Age discrimination law demands new approach from insurers
by Gill Montia
Story link: Age discrimination law demands new approach from insurers
Questions are already being asked about the impact on the insurance sector of the Government’s new Equalities Bill, which aims to put an end to age discrimination in England and Wales while at the same time allowing employers to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minority job applicants.
The proposals were outlined in the House […]
Equity launches insureblue for male cancer sufferers
by Gill Montia
Story link: Equity launches insureblue for male cancer sufferers
Equity Insurance Group has extended its personal lines range with the launch of insureblue, a travel insurance product aimed at men with prostate and testicular cancers.
The move follows the introduction last autumn of insurepink, a travel policy for women who have breast cancer.
Insureblue is aimed at the 55,000 men diagnosed with prostrate and testicular cancer […]
FSA reminder on travel insurance regulation
by Gill Montia
Story link: FSA reminder on travel insurance regulation
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is reminding insurers and travel agents that new regulations regarding the sale of travel insurance come into force in January 2009.
The Authority already regulates the sale of travel insurance that is not connected to any particular travel arrangements and bought direct from an insurer, or through an insurance broker.
From […]
Two new travel policies from LV=
by Gill Montia
Story link: Two new travel policies from LV=
LV=, the friendly society formerly known as Liverpool Victoria, has launched two new travel policies: annual and single trip.
Medical cover of up to £10 million is included on both types of policy, as is £2,500 personal possessions cover, £500 for loss of money, £5,000 for cancellation, £250 for travel delays and up to £25,000 for […]
Voyager acquires CHF
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Voyager acquires CHF
Travel insurer Voyager, which is owned by Somerville Underwriting Holdings plc, has acquired CH Facilities, a broker which specialises in offering travel insurance to individuals with complex medical histories.
CHF, which trades as Able2Travel, has been a long-term partner of Voyager, and it is hoped that the acquisition will bolster Voyager’s travel, accident, sickness and health […]
Insurers withdraw cover for Terminal 5 travellers
by Gill Montia
Story link: Insurers withdraw cover for Terminal 5 travellers
Travellers passing through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 may experience difficulties purchasing insurance for flight delays and lost baggage.
A number of companies are withdrawing cover for those using the £4.3 billion terminal, which has seen various states of chaos since it opened on 27th March.
Problems with baggage handling have led to record baggage mounds plus flight delays […]
Baggage delay cover a must for travellers
by Gill Montia
Story link: Baggage delay cover a must for travellers
Defaqto, the independent financial research company, is advising travellers to check that their luggage is fully insured before they fly abroad.
The firm has recently been examining single-trip insurance policies to establish what cover is provided for delayed baggage and found that 14% of policies did not offer this type of cover.
Baggage delays can be costly. […]
Terminal 5 woes could be mitigated by travel insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Terminal 5 woes could be mitigated by travel insurance
The huge problems that have greeted the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 have been well-documented, but the troubles are even more dire for those lacking travel insurance.
MORE TH>N has released figures stating that, as of Wednesday, over 200 flights have been cancelled and tens of thousands of luggage have been mislaid.
Unfortunate travellers have had to […]
Insure and Go appoints new MD
by Gill Montia
Story link: Insure and Go appoints new MD
Insure and Go, the travel insurance specialist, is seeking a new managing director.
The firm is currently headed by its co-founder, Perry Wilson, and the appointment is being made ahead of plans to enter the home and motor insurance markets.
Mr Wilson explains: “Entrepreneurs are not the best people to actually run companies. A lot […]
Hidden credit/debit card costs abroad
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Hidden credit/debit card costs abroad
Research conducted by uSwitch reveals that Britons will spend £23bn using credit and debit cards whilst on holiday this year.
However, most travellers are unaware that banking costs incurred, in total, will amount to £686m.
The majority of consumers are aware of fees for both cash withdrawals and exchange rates, but are unaware that a fee averaging […]
FCO urges older travellers to check their insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: FCO urges older travellers to check their insurance
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued advice to over 55s going on holiday, urging them to make certain they have the necessary travel insurance.
Year on year the number of older holidaymakers is on the rise, with an estimated 20% engaging in risky behaviour they would not countenance at home.
Slightly less than 20% report […]
2007 travel insurance paid out over £400 million
by David Masters
Story link: 2007 travel insurance paid out over £400 million
Travel insurance providers InsureandGo have revealed the most-claimed-for top five of travel insurance in 2007.
Travel insurers based in the UK received a total of 1.75 million claims for the year, totalling over £400 million.
The most popular claim was for medical treatment, with over 500,000 claims insurance pay-outs totalling £242.3 million. Medical claims cost an […]
Heath Lambert launches travel insurance with Dolmen
by Gill Montia
Story link: Heath Lambert launches travel insurance with Dolmen
Heath Lambert has formed a joint venture with Dolmen Insurance Brokers in Ireland, to offer a specialist travel insurance that will cover pre-existing medical conditions.
The new product will be launched initially at Dolmen’s Dublin office and will be available through its network of 160 sub-agents in Ireland shortly after.
Heath Lambert has been providing insurance solutions […]
Rugby fans advised to check travel insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Rugby fans advised to check travel insurance
With the Six Nations gearing up for its third weekend of international rugby clashes fans are being urged to make sure their travel insurance is adequate when they travel overseas.
The Six Nations tournament covers England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France. This weekend will see an exodus of England fans visiting Paris.
Halifax Travel Insurance is […]
Consumers advised to browse for best travel insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Consumers advised to browse for best travel insurance
Research conducted by moneysupermarket.com has discovered that annual travel insurance can be friendlier on your wallet than single trip coverage for individuals who enjoy winter sports whilst on holiday.
Insurance research chief, Peter Gerrard, explains that the myth of single trip policies being cheaper has been destroyed by the research, and advises consumers to browse thoroughly […]
One in three Britons risk uninsured holidays
by Gill Montia
Story link: One in three Britons risk uninsured holidays
Nationwide has undertaken research that suggests one in three Britons fail to take out adequate insurance cover before setting off on holiday.
In a recent survey, 35% of respondents were leaving themselves exposed to cancellation and medical emergency cost, or the loss of personal belongings, by not taking out travel insurance.
In addition, 36% of those questioned […]
Groupama upgrades PMI to include travel insurance
by Gill Montia
Story link: Groupama upgrades PMI to include travel insurance
Groupama Healthcare has made some improvements to Santé, its private medical insurance product.
Santé was launched in 2006 and is aimed at the corporate SME sector. Its comprehensive cover provides a full refund on eligible inpatient treatment as well as various levels of outpatient cover.
The product has now been extended to include the option of annual […]
Winter sports enthusiasts should read small print
by Gill Montia
Story link: Winter sports enthusiasts should read small print
According to Moneysupermarket.com, one-quarter of the three million UK holidaymakers that will be headed for a skiing break this year will not be insured properly.
Some will not have read the small print and be unaware that their travel insurance does not cover skiing. Others do not believe that travel insurance is worthwhile.
It is estimated that […]
FSA to regulate Connected Travel Insurance
by Gill Montia
Story link: FSA to regulate Connected Travel Insurance
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published a consultation paper setting out its plans for regulating Connected Travel Insurance (CTI), that is to say travel insurance sold alongside a holiday.
The FSA already regulates travel insurance bought directly from insurance firms and brokers, and the consumer group Which? has campaigned to extend the regulation to CTI […]
BIBA welcomes new Travel Insurance Review
by Brian Turner
Story link: BIBA welcomes new Travel Insurance Review
BIBA has welcomed the publication today by HM Treasury of its legislation to bring all travel insurance providers under FSA regulation.
Eric Galbraith Chief Executive of the British Insurance Broker’s Association, said: “The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has long campaigned for this legislation to protect the 20 million people who buy travel insurance every year. We […]
