Holidaymakers are urged to not “cut corners” when insuring travel

Travellers are being urged to ensure they do not leave themselves underinsured in an attempt to make cutbacks on their spending, an industry association has stressed.

Travellers are being urged to ensure they do not leave themselves underinsured in an attempt to make cutbacks on their spending, an industry association has stressed.

“We are concerned that, with the economic downturn, people are going to cut corners on their insurances,” said Steve Foulsham, technical services manager at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.

However, he urged travellers that this was not a good idea if money is tight as if people encounter a situation where they would need to claim, then the situation would be made even worse if they did not have a policy or the adequate level of cover.

The most sensible option would be to seek advice about taking out insurance, he continued, as then holidaymakers can ensure they have the right level of protection for their holidays and can make sure they are not paying out for any options that they do not need.

Figures from InsureandGo published in June revealed some 20,000 travel insurance claims were made by people on holiday in South Africa during 2008 – totalling £5.51 million in costs.