New drive against sickness scams

MINISTERS are planning a crackdown on fake holiday sickness insurance claims.

Overall there was a 500 per cent increase in holiday sickness claims between 2013 and 2016, says the Association of British Travel Agents. Bogus claims are thought to be costing the travel industry up to £240million, pushing up holiday prices.

Yesterday justice minister Dominic Raab launched a review of the scams and urged industry bosses and experts to come forward with evidence on the scale of the problem. He said: ‘Bogus claims against tour operators risk driving up the price of summer holidays abroad. We’re taking action to deter these claims and protect holidaymakers from being ripped off.’

The problem has been fuelled by touts working in European resorts who urge holidaymakers to make bogus claims.

It is very difficult to prove food poisoning claims are false, and often holiday firms do not contest claims worth thousands of pounds. In some Spanish resorts the increase in claims is put at 700 per cent since 2013. The typical payout is £2,000.