12 August 2011

24% of Brits travel without insurance

August is frequently the most popular month for sun seeking Brits to get away from it all. However, the number of people obtaining travel insurance policies con

August is frequently the most popular month for sun seeking Brits to get away from it all. However, the number of people obtaining travel insurance policies continues to fall.

Fewer people are travelling this summer, and those who do are less likely to have travel insurance than other years. This is what a new research by a leading insurance company has concluded after analysing thousands of single trip policies.

More than a half of British people (58%) are not taking a holiday overseas this summer. Most of them said they can afford it and a quarter of them blame the economy directly.

On the other hand, 47% of those who are travelling say that the economic situation made them spend less money on their holiday than other years.

Michael Cutbill, director of AA Travel Insurance, said that travelling without insurance is "a very risky strategy.”

"Our own research shows that a quarter (24%), say they'll travel without cover. A third of them (33%) don't think insurance is really necessary while a quarter (22%) say the cost of cover is too high. More worrying is that 11% think that the free EHIC card, which provides reciprocal medical treatment in EC countries, is a substitute for insurance: it's not.”

Popular destinations

Despite the fact that less people are going abroad this year, the 66% of those who do choose Europe as their holiday destination. Sun and sea is what a half of Brits look for in their free time. Spain is the most popular country to visit, followed by France and the US.

Data also shows that Brits don't like to take risks when travelling aboard. 65% of them are taking their usual type of holiday this summer, with 15% saying the go to the same place each year.

Having travel insurance is essential for being prepared if a problem comes up when in a foreign country.

Enjoying your free time in the knowledge that you will be protected by your insurance in case something happens can make your holiday time even more relaxing.