Brits risking holidays without insurance
More than one in four British holidaymakers assume the free European Health Insurance Card provides enough cover for holidays in the European Union, according to new research.
A study by insurance market researchers Consumer Intelligence shows 26% of holidaymakers believe the EHIC will cover them, rising to 36% among 18 to 24-year-olds.
But 44% of holidaymakers say they are now more likely to buy insurance following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.
The research, which targeted Brits who have gone on holiday in the past six months, shows 30% did not buy travel insurance and 14% say they are happy to go abroad uninsured.
Around 21% of those who do not buy insurance say they are happy to take the risk while 25% say they didn’t bother as they were only on a short trip.
Consumer Intelligence chief executive Ian Hughes, said: "Relying on the EHIC for travel insurance on holiday in the European Union is a major risk particularly when it could be under threat.
"The reality is that travel insurance premiums have fallen considerably in the past year and while people are tempted to save money by taking a risk on insurance it does not really add up.
"If the EHIC scheme is scrapped or not renegotiated that should concentrate minds and there is some indication that people will buy insurance if it goes but the risks of going uninsured or underinsured are already clear."
According to Consumer Intelligence’s Travel Insurance Price Index, the average travel insurance premiums for trips to Europe are currently £16 and have fallen around 12.4% since last year.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports