Delaying travel insurance puts holidays at risk

Holidaymakers are putting expensive holidays at unnecessary risk by delaying getting travel insurance until the last minute.

Research by Saga Travel Insurance shows that four in ten holidaymakers delay taking out travel insurance until the month before their departure.

This leaves holidaymakers at risk of losing their money should they need to cancel their trip in between paying for their holiday and obtaining travel insurance.

Failing to obtain travel insurance until the last minute can also lead to decisions being rushed over the most suitable policy, Saga warns.

Most travel insurance policies provide cover should a holiday need to be cancelled or curtailed due to death, illness or injury to the persons insured, and will typically pay compensation from anywhere between £1,000 and £5,000 depending on the policy.

Some policies also cover circumstances such a jury service summons and accidental damage making the insured's home uninhabitable.

Meanwhile, customers of Whitely Insurance Consultants - trading as Kingfisher Travel Insurance and Kingfisher Insurance Services - are being warned that they may no longer be covered after liquidators moved in.

According to the Financial Services Authority, Whiteley was putting customers at risk by selling insurance policies not underwritten by an authorised insurer.

Liquidators Pricewaterhouse Coopers have set up a helpline for policyholders on 08705 234 803.