One in seven (14 per cent) UK holidaymakers go away without ever taking out travel insurance, claims a new survey by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com.
Just about half (53 per cent) purchase cover every time they go on holiday and a quarter take out cover only for trips outside Britain, while almost one in ten (eight per cent) insure themselves only for long-haul trips. The study also found that men are more likely to avoid insuring themselves on holiday than women.
Paul Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com, said that 81 per cent of Britons become ill while on holiday and warned that insurance is essential for claiming on unforeseen circumstances such as cancellation, loss of money and emergency medical treatment .
Those who are over 65 can face discrimination when buying travel insurance, according to website thisismoney.co.uk. Age Concern and Saga are companies which specialise in policies for this particular age group, however there are other providers which may offer cover.