More travel insurance policies on the market

There are more travel insurance policies on the market now than there were a year ago, new research has found.According to independent financial research company Defaqto, there are 9.5 per cent more travel insurance policies available to UK holidaymakers now than there were in 2009.

The survey found that there are now 1,018 different options for cover, compared with 930 last year.

However, the firm noted that there are only 44 separate organisations or partnerships that underwrite the policies.

Defaqto also carried out research into travel insurance for families which found that more than one quarter of policies do not cover children that do not usually live with the main policy holder.

Brian Brown, head of research at the organisation, explained: “If you take children on holiday with you and they normally live with an ex-partner they might not be covered. Insurers only consider them as family if they permanently live at your address.”

He recommended that parents check their policy documents thoroughly before they head off on their holidays.

Written by Anthony Nicholson