Accidents cost travellers £361 m this year

Everyone knows that sometimes when on holiday, accidents happen.

Travel Insurance News - 21/09/2005

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Everyone knows that sometimes when on holiday, accidents happen.

Lost wallets, sunburn and tummy upsets are all part and parcel of a trip abroad, which is why people take out travel insurance, to protect themselves from the financial costs of these problems.

A new report today shows that though these everyday occurrences may seem like harmless incidents, sometimes they can cost travellers thousands, emphasising the importance of decent holiday insurance.

Around 750,000 holidays in just the three months of June, July and August of 2005 were disrupted this year by holiday accidents, costing roughly £361 million to put right says Churchill Travel Insurance.

The theft of possessions was the common problem, followed by illness or injury.

For the one in three people who lost their camera, the average claim was for £453 while 182,000 travellers suffered with poorly stomachs and ear infections.

Churchill's head of travel insurance, Mike Ketteringham, said: 'Unfortunately, accidents and loss of personal belongings are part and parcel of holidays. Whether they are for broken bones, faulty aircraft or lost passports, holiday claims are often costly and stressful.'

'We advise travellers to shop around for quality travel insurance before they take their holiday. Levels of cover and price vary hugely so its important that time is taken to find the right travel policy,' he added.

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