• Over 600,000 travel insurance claims made by British holidaymakers last year
• A quarter of all travel insurance claims were made for trips to Spain
• The US and France also saw a high number of travel mishaps
• One in eight travel insurance claims exceed £1,000
• Cancellation accounts for nearly 40 per cent of travel claims
   

New analysis1 from Direct Line Travel Insurance1 reveals that of the 600,000 plus travel insurance claims made by British holidaymakers last year, almost a quarter (150,000) were claims for holidays in Spain. Accounting for nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all holiday insurance claims, this is over 400 individual claims every day and almost three times more than the United States and France, totalling over £75m.

One in eight (12 per cent) of the claims made in 2016 exceeded £1,000 revealing the extent to which travel costs can spiral if disaster strikes on holiday.

Table one: Top five most common locations for UK holidaymakers to make a claim

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2017
 

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line commented: “With over 70 million trips made last year alone3, travel continues to be a passion for Brits as we jet off to rest, relax and enjoy ourselves.

“It is not surprising to see tourist hotspots such as Spain, the United States, France and Greece appearing as the most popular destinations, and shows that holidaymakers are just as likely to fall unwell, loose baggage or need to cancel their holiday whether they are hoping over the pond or just crossing the channel. Taking out comprehensive travel insurance in advance can help protect you and your family should any holiday horrors arise whilst on your trip.”

Year-on-year, the number of claims rose by more than 22,000 (four per cent), with exotic destinations such as Western Africa (29 per cent increase) and the Caribbean (15 per cent increase) both seeing a significant increase in volume of travel insurance claims, while North Africa (74 per cent decrease) and Central Africa (24 per cent decrease), saw the most significant fall in claim volumes.

Table two: Top 10 most common causes for claims to be made, 2016

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2017

The most common reason for making a travel insurance claim in 2016 was cancellation, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of claims. This was followed by out-patient medical incident (25 per cent) and accidental loss of baggage (seven per cent). Delays, either by airlines or by providers at the holiday destination, also accounted for a significant number of insurance claims in 2016.

Tom Bishop continues: “This analysis shows the extent that unforeseen circumstances can impact your holiday, from medical costs to rescheduled flights or lost luggage.

“Despite cancellation being the most common travel insurance claim amongst Brits, it is shocking how many holidaymakers leave buying travel insurance to the last minute. Losing out on a holiday is bad enough, but at least by taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking a trip there doesn’t need to be a financial loss too.

“With around one in eight travel insurance claims exceeding £1,000, we encourage people planning their holidays to buy their travel insurance as part of the booking process and ensure that they have the right policy to suit their needs, so they can kick back and relax in the knowledge they’re covered should anything unexpected happen.”
 

ENDS

Notes to Editor

1. Direct Line analysis of travel insurance claims data for 2015 and 2016, carried out in February 2017. All overall UK market data is based on Direct Line figures extrapolated based on the company’s market share.
2. Claims data for Spain includes both mainland Spain and islands (Canary Islands and Balearics).
3. ONS monthly overseas travel and tourism statistics: UK residents' visits abroad by month (Jan – Dec 2016, seasonally adjusted), published 17 February 2017.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/leisureandtourism/data

sets/monthlyoverseastravelandtourismreferencetables
 

For further information, please contact:

Claire Jarrett 

Media Relations Executive

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 411

Email: [email protected]
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com