Cash-strapped holidaymakers who opt to save money by spending their vacations in the UK instead of abroad are being urged not to overlook travel cover. Although the number of Brits planning to spend their holidays in the UK this year is booming, travel insurance providers say there has been no corresponding increase in the number of policies taken out for UK travel, prompting concerns that travellers are forgoing insurance simply because they do not think it is relevant if they are staying in the country.
The insurance price comparison website Confused.com said only 2% of all travel quotes sought via its portal were for customers looking for UK cover. "The number of UK insurance policies sold is dwarfed by that of European and worldwide policies, and in our experience fewer people shop around for UK cover," said Steve Williams, head of travel insurance at Confused. "But travel insurance should be seen as a vital part of any holiday you are planning, whether it be in the UK or further afield."
Although Brits do not need travel insurance to cover them for medical emergencies in the UK, it is recommended in case of cancellations or curtailment, which could leave holidaymakers with lost deposits and reservation fees, or hefty cancellation charges. However, Williams said holidaymakers should be careful to avoid doubling up on insurance they already have – items taken on holiday may already be covered by home insurance policies, while people with annual global or European travel cover will automatically be covered for trips in the UK.
Direct Travel Insurance said the most common reasons for cancelling holidays were redundancy, family illness or jury service. Last year, more than 150 claims relating to holidays taken in the UK were made by its policyholders, with an average of £1,074 being claimed for cancellations. Hoburne Holiday Parks, which has seven holiday parks in the UK, has seen its bookings rise by more than a third compared with this time last year. The company offers its customers an optional holiday cancellation scheme for its family lodges, which can cost more than £1,000 during peak times. Under the scheme, the company will waive its contractual rights if customers are forced to cancel a holiday.
news source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/
According to a report filed by e-tid.com, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) introduced new rules on 1 January requiring the sale of connected travel insurance to be conducted by authorised or exempt companies only. The new regulation means consumers can no longer buy insurance as part of a holiday package unless their agent, tour operator or online retailer acts as the Appointed Representative (AR) of an insurer or insurance broker.
Ben Smart, UK sales director for Mondial Assistance, said: “Offering travel insurance to customers allows travel agents and companies to deliver added benefits as well as enable them to reap the rewards of ancillary revenue. The new regulations made it imperative for us to act quickly to maintain this revenue stream for our clients and help them provide an uninterrupted level of service to their consumers.”
Towards the end of 2008, Mondial Assistance won a new contract with leisure travel group, TUI Travel UK & Ireland, to provide a complete travel insurance solution. It was shared that Mondial will provide underwriting capacity for both the UK and Ireland through its insurance arm: Elvia Travel Insurance International. In addition, Mondial will provide claims management and international medical assistance for travellers. In-branch sales and compliance training will be delivered in partnership with Citybond Suretravel, who will also act as the medical screening provider for the contract.
Travel companies, for instance airlines in the US, are increasingly looking at a la carte pricing. It is being said that already airlines in other regions of the world are taking notice of what the US network carriers are doing.
news source : http://www.m-travel.com/news/
The industry needs to present customers with better options when it comes to travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions. That is according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba), the UK's largest insurance trade association. It told the Daily Mail that a solution to the difficulties patients face when taking out holiday insurance is long overdue.
Graeme Trudgill, a spokesman for the association, suggested that it wants insurers to recruit and train staff that are more compassionate to the needs of people suffering from conditions such as cancer or heart disease. "We're also working with the government on an Equality Bill aimed at ensuring a fair system of risk-based pricing which reflects an individual's likelihood of needing treatment abroad," he added to the newspaper.
Research from cancer charity Macmillan suggests that two in five (39 per cent) people affected by cancer receive higher quotes from their travel insurance providers, while many say that they have been refused for cover altogether.
news source : http://www.world-first.co.uk/
Brits take more than 50 million domestic holidays a year, even though many of them do not take out adequate travel insurance, Sainsbury's Finance has warned. According to the holiday insurance provider, nearly seven million people (15 per cent of adults) have never holidayed abroad, while £10.9 billion is spent on British tourism every year.
However, travel insurance appears to make up a small proportion of holiday spending money for Brits staying within the UK, even though they are at risk from many of the same things as overseas holidaymakers. Sainsbury's explained that domestic travellers would receive NHS cover anywhere in the country but would be forced to pay for their own repatriation if holidaying without cover.
They would also be unable to claim for accommodation cancellations due to illness, internal flight delays or lost or stolen luggage. Meanwhile, people taking long-haul trips to faraway lands have been encouraged by ABTA, the Travel Association, to ensure they are fully vaccinated against common local diseases before travelling.
news source : http://www.world-first.co.uk
As the credit crunch hits Britain harder it has been revealed that nearly a quarter of British travellers are no longer keen on taking out travel insurance before heading off abroad. According to the study from American Express many of the travellers, who try to escape the tough times in the country by going on holiday, only search for last minute holiday deals.
The insurance firm reminded that by not having a valid travel cover with them while abroad, such travellers are putting themselves at risk. It also explained that medical issues, flight cancellation or the loss of or damage to luggage could suddenly occur and be followed by huge costs, which may have to be paid for from the travellers’ own pocket if they are not covered. Head of American Express Insurance Services, Chris Rolland said people who have adequate insurance cover stand to enjoy their holidays, home or abroad, as they are rest assured that they are fully protected in the event of any eventuality.
news source : http://www.onlyfinance.com/
MedicAlert and insurance broker Heath Lambert have partnered to offer a range of specialist insurance products for people living with medical conditions, disabilities and allergies. People with these pre-existing medical conditions often find it difficult to get personal insurance policies, such as travel insurance. The new range of insurance, available as part of Heath Lambert’s Unique Insurance Services, means people with medical conditions will be able to buy travel, life, home, motor and pet insurance and pension annuities from a specialist provider.
The insurance cover will be comprehensive and be offered at a competitive price. MedicAlert is a registered charity and MedicAlert members wear a bracelet or necklace containg vital contact and medical information. Full details of the medical condition are then held by MedicAlert’s emergency response service and these can be accessed by healthcare professionals in case of an emergency. At no additional cost to the purchaser, a donation will be made to MedicAlert. This insurance cover is available for those suffering with the medical condition, their families and carers as well as supporters of MedicAlert.
news source : http://www.moneyhighstreet.com/finance-news
Following a report that nearly 60% of British travellers are unaware of ESTA - the compulsory, new US visa requirement - EssentialTravel.co.uk today cautions that any traveller denied entry into the US, because they lack the necessary travel documents, will not be covered by their travel insurance.
As of now, anyone travelling to the US under their visa waiver scheme, must register online for the new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), at least 72 hours before they go. Any traveller who has not been pre-approved under the ESTA scheme, will almost certainly be prevented from boarding their flight in the UK, or be denied access into the USA by Customs officials upon arrival.
“Sadly ignorance is no excuse”, says Stuart Bensusan, Insurance Director at EssentialTravel.co.uk. “We don’t expect US Immigration officials are going to be lenient to anyone who turns up without the necessary clearance. And anyone who forfeits their holiday - flight, accommodation, cruise etc… - because they don’t have an ESTA, won’t be able to claim on their travel insurance: it’s their responsibility to secure the necessary travel documentation.’’
Stuart Bensusan urges anyone lucky enough to be travelling to Washington to witness Barack Obama’s historic inauguration ceremony next Tuesday (20th January), or any part of the US in the foreseeable future, to apply for an ESTA immediately at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
news source : http://www.easier.com
AN Isle of Man family's dream ski holiday hit the skids after a visa fiasco. John Middlemas's Columbian partner Luz Garcia and daughter Oriana, 14, had never seen snow before and were looking forward to a week's skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland. But their holiday plans were dashed when they checked in at Ronaldsway Airport on December 20 to be told that Luz and Oriana now required a visitor visa to enter Switzerland and so they could not board their Flybe flight. Computer programmer John, 54, said from the family's home in Spaldrick Avenue, Port Erin: 'The law was changed on December 12 without proper notice so that Schengen visas would now be required for entry to Switzerland.
'My partner and daughter are alien British residents and no visa was required when I checked the continental.com airline website page on November 27 when I booked the holiday myself. 'I was not aware of any change in the law. Therefore there was nothing I could have done and we lost our holiday. 'I phoned the Swiss Embassy and they are getting calls every day from other people who also lost their holiday.' The European Union decision to change to Schengen visas was only taken on November 28, giving just 15 days' notice. Mr Middlemas added: 'It is ridiculous! They could have given three months' notice and made the changeover after the ski season. It defies common sense.'
He said he could have lost £3,000, which will not be covered by his travel insurance and he now plans to seek compensation from the Swiss government and the EU – but conceded: 'It is doubtful they will pay. 'My holiday insurance policy does not cover visa related problems even though I made no mistake. Flybe will not refund the flight money. The Swiss train service will not refund the Swiss Transfer Tickets I bought. My approximate loss may be £3,000 depending if the hotel debits my credit card as they said they would due to late cancellation. 'Worse than any monetary loss is the loss of the holiday since my partner and daughter have never seen the snow and we were all looking forward to it. I personally feel like I have suffered a robbery or a trauma.
'The experience at airport check in was extremely stressful since I did not believe the airport staff were correct in their refusal since I saw only a few weeks ago that no visa was required. 'I believe the 15 days' notice of changeover to be an extremely irresponsible action causing many people to suffer. 'When the decision was finalised the Swiss Embassy could have told all UK airlines to contact all customers travelling to Switzerland about this. Then we could have cancelled early or got a visa. I am afraid this looks like negligence on their part to me.' Schengen allows non EU nationals who do not fall under the European visa waiver programme to travel on the Continent with one visa. The UK is not part of the agreement.Ruth Zumbuhl, consul at the Swiss Embassy in London said notification of the proposed changes to the visa regulations was posted on the consular website in mid October and advice to check the website had been given as far back at June. She said visas were issued free of charge from mid-November until December 11 and 1,000 people had chosen to take this up.Schengen visas were issued from December 15 and anybody turned back from the airport from that date could have a visa issued to them by the embassy within a few hours if they were able to do so, Ms Zumbuhl added. She said: 'We had some doubts about the exact date when Schengen would be implemented. It is unfortunate that it was just before Christmas.
'But it was not in our hands. We did our utmost to inform people and help them. At the end of the day, the final responsibility for obtaining up-to-date information on immigration rules rests with the traveller and the travel agent.' She advised Mr Middlemas to make a claim with the travel agents he had booked with but also gave an address that disappointed travellers could write to with their complaints – Federal Office for Immigration, Visa Section, Quellenweg 6, CH3003, Berne-Wabern, Switzerland.
news source : http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news
Cash-strapped holidaymakers who opt to save money by spending their vacations in the UK instead of abroad are being urged not to overlook travel cover. Although the number of Brits planning to spend their holidays in the UK this year is booming, travel insurance providers say there has been no corresponding increase in the number of policies taken out for UK travel, prompting concerns that travellers are forgoing insurance simply because they do not think it is relevant if they are staying in the country.
