Britons planning to hit the slopes this winter have been warned that they could be putting themselves at risk without taking adequate travel insurance.
Just under 400,000 UK holidaymakers could be skiing without the necessary travel insurance protection if they take winter sports cover with their travel agent, AA Travel Insurance has claimed.
Travel insurance sold as part of a package – unlike other areas of the insurance industry – is not regulated, potentially leaving many Britons at risk, the travel insurance provider asserted.
Clare Emsley, head of AA Travel Insurance, explained: “The insurance industry is regulated by the Financial Services Authority … to ensure customers are getting proper service and good value for money.
“But the sale of insurance through travel agents is an unregulated free-for-all because it is regarded as being part of a holiday package and, importantly, customers buying such cover will have no access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if things go wrong.”
Travel insurance firm esure recently warned Britons that they should take their travel insurance policy details and contact numbers with them while abroad, to react in case of an emergency.
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