Brits back travel insurance investigation, body says

Thu, 22 Feb 2007

The majority of consumers believe regulation of the travel insurance industry is a good idea, new research has revealed.

In a survey conducted by Populus, 97 per cent of consumers have shown support for government plans to protect Brits from travel agents who are vague about travel insurance policies they sell.

The proposed regulation comes on the back of a government inquiry launched last year to investigate holiday packages that include travel insurance.

Unlike independently purchased travel insurance policies, those that form part of package deals are not subject to regulation.

The survey, published by the British Insurance Brokers' Association, also reveals a general failure by travel agents and tour operators to advice customers sufficiently about policy excess and making complaints.

But they are not the only ones to blame, as more than half of consumers who had bought travel insurance in this way had not read the small print of their policies.

British Insurance Brokers' Association chief executive Eric Galbraith has said that the association backs the government's inquiry and proposals to subject this type of sale of travel insurance to regulation.

"Travel insurance is vital when we jet off on our holidays," he said, adding that "it is the role of the provider to ensure that consumers are both fully covered and understand the limits of their policies".

Launching the inquiry last year, the economic secretary to the Treasury, Ed Balls, said: "Our investigation will ask whether it's fair to put all the pressure on ordinary families to read the small print and ask the right questions to make sure they are properly covered."


add to favouritesnewsletterlink to this pagesend to friendpost comments

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.

 

 

Health cover, life insurance and PMIProtect Your Health

Find Critical illness, Life and Private Medical Insurance PMI policies.

UK Home Insurance QuotesHome Insurance

Get the best home insurance deal and learn how to minimise the risk of household burglary.

Car Insurance - Compare Quotes from top UK CompaniesCar Insurances

Find the cheapest Car Insurance quote in the UK and get tips to help reduce your premiums.