Travel insurance is vital for backpackers and those on gap years abroad, it has been suggested.
According to figures from EssentialTravel.co.uk, recent analysis of claims from customers who have purchased the firm’s Backpacker Travel Insurance policy indicated the number of claims has risen by 64.1 per cent year-on-year.
Most of these were for medical expenses, while the second most common was for personal effects, which includes personal items taken overseas or purchased on the trip, which are then accidentally lost, damaged or stolen.
The average for each claim also rose last year, from £77 per claim to close to £600 per incident and at the same time a 33 per cent rise for personal effects were seen.
It was found more than 50 per cent of claims originated in Asia and Australia and a spokeswoman for Essential Travel stated this was because of laxer regulations on dangerous sports in comparison with Europe and the US.
She said one of the most common – potentially costly claims – is riding a motorbike in Asian countries, which does not require people to wear protective clothing and is treated as a hazardous sport by insurers.
In addition to this people are carrying more high-value technology with them than ever before, with items such as mobile phones, iPods and laptops being seen as essential items for those on a gap year.
Stuart Bensusan, of EssentialTravel.co.uk, said: “It is unnerving, particularly for parents, to hear that claims from backpackers encountering mishaps abroad are on the rise, but it goes to show how important it is for them to take out adequate insurance before they leave.”
How important is cover?
Travellers rarely like to think of the worst case scenario before setting off on a trip, but they may be wise to do so, in order to provide them with peace of mind.
In recent times a number of holiday firms have collapsed highlighting the need for steps to be taken before jetting off from the UK.
However, a survey conducted by Protect Your Bubble, found that one-in-four British holidaymakers are still landing on foreign soil without proper insurance cover.
They noted the most frequent mishaps abroad include lost luggage, sunburn, injuries, food poisoning and theft of valuable possessions.
If travel insurance had been taken out, consumers would have been covered for all of them.
ABTA – The Travel Association advises Britons travelling abroad to keep a close eye on Foreign Office advice for their destination and suggests what they state in the Know Before You Go campaign should be followed.
As with any form of travelling it is impossible to make things 100 per cent safe, but those who take sensible precautions could be much less likely to find themselves in a dangerous situation.
Sean Tipton, a spokesperson for ABTA, said: “Backpackers and other people on gap year travel tend to be some of the most at risk of encountering problems while away. [This is] partly due to the amount of time that they are abroad, the destinations they travel to and the fact that they will often indulge in more risky activities such as adventure sports.”
However, figures indicate this group are among the most likely not to take out travel insurance, with many who are travelling on a budget regarding it as an unnecessary expenditure.
Tipton advised: “We would recommend, very, very strongly, that anybody leaving the country takes out travel insurance. Backpackers more than any other group of travellers.”
He added that if an uninsured person has an accident abroad they should bear in mind medical expenses in many countries are extremely high.
Those who need to be flown back to the UK in an air ambulance may wish to be aware it could cost £16,000 in Europe and up to £40,000 worldwide.
“If you are not insured, you will be liable for that expense,” Tipton warned.
To compare travel insurance policies from the leading UK providers visit our comparison section here.
Similar Posts:
- How to Choose International Travel Medical Insurance
- Renters Insurance A Budget Friendly Insurance Product
- Give yourself the best – Choose the right car insurance company
- AA report huge hike in car insurance costs
- Winning long term disability insurance claim is no guarantee of attorney fees
Post Comment