Holidays spark so much excitement after the initial booking, travellers may well just want to get stuck into the packing process. Yet while selecting the perfect travel gear for a trip is hugely important, holidaymakers could end up forking out the cost of an entire wardrobe if they neglect to do one particular thing. Experts at travel insurance firm Columbus Direct spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the dangers of neglecting one particular factor post booking. They revealed how travellers must purchase travel insurance at the same time as booking, in order to swerve losing an average £1,796.90.
A survey by the firm shows a third (30 per cent) of holidaymakers put off purchasing their travel insurance policy until just two days before they travel.
This means, according to the company, they are leaving themselves uninsured for the months leading up to their holiday.
Meanwhile, a total of 40 per cent admitted they were uninsured for up to three months before they purchased travel insurance.
This gap means travellers are at risk of incurring costs due to airline failure, cancellations and illness.
Holidays end up becoming at risk and, for example, if a hotel is forced to close and travellers have no insurance, they will not be able to re-coop the costs.
The firm highlighted how May 2018 saw around 200 flights cancelled due to thunderstorms in the UK, leaving thousands unable to travel.
Columbus suggests most travel insurance policies will cover for key risks including scheduled airline failure, sudden or pre-declared illness that stops people from travelling and accommodation cancellations.
Yet if these affect a person’s ability to travel and they are not insured, it is likely they will end up forking out a hefty sum.
Carolina Vicente, Travel Insurance Expert at Columbus Direct: “Many of us will be looking forward to booking a holiday this month after returning to work and battling the UK weather, but it’s concerning that so many don’t take the necessary next step to protect their well-earned holiday.
“Whilst purchasing last minute does mean you’re insured during your trip, it’s a big risk not to be covered in the run up to your holiday, especially if situations outside of your control mean you have to cancel.
“The second you book your holiday you’re at risk of losing that money if something goes wrong and you’re not insured.
“I’d urge everyone booking their summer holiday this month to buy travel insurance at the same time, it may not be the sexiest purchase but it will bring you the peace of mind that you’re covered if the worst happens.”
Meanwhile, the best time to book a flight recently came to light.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “The best time to travel is when the weather is starting to heat up but the flight prices aren’t.”
He added flexibility was key and said: “There are brilliant savings to be made for those who travel at the right time – for example, flying to Budapest in September is £70 cheaper than in August but the weather is just about as good.
“And if you’re flexible on when you’re willing to travel and where you want to go use deal clubs like Jack’s Flight Club and Airfarewatchdog, where you’ll find promotions and error fares that can save you a packet or even upgrade from a bog-standard break to the holiday of a lifetime.”