Local MP Mark Pawsey today warned constituents about the dangers of travelling uninsured. In support of a campaign by ABTA – The Travel Association and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Mark is urging holidaymakers in Rugby to “pack your policy” ahead of the great summer getaway.
According to new research by ABTA – the Travel Association, many UK holidaymakers are unaware of the costs of medical treatment abroad and may be putting themselves at risk of sky high medical bills if something goes wrong. Over 1 in 10 (11%)1 of people in Rugby now travel abroad without insurance, despite the need for medical assistance being relatively common. According to ABTA research 14%2 of people from Rugby have visited a doctor or hospital while abroad.
Most at risk are younger travellers as almost half (48%)3 will have a holiday abroad without taking out travel insurance. Recently released FCO research has found that 4 out of 5 (82%)4 young people admit to taking part in more adventurous behaviour on holiday – yet fewer than half (45%) check that their insurance covers risky pursuits.
Mark said:
“We all look forward to our well-deserved summer holiday. However, it is very important that we make sure that when we do travel overseas, we are covered if something goes wrong.”
Mark concluded:
“Many countries do not have national schemes to cover the cost of healthcare and treatment abroad can therefore be very costly. It is just not worth taking the risk. That is why I am very happy to support this campaign. I urge all of my constituents to make sure you “pack your policy” this summer.”
ABTA has launched a new advice section on travel insurance for consumers. Visit www.abta.com/travelinsurance for full details.
Notes:
1. Consumer research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd (www.arkenford.co.uk) who specialise in tourism and leisure market research. The ABTA Consumer Trends survey generated response from a nationally representative sample of 2008 consumers using an online research methodology and related to holiday booking habits in the 12 months to September 2012. Fieldwork was conducted in September 2012.
2. Research conducted by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2016 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th June - 6th June 2013. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
3. Travellers aged 15-24, Arkenford September 2012
4. Survey conducted online by Censuswide. Total sample size was 1,690 UK Adults who have travelled abroad. Fieldwork was undertaken in May 2013
5. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Mark Simmonds provided the following quote with the launch of the campaign: “Many people travel abroad without insurance and that means if they are injured or fall ill it could be very expensive, it could even be a matter of life and death. Many don’t realise that the Government will not pay their medical bills abroad or pay for repatriation. I strongly urge everyone to take out comprehensive travel insurance so they can enjoy their holiday without risking their health or their savings.”
6. ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer provided the following quote with the launch of the campaign: “With the peak holiday season coming up and British tourists heading abroad, we urge holidaymakers to think about travel insurance and to pack their policy. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen and sometimes these accidents can lead to costly medical bills. It is just not worth taking the risk, when an average annual travel insurance policy costs less than £25.”
7. For further information from ABTA, please contact Daisy Parker, Media Relations Executive, tel: 020 3117 0531; Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987; E-mail: press@abta.co.uk; Web: www.abta.com; Twitter: @ABTAtravel