Holidaymakers booking online are paying out hundreds of pounds to correct mistakes, with the average cost of an error amounting to £232. New research from LV= travel insurance suggest that almost one half of UK holidaymakers now book online but nearly one in twelve make mistakes when doing so. Almost a quarter of respondents who [...]
The UK’s travel sector is facing severe economic headwinds, with a 49% increase in companies suffering “critical” financial distress, compared with this time last year. According to Begbies Traynor’s latest “Red Flag Alert”, further insolvencies in the sector are inevitable. Putting aside the sharp annual rise in “critical” cases, the third quarter of 2011 saw [...]
One in five British holidaymakers are crossing borders uninsured and running the risk of sky-high medical bills. According to the 2011 ABTA Consumer Trends survey, 21% of Brits abroad with no insurance believe that the UK Government will cover their bills in the event of a mishap, with one in four 15 to 24-year-olds suffering [...]
Nationwide is claiming a UK first as it adds free travel insurance for those aged up to 75 to its free current account. Previously, the upper age limit was 65 for new customers but from 21st September, the Society is extending the upper age limit on its FlexAccount travel package, where the account is used [...]
The number of British travellers falling ill abroad has recently hit a record high, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reported. Last year emergency medical treatments cost travel insurers £275m in claims, with medical expenses surging by 270% over the course of the last six years. Over the same period of time the number [...]
Travel insurer AXA has warned British travellers that claims made due to dangerous new crazes will be rejected. AXA has seen a spike in such claims, with as many made in the summer of this year as in the whole of 2010. The insurer blames the rise in claims (such as falling off of balconies) [...]
Esure has detected a growing trend among Brits as an increasing number of couples opt for the “XL” family holiday. According to the insurer, one in four families are now jetting off abroad in the company of at least six relatives, with over half of this group convinced they will save almost £400 by extending [...]
Lloyd’s underwriters have teamed up with insurance broker Aon and Global Excess Partners, an innovator in new insurance products, to develop a comprehensive bedbug insurance solution for travellers and the hospitality industry. According to Lloyd’s, bedbug infestations are on the rise, causing hotel owners, landlords and businesses major problems. High levels of infestation have been [...]
Stag and hen parties held overseas can lead to more serious after-effects than bleary eyes and a hangover, new research by Direct Line Travel Insurance has revealed. Of the 5.7m people who held stag and hen parties overseas in the last two years 115,000 knew someone who had had a piercing or tattoo that they [...]
Aviva has revamped “People and Places”, its group personal accident (GPA), sickness and business travel policy, as it looks to grow business in this area. New extensions including closure of airspace, kidnap and ransom cover, nuclear, chemical and biological cover, war cover outside the policyholder’s country of domicile, cover for rehabilitation expenses, search and rescue, [...]
RSA has acquired the insurance assets of Expert Travel Financial Services Incorporated, a Canandian distributor of travel insurance with over three million policyholders travelling worldwide. The transaction involves gross assets valued at around £3 million, including trademarks and access to distribution, but excludes the Quebec-based firm’s Global Excel Management claims and assistance subsidiary. RSA has [...]
With the summer holiday season approaching, Defaqto is alerting parents to the fact that only 50% of all annual trip travel insurance policies cover children named under the policy, if they travel independently of their parents. According to the financial research company, a child may be named as an insured person but may need to [...]
The Foreign Office is urging Britons to reassess their priorities when visiting friends and family overseas, as for some, carrying teabags to far off places seems to take priority over taking out travel insurance. Over 12 million British nationals are thought to be planning to visit friends and family abroad this year and new research [...]
Aviva has offered its customers advice and guidance in relation to the ongoing situation regarding the volcanic eruption. Kate Niven, senior travel underwriter, advises customers concerned about their travel into or out of the UK being affected to contact their travel operator, airline or airport for up to date information. Niven went on to say [...]
With some disruption over the skies of Europe from the volcanic ash cloud, Ageas has advised customers with a policy start date prior to 23 May 2011, who also booked their trip prior to 23 May 2011, that they will be covered as per the terms and conditions. Customers are advised to first contact the [...]
In its latest volcanic ash update, the Met Office says Icelandic authorities are reporting ash continuing to be ejected from the eruption of Grímsvötn, to a height of 10km. The British Geological Survey has described the volcanic activity that began last weekend as a “significant eruption” and movement of the ash plume will depend on [...]
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has released guidance relating to the eruption of Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland, which has sent substantial quantities of ash into the atmosphere. Travellers are advised to contact their airline, travel agent or airport for up to date information, and if a cancellation occurs then either a full refund or [...]
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has launched a consumer guide to travel insurance that aims to clarify what is commonly covered in standard policies, and what may not be covered. According to the ABI, 15 million Britons are likely to go on holiday abroad this year and while most will have trouble free trips, [...]
A new survey by Direct Line has revealed that 3.2 million Britons would go without travel insurance to increase their spending money on holiday. Saving on duty free (61%) and new clothes (60%) proved the most popular economies when saving for a holiday, but one out of 15 Britons indicated they would risk travelling without [...]
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has appointed AllClear Insurance as the provider of its new non-standard medical travel scheme. AllClear is a market leader in providing travel insurance to those with pre-existing medical conditions and the move will allow BIBA to enhance its existing travel offering. Available from today, BIBA Medical Travel allows members [...]
