Travel insurance: Backpackers warned over insurance apathy

Wednesday, 24 May 2006

Younger travellers are more likely to take 'short cuts' on their finances when planning to go travelling, with many neglecting vital travel insurance.

Thousands of young people go travelling and backpacking around the world every year, often straight out of school or university.

However, this means most also have to rely on the cheapest mode of transport, the cheapest lodgings and food and the cheapest financial cover – which means many often fail to take out adequate travel insurance as a result.

Even travellers heading on a short break are neglecting their travel insurance, as a Post Office survey estimates some 1.5 million 18 to 24-year-olds will head abroad for a short break this year.

And one in four of these will not have taken out insurance, according to the survey.

However, older travellers are more cautious, with just 12 per cent of 45 to 54-year-olds travelling uninsured.

"Whether you are going away for a couple of days or a fortnight's holiday, you are just as susceptible to theft, loss or accidents," warned Hugh Stacey, head of travel services at the Post Office.

"Get adequate travel insurance before you fly and make your short break a safe one."

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