Short breakers neglecting travel insurance

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Thu, 28 Oct 04

More than half of all people who will take a short foreign break this winter will do so without travel insurance, according to new research.

A survey by the Post Office found that around 54 per cent of all holidaymakers will choose not to take out insurance for a long weekend overseas compared to just under a quarter (24 per cent) for a two-week break during a summer holiday.

Three-quarters of shortbreakers believed it would be cheaper than a two-week holiday, though the research found people actually spent more on a short break than they did on a main holiday, the Scotsman newspaper reports.

Hugh Stacey, head of travel services at Post Office, said: "UK travellers have the perception that a short break carries less risk and therefore they are less likely to get themselves insured compared to a longer holiday.

"As a result, what holidaymakers believe to be a low-cost getaway can in fact end up costing them thousands of pounds in additional costs to cover theft, lost belongings or even medical costs.

"Our research shows there is a care-free attitude towards shorter holidays and that Travel Insurance for a short break is perceived as an expensive and unnecessary requirement.

"This can prove to be such a false economy."

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