Read on for the latest UK travel insurance news, c/o our friends at UK Insurance Index.
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Travel insurance get-out clause under scrutiny (01/07/2012)
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There's been a 50% rise in complaints about travel insurers changing policies after they've begun.
The problem, reported by consumer group Which?, involves cases where policyholders have developed a medical condition for the first time after starting a policy but before going on holiday.
Around one in three people in such situations who informed their insurers of such a development say they were ...
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Holiday medical treatment costs a fortune (08/15/2011)
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The average cost of medical bills for Brits taken ill or injured abroad has reached dramatic levels, prompting warnings that travel insurance is more important than ever.
Sainsbury's Travel Insurance revealed details of claims made by customers for medical treatment in 10 popular holiday destinations, with the average claim being £1,333. There was some significant variation: while the average claim in ...
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Brits risking costly mini breaks by skipping travel insurance (04/08/2011)
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British holidaymakers are taking unnecessary risks by travelling abroad for short breaks without adequate insurance, a survey suggested this week.
Insurance firm Protect Your Bubble found that 84% of people take out travel insurance for trips of a week or more, but just 48% do so on a European "minibreak."
When those who didn't take out insurance for short trips were asked to explain why, ...
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Travel operator bankruptcy cover to be expanded (02/04/2011)
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The government is planning a major expansion in the protection offered to travelers when companies go bankrupt.
At the moment, a scheme known as Air Travel Organiser's Licensing (ATOL) covers travellers who book package holidays: that is, the accommodation and flight are bought from the same operator. If such companies go bankrupt, the scheme pays a full refund to people yet to travel, and covers the cost of a flight home to those already abroad. The scheme is funded by a £2.50 ...
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Travel insurance price hikes may be imminent (12/03/2010)
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Travel insurance premiums may rise rapidly next year if rumours from the industry are correct.
There are predictions that cheaper policies may rise by as much as 40%, while Axa travel insurance has confirmed that an increase of at least 10% is imminent.
At least three factors are contributing to the expected increases: a growing level of fraud increasing insurer costs; a rise in the tax on travel ...
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First snow brings flurry of winter travel insurance advice (11/26/2010)
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned that 31% of Brits going on winter sports holidays do so without adequate travel insurance.
Officials gave examples of potential costs from suffering an accident abroad while uninsured, ranging from £6,400 for a broken bone in France to £23,000 for a spinal fracture in South America.
The FCO also highlighted some common myths ...
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Post Office voted Best Travel Insurance Provider (11/08/2010)
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The Post Office has won the award for Best Travel Insurance Provider at the 2010 British Travel Awards.
The annual gala awards night took place on 4th November in London where the Post Office beat competition from Insure and Go and Lloyds TSB to take the accolade for the fifth year which is voted for by the British public.
The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK created to ...
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Travel Insurance now required for holiday's in the Channel Islands (08/13/2010)
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Holidaymakers are being reminded that they will need travel insurance if they visit the Channel Islands. The destination is no longer covered by a longstanding agreement with the British government.
The Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom, but rather are a crown dependency. This means that they belong to the Queen, but have their own legal powers.
Until last year, there was a reciprocal ...
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Travel insurance compulsory for Cuba visitors (04/30/2010)
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The Cuban government has announced that travel insurance will be mandatory for all foreign tourists from 1 May.
Originally the country's government had said only policies from a list of approved providers would be acceptable. No such list has been published yet, despite requests, and it looks as if officials have now dropped the idea of an approved list.
Instead it appears any policy will be acceptable, as long as it covers the entire duration and includes coverage for an air ...
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Volcanic ash fallout creates interest in premium travel insurance cover (04/23/2010)
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One price comparison website is reporting that the aftermath of the volcanic ash clouds from Iceland has not only led to more interest in taking out travel insurance, but has prompted more people to consider so-called "premium policies".
That name doesn't refer to the money paid by the policyholder, but rather the level of cover taken out and the type of optional extras added to the policy. These include cover for delays, both in terms of compensation for lost holiday and in ...
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Volcano chaos sparks travel insurance queries (04/17/2010)
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The closure of all British airspace over safety fears after volcanic ash drifted over Britain has left passengers consulting their travel insurance policies.
European laws require airlines to offer customers a full refund or a transfer to a new flight after such a cancellation. They are also required to offer some meals or refreshments in the event of a lengthy delay.
However, some associated costs are not the responsibility of airlines and instead fall to travel insurance. ...
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Post Office travel insurance voted best provider (11/12/2008)
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The Post Office's travel money and insurance services have both claimed top placings at the 2008 British Travel Awards.
The Post Office bureau de change service won Best Foreign Exchange Company beating competition from several competitors. The Post Office was also voted Best Travel Insurance Company for the third year in a row.
More than 90,000 votes were cast by consumers and industry professionals across a range of categories at the awards, ...
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Saga travel insurance critical of insurers penalising T5 passengers (04/17/2008)
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Following the numerous baggage handling problems at Heathrow's terminal 5, some travel insurers have introduced exclusions on their policies which prevent claims for lost baggage from passengers travelling via T5.
Insurers including Churchill and Direct Line have confirmed that they will exclude cover for lost baggage and delays on new policies. However, not all insurers are following suit with
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Check your travel cover to avoid baggage crisis (08/25/2007)
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In a response to a growing number of claims for lost baggage compounded by recent security restrictions, the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is urging travellers to check their insurance to ensure any valuables checked into the hold of a plane are properly covered.
This highlights the problem that many travel insurance policies do not cover valuables which are checked into the hold, and will often stipulate that you keep them under your control in your hand luggage or ...
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One in five risk holidays without travel insurance (08/15/2007)
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A new survey by Moneysupermarket insurance has revealed that too many UK holidaymakers are prepared to risk travelling without buying travel insurance.
With so many destinations available at the click of a mouse and cheap internet deals easy to come by, it appears that many are neglecting to protect themselves and their belongings against the most common holiday emergencies. ...
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Free missing child cover on Insure and Go travel insurance (08/07/2007)
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UK specialist insurer, Insure and Go Travel Insurance has announced that it is to include free missing child cover as standard on all it's policies.
Policies will be extended to cover all children up to the age of 18 who have been missing for more than 24 hours after an initial report to the police and will pay out a maximum of £110,000 to cover the cost of accommodation, ...
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Post Office cuts the cost of travel insurance (07/24/2007)
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The Post Office travel insurance has announced summer special discounts on its range of policies.
Premiums for annual travel multi-trip policies will be cut by £10 per person and single trip policies for six days or more will be reduced by £5 per person from 2nd July until 31st August 2007.
The discounts, which are available on European and Worldwide travel, are intended to encourage more travelers to take out adequate cover for their holiday this summer. Figures ...
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