- 52% of Brits say their main priority is to look for general medical cover.
- Just over a third of Brits stated that COVID-19 medical expenses cover was a priority.
- 43% of adults prioritise insurers that cover trip cancellations.
New research* carried out by specialist travel insurers, battleface, has found that the majority (52%) of Brits consider general medical expenses, excluding COVID-19, as the top priority when booking travel insurance. The figure has fallen slightly from November 2020, when 56% stated that general medical expenses was their primary concern, but it remains the key factor for those purchasing travel insurance.
Other priorities when purchasing travel insurance include cover for trip cancellations (43%) and returning home in the case of emergencies (41%). Just over a third (35%) stated that COVID-19 medical care was their top priority, showing general medical issues to be of greater concern to holidaymakers. battleface policies protect against general trip cancellations, emergencies and both COVID-related and general medical expenses for eligible travellers.
Just over a third of Brits purchase travel insurance at the same time as booking their holiday, down slightly from 42% in March 2021. Women are more likely to find insurance at the same time as booking their holiday, with 42% preferring to do this, contrasted with 36% of men. Around a fifth (22%) will book their insurance after they’ve booked their holiday, and 17% will book insurance before they book a holiday.
Katie Crowe, Director of Communications at battleface, comments: “In this environment, it’s not surprising that medical expenses are a top priority for Brits when booking travel insurance, but slips, trips and falls are still major medical issues for travellers – not just COVID. battleface continues to cover both general, and COVID-19 related, medical expenses, giving our customers security when they travel abroad. battleface also protects against general trip cancellations, which is also of high concern for holidaymakers.
For those travelling this summer, make sure your travel insurance also protects you in the event of a change in travel advice by the FCDO. This often invalidates travel policies, meaning if the government advice on travelling to your destination changes, your policy will no longer protect you. battleface policies cover destinations worldwide regardless of their traffic light colour and including those under FCDO advisories against ‘all but essential’ and ’all travel’.”
Quotes
battleface, offers a one-week travel insurance policy to Malta from £20.05 per person for departures in August. This quote is based on a 25-year-old travelling between the 2nd and 9th of August.
battleface, offers a one-week travel insurance policy to Croatia from £24.06 per person for departures in August. This quote is based on a 25-year-old travelling between the 2nd and 9th of August.
The above quotations are for the battleface basic package which includes the following cover**:
- Medical Expenses & Emergency Evacuation: £5,000,000 (excess £250)
- Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: £50,000
- Baggage Loss or Delay: £2,000, limited to £250 per single article (excess £250)
- Personal Money and Passport: £500, limited to £250 in respect of cash (excess £250)
- Trip Cost Cancellation: £2,000
- Personal Liability: £500,000
**Benefits offered are applicable per insured
The cost of travel insurance is determined by several underwriting factors including the traveller’s country of residence, destination, age(s) of traveller(s) and the duration of trip.
*The study of 2,000 UK adults was carried out between 11 and 15 June by Opinium Research on behalf of travel insurance provider battleface to look at the immediate motivators and barriers to international travel for 2021.