One in ten people have already booked their 2019 summer holiday, research published today claims to show.
Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance calculates 5.6 million UK adults have already booked their summer break for next year.
Europe is the top destination for almost half (49%) of the 2,008 people polled.
Staycations in the UK are the second most popular option, with a third (29%) of travellers planning a domestic break.
Other popular holiday destinations for 2019 include North America (8%), Asia (7%) and Australasia (5%).
Almost half (45%) plan a beach break, while 26% prefer a city break and a tenth (13%) will take a cruise.
While some book holidays 20 weeks in advance, the average traveller gets round to arranging their travel insurance only three months before their trip.
And more than a tenth (16%) fail to take out travel insurance leaving them exposed to a range of potential issues from travel disruptions to medical bills should they become ill abroad, the study found.
Waiting for a good deal or special offer was the reason a quarter (25%) of UK adults hold off buying travel insurance. A further 14% claimed they did not have the time to purchase travel insurance.
Sainsbury’s Bank head of insurance Karen Hogg said: “Leaving your travel insurance until the last minute is a risky strategy as travellers could end up uninsured and out of pocket if they have to cancel their trip.
“Travel insurance usually covers cancellations if a travelling companion becomes seriously unwell, or a relative dies or you’re made redundant.”