You'll need more than a parasol to protect you this summer holiday

Back

Despite the recession, a third of Brits polled (33 per cent) are still planning on going on holiday1 either abroad or within the UK, according to esure travel insurance. With many holidaymakers looking at ways to save money and grab a bargain, esure offers tips on how to avoid a summer holiday calamity and what to look for when buying travel insurance.

Pay for your holiday using a credit card:
If you can pay for your holiday using your credit card it will protect you (under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act) if, for example, the airline, holiday company or hotel goes into administration2. 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.

Buy travel insurance to avoid a hefty bill:
Alarmingly, one in five Brits polled (20 per cent) will not take out any travel insurance cover for their trip3 yet medical treatment alone could run into thousands of pounds. In fact, repatriation costs could top £4000 from Europe and £80004 from the USA and Canada whilst a last minute cancellation if you became unwell and unable to travel could cost your dear.

Don't be influenced solely by bargain-bucket holiday prices:
If a price seems too good to be true there may be a catch. Do your holiday destination research before booking, visit the FCO website5 for any warnings and check the weather to avoid disappointment. esure's research6 highlighted 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)7.

Consider the risks of a DIY vs. package holiday:
Building your own DIY holiday can often be a way to save money but gives you less protection than opting for a package holiday - where the tour operator is a member of one of the two main holiday protection schemes: Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) or the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Most travel insurers do not offer cover for financial failure of an airline, for example, so if you booked a flight through an airline ticketing agency, which issues you with a ticket straight away, or directly from an airline and then the airline collapsed, you wouldn't get a refund. Buying flights through a travel agent as part of a holiday package would give you Atol or ABTA protection so you wouldn’t be left out of pocket.

Check your passport's validity:
Different countries have different regulations; some follow the 'six months until expiry' rule8 but others, such as South Africa, require you to also have at least two blank pages in your passport. 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 trip9.

Mike Pickard, Head of travel insurance at esure, said: "In the current economic climate with the recent collapse of airlines and travel operators, it's crucial for holidaymakers to make sure they're as protected as possible when booking a holiday this year and aren't left out of pocket or disappointed.

Buying good quality travel insurance as soon as you make your booking, preferably paying for your holiday on credit card; opting for a package rather than a DIY holiday where you're Atol protected; and checking the FCO website for advisory warnings are all now becoming must-dos for the average British holidaymaker."

esure offers some top travel insurance tips:

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, such as esure, will offer family deals where kids can travel for free10 and take both price and the quality of cover into account when choosing a policy.

Buy annual rather than single trip cover:
If you go away more than twice each year then consider an annual policy. It makes sure you're covered not just for your main holiday but also for short trips and weekend breaks away - even within the UK, such as a caravanning holiday where there has been a surge in popularity recently.

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 £5,000 towards the cost of your holiday if the main policyholder is made redundant, or if a travelling companion, cohabiting spouse or partner are made redundant.

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. One in ten (10 per cent) Brits11 polled wrongly believe that all travel insurance policies cover adventurous activities as standard and could leave themselves liable to a hefty bill in the event of an accident. Bungee jumping, scuba-diving and jet-skiing are popular holiday activities but always check the small print to make sure you're adequately covered or whether any restrictions apply.

Don't rely on your European Health Insurance Card:
If you're travelling to European Union, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles you to the same level of treatment as locals/residents - but don't see it as an alternative to buying comprehensive travel insurance.

Don't get covered at the last minute:
Although you can buy travel insurance cover a matter of minutes before stepping onto a plane, make sure you take out cover as soon as you make your holiday booking in case you're forced to cancel your trip in the event of illness, jury duty or a family bereavement.

Flight delays are common - so check the cover offered:
In the event of a flight delay, esure travel insurance will pay up to £30 after the first full 12 hours delay, and £20 for each 12 hours delay thereafter (up to a maximum of £250). You can choose to cancel your trip after 12 hours and esure travel insurance will cover the costs up to £5000.

Read insurance policy small print before you buy:
Check limits, restrictions and exclusions to make sure you have ample cover - especially to cover medical bills.

Take documentation with you just in case:
If you become injured and need to make a claim it will be more convenient if you have your insurance policy information and contact details to hand to speed up the process.

Don't take too much cash with you:
If you're thinking of taking just cash with you, rather than using your card to avoid paying hefty fees for taking out money from the hole in the wall whilst you're abroad, then make sure you check your limits as some insurers will only cover you up to a certain amount12.

-ends-

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:

  1. esure used the independent online research company FlyResearch who surveyed 1,000 of the UK's adults, from across the country aged 18 and over, on 30th January to the 2nd February 2009
  2. Consumer Credit Act 1974
  3. 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 www.icmresearch.co.uk
  4. Internal stats – esure travel insurance.
  5. Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  6. 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.
  7. Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Tropical cyclones
  8. Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Travelling and living overseas
  9. Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  10. With esure kids go free – parents can add their children onto their policy free of charge, terms and conditions apply
  11. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1008 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 16th - 18th May 2008. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
  12. esure will cover you for the accidental loss or theft of your personal money up to £500 of which cash is £300.

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.