Survey finds a quarter of UK tourists do not bother with travel insurance

Research from the Post Office has shown that more than a quarter of British tourists (26%) do not bother taking out travel insurance.

In a poll of 2,000 Brits – conducted by Perspectus Global earlier this month – a quarter of those who said they didn’t take out travel insurance explained that it was too expensive, while 16% insisted they had never needed it. Meanwhile 15% said they were prepared to “take their chances” and save the cash – and 13% admit they never read their insurance documents and had no idea what they’re covered for.

The over-55s are more likely to put holiday insurance cover in place (83%) compared to just two-thirds of those aged 16 to 24.

The survey also asked about holiday plans and found that 77% of respondents are planning to travel somewhere new in the next 12 months.

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Paul Paddock, head of travel and protection insurance at Post Office, said: “With Brits intending to travel further and to new travel destinations, it’s essential to have holiday protection and ensure this is purchased at the right time so that you’re covered financially if things go wrong while you’re away, or even before you leave.

“It’s also important to check exactly what your travel insurance covers to avoid any nasty surprises.

“Not everything is included as standard. For example, trip disruption cover caused by extreme weather can often be added but for an additional premium – and sports travel insurance may not include activities like jet skiing.”

When asked about their travel bucket list, the top three replies from respondents were seeing the Northern Lights (44%); Niagara Falls (40%) and staying in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives (34%).

Other bucket list destinations included the Greek islands, the Amalfi coast in Italy, Times Square in New York, the Colosseum in Rome, the beaches of Bali, cherry blossom in Japan, the Grand Canyon and safaris in Kenya.

Almost two-thirds of those in Gen Z – aged 16 to 24 – are planning the trip of a lifetime, compared to a third of those aged more than 40.