ABTA defends retailers over slack service claims

r 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.”