19% of UK holidaymakers are running the risk of having to pay hefty medical bills by travelling abroad without travel insurance. This alarming statistic was revealed in the 2010 ABTA Consumer Trends survey unveiled today at the Travel Convention in Malta. 17% also believe that it is not important to take out travel insurance and 16% are under the misapprehension that the UK government will cover their medical expenses with 26% of 15-24 year olds believing this to be the case…
19% of UK holidaymakers are running the risk of having to pay hefty medical bills by travelling abroad without travel insurance. This alarming statistic was revealed in the 2010 ABTA Consumer Trends survey unveiled today at the Travel Convention in Malta. 17% also believe that it is not important to take out travel insurance and 16% are under the misapprehension that the UK government will cover their medical expenses with 26% of 15-24 year olds believing this to be the case.
In addition 55% of consumers do not purchase travel insurance when holidaying in the UK leaving them without cover for cancellation charges if they were to fall ill or lose their job.
Mike Monk ABTA Head of Finance said: “It is very worrying that almost 1 in 5 holidaymakers are going abroad without insurance and running the risk of substantial medical bills. Many of these believe incorrectly that the Foreign Office will pay their expenses. Also, well over half of UK holidaymakers are in danger of not being covered for cancellation charges due to illness or redundancy. In the current economic climate saving the cost of travel insurance could prove a very false economy.”
Lynda St Cooke of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Know Before You Go Campaign said: “Like ABTA, we are worried that so many British travellers are going abroad without travel insurance. It’s a false economy – we see many cases where holiday makers are faced with bills of tens of thousands of pounds for medical treatment and repatriation. Getting comprehensive travel insurance means that whilst an accident may disrupt your holiday, it won’t bankrupt you.”
The survey also revealed in the past 5 years 12% of people had claimed on their insurance with 3% claiming over £500.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
