Many Britons unaware of travel insurance details

A recent survey has shown that fewer British travellers are taking out travel cover.

Travel Insurance News - 31/05/2012

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A recent survey has shown that fewer British travellers are taking out travel cover.

Recent figures released by insurance provider Hiscox have revealed that one in five Britons are unaware if their trip is covered or that they did not bother to take out trip insurance altogether.

The survey was conducted last month and was based on interviews with more than 2,200 online participants, Hiscox said. The report also showed a significant amount of unawareness as to what is covered in each policy; around 10 per cent of respondents were said they didn’t know if lost luggage or valuables were part of their policy.

Among other figures, around 18 per cent of those surveyed assume that their travel agent or air carrier will provide compensation in the event of a cancellation and an additional 21 per cent thought that an industry body would compensate passengers in such an event. Experts say this is possible in some scenarios, although this relies wholly on the whether the disruption was out of the airline’s control.

And around 10 per cent of travellers said they did not know if medical emergencies are covered within their policy.

Colin Wallace, an industry expert from Hiscox, said in a statement that although recent revisions to regulations regarding the sale of holiday packages have provided additional protection for consumers that it is important to be aware of what is and is not covered. Mr Wallace said doing so can help to take the stress out of an otherwise relaxing break.

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