How to choose the right cover for your holiday

WITHOUT THE RIGHT INSURANCE, YOUR TRIP COULD TURN INTO A COSTLY AFFAIR, SAYS CAMILLA FOSTER

- CAMILLA FOSTER

MANY of us may be eager to book a last-minute spring holiday deal or plan a week-long summer getaway, but recent research indicates that a significant number of people are hesitant to fork out for the additional cost of travel insurance.

Aviva's latest How We Live report, conducted by Censuswide between November 8 and 15, 2024, surveyed 4,000 individuals aged 16 and over across the UK. The findings revealed that despite the risks of travelling abroad without sufficient cover, 11% of travellers still choose not to take out a policy before setting off.

Commenting on these statistics, Carolyn Scott, head of home and travel underwriting at Aviva said: “Travelling without insurance can leave people not knowing how to get assistance, and potentially facing significant medical bills in the event of illness or injury while overseas.

“Even before a trip starts, our figures show the average cost of cancelling a holiday is more than £900 if something unforeseen happens in the lead up.”

So, why is travel insurance essential, and how can you ensure you choose the best coverage for you?

What is travel insurance?

“Travel insurance provides financial protection against unforeseen circumstances while you are abroad,” explains Grant Winter, compliance expert at Good to go travel insurance.