Travel insurance is for Christmas too

A new survey has revealed that a quarter of Brits are planning to "get away from it all" this Christmas.  However, almost a third of those who are going abroad say they do not plan to take out travel insurance.

The survey, conducted by comparison website Gocompare.com revealed that 39 per cent of Christmas travellers say they are going on holiday to avoid spending the festive period with their relatives, while one in ten have chosen a Christmas break because it is cheaper than having a big Christmas at home.

Almost half of all Christmas travellers will be setting off on either Thursday 23 December or on Christmas Eve.  More than 56 per cent of breaks will be for three days or less, but a fifth of travellers will be away for a week or more.

While 37 per cent of travellers will head for a cottage or hotel break in the UK, 54 per cent will holiday abroad.  The most popular foreign destinations include Europe (32 per cent), the USA (eight per cent), Australia and New Zealand (five per cent).

But despite the recent big freeze and the disruption caused by strikes and airline or travel company failures, thirty per cent of those going abroad do not plan to buy travel insurance to cover their festive holiday.

Jeremy Cryer, head of travel insurance for Gocompare.com commented, "Christmas can be a stressful time for many of us and a short break might look like an ideal solution to dodging dinner with the in-laws or a big family get together.  But, your Christmas escape could turn into an expensive disaster if you don't have any travel insurance.  

"Travel insurance gives you financial protection against a large number of risks, ranging from medical expenses, lost or delayed baggage, to cancellation and curtailment of your trip.

"Foreign travel is far more routine for lots of people these days and as a result there is a greater tendency to overlook travel insurance for short breaks abroad.  However, regardless of how many days you are away, if you are passing through an airport and likely to be out of the country for any length of time, you run the risk of delays, cancellation or worse.  Mishaps and unforeseen events don't just happen on standard two week Summer holidays.  Anyone planning to travel abroad this Christmas should make sure they have adequate travel insurance before heading off."