ABTA warns of big rise in uninsured travel

More holidaymakers than ever before are travelling without insurance, according to ABTA, with almost a third saying it’s too expensive.

The Association said the number of uninsured travellers had risen from one in five in 2011 to almost one in four last year. For those taking holidays in the UK, the figure rises to 65%.

The number of people taking out annual cover has also fallen from 30% in 2011 to 23% last year.

Almost half of all 15 to 24 year olds travel without cover, with Londoners and those in the East of England and Northern Ireland the least likely to buy a policy.

Men are 8% less likely than women to take out insurance, said ABTA.

The number of travellers who think insurance is too expensive has increased sharply over the past year, from 20% in 2011 to 31%.

However, many are also unclear of the benefits of travel insurance with 16% incorrectly believing that it’s not necessary as the UK government will pay for treatment f they fall ill on holiday. 17% believe they’ll be covered by the European Health Insurance Card, but this doesn’t cover the cost of repatriation.

John de Vial, ABTA head of financial protection, said: "The increase in the number of people travelling uninsured is alarming. In these tough economic times holidaymakers may feel pressure to cut costs but travel insurance is an essential.

"We hear too many horror stories of people who have forked out huge sums of money or not got the right treatment because they’ve had an accident abroad and been uninsured."

Lynda St Cooke of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: "It is important that people understand what the FCO can and cannot do to help British nationals who get into trouble abroad.

"We cannot pay medical bills so it is vital that you have a comprehensive travel insurance package for trips overseas. We also advise reading the small-print to check that your policy covers you for everything you want to do on holiday.  If in doubt, contact your insurance provider."

All sales of insurance by travel agents have been regulated by the Financial Services Authority since 2007 with many travel agents consequently choosing not to sell insurance due to the high costs and extra bureaucracy of regulation, said ABTA.

Travel agents now account for less than 17% of sales of travel insurance.

ABTA claimed that an unintentional consequence of FSA regulation would be an increase of uninsured travellers and has called on the Government to reverse FSA regulation as part of its war on red tape.