Millions lost by Brits not opting for travel insurance on holidays, study shows

A recent survey of 2,000 holidaymakers found that nearly a third  have ventured abroad without travel insurance, with a fifth of individuals ultimately facing unforeseen expenses.

A quarter of those who travelled uninsured simply forgot to purchase a policy, while a staggering two thirds deliberately chose not to bother.

Consequently, those who found themselves in need of insurance had to pay an average of £1,570 out of pocket, covering costs such as additional hotel nights (53%), hospital stays and medical bills (51%), and new flights (43%).

The most common reasons for requiring insurance included unexpected illnesses (35%), luggage issues (26%), and theft of personal belongings (22%), according to the research conducted by online travel agent loveholidays.

Furthermore, 18% of respondents had to bear the full cost of a holiday they were unable to take due to unforeseen circumstances such as jury duty, pregnancy, or redundancy.

As a result, a staggering 92% of those who travelled without insurance in past and faced unexpected expenses now vow to always book insurance for future trips. 

Generally 20% will book their holiday cover right before their trip, with 28% unaware it insures you from the moment you purchase it.

Al Murray, spokesperson for the agent, cautioned: “Booking a holiday without travel insurance comes with risks, and our research indicates not all holidaymakers are aware of them.

“Circumstances beyond your control can prevent you from taking a holiday you’ve already booked or affect you while you’re away, potentially leading to unexpected costs.

“Making sure you have the right insurance in place from the moment you book your holiday helps to protect you from those costs, whether that’s medical bills, extra stays in hotels, repatriation flights, or even the cost of a holiday you’re no longer able to go on.”

Over half feel most adventurous when they are on holiday and say it’s easier to step out of your comfort zone. Because of this, holidaymakers tend to take more risks. 

This might include swimming in the sea at night, trying extreme sports and leaving valuables in a hotel room. For this reason, 64% are likely to book travel insurance for an adventurous trip to ensure they’re fully covered. 

Al Murray, from loveholidays, commented: “There’s nothing wrong with letting your hair down and having fun on holiday. But you do need to be careful, and having the right protection in place just in case something happens is key.”