Extreme Day Trips: Travellers Warned of Risks
A growing trend among adventurous jet-setters is seeing many embark on spontaneous "extreme day trips", visiting cities and returning home within a 24-hour period. However, experts are warning that many travel insurance policies may not cover these rapid round-trips, leaving travellers at risk.
According to Michelle Cooper, director of travel insurance at Saga Travel Insurance, "We’re seeing more people embrace extreme day trips: short, high-intensity trips where you fly out and back in the same day. But what many don’t realise is not all travel insurance policies provide cover for trips under 24 hours or those without an overnight stay." The Express reports that travellers should take caution, as it’s an easy detail to overlook and even whirlwind getaways come with risks such as flight delays, cancellations or medical emergencies.
Saga’s recent findings from a survey conducted with 902 Brits this February reveal that 40% of British travellers tend to leave travel insurance to the last minute or skip it altogether. The study unearthed that 16% of holidaymakers don’t bother with travel insurance when jetting off abroad. Alarmingly, 40% of those who do get insured snap up a policy at the 11th hour, potentially leaving themselves high and dry if disaster strikes pre-departure.
Michelle Cooper emphasised that "You’ll never know how important travel insurance is unless you need to make a claim. This could be before you go, if your trip must be cancelled because of an unexpected event, while you’re away, if you’re taken ill, or have an accident and need medical treatment, or even when you get back, if your baggage gets lost." Saga’s report indicates that a worrying 40% of UK holidaymakers are flirting with the danger of non-refundable cancellations by securing travel insurance at the brink of their trip or whilst already soaked in foreign sun.
The Express understands that Michelle urged travellers to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible, stating "The best time to buy your travel insurance is right after you’ve booked a holiday." A mere third of Brits nail the timing when snapping up single-trip travel insurance, reveals the survey by Saga. Michelle added, "Protecting your plans in the run-up to your holiday is just as important as when you’re there. We recommend getting a policy that includes cancellation cover so you’re protected if you can’t go due to illness or there’s an unexpected turn of events, like your accommodation cancels your booking."
For those who leave it until the day they jet off, Michelle advised that "You can still get travel insurance on the same day you travel. Most providers specify that your trip starts when you leave your home, so you need to buy your last-minute policy before you leave." The Express notes that some providers might not let you make a claim in the first 24 or 48 hours of taking it out, though. Michelle also warned holidaymakers not to overlook declaring pre-existing medical conditions when snapping up last-minute insurance, stating "If you want to be covered for a pre-existing medical condition or anything associated with it, always declare it when buying travel insurance, otherwise it could lead to complications should you need to make a claim."
Saga reveals that 75% of regular annual multi-trip insurance purchasers typically secure their policies well before their holidays, aligning with Michelle’s suggested planning schedule. The trend among policyholders is to renew their insurance right when it expires (31%) to ensure continual coverage. Meanwhile, 25% get a new policy just before their next holiday and almost one in 5 (19%) bag their insurance on the day they book their future getaway.
In addition, Saga dispels some myths around UK staycations, highlighting that millions of Brits forego travel insurance when vacationing at home. However, multi-trip policy buyers are more likely to recognise the importance of getting insured even for holidays within the UK. Michelle added, "Travel insurance for UK staycations is just as important as for holidays abroad. Take holiday cancellation cover for example, if you or someone in your party falls ill, you’ll be able to claim for any pre-paid expenses. Insurance does much more than just cover the cost of any unexpected medical bills."
Saga Travel Insurance provided the information for this article. For further information on travel insurance and extreme day trips, visit their website.
