Tripping abroad 'with no insurance'

04/10/11

By Chris Gibbings

Up to 20 per cent of holidaymakers are heading abroad with no travel insurance, with more than a quarter wrongly thinking the Government will cover their bills if necessary, a survey has discovered.

And the survey by travel organisation Abta also showed that just 44 per cent of travellers buy travel insurance for trips in the UK.

"It is very worrying that so many people are putting their health and finances at risk by travelling abroad without insurance," said Abta's financial protection chief, John de Vial.

Results for the survey of 2,018 consumers were released at the Abta annual convention in Palma, Majorca.

Safe and secure accommodation appeared to be the most important thing when booking a holiday, the survey of 2,018 consumers showed. Beach holidays and trips away the family are the most popular breaks, with city trips and travelling with a partner next in line.

The top rated trip for families was Spain, with the UK in second place, followed by the US, France, Greece and Italy.