Extreme Day Trips Abroad: The Growing Trend and Insurance Implications
A growing number of travellers are embarking on "extreme day trips" abroad, with many not realising that their travel insurance policies may not provide cover for trips under 24 hours or those without an overnight stay. According to a report by the Liverpool Echo, citing research from Saga Travel Insurance, 40% of British holidaymakers admit to buying travel insurance at the last minute or not at all, leaving them at risk of being out of pocket if anything goes wrong.
The trend of heading abroad for a single day is growing in popularity, with many travellers opting for same-day return holidays. These trips, often referred to as "extreme day trips," involve flying out and back in the same day, with no overnight stay. While this type of travel can be convenient for time-poor travellers, it also comes with risks, such as flight delays, cancellations, or medical emergencies. Michelle Cooper, director of travel insurance at Saga Travel Insurance, warned that many travellers are unaware of the implications of their travel insurance policies. "We’re seeing more people embrace extreme day trips: short, high-intensity trips where you fly out and back in the same day," she said. "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."
Saga’s research found that 16% of British holidaymakers typically never take out travel insurance for holidays abroad. Of those who do, as many as 40% purchase a last-minute policy, leaving themselves at risk of being out of pocket and without a holiday if anything were to go wrong. Michelle Cooper emphasised the importance of taking out travel insurance, stating: "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 survey of 902 British holidaymakers also revealed that 75% of those who purchased an annual multi-trip policy tended to arrange insurance well in advance or within the recommended timeframe. However, for those who book on the day of departure, Michelle Cooper warned that it may still be possible to buy cover, but it may come with exclusions. "If you’re at the airport, you may still be able to buy cover," she said. "But do it before you go through customs, or you’ll have a harder job finding cover and it may come with exclusions."
The Liverpool Echo reports that Michelle Cooper also cautioned against forgetting to declare pre-existing medical conditions when getting a last-minute policy. "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," she said.
In addition to the implications for travel insurance, the trend of extreme day trips also raises questions about the importance of planning and preparation. Michelle Cooper recommended that travellers should take caution and be aware of the risks, even on whirlwind getaways. "Protecting your plans in the run-up to your holiday is just as important as when you’re there," she said. "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."
The growing trend of extreme day trips abroad highlights the need for travellers to be aware of the implications of their travel insurance policies. As the Liverpool Echo reports, Saga Travel Insurance is urging travellers to take caution and be aware of the risks, even on short trips. By understanding the importance of travel insurance and taking out a policy that provides adequate cover, travellers can enjoy their extreme day trips with peace of mind.
Saga Travel Insurance has provided various guidance on travel insurance. The above guidance relates to travel insurance policies provided by Saga, and United Kingdom residents can look at https://www.saga.co.uk/travel-insurance for further information on this.
