Travel insurance firm reports sales way beyond pre-pandemic levels

Travel Insurance firm Staysure has reported a 396% rise in bookings during February compared to before Covid.

The company said the “staggering” uptick showed the demand for holidays was exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

It also reported an “overwhelming” 776% increase in calls received during the same time, “clearly suggesting that the impact of Omicron on consumer confidence is drifting” and the relaxation of restrictions is giving the travel industry “a much-needed boost”.

Staysure, which specialises in cover for the over 50s and holidaymakers with underlying health issues, is creating 200 new positions in its operations team to cope with demand, with a further 100 staff members by the end of March.

Chief executive Ryan Howsam said: “We are delighted to see these levels of traffic to both our website and call centre, and them converting into bookings.

“It means that consumers really are keen for that getaway but at the same time they’re safe in the knowledge that their travel insurance will cover them if anything changes suddenly.

“The fact that in the process we can give something back to the community by creating jobs to meet demand is good news all round.”

Staysure said its bookings data showed destinations including the UAE, Barbados, Egypt, Mexico, and Switzerland were in demand.

It also reported a 19% increase in insurance bookings for Australia in February compared to January.

“Sunny days across the globe are evidently on the horizon,” said Howsam. “Whether it’s the ‘Silver Surfers’ looking to splash the cash, the ‘Empty Nesters’ taking full advantage of not being tied to school holidays or families looking to lock in their Easter and Summer holiday plans, holidaymakers really want to escape from home ground.

“Hopefully, with less stringent testing rules and simpler Passenger Locator Forms imminent this will drive consumer confidence even higher.”