Brits warned travel insurance mistakes could leave them facing hefty bills

18 January 2024 , 14:04

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Buying travel insurance when you book a holiday could help reduce the risk of extra costs if things go wrong (Image: Getty Images)

Millions of Brits are making a simple booking mistake that could risk them hefty bills on holidays, a travel insurance firm has warned.

In 2022 70 million trips abroad were made by UK residents, according to the Office for National Statistics. That is more than one for everyone in the country, and even more once holidays in the country are taken into account.

As one in nine holidaymakers admit to never taking out travel insurance, around seven million uninsured trips out of the UK are taken each year. So long as nothing goes wrong and luck stays with you, then not being covered it's a problem.

If things do take a turn for the worse, then you may come to regret not having forked out for insurance, as you could be risking hundreds or even thousands of pounds to cover medical bills or damaged gadgets.

The insurance firm suggests booking as soon as your holiday is locked in (Getty Images)

Insurance firm Aviva has warned Brits to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their holidays, so that you're "immediately protected against things that might mean you need to postpone or cancel your trip, such as accidents or illnesses".

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They also had some other tips for holidaymakers, to help ensure your policy is valid and you don't end up with extra stress if something does go wrong while you're away. This includes:

• Check with your insurer if you’re extending your trip. If you're already abroad and want to extend your trip, it's important that you speak to your insurer before your existing cover runs out, to see if they can continue to cover your trip.
  
• If you’re taking a longer trip, check the maximum number of days for cover. Many travel policies are limited to a certain number of days as standard, although insurers may be able to extend cover.
• Declare all medical conditions to avoid potential costly medical bills abroad. If ever in doubt on what is considered a ‘medical condition’, check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly.
• Double check your policy documents to make sure you have the correct level of cover for the activities you have lined up. Some, such as rock climbing and going on cruises, may require an additional level of cover, which you may be able to add to your existing policy for a fee and should be purchased before you travel.

Kelly Whittington, director of travel claims at Aviva, said: “As we look ahead to the new year, it’s not surprising to see an influx of holiday bookings as people look to make the most of renewed holiday allowance and flash sales from tour operators and airlines.

“Despite these plans, it’s worrying that one in nine (11%) holidaymakers never purchase travel insurance, which is designed to help customers in the case of an unforeseen emergency. This could either mean something that occurs on holiday or an incident that happens beforehand that disrupts travel plans.

“Whilst we all hope the worst won’t happen, unfortunately accidents or illnesses can and do occur, and medical expenses can be costly, especially in some countries. By taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday, you can protect both yourself and your possessions, giving you peace of mind in the lead up to your trip.”

Milo Boyd