Travel insurance importance highlighted

TRAVEL INSURANCE IMPORTANCE HIGHLIGHTED

Holiday mishaps cost British holidaymakers £361 million this summer, according to figures from Churchill.

The firm's Holiday Hell list highlights the need for comprehensive travel insurance, and features mishaps such as the loss or theft of personal items and cash; injury or illness; airline delays and holiday cancellations.

The survey also revealed that events such as these disrupted approximately 750,000 holidaymakers over the three months from June to August.

Churchill's head of travel insurance, Mike Ketteringham, said: "Unfortunately, accidents and loss of personal belongings are part and parcel of holidays. Whether they are for broken bones, faulty aircraft or lost passports, holiday claims are often costly and stressful.

"We advise travellers to shop around for quality travel insurance before they take their holiday. Levels of cover and price vary hugely so its important that time is taken to find the right travel policy. "

With the average claim for loss of personal items topping £453, and 182,000 travellers needing treatment over the summer the data suggests that anyone taking an Autumn break should heed Mr Ketteringham's advise.

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