Middle East crisis prompts more Brits to value travel insurance

Customers are increasingly recognising the value of travel insurance in light of the recent crisis in the Middle East, according to new Abta research.

 

However, a quarter of travellers put themselves at risk by not taking out travel insurance at time of booking trips, warns the association.

 

When pollsters asked if the conflict in the Middle East had affected how important travel insurance was to them, 58% of respondents said it was more important.

 

Families with a child under five years old were the most likely to have said travel insurance was more important at 76%.

 

However, they lagged behind when it came to already having booked insurance for a trip they had planned in the next 12 months, at 53%, compared to 81% of those aged 45 or more with no kids at home.

 

Abta always advises that people have travel insurance in place either before, or at the time of booking their trip, in case they need to cancel due to an unexpected change in circumstances, such as illness or losing their job.

 

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More than two-thirds (69%) told Abta that they already had travel insurance in place – but 25% replied they had not yet done so, although they did intend to take out a policy.

 

However, 5% told Abta they had no intention of taking out travel insurance, rising to 9% of those aged 18-24.

 

Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, said: “The conflict in the Middle East is increasingly making people look for the reassurance and cover offered by travel insurance.

 

“Travel insurance, plus the protection and assistance provided by travelling on a package holiday with an Abta member, represent the gold standard for customers looking to book and travel with confidence.

 

“In an increasingly volatile world, we strongly recommend arranging appropriate travel insurance at the time of booking – as this can provide cancellation protection, subject to the terms and level of cover selected.”

 

Sarah Taylor, consular and crisis director at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, added: “Taking out appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book can help protect you if things don’t go to plan.

 

“Before you travel, read the latest FCDO travel advice and check your policy includes your destination, planned activities, and any pre-existing medical conditions.”

 

The survey was carried out for Abta with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults between May 8-19.

 

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Illness and family emergencies account for most cancellation claim costs