Press release -
As Brits head abroad, Covid leaves a lasting impact on how to prepare for travel
- 65% of British travellers are aware of Covid regulations at their next holiday destination.
- 15% of British travellers are unaware of the need for travel insurance.
- 46% of holidaymakers are aware of key differences between UK laws and laws in their chosen destination.
New research from Post Office Travel Insurance* has found how much the impact of Covid and ongoing travel issues have changed UK sunseekers’ attitudes towards planning for the continuing uncertainties of travel in 2022 and into 2023.
Overall findings suggest holidaymakers are well informed whilst remaining moderately cautious. Paul Paddock, Head of Travel and Protection at Post Office said; “Since the lifting of restrictions in the UK and other destinations and recent changes we have made to our product offering, increasing benefit levels and now offering a new Covid-19 upgrade, we have seen a surge in web sales of 75%.
Covid Clarity
65% of British travellers are aware of Covid regulations at their holiday destination when planning their next trip abroad. Nearly six in ten (59%) know how to find out about C-19 regulations in the country they’re travelling to, an important skill when rules and regulations are regularly changing. Holidaymakers are using methods such as looking up official travel guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to keep informed.
Perfect Planners
Although 61% of holidaymakers have never had an accident on holiday, Brits are prepared for the unexpected. Almost half (49%) have the new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) introduced in January 2021 as a replacement for the old EHIC. But these travellers aren’t resting on their laurels: 85% know they still need travel insurance to cover unforeseen incidents. However, 15% of travellers are unaware of the need for insurance, leaving themselves liable for the surprising costs and extra stress linked to baggage loss, delays, theft, and medical cover.
Airport security knowledge
Despite two years of travel restrictions, most flyers are still well prepared when it comes to the rules surrounding what can and cannot be taken on planes. Only 13% of respondents admitted to being unsure of what they could take with them – meaning there is a one in ten chance of being stuck behind them as they hold up the security line.
Sticklers for the rules
Post Office findings show that 60% of holidaymakers know what activities their travel insurance covers them for, with 56% knowing their insurance excess, and 54% knowing what their insurance doesn’tcover them for. 56% also know the total monetary value of personal possessions they’re covered for.
Holidaymakers are also urged to do further research before heading overseas: less than half of those polled (46%) are aware of key differences in laws where they are travelling to compared to the UK. Younger travellers are slightly better informed, with 52% of 18–24-year-olds stating they know key differences in the law overseas.
Safety whilst abroad
The findings show that once holidaymakers get to their destination, they’re a pretty safety conscious group. 61% say they always use the safe in their room, whilst the same percentage stating that they’ve never had an accident on holiday.
Passport pandemonium ruled out
60% of the holidaymakers we polled are aware of the passport requirements of the country they plan on visiting, such as EU countries (except Ireland) requiring passports to be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
Paul Paddock added; “After two years of travel uncertainty there’s little surprise that tourists are having to become more travel insurance savvy when planning their trips abroad. We’re reassured that many holidaymakers are doing their best to plan for travel’s unexpected ups and downs. In comparison to 2019, we’ve seen our proportion of service calls grow by 12%, demonstrating a demand for a return to getting abroad.
“However, with 18% not knowing what activities their travel insurance covers them for, one of the biggest issues when it comes to travel insurance is the genuine gap in people’s knowledge about how their policy works and what they are covered for. That’s why it is important to do your homework and ensure that the policy meets all of your needs.”
For more information and poll results, please visit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance/safer-holidays-survey
-ENDS-
Notes to editor
*Post Office Travel Insurance data collated using a OnePoll study of 2,000 holidaymakers.
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About the Post Office
- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on itscash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; andbill paymentsservices.
- Researchhas found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
