RSA makes Canadian travel insurance acquisition
by Gill Montia
Story link: RSA makes Canadian travel insurance acquisition
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 [...]
Defaqto on annual trip travel insurance gap
by Gill Montia
Story link: Defaqto on annual trip travel insurance gap
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 [...]
Travel insurance more important than tea bags
by Gill Montia
Story link: Travel insurance more important than tea bags
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 issues ash cloud guidance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Aviva issues ash cloud guidance
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 [...]
Ageas reports impact of ash cloud on coverage
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Ageas reports impact of ash cloud on coverage
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 [...]
Grímsvötn ash plume forecast
by Gill Montia
Story link: Grímsvötn ash plume forecast
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 [...]
ABI offers volcanic ash cloud guidance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI offers volcanic ash cloud guidance
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 [...]
ABI launches travel insurance guide
by Gill Montia
Story link: ABI launches travel insurance guide
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, [...]
Travellers warned against leaving without insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Travellers warned against leaving without insurance
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 [...]
BIBA partners AllClear in extended travel offering
by Gill Montia
Story link: BIBA partners AllClear in extended travel offering
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 [...]
Arc Legal launches iPhone claims app
by Gill Montia
Story link: Arc Legal launches iPhone claims app
Arc Legal Assistance is claiming a UK first with the launch of its iPhone claims app for legal expenses policies. The app is available across the firm’s portfolio, including its large-scale contracts and key niche business sectors, such as landlord cover. The company also has plans to develop its existing online claims offering to give [...]
Older travellers bolster holiday industry
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Older travellers bolster holiday industry
The over 50s are now accounting for more than half (51%) of overseas holiday spend and 43% of all UK tourism spend, according to travel insurer LV=. Whilst the under 50s continue to struggle with belt-tightening, the over 50s spend £17.6bn on travel every year, and this figure is predicted to almost double in a [...]
Court decides volcanic ash “weather related”
by Gill Montia
Story link: Court decides volcanic ash “weather related”
The Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) has reported that insurers could be facing a flood of payouts relating to last year’s volcanic ash cloud, after a delayed traveller won a case against his insurance company, establishing in the process that the disruption could be classed as “weather related”. The revelation follows a decision by Yeovil County [...]
Government presses ahead with ATOL reforms
by Gill Montia
Story link: Government presses ahead with ATOL reforms
The Government has confirmed that it is pressing ahead with reforms to ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing), which should ensure that around six million more holidays are covered by the scheme. Aviation Minister, Theresa Villiers, has outlined a series of changes which should be implemented by the end of the year, and will: Extend protection [...]
Boozy, cocky uninsured Brits head for the ski slopes
by Gill Montia
Story link: Boozy, cocky uninsured Brits head for the ski slopes
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is warning that the thousands of British skiers hitting the slopes this winter could be risking “mountainous” medical bills, as many will fall into the following categories: No travel insurance – nearly a third of people questioned in a recent government survey admitted that they did not take out [...]
Travellers encouraged to take out insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Travellers encouraged to take out insurance
Direct Line has warned those contemplating going without travel insurance during a winter break of the financial risk they are exposing themselves to if the worst happens. More than a million Britons are expected to participate in winter sports this year, and could face bills of £5,000 for a simple fracture to a lower limb, [...]
Consumer continue to cut insurance protection
by Gill Montia
Story link: Consumer continue to cut insurance protection
Homeowners, travellers and motorists could be putting themselves at financial risk by cutting out or reducing key insurance cover that provides protection in the event of fire, flood, theft or an accident. So says the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), which has raised the alarm following a survey in which 57% of broker respondents reported [...]
AXA warns against skipping travel insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA warns against skipping travel insurance
Travel insurer AXA has warned that as many as a million Britons could be at risk when they go skiing this winter. According to the firm’s research, one in six (17%) of UK adults enjoy skiing/snowboarding on holiday, yet 10% of them will go on holiday without any travel insurance at all. This lack of [...]
easyJet launches in-flight travel insurance service
by Gill Montia
Story link: easyJet launches in-flight travel insurance service
easyJet is claiming an industry first with this week’s launch of an in-flight travel insurance service. The airline has made the move in response to research suggesting that one in five UK holidaymakers set off on their vacations uninsured, which in easyJet’s case equates to around 20 to 30 people per flight. Passengers in-flight can [...]
Barclays forms partnership with FirstAssist
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Barclays forms partnership with FirstAssist
Barclays has announced that it has formed a new three-year partnership with FirstAssist, replacing its previous partnership with Aviva. Barclays customers taking out travel cover from the bank will now have their coverage provided by FirstAssist, the new travel insurance provider. Barclays General Insurance and External Relationships Director Rob Clarkson described FirstAssist as a specialist, [...]
