New airline failure cover from Saga Travel Insurance

It has been a turbulent year for travellers with the failure of several high-profile airlines and who can tell what dramas 2009 will bring.

Whilst those whose flights come as part of a package holiday are protected - the independent traveller who has booked their flights direct have most to fear as they can be left high and dry if their airline flops.

A growing number of older people travel independently. Saga Travel Insurance has protected some 2 million holidays since its inception and the breadth of cover has developed over the years in response to holiday trends and customer feedback. It was following such feedback from our intrepid over 50s customers that Saga Travel Insurance has introduced extra protection covering scheduled airline failure.

Unlike some other insurers who may offer this cover as a paid for add-on to their standard policies, Saga has included this as standard.

In the event of the scheduled airline with whom you are travelling going into administration, the new cover provides up to £1,500 for each insured person, for the costs of flights paid in advance, or the cost of return flights to the UK.

This cover comes into effect for new Single Trip and Annual policies purchased from the 2nd January 2009, and Annual Travel renewals from the 25th January 2009.

Paul Green, Head of Communications, Saga Group said: "In today's uncertain economic climate the savvy independent traveller needs to check if their insurance covers airline failure if they want to travel with confidence in 2009."