After the ‘Barbeque summer' that never was and the incessant weeks of snow and ice, getting away from it all is a priority for 2010, with 64per cent of potential holidaymakers looking to take a holiday abroad this year, according to research by Aviva.
However, a quarter of adults planning a holiday (25per cent) admitted they will be spending less than in previous years, More worryingly, almost a third (31per cent) confessed that they would either not be taking out any
travel insurance or were undecided about purchasing it.
Of those ‘thrifty travellers' that are planning to spend less on their main holiday this year, many agreed they are planning to be ‘cash careful' by:
- Setting a limit on the amount of spending money they have each day of their holiday (62per cent)
- Not treating themselves to any new holiday clothes (45per cent)
- Going self catering (41per cent)
- Cutting back on eating out whilst on holiday (40per cent)
- Looking for a ‘late deal' cheaper holiday (31per cent)
Whilst 31per cent of those going on holiday and looking to save money said they would seek out a bargain holiday by booking late, 30per cent of travellers will leave booking their holiday until only one or two months before they go and 48per cent said, whilst they would take out travel insurance it would not be when they booked their holiday.
"After a cold, gloomy winter arranging a holiday can almost seem like a necessity but with the economic outlook still uncertain it does mean most of us are also looking to be careful with our cash,” said Jerry Finch, travel product manger at Aviva
"However, cutting back on the essential protection that travel insurance offers can be a false economy. If you haven't taken out insurance when you book your holiday you may not be covered if, for example, you had to cancel your holiday.
"Remember accidents and illnesses do happen on holiday, and you could end up footing an expensive medical bill if you haven't taken out travel insurance.
"In one case, whilst on holiday in Barbados, a customer suffered lacerations when the sink collapsed. They needed medical attention and help travelling home at a cost of £1,355. Fortunately, this tourist had taken out travel insurance so everything was taken care of by us and they probably looked back on that annual policy premium of £52 as being money very well spent.”
"Shop around and compare the amount of insurance cover, not just the price. Whatever you do - don't travel without insurance."
Aviva travel insurance tips
- Organise your insurance policy as soon as you have booked your trip
- If you don't and something suddenly happens such as a relative being taken ill, causing you to cancel your holiday, you won't be covered if you haven't taken out travel insurance, even if the holiday is in the UK
- Tell your insurer about any pre-existing medical problems
- If you don't tell them your claim could be invalid which means you would have to cover all of the costs of your medical treatment
- Know your rights if your plane is cancelled or delayed
- As a general rule travel insurance is not responsible for getting you to and from your holiday destination - that is the job of the airline or tour operator. Under EU regulations for air passenger rights, all airlines departing from an airport in an EU member state have responsibilities to assist you if your flight is cancelled or delayed. Insurance can also provide cover in the event of a delay
- Transport problems
- If you miss your flight due to car or public transport problems check your travel insurance will cover you
- A bargain is not always the best choice
- Some insurance policies may seem like a bargain but if the one you choose doesn't meet your needs or offer adequate cover in the event of a claim, it's not a bargain
- The EHIC is not a substitute for
travel insurance, it is complementary to it
- The EHIC (formally the E111) entitles you to state-provided emergency medical treatment in European Economic Area countries. The treatment available does vary between countries and it may not cover all the treatment costs (or any repatriation costs) so full
travel insurance is essential.
Check out the latest travel insurance deals by receiving our
MoneyMaker newsletter.
