New research from ABTA reveals that more than half of UK adults travelling overseas in the next 12 months see travel insurance as more important following the conflict in the Middle East.
When asked if the conflict in the Middle East had impacted on how important travel insurance was to them, 58% said it was now more important.
The number jumped to 73% for families with a child under five years old, making this group the one that said insurance is now more important since the Middle East conflict.
However, parents of youngsters lagged behind when it came to already having booked insurance for a trip they had planned in the next 12 months, at 53%, compared to 81% of over 45 year olds with no kids at home.
ABTA and others, including Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, always advise people have travel insurance in place either before, or at the time of booking their trip.
More than two-thirds of respondents (69%) said they already had travel insurance in place, while 25% said that, although they intended to take out a policy, they had not yet done so.
Five percent of the population told ABTA they had no intention of taking out travel insurance. This rose to 9% for 18–24 year olds.
ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: “The conflict in the Middle East is increasingly making people look for the reassurance and cover offered by travel insurance.
“Travel insurance, plus the protection and assistance provided by travelling on a package holiday with an ABTA member, represent the gold standard for customers looking to book and travel with confidence.
“In an increasingly volatile world, we strongly recommend arranging appropriate travel insurance at the time of booking — as this can provide cancellation protection, subject to the terms and level of cover selected.”
Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Director Consular and Crisis Sarah Taylor said: “We want British travellers to have the best possible experience overseas this summer. Taking out appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book can help protect you if things don’t go to plan.”
She reminded British travellers: “Before you travel – read the latest FCDO travel advice and check your policy includes your destination, planned activities, and any pre-existing medical conditions.”
