Abta says 20 per cent of Brits travel uninsured

Almost one in every five UK holidaymakers is at risk.

Travel Insurance News - 21/10/2010

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Almost one in five of British holidaymakers is taking a risk by travelling abroad with travel insurance. This is the latest finding of research carried out by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). The survey was announced at the Abta convention in Malta.

The report also shows that 17 per cent of British holidaymakers have little awareness of the risks of travelling without insurance. One in six of those surveyed are under the misunderstanding that the British government will pay for any medical expenses they incur while travelling abroad. Amongst travellers aged between 15 and 24 years, that proportion rises to more than a quarter.

Fifty-five per cent of Brits do not buy any travel insurance when they take holidays in the UK. The survey found that 12 per cent of respondents have claimed on their travel insurances polices at some point in the previous five years. Three per cent of those in the study claimed in excess of £500.

Mike Monk is the head of finance for the association. He says it is very worrying to find both the high percentage of UK travellers heading abroad without any insurance and the number of people who think the government will take care of their expenses. He also pointed out that more than half of British travellers risk being hit by charges incurred as a result of illness or redundancy.

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