Insurance warning for travellers

Posted 30 Mar 2009

Nearly half of all young people who travel abroad do so without adequate insurance, new research suggests.

A survey conducted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Student Ambassadors found 41 per cent risk serious health and financial implications on holiday by not taking out a policy before jetting off.

The poll also found that more than a third (36 per cent) of students have run out of cash while overseas and three quarters fail to brush up on the laws and customs of their destination before arriving.

Ian French from GapAid, a charity set up after his daughter was killed in a bus accident while travelling in Peru, said: "We believe that if people are better prepared and are aware of the potential dangers and how to deal with them their travelling experience will not only be a safer one, but if something does go wrong they will be more likely to know how to deal with it."

He added "a little planning" before leaving would enhance the travel experience for young people.

In related news, Nadia Daer, trekker coordinator for Gapforce, recently warned that volunteers – including TEFL teachers – may feel out of their depth overseas if they do not do their homework and think sensibly about destination options before departing.

Category: General Travel