – and even access to the airport VIP lounge if your flight is two or more hours late!

Another important factor at the forefront of travellers’ minds is whether they’ll be covered if their holiday is cancelled due to Covid-19. With a Norton travel insurance policy, you’ll be protected in case you need to cancel your trip due to infection or isolation of yourself or someone you’re due to be travelling or staying with, as well as cover if your accommodation or airline provider ceases to trade.

Often, the advantages of travel insurance can far outweigh the price of a premium, as you’re also getting peace of mind that you’re covered should the worst happen during your time away. To speak with an advisor about the right cover for you, please call a member of the Norton team on 0121 248 9440 or visit our travel insurance page.

What are the current restrictions on travel?

Since the red list was scrapped in October 2021, more British holidaymakers have decided to jet off on holidays outside of the UK. However, despite the rules being relaxed slightly, there are still restrictions in place to be aware of before you set off.

Although hotel quarantine packages are no longer necessary, travellers who haven’t had their two doses will need to take a PCR or lateral flow test in the three days before travelling to the UK, and isolate at home for 10 days on their return. They’ll also need to take a PCR or lateral flow test on day 2 and day 8 of their isolation, which must be purchased from a government-approved supplier.

Fully vaccinated travellers, on the other hand, will need to purchase a lateral flow test to take on day 2 of their return.

In a press conference held on 15th November, however, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ could change with the roll-out of the booster jabs – something that will affect those going on holiday throughout the coming months. If these plans come into force, it could mean that holidaymakers will need to prove that they’ve received their booster jab as well as both vaccinations in order to qualify for a Covid travel pass.

Mr Johnson stated that, ‘I think what the general lesson is from anybody who wants to travel, you can see that getting fully vaccinated with a booster is going to be something that will, on the whole, make your life easier in all kinds of ways, including on foreign travel.’

For those packing their bags and getting ready for holidays, it’s certainly advisable to be aware of the changing rules and make sure you have the right cover in place beforehand to ensure that nothing ruins your trip away. And most of all, happy travels!

Millions of British holidaymakers don't take out travel insurance
Information by @Jersey Island Holidays

To speak with an advisor about your travel insurance needs, please contact your personal client manager or, if you’re not already a customer, give our team a call on 0121 248 9440.

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