Insurance is essential if you take a holiday
MORE than half of us reckon that we are waiting to see how pandemic restrictions develop in the first part of this year before making a decision on our holiday plans, according to a survey by AA Travel Insurance. The other half of us are less cautious since the poll also reveals that more than 20 per cent of those questioned have already booked a holiday for this year, with one in 10 heading overseas while the same percentage said they would stay in the UK. A further 20 per cent said they were actively considering a holiday in 2021 with domestic trips being slightly more popular than international travel, although both figures were hovering either side of 10 percent so there wasn’t much in it. Although a fairly high percentage of consumers seem keen to travel, nearly 15 per cent said they will not have a break this year. The AA, as you would expect, were keen to point out that this year more than any other it’s vital that we buy travel insurance as soon as we book that long-awaited holiday. Cancellation due to Covid restrictions is most likely to be covered either by travel providers, ATOL or the credit card that is used to buy the holiday. But for all other reasons for cancellation such as personal injury, bereavement, or to cover your valuables and cash, travel insurance can serve as a safety net, and you really shouldn’t travel without it this year.
David Coughlan, managing director for AA insurance services, said: “Travel and tourism has been one of the worst hit sectors throughout the pandemic.
“However there are reasons to be optimistic should the mass roll-out of a vaccine prove successful.
“The chance to spread the wings is captivating, and the series of lockdowns has only strengthened peoples’ desire to explore and travel.
“Dreams of sun-drenched beaches and palm trees hold just as much desire as the opportunity to enjoy the British coast and major cities.
“We have always been an inquisitive nation and our natural inclination to discover new places and customs has only heightened during the Covid crisis.”