ABTA has defended agents after a financial watchdog accused
the industry of misleading consumers by not providing adequate information on
insurance policies.
According to ABTA, fewer than 1% of the complaints it
receives relate to travel insurance, far less than the one in eight the Financial
Services Ombudsman is reported to handle each year. The Ombudsman said the
travel industry did little to explain or provide the right type of policies to
suit holidaymakers.
An ABTA spokeswoman said: “The Ombudsman appears to have put
together everyone who sells travel insurance such as supermarkets, high-street
stores, banks and Post Offices. Only 0.87% of complaints we receive are about
travel insurance. Our members have to follow guidelines as laid down in the
code of conduct. It makes it clear that members must draw attention to policies
and explain them to clients.”