Gappers face more risk in London than abroad

A survey of 1,118 parents whose children are taking a gap year in 2008 has revealed some surprising statistics. The survey, commissioned by ACE European Group Limited, the specialist gap year insurers, revealed that the majority of parents worry more about their children travelling at night in London than on their gap years abroad.

Ges Lonsdale, European e-Commerce Business Development Manager for ACE, comments:

“It’s worrying that over half of some 1,200 parents we questioned felt their children are safer abroad than in our capital city, especially when the same parents agree that their biggest fear for their children is being attacked abroad.”

55% of parents questioned in the ACE survey said their biggest fear was their son or daughter being mugged or attacked on their gap year abroad, while 43% stated that ‘naivety’ was most likely to make gappers targets overseas.

Ges continues:

“It’s a sad fact that theft and assault are common abroad and parents should not underestimate the need for gappers to protect themselves against all eventualities. The problems young travellers run into abroad are worsened by language barriers, a misunderstanding of the country’s legal or medical system, and a lack of representation and advice.

When you’re in a sticky situation thousands of miles from home, you’ll be grateful for a comprehensive insurance package that helps with all these difficulties.”

ACE Traveller Insurance has been created specifically for gap years and backpacking, and offers competitively priced insurance, round-the-clock multi-lingual medical assistance, and cover for search and rescue. ACE Traveller policyholders and their families also get free fax or email safety briefings, free SMS alerts on any incident that might threaten travellers’ safety, and a 24/7 local rate number for expert advice and guidance.

Critical policy information is at your fingertips when you need it abroad, as policy details and important contact numbers arrive by email and SMS as soon as the policy is purchased.

Ges concludes;

“Feeling unsafe at night in our own cities comes from an awareness and understanding of risk that prompts us to act with caution. I would advise parents to act with the same caution when a child travels abroad, and choose a travel insurance policy that helps to reduce risks, takes control when things go wrong, keeps them informed, and pays out when they need it.”

For more information, visit Acetravellerinsurance.com.