16 August 2023 , 08:52
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Holidaymakers regularly make blunders costing more than £500 when booking trips away, according to one travel firm.
Once you've finally taken the plunge, chosen your holiday destination and secured transport and a place for stay, it's natural to want to unwind after hours of navigating the Ryanair website or considering whether the south of France is too hot.
According to both Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and Admiral Travel Insurance, not mustering the energy to book travel insurance in this moment can be very costly.
Mr Lewis has previously spoken about how important it is to get cover as soon as your holiday is booked, as something could go wrong with the accommodation or transport long before your journey actually begins.
A new survey has found that two thirds of Brits admit they never take out travel insurance for domestic getaways, despite claims on such breaks ending up costing £525 on average.
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Make sure you buy travel insurance when you book your holiday (Getty Images/iStockphoto)With over half (53%) of Brits opting for local getaways over travelling abroad this year, holidaymakers may want to considering taking out travel insurance to cover UK trips, should the worst happen.
Cosmin Sarbu, head of travel at Admiral Insurance, said: "In the UK we are lucky to have plenty of great holiday destinations on our doorstep that can be enjoyed rain or shine, so it’s no surprise that over half of us are choosing staycations over travelling abroad.
"Yet, despite the growing popularity of UK trips, and people spending over £800 on average for a one-week trip, two in three admit they don’t bother with travel insurance for a staycation. While only 19% say they have taken out insurance specifically for a UK holiday.
"It’s crucial to ensure you know your insurance options in the event of an emergency or cancellation, as you can still encounter problems whether you holiday in the UK or overseas. While thanks to the NHS you don’t generally need cover for medical expenses while holidaying in most parts of the UK, travel insurance will protect you for things like lost or stolen luggage, sports equipment or money.
"It also covers travel disruption, delay and cancelations which are just as distressing when you’re at home as when you’re abroad. Most travellers choose to drive to their UK holiday destination and travel insurance can also protect you if you experience any delays or car troubles that prevent you from being able to get to or back home from your trip."
Cosmin reasoned that there is something about travelling in another country that can make people feel more vulnerable than when they're on the familiar streets and beaches of their home nation, but that doesn't mean things cannot go wrong.
"The most common travel insurance claims include cancellation, accounting for 27% of all claims, and lost possessions, which account for 21%4. Both of these can still occur during a staycation and will be covered under UK travel insurance," the travel whiz continued.
"So, for example, if you have to cut your holiday short or cancel your trip after you’ve booked it, for a number of reasons such as death, illness or injury, this would be covered under your UK travel insurance.
"Or if your belongings are misplaced, damaged or stolen during your trip or travelling to your destination, you could also make a claim, depending on your policy. Remember, you should always check your policy documents for more information as some exclusions will apply."
Cosmin’s top tips for a stress-free staycation
● Do your research early: With 23% of Brits concerned about finding somewhere suitable for their staycation, it’s important to do your research on your chosen location. The sooner you look, the more likely you are to find an ideal place to suit all your needs and take advantage of any special offers or discounts available.=
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● Plan your journey: If you choose to drive to your staycation spot, make sure you plan your journey ahead of time to ensure you’ve chosen the best route to your destination. Admiral’s research shows 26% of Brits are fearful of not having a parking spot at their staycation destination, and 22% are concerned about paying for parking. By planning ahead, you can make sure you have parking secured. You can also schedule travel breaks (and snacks) to make the journey as enjoyable as possible for both the driver and passengers.
● Check your level of cover ahead of time: If your belongings are misplaced, damaged or stolen during your trip or they don’t arrive in one piece when you arrive at your destination, you may be entitled to claim depending on your policy. However, if you aren’t carrying your personal belongings with you, they must be locked out of sight or stored safely and securely to make sure you’re still covered. You can find out more about staycation coverage here.