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Travel agents pushing 'dubious' travel insurance policies
29 Aug 2007
Travel agents are selling holiday insurance to unprepared customers without explaining what is or isn't covered in the policy, according to research from Sainsbury's Bank.
Conducting a survey, the financial services provider found that 13% of holidaymakers were not given comprehensive details of their travel insurance policy when buying from a travel agent, while 7% were mistakenly told that they could only buy holiday insurance at the same time as purchasing a trip.
Steve Johnson, head of travel insurance at Sainsbury's Bank, explained: "It's possibly tempting to purchase cover from the travel agent when the pressure is on and you're told it's a popular destination and there's not guarantee there'll be any room left.
"But the only way to be sure you get the cover appropriate for all your needs at a price that's right is to shop around."
It was announced in June that from 2009, the Financial Services Authority will regulate all travel insurance sold by agents as part of package deals, as it does with dedicated insurance companies.
The decision was reached after an MP report concluded that 10m UK holidaymakers travelled abroad during 2006 unknowing that their policy would fail to provide medical cover in the event of a terrorist attack.
Opodo searches thousands of flights from over 500 airlines to find the best flight deals for travellers. Find flights.
© Adfero Ltd
Conducting a survey, the financial services provider found that 13% of holidaymakers were not given comprehensive details of their travel insurance policy when buying from a travel agent, while 7% were mistakenly told that they could only buy holiday insurance at the same time as purchasing a trip.
Steve Johnson, head of travel insurance at Sainsbury's Bank, explained: "It's possibly tempting to purchase cover from the travel agent when the pressure is on and you're told it's a popular destination and there's not guarantee there'll be any room left.
"But the only way to be sure you get the cover appropriate for all your needs at a price that's right is to shop around."
It was announced in June that from 2009, the Financial Services Authority will regulate all travel insurance sold by agents as part of package deals, as it does with dedicated insurance companies.
The decision was reached after an MP report concluded that 10m UK holidaymakers travelled abroad during 2006 unknowing that their policy would fail to provide medical cover in the event of a terrorist attack.
Opodo searches thousands of flights from over 500 airlines to find the best flight deals for travellers. Find flights.
© Adfero Ltd
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