More than half of UK travellers taking a short break overseas this school half-term will fail to take out insurance.
The finding comes from a survey by Post Office travel services, which also found that more than three quarters don’t think insurance is necessary for a few days way.
This compares with less than a quarter who fail to take out cover when taking a two-week summer holiday.
Post Office head of travel services Hugh Stacey 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 that 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.”
The findings showed that:
*78% don’t think insurance is needed for a few days away
*77% of people believe a short break is low risk
*62% think short break cover will be too expensive
*38% didn’t know specific short break cover exists
*52% think the E111 form will provide enough cover
Report by Phil Davies
