January's 'summer holiday' sales

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With around 200,000¹ holidaymakers a day booking early to get the best summer holiday deals, esure travel insurance is urging Brits to do their homework before buying, not be influenced solely by bargain-bucket prices, and make sure they take out insurance straight away to cover themselves if they are forced to cancel their trip.

According to research by esure travel insurance² holidaymakers booking a summer holiday to the USA in June could turn up to find they are greeted with stormy weather rather than sunshine. The poll reveals that 79 per cent of Brits questioned do not know when the hurricane season in popular parts of the USA begins (1 June to November for the east coast - including Florida) and 87 per cent do not know when the monsoon season blows in across parts of Asia (1 June to September for the south-east coast - including Indonesia)³.

The research also shows that less than half (48 per cent) of British holidaymakers check the weather for severe weather warnings prior to booking their holidays abroad and furthermore, one in five polled (20 per cent) will not take out any travel insurance cover for their trip⁴.

Mike Pickard, Head of travel insurance at esure, said: "Booking early to get a bargain and having a holiday to look forward to in summer is engrained in the British psyche. At a time when pennies are being counted more than ever, it's important that Brits don't feel rushed into making a booking because of the price tag and do their homework beforehand.

Checking out the weather, making sure passports are valid, ensuring that visas are obtained if required, and not forgetting to take out insurance at the booking stage in case personal circumstances change between booking that bargain holiday and actually going on it in summer, are all crucial."

With 30 per cent of summer holidays booked in January and February¹, esure has compiled some tips for holidaymakers looking to book their trips away:

Pay for your holiday using a credit card: if you can pay for your holiday using your credit card it will protect you if, for example, the airline, holiday company or hotel goes into administration⁵. If you've paid for the holiday - even part of it - on credit, you're entitled to a full refund from the credit company. The law covers goods worth between £100 and £30,000 but you're completely covered even if you paid as little as £1 deposit with your credit card and the remainder some other way.
Get covered in case you're made redundant: remember to take out travel insurance cover at the same time as you book your holiday in case you or your partner are made redundant and are forced to cancel your trip. In fact, esure will pay up to a maximum of £5,000⁶. if the policyholder is made redundant, or if a travelling companion, cohabiting spouse or partner are made redundant⁷.
Shop around for your travel insurance: make sure you take cover to protect you and your family should the unexpected happen. Shop around for the best deal as some insurers will offer family deals where kids can travel for free⁸. It's advisable to buy annual cover to make sure you're covered not just for your summer holiday but also for short trips and weekend breaks away – even within the UK.
Take cover for hazardous sports and activities: if you're booking a more active break away, make sure your travel insurance covers any sports or activities you are planning to do. Bungee jumping, scuba-diving, jet-skiing and other activities you might do on the spur of the moment may not be covered by standard policies - so check the small print.
Do your holiday destination research: Make sure you check the British foreign and commonwealth office⁹ for any warnings and make sure you check the weather - particularly average rainfall¹⁰.
Check your passport's validity: different countries have different regulations; some follow the 'six months until expiry' rule¹¹ but others, such as South Africa, require you to also have at least two blank pages in your passport¹². Check your passport early to avoid a last minute rush or a possible delay to your trip.
Check whether you'll need vaccinations or a visa: don't get a last minute surprise - check what the country's requirements are and the estimated costs. Find out about vaccinations and any other suggested medical advice by visiting your health-care provider. Follow this advice and be aware of possible health risks during your trip¹³.

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esure's press contacts:

Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@esure.com
An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.

Notes to Editors:

Express post on 'Holiday Britons defy the crunch' Research from the Association of British Travel Agents: ABTA.
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1015 adults aged 18 + by telephone between 7th – 9th August 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at ICM Research
Foreign & Commonwealth Office > Travelling and living oversears > staying safe > hurricanes
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1006 adults aged 18 + by telephone between 24th - 26th August 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at ICM Research
Consumer Credit Act 1974
Towards the cost of the holiday
esure will pay up to a maximum of £5,000 if the policyholder is made redundant, or if a travelling companion, cohabiting spouse or partner are made redundant after the start date of the cover shown on the policyholder's policy schedule
With esure kids go free - parents can add their children onto their policy free of charge
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
BBC World Weather
Foreign & Commonwealth Office > Travelling and living overseas
Foreign & Commonwealth Office > Travelling and living overseas > Travel advice by country > Sub-saharan-africa > south-africa
Foreign & Commonwealth Office

About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury's, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.

Sponsorship:

esure has secured two of the UK's most iconic sponsorships: the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins.

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