As the summer holiday season reaches its peak, new research from AllClear Travel Insurance reveals a concerning trend: more British travelers are downgrading or even skipping travel insurance altogether due to financial pressures and misunderstandings about holiday protection.
An AllClear survey of 2,000 adults found that 80% of UK holidaymakers plan to cut back on various expenses to afford a cheaper summer holiday. While budget-friendly options like hand luggage hacks and low-cost flights are becoming increasingly popular, more travelers are gambling with their health and finances by either avoiding travel insurance or opting for the least expensive policies available.
The percentage of people planning to travel abroad without any insurance has surged from 9% to 15% since last summer. Meanwhile, the number of travelers choosing the cheapest available policies has grown from 20% to 30% over the same period.
The situation is even more concerning among those with pre-existing medical conditions, who are statistically more likely to need medical assistance abroad. Among this group:
21% plan to travel without any insurance.
30% will purchase the cheapest policy.
13% admit they would withhold full medical details to reduce their premiums.
For short-haul trips, 20% of travelers say they would forgo travel insurance entirely, despite the potential for expensive medical bills.
“These choices aren’t just about saving money—they’re a result of misunderstanding,” said Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance. “Many people treat travel insurance as a commodity rather than a safety net. The true value of comprehensive coverage is only realized when something goes wrong.”
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