Holidaymakers taking the risk of travelling without the insurance they need are among the most likely to opt for adrenaline-fuelled experiences during their holidays abroad. Three in four (76%) people who would choose not to disclose their full medical information to their travel insurance provider are also interested in extreme holiday experiences like bungee-jumping – according to new research from AllClear Travel Insurance.
AllClear’s poll found that the number of people compounding the risk of extreme experiences with a lack of travel insurance is growing, up from 71% last year. The number of people with medical conditions who are keen to enjoy an activity or adventure holiday abroad sat above the national average (71%) and well above the figure for people aged over 55 (46%).
Many people with medical conditions are keen to ‘seize the moment’ and turn their holiday into an adventure, but with adrenaline and enjoyment comes the risk of expensive medical costs abroad. With wildfires and global unrest affecting holidays this year, travelling without insurance is already risky, but rising medical costs in many overseas countries can mean that the sums associated with medical attention or repatriation can be eye-watering, making travel insurance which includes good medical cover essential.
Among the holiday experiences chosen by those who are likely to cut corners with their travel insurance, animal experiences such as swimming with dolphins (chosen by 28% of those surveyed) and safari (18%) were favourites, alongside cross-country road trips (30%) and cross-continental rail journeys (14%). Extreme sports such as water skiing (12%) and bungee jumping (10%) were also popular.
At a time when 55% of brits are opting for short-haul holidays, many might assume that people who risk travelling without insurance might be doing so because they feel they are taking relatively ‘low-risk’ trips (which they feel they can quickly return from if needed), but AllClear’s latest data shows that in reality, those who roll the dice by travelling without insurance often compound that risk by choosing to engage with activities that could potentially jeopardise their physical safety.
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “ People understandably want to get as much value out of their holiday as possible, but sacrificing comprehensive medical travel insurance should not be seen as a cost-saving measure – especially for those more likely to have higher risk holidays abroad.
“Travel insurance is a vital safety net . People tend to only realise the value of comprehensive travel cover when something goes wrong. AllClear understands the need to cut holiday costs where you can, but not where it counts. Saving money on the wrong things can end up costing you more in the long run: without the protection of travel insurance, the significant and rising cost of medical treatment in some countries abroad could cost people their home. It is also vital to check your policy to see exactly what experiences are covered ”
